I’ve always believed that travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about understanding who we are. One of the most meaningful ways to do that? Retracing the steps of your ancestors.
Genealogy-based travel has quietly become one of the fastest-growing travel trends, especially among Canadians. It’s not surprising—so many of us have deep roots in places like Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe, yet we’ve never stepped foot in the towns where our great-grandparents were born. And when we do, it changes everything.
If you’ve ever wondered about your family’s story, here’s how to turn that curiosity into a deeply personal journey—plus tips for making the most of it once you arrive.
Ireland: Come home to the land of Your ancestors
If your last name starts with “O’” or “Mac,” or if your grandmother was named Mary or Kathleen, chances are you have Irish roots. And Ireland welcomes descendants with open arms—whether you’re a third-generation Canadian or reconnecting with your lineage for the first time.
Getting started:
Visit IrishGenealogy.ie, a free website with civil records going back to the 1800s. Parish records, land documents, and census archives are also available through the National Archives and local heritage centres. Even better, many counties have their own genealogy offices where staff can help dig up handwritten church entries or burial records.
Travel tips:
Fly into Dublin or Shannon depending on where your family originated. The west coast—home to counties Clare, Galway, and Kerry—is especially rich with ancestral ties. Renting a car is essential if you want to visit rural parishes, graveyards, or small villages where records still live in handwritten ledgers.
Don’t miss:
The Clare Heritage and Genealogy Centre is one of the best for guided research, and towns like Ennis, Westport, and Dingle offer a mix of small-town charm and deep-rooted history. Spend a few nights in a locally run B&B or even at lemonade Cottages —odds are your host will know someone with your surname.
Italy: From ancestral records to homemade ravioli
If your Nonna made sauce from scratch and your Zio never stopped talking about “the old country,” you might already know where in Italy your roots lie. Whether it’s Sicily, Calabria, or Tuscany, heritage travel in Italy can feel like both a homecoming and a dream vacation.
Where to begin:
Use Antenati an official Italian archive filled with civil records organized by province. You’ll need to know the town name (comune), but once you do, you can find everything from birth certificates to marriage licenses.
Getting around:
Italy’s train network is fantastic, especially for reaching mid-sized towns. For example, if your ancestors came from a hill town in Tuscany, you can fly into Florence, take a train to Siena, and rent a car to reach the smaller villages. The same goes for southern regions like Puglia and Calabria train to the nearest hub, then hire a driver or rent a car.
Where to stay and explore:
Base yourself in Florence, Naples, or Palermo and take day trips to nearby ancestral villages. These towns are full of soul, stories, and that special something you just can’t replicate. Many local churches still keep hand-written records, and locals are surprisingly eager to help even if they speak no English. Bring printed documents or family photos they're instant conversation starters.
Bonus tip:
A cooking class or food tour in your ancestral region can help you connect through tradition. I still remember the look on one client’s face when a local cook taught her to roll pasta “just like her grandmother used to.”
Poland: Preserving the past while walking toward it
Poland holds a particularly powerful draw for those with roots in Eastern Europe. Whether Catholic or Jewish, many Canadians are descended from Polish immigrants who came during or after the war. Reconnecting with that history can be emotional but incredibly rewarding.
How to research:
Try Geneteka, a searchable archive with records sorted by region. Jewish ancestry? JewishGen.org is one of the most detailed resources for pre-war family histories. And don’t forget to check immigration documents in Canada port arrival lists and naturalization records can often point to a hometown.
On the ground:
Fly into Warsaw or Kraków both have good train systems, but once you’re heading into rural areas, a car and a translator are invaluable. Many small-town records are stored in local churches or municipal offices, and while Poland is digitizing fast, there’s still no substitute for knocking on a town clerk’s door.
Where to go:
Kraków is a great base for exploring southern Poland and regions like Galicia. If your family came from the north or east, try Lublin, Poznań, or Białystok. And yes, visiting a graveyard even if unmarked can be surprisingly emotional. Many people leave with photos of the family name carved in stone, closing a loop they didn’t even realize was still open.
Final thoughts: The journey starts with a name
You don’t have to be a genealogy expert to start this journey. All it takes is curiosity and a willingness to ask questions of your relatives, your records, and eventually, the locals in a village halfway across the world.
These are not ordinary vacations. They’re identity-shaping, story-reclaiming, memory-making experiences. And for many travellers, they become the most meaningful trips of their lives.
So if you’ve ever looked at an old family photo and wondered where that road led maybe it’s time to find out.
Lorraine’s Quick Tips for Planning a Heritage Trip:
-
Use Ancestry.ca, MyHeritage, or government-run archives in the country of origin.
-
Ask living relatives for names, towns, and dates then cross-check what you find online.
-
Plan to travel outside major cities this is where the magic happens.
-
Always bring hard copies of any family documents, and consider hiring a local guide to help bridge gaps in language or records.
And finally, be open. What you find may surprise you in the very best way.
Join Me in Tanzania in November or January
Ready to make solo travel your next adventure? Join me in Tanzania this November for the Great Migration. Whether you’re travelling on your own or with a friend, this trip promises unforgettable experiences, incredible landscapes, and a welcoming group to share it all with. Details here.
Don't forget if you are looking to travel I still own a TICO registered travel agency in Ontario and will be happy to help. Always the best way to reach me is by email as I mostly work remote and I can either set up a time to meet you or suggest a perfect local agent to help you.
Email me at [email protected]
Email my Ontario Based Agents Michelle Lucy or Lauren Preston
Check some travel info at www.conciergetravelgroup.ca
Or just check out some stories and videos at lorrainesimpson.com
