Are you raising globally aware kids?
Cerca connects traveling families and local families with children of similar ages to enable the building of meaningful, cross-cultural friendships.
Limited Spots Available. Complete this 5 minute Traveler or Local questionnaire to see if your family qualifies.
Take the quiz to see if your family qualifies
How does it work?
Sign up as a Traveling Family
Fill out a simple questionnaire to begin.
We'll schedule time to meet you and learn more about your family so that we can set you up with the best possible experience.
All families are ID verified and vetted by our team.
You don't pay until we match you with a host family.
You meet your host family for a shared meal and a few hours of quality time.
Your children (and you!) come home with new global friendships.
Price: $59 / Experience
Sign up as a Local Family in your City
Fill out a simple questionnaire to begin.
We use the word "host" to describe the families who live locally and are sharing their time with visitors.
We'll schedule time to meet you and learn more about your family so that we can set you up with the best possible experience.
All families are ID verified and vetted by our team.
Host families are paid a stipend as a "thank you" for sharing your culture with a visiting family.
You and your kids spend some quality time with a family traveling to your city and form new global friendships.
Earn €40 for each experience!
What does your child gain?
Real friendships across cultures.
Kids connect with local families in the places they visit, turning travel into real relationships instead of just sightseeing.
Learning through real-life experiences.
Cooking a local dish, playing sports, or exploring a neighborhood with local kids teaches far more than being pulled along on a group tour.
Building confidence in new environments.
Meeting peers in another country helps children become more adaptable, curious, and comfortable navigating the unfamiliar.
Developing empathy and global awareness.
Spending time with families from different backgrounds helps kids see the world through new perspectives.
Language learning.
Even a few hours with local kids encourages language learning in the most natural way possible — through play and conversation.
Memories that last longer than the trip.
The most meaningful moments of travel come from shared experiences. Your children won't just create these memories — they'll create them with you.
What are your other options?
| Category | Age Focus | Structure | Cultural Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional exchange | 15–18 | Highly structured. No family participation. Weeks long. | High |
| Student travel | 13–18 | Group trips. No family participation. 1 week minimum. | Medium |
| Do it yourself | All | Unstructured. Hope you run into a compatible family on vacation, or spend hours searching on social media. | Low |
| Cerca | 6–18 | Flexible: we work with your available dates. Full family participation. The experience fits into your trip. | High |
What families are saying
FAQ
What does Cerca Family Connect cost for a visiting family?
Traveling families pay $59 per experience. This fee supports the set up and management of your experience.
Do I have to pay the host family?
No — host families EARN money with Cerca. €40 for each experience!
What is the simple activity?
A shared activity is family-friendly time that encourages kids to interact and build friendships. Perhaps a walk through the neighborhood, board games at home, or time together on a playground or at the beach.
How do I know this is safe?
Every family on Cerca is verified with government ID, matched with a real person, and personally interviewed by our team before any introductions are made.
Will I get to talk to the other family before meeting?
Yes. We'll share a description of the family we think you'll vibe with, and if approved, the time, date, and location. You'll also be able to connect directly beforehand to confirm simple details.
Who pays for the meal?
If you meet at a restaurant or bring food for a picnic, each family pays for their own meal. If a local family welcomes you into their home, we encourage the visiting family to contribute in the same spirit you would with friends.
Questions?
Reach us at hello@cercatravel.com
We're accepting a small number of applications for experiences this summer.
Take the quiz to see if your family qualifies →