If you have ever thought about taking a “multi-generational” family vacation, you are not alone. Many families have discovered that spending valuable vacation time with extended family and across the generations is a wonderful way to foster closer family ties, and to create lifelong memories.
And when you combine a multi-generational trip with celebrating something special – such as a milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement – a trip with extended family is even more special!
If planning a multi-generational trip sounds like the perfect way to enjoy time with family, (it is!) then what next? Where do you start? Where should you go? Aren’t there a lot of logistics to think about?
While it is true that planning travel for multiple families is more complicated than just for two people, it doesn’t have to be stressful – in fact, it can be fun! The key is knowing what you need to think about and plan for, communication with everyone (which includes considering the needs of all ages!), choosing a destination that has something for everyone – and most importantly, having some expert help to guide you along the way.
What to Think About and Plan For – This is kind of a super broad topic, and will admittedly be different for every group, but in general there are a few “biggies” that you’ll want to consider right at the beginning. First, you’ll want to look at the ages of everyone going and consider any needs or priorities. Does anyone have mobility issues? Or significant health issues that would make certain kinds of travel a challenge (a family member who has difficulty walking for example probably won’t love a vacation that involves a lot of hiking over rough terrain). Are there any small children that will have their own specific needs or schedules to work around? Does anyone have any specific dietary needs (or are there any children that only survive on chicken fingers)? Multiple ages will have multiple needs, so it is super important to take everyone’s needs into account, which is why….
Communication is Key – This is not the time to be shy, because there is nothing worse than planning a big family vacation only to discover that several family members are unhappy with the destination or activities. This is the time for everyone – including children (as much as is realistic based on ages) – to have *some* say in the planning. This is also the time to discuss those big topics noted above, to determine priorities. Of course, it’s also the time to have fun with the “dreaming” part, so allow everyone to share their idea of a perfect vacation together.
Now having said all of this, family dynamics also play a role here and with a lot of people involved, discussions like this can rapidly devolve into conversations where nothing is ever decided! So, it’s important for one person in the family to be designated as the one “in charge” and he/she can set a timeline to make a decision and keep track of everyone’s wants/needs. This is the person who will work with your travel agent to take all that information and help with…
Choosing the Right Vacation Destination – You’ve got an idea of what is important for your vacation. Now how do you find the best destination that meets your family’s needs and priorities? While this part can seem overwhelming, it is honestly the easiest part because it’s where your experienced travel advisor comes in. She’ll want to know the details that you’ve already discussed and will probably have some additional questions for you as well – things like dates, special celebrations, and budget will be important to share. Then she’ll discuss some options with you. Whether you’re looking for a cruise, thinking about an island all-inclusive, wondering about a tour in Europe, or visiting a family theme park, a travel agent who specializes in these destinations can offer guidance about the best times to go, finding the right itinerary/hotel for everyone’s needs, and tips for getting the best price.
Your Travel Agent is Your Friend Here – While putting together a trip for multiple families – with all different ages, and interests, and budgets – may sound daunting and a bit overwhelming to you, the fact is for your travel agent, this is what we DO! A travel advisor can guide you in planning, coordinate the logistics, and make everything for your family truly stress-free. From keeping track of everyone’s details, to being in contact with your destination, and reminding everyone about payment deadlines and important documents – your travel agent will be on top of ALL the things, so you don’t have to worry about something important falling between the cracks.
She will also provide you with lots of information geared just to your family and will work with you throughout the planning of your trip to make sure that everyone’s questions are answered, and everyone is prepared to have a wonderful vacation. And if something happens or if there are any issues either before or even while you’re traveling, your travel agent will be there for you as well, to assist and advocate for you until the problem is solved.
So yes, there’s a lot to think about when planning a multi-generational vacation – but the memories you create will truly be those that you treasure for a lifetime. And with a little experienced help, you can relax and enjoy looking forward to your trip!
Learn how the services of an experienced travel agent can make planning your vacation simple and STRESS FREE!
