But by the time kids hit middle and high school, you should think long and hard before yanking them away from their studies. The accepted tenet is that off-season travel is out after fifth grade. Limit the length of the trip. The extended family might be gathering for the week, but you and your school-age children might do better to join in for just a long weekend. Have good reasons for going.
Schools are less likely to be punitive if the trip is for a good reason.
My childrens' teachers have generally been sensitive to the issues of our restricted vacation time, perhaps more so than if we'd decided to travel simply to miss the crowds. Overseas excursions are wonderful and valid educational opportunities. Fitting in a side trip to a place pertinent to the lesson plan is bound to be appreciated, especially if you offer to have the child keep a journal during the trip and perhaps write a report of the experience. Take school work with you. Although it's not very vacation-like, educators appreciate the effort of keeping up with school work while away.