Travel With the Obamas

See amazing photos from the Obamas’ journeys to Europe | Africa and more!

The Obamas Vacation - This week, President Barack Obama is taking his very first week-long vacation since he’s been in office. He and the family will be vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. While this is their longest vacation together, the Obamas have gotten in their share of globetrotting this summer. See photos of the First Family’s travels so far this year.  REUTERS/Jason Reed

1 / 38

The Obamas Vacation - This week, President Barack Obama is taking his very first week-long vacation since he’s been in office. He and the family will be vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. While this is their longest vacation together, the Obamas have gotten in their share of globetrotting this summer. See photos of the First Family’s travels so far this year. REUTERS/Jason Reed

In France - U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive in Caen, France. In his speech, the President said, "When I take these foreign trips, it's to get business done, because I also have an economy where the unemployment rate is 9.4 per cent. One day I'll be an ex-president and then you will find me in France, I'm sure, quite a bit, having fun."

2 / 38

In France - U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive in Caen, France. In his speech, the President said, "When I take these foreign trips, it's to get business done, because I also have an economy where the unemployment rate is 9.4 per cent. One day I'll be an ex-president and then you will find me in France, I'm sure, quite a bit, having fun."

The First Ladies - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (C), France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (2nd L) and Sarah Brown (L), the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, talk next to U.S. President Barack Obama's great-uncle Charles Payne and his wife Melanie (R) during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy at Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, June 6, 2009. Charles Payne was among the first Americans to enter a Nazi concentration camp in the closing months of World War II.

3 / 38

The First Ladies - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (C), France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (2nd L) and Sarah Brown (L), the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, talk next to U.S. President Barack Obama's great-uncle Charles Payne and his wife Melanie (R) during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy at Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, June 6, 2009. Charles Payne was among the first Americans to enter a Nazi concentration camp in the closing months of World War II.

Weekend in Paris - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (C) stands with her daughters Malia (R) and Sasha at the Centre Georges Pompidou Museum in Paris June 7, 2009. They joined the President in Paris over the weekend.

4 / 38

Weekend in Paris - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (C) stands with her daughters Malia (R) and Sasha at the Centre Georges Pompidou Museum in Paris June 7, 2009. They joined the President in Paris over the weekend.

Greeting Troops - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) shakes hands with a soldier during D-Day celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the June allied landings in France, in Colleville-sur-Mer June 6, 2009.

5 / 38

Greeting Troops - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) shakes hands with a soldier during D-Day celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the June allied landings in France, in Colleville-sur-Mer June 6, 2009.

ADVERTISEMENT
Remembering the Holocaust in Germany - President Barack Obama (2ndL), Chancellor Angela Merkel (C), Buchenwald survivors Elie Wiesel (R) and Bertrand Herz (L) and the director of the Buchenwald memorial Volkhard Knigge (2ndL) leave the 'Kleines Lager' (Little Camp) memorial, the former Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near the eastern German city of Weimar, June 5, 2009. Obama is on a two-day visit to Germany.

6 / 38

Remembering the Holocaust in Germany - President Barack Obama (2ndL), Chancellor Angela Merkel (C), Buchenwald survivors Elie Wiesel (R) and Bertrand Herz (L) and the director of the Buchenwald memorial Volkhard Knigge (2ndL) leave the 'Kleines Lager' (Little Camp) memorial, the former Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near the eastern German city of Weimar, June 5, 2009. Obama is on a two-day visit to Germany.

Honoring the Victims - President Barack Obama places a rose on a memorial plaque in front of the gate building during a visit to the former Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near the eastern German city of Weimar, June 5, 2009.

7 / 38

Honoring the Victims - President Barack Obama places a rose on a memorial plaque in front of the gate building during a visit to the former Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp near the eastern German city of Weimar, June 5, 2009.

Touring the Pyramids in Egypt - President Barack Obama is given a tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass (not in picture), while in Cairo, Egypt June 4, 2009.

8 / 38

Touring the Pyramids in Egypt - President Barack Obama is given a tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass (not in picture), while in Cairo, Egypt June 4, 2009.

Russian Visit - The First Family arrives at Vnukovo airport outside of Moscow. The visit marks President Barack Obama’s first to the nation as president. During his stay, he hopes to smooth over what has, at times, been a rocky relationship between the two countries. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA POLITICS

9 / 38

Russian Visit - The First Family arrives at Vnukovo airport outside of Moscow. The visit marks President Barack Obama’s first to the nation as president. During his stay, he hopes to smooth over what has, at times, been a rocky relationship between the two countries. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA POLITICS

Russia Visit - President Obama made his first official visit to Russia and said he wants to “reset” relations between the two former Cold War opponents.

10 / 38

Presidents Chat - President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chat while they walk in Moscow’s Kremlin. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Dmitry Astakhov (RUSSIA POLITICS)

ADVERTISEMENT
Laying a Wreath - President Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. REUTERS/Jason Reed (RUSSIA POLITICS)

11 / 38

Laying a Wreath - President Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. REUTERS/Jason Reed (RUSSIA POLITICS)

Concert - Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedev and Michelle Obama along with daughters Sasha and Malia attend a concert at the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre in Moscow. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Vladimir Rodionov (RUSSIA POLITICS SOCIETY)

12 / 38

Concert - Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedev and Michelle Obama along with daughters Sasha and Malia attend a concert at the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre in Moscow. REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Vladimir Rodionov (RUSSIA POLITICS SOCIETY)

"Agent 99?" - President Obama jokingly dubbed Sasha “Agent 99” (after a character in the ‘60s secret agent comedy, “Get Smart”) after seeing her walk through the Kremlin with her hands inside her trench coat’s pockets. “She just looked like she knew where she was going. I thought she was going to pull out her shoe phone,” he said.

13 / 38

"Agent 99?" - President Obama jokingly dubbed Sasha “Agent 99” (after a character in the ‘60s secret agent comedy, “Get Smart”) after seeing her walk through the Kremlin with her hands inside her trench coat’s pockets. “She just looked like she knew where she was going. I thought she was going to pull out her shoe phone,” he said.

World Summit in Italy - President Barack Obama talks to other world leaders (European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel) at the G8 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy. The meeting brings together leaders from the eight major industrial nations and main developing economics. REUTERS/Jim Young

14 / 38

World Summit in Italy - President Barack Obama talks to other world leaders (European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel) at the G8 Summit in L’Aquila, Italy. The meeting brings together leaders from the eight major industrial nations and main developing economics. REUTERS/Jim Young

In Rome - As they did in Russia, the whole First Family traveled to Italy. Here, Michelle Obama waves as she leaves the Colosseum in Rome with daughters Malia and Sasha (not pictured). REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

15 / 38

In Rome - As they did in Russia, the whole First Family traveled to Italy. Here, Michelle Obama waves as she leaves the Colosseum in Rome with daughters Malia and Sasha (not pictured). REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

ADVERTISEMENT
Quick Pose - President Obama, along with Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi (second to the left) stop to pose with Italian firefighters during their tour of the town of L’Aquilla.

16 / 38

Quick Pose - President Obama, along with Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi (second to the left) stop to pose with Italian firefighters during their tour of the town of L’Aquilla.

Family Photo - President Obama, Britain’s PM Gordon Brown, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Japan’s Prime Minister Tara Aso (left to right) share a chuckle before another group photo at the G8 summit. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

17 / 38

Family Photo - President Obama, Britain’s PM Gordon Brown, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Japan’s Prime Minister Tara Aso (left to right) share a chuckle before another group photo at the G8 summit. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Brazil's Gift - Obama shows off a Brazilian soccer jersey given to him by the nation’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, before the leaders sat down for a roundtable session of the G8 summit. REUTERS/Jason Reed

18 / 38

Brazil's Gift - Obama shows off a Brazilian soccer jersey given to him by the nation’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, before the leaders sat down for a roundtable session of the G8 summit. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Saturday - The First Family will stay in that region of the nation, visiting Yellowstone, Wyoming and Grand Junction, Colorado.

19 / 38

Touching Down in Ghana - President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha arrive in Ghana last Friday evening. This marks the president’s first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since he became the United States’ first African-American president in January. REUTERS/Jason Reed

More Cheers - The next day, even more Ghanaians crowded along the side of the street to cheer on President Obama’s motorcade as it drove though the nation’s capital city, Accra. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly

20 / 38

More Cheers - The next day, even more Ghanaians crowded along the side of the street to cheer on President Obama’s motorcade as it drove though the nation’s capital city, Accra. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly

ADVERTISEMENT
Presidents Chat - The president walks the red carpet with Ghana's President Mills during an arrival ceremony at the Presidential Castle in Accra. REUTERS/Jason Reed

21 / 38

Presidents Chat - The president walks the red carpet with Ghana's President Mills during an arrival ceremony at the Presidential Castle in Accra. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Hospital Visit - Obama holds a baby boy during his tour of Accra, Ghana's LA General Hospital as First Lady Michelle looks on. REUTERS/Jason Reed

22 / 38

Hospital Visit - Obama holds a baby boy during his tour of Accra, Ghana's LA General Hospital as First Lady Michelle looks on. REUTERS/Jason Reed

"Door of No Return" - The First Family stands at the “Door of No Return” during a tour of former slave holding facility, the Cape Coast Castle. The experience touched Obama. “Obviously, it’s a moving experience, a moving moment,” he said, reports The New York Times. “As painful as it is, I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that, sadly, still exist in our world.” REUTERS/Jason Reed

23 / 38

"Door of No Return" - The First Family stands at the “Door of No Return” during a tour of former slave holding facility, the Cape Coast Castle. The experience touched Obama. “Obviously, it’s a moving experience, a moving moment,” he said, reports The New York Times. “As painful as it is, I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that, sadly, still exist in our world.” REUTERS/Jason Reed

Visiting Lawmakers - President Obama greets members of the nation’s Parliament at the Accra International Conference Center, ahead of Obama’s speech.

24 / 38

Visiting Lawmakers - President Obama greets members of the nation’s Parliament at the Accra International Conference Center, ahead of Obama’s speech.

Political Worries On Hold - The president took over two hours after his health care town hall near Bozeman, Mont., on Friday to make good on a campaign promise to learn fly fishing when he revisited the state. His guide said the commander in chief has become a serious student of the sport.

25 / 38

Leaving Ghana - President Obama, Michelle, Sasha and Malia participate in a departure ceremony as they get ready to board the plane heading back to the United States. REUTERS/Jim Young

ADVERTISEMENT
Cheering Crowd - When the president and his family arrived at Yellowstone National Park, they were met by a cheering Wyoming crowd.

26 / 38

Obamas Go West - The president took over two hours after his health care town hall near Bozeman, Mont., to make good on a campaign promise to learn fly fishing when he revisited the state. His guide said the commander in chief has become a serious student of the sport

A Family Affair - Obama brought his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, as well as other relatives, including half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and her young family, on the trip that was part family vacation, part policy promotion.

27 / 38

A Family Affair - Obama brought his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, as well as other relatives, including half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and her young family, on the trip that was part family vacation, part policy promotion.

Old Faithful - "Oh, that's pretty good – Cool," Obama was heard saying to wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, as the 'Old Faithful' geyser spurted thousands of gallons of boiling water and steam into the air. The geothermal natural wonder erupts every half-an-hour to two hours and has been known to shoot water up to around 180 feet (60 meters), in a natural amphitheatre formed by Yellowstone's towering mountains.

28 / 38

Cheering Crowd - When the president and his family arrived at Yellowstone National Park, they were met by a cheering Wyoming crowd.

Ice Cream Stop - After lunch on Saturday, the Obamas and their party made a surprise stop at a general store near Old Faithful, where the president ordered ice cream for his daughters — one strawberry in a cup, another in a cone. He wound up eating much of the cone himself.

29 / 38

Ice Cream Stop - After lunch on Saturday, the Obamas and their party made a surprise stop at a general store near Old Faithful, where the president ordered ice cream for his daughters — one strawberry in a cup, another in a cone. He wound up eating much of the cone himself.

Breathtaking View - "Pretty nice, eh," Obama said Sunday as the family took in the breathtaking view from the Grand Canyon's Hopi Point under a magnificent blue sky. "Last time I was here was when I was 11 years old." Asked by a ranger if it looked the same, he said, "It does!"

30 / 38

Breathtaking View - "Pretty nice, eh," Obama said Sunday as the family took in the breathtaking view from the Grand Canyon's Hopi Point under a magnificent blue sky. "Last time I was here was when I was 11 years old." Asked by a ranger if it looked the same, he said, "It does!"

ADVERTISEMENT
Martha’s Vineyard - The First Family steps off the plane after arriving in Massachusetts for their week-long vacation at Martha’s Vineyard.

31 / 38

Martha’s Vineyard - The First Family steps off the plane after arriving in Massachusetts for their week-long vacation at Martha’s Vineyard.

Warm Welcome - The First Family was greeted with cheers and waves as their motorcade drove to their vacation home. Valerie Jarrett, the president's senior adviser and Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also came along for the trip.

32 / 38

Warm Welcome - The First Family was greeted with cheers and waves as their motorcade drove to their vacation home. Valerie Jarrett, the president's senior adviser and Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also came along for the trip.

The First Dog - The First Dog, Bo, also made the trip to Martha's Vineyard with the First Family. Here he is with an executive staff member after getting off a Marine helicopter in Martha’s Vineyard. REUTERS/Jason Reed

33 / 38

The First Dog - The First Dog, Bo, also made the trip to Martha's Vineyard with the First Family. Here he is with an executive staff member after getting off a Marine helicopter in Martha’s Vineyard. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Privacy Wanted - The First Family will stay at the secluded Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark and will be the only family vacationing on the estate. Through his spokesman, Obama asked that the media “respect the privacy of the girls while they are out here on vacation.” He also urged the press to “have a good time, take walks on the beaches,” adding that “nobody’s looking to make any news.”

34 / 38

Privacy Wanted - The First Family will stay at the secluded Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark and will be the only family vacationing on the estate. Through his spokesman, Obama asked that the media “respect the privacy of the girls while they are out here on vacation.” He also urged the press to “have a good time, take walks on the beaches,” adding that “nobody’s looking to make any news.”

Excitement - Locals are excited about the president’s arrival and businesses are looking to capitalize. Here a woman puts a hat on an Obama cut-out that’s “sitting” on a porch at the Good Dog Goods shop in Oak Bluffs, Mass. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

35 / 38

Excitement - Locals are excited about the president’s arrival and businesses are looking to capitalize. Here a woman puts a hat on an Obama cut-out that’s “sitting” on a porch at the Good Dog Goods shop in Oak Bluffs, Mass. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

ADVERTISEMENT
Golf Buddy - On his first full day there, the president went golfing with his friend Dr. Eric Whitaker, who is the executive vice president for strategic affiliations and associate dean for community-based research at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

36 / 38

Golf Buddy - On his first full day there, the president went golfing with his friend Dr. Eric Whitaker, who is the executive vice president for strategic affiliations and associate dean for community-based research at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Vacation Break - Obama took a little break from vacationing to nominate Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term. Obama and Bernanke were on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard for the announcement to the press. REUTERS/Jason Reed

37 / 38

Vacation Break - Obama took a little break from vacationing to nominate Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a second term. Obama and Bernanke were on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard for the announcement to the press. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Teeing Off - Obama watches his shot while golfing at Mink Meadows golf course on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

38 / 38

Teeing Off - Obama watches his shot while golfing at Mink Meadows golf course on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. REUTERS/Brian Snyder