For my nephews that are far away, whenever they go on a trip to another city, I assign them a photo scavenger hunt and send them a list of items and disposable cameras (or they use mom's) to take pictures of the things in that city. I assign either sites I know they will see or little things (foods, signs) that the city is known for.

Then they have the photos to show me the next time we see each other and the one who finds the most, gets a prize. it keeps them interested in the trip for my sister even when they are fading in energy. Or they have to take pictures with things they know I would like to see with them in it so I have nice memories of their trip and good photos of them.