A portion of a review by Digital Spy:

Solo trips are definitely recommended over family vacations, as the implications of the latter are sure to induce a migraine. With one Sim off on a mission and the other acquainting themselves with the locals while the kids learn martial arts and nectar making, it becomes impossible to so much as tend to their basic needs, let alone focus on the individual story elements. A lack of balance in this area of the game means that the only option is to send your characters abroad one at a time.

review here