One of my favorite types of family vacations to plan are trips that bring together the whole, extended family. It’s so special to design a trip that bridges the gap between generations—in fact, some of my fondest memories growing up were visiting my grandparents in India, and my own experiences have led me to believe that traveling together builds bonds like nothing else. And I’m not the only one! A survey conducted by The Family Travel Association revealed that 80%+ of parents and 76% of grandparents say family trips strengthen their bonds and create priceless shared experiences.
Of course, bringing together the generations on a single trip requires thoughtful planning, since you’re now juggling different ages, interests, and levels of mobility. If your family is thinking about embarking on your own multigenerational family journey, here are three vacation styles that may be the perfect fit:
1. An African Safari
You might not think of a safari deep into Africa’s wild savannah as a family-friendly kind of escape—but I actually think it’s an ideal vacation for a multigenerational family that’s craving real adventure. Primarily, that’s because safaris don’t require a ton of walking or high level of mobility, since the majority of your wildlife tracking will take place in a guide-driven 4×4. That means even older family members who tucker out easily—and young kids who get cranky when they get tired—can sit back, enjoy the ride, and join in on the adventure. There are even some safari outfitters who’ve created safari lodges full of accessibility features that make getting around the property a breeze, even if travelers are in wheelchairs (read about one of my recommended properties in this blog post!).
True, an African safari is a big, often once-in-a-lifetime type of trip—and so I know some families may want to wait to embark on this experience when their kids are older, and can “appreciate” (and remember) it more. But there’s something magical for young kids about seeing wild creatures like giraffes, zebras, and elephants up close in real life; it’s like the animals in their favorite storybooks have crawled right off the page! So no matter your kids’ ages, I think an African safari is the ultimate adventure for both the young and the young at heart.
2. An Ocean Cruise
Set sail on an effortless multigenerational family escape aboard a luxury cruise. Cruising is simply a perfect-fit for groups, like multigenerational families, who have lots of guests of different ages, interests, and abilities. That’s because there’s something for everyone to enjoy, on the ship and off! Large cruise ships are like glittering floating resorts, with everything from zip lines and surf simulators to full water parks to keep kids entertained all day long. For adults, there’s soothing spa experiences, shopping, and—often—”adult-only” sanctuaries like pools and jacuzzis.
Plus, those in your group who are more active can choose active port excursions like cycling tours or snorkeling adventures, while older family members can opt for walking tours—or simply stay on the ship and soak up some sun. I love the idea that, now matter how your family split up to enjoy the day, you can all come back together around the dinner table and share about your day’s adventures!
3. A Beach Villa
When your family simply wants to prioritize laidback time together, nothing beats a trip to the beach. If you’re headed to the shore, opt for a villa rental over, say, connected suites at a hotel or resort. A villa gives a large multigenerational family plenty of room to spread out while, at the same time, fostering connections with shared spaces like living rooms, patios, and private pools.
Often, a luxury beach villa will also get your family closer to the water than other types of accommodations, since they often sit right on the shoreline. It’s easy for grandparents to simply walk out of your luxury villa and stroll the beach, while tweens and teens in your group could take advantage of any stocked water sports gear and hit the waves. If you work with a travel advisor (like myself!), you can have them arrange special group experiences like a sunset catamaran tour or a private chef who can cook up an exclusive menu for your family (and take care of the dishes to boot!).
4. A Ski/Snow Getaway
At first glance, a skiing or snowboarding vacation may not seem like the best choice for a multigenerational family escape, if certain family members have mobility issues. But at many ski resorts, there are lots of options for fun beyond simply hitting the slopes! While more active members are busy skiing or snowboarding, others could enjoy relaxing at the spa or sauna, shopping in town, or participating in gentler snow excursions like sledding or horse-drawn carriage rides. In the evening, everyone can meet up for roasted marshmallows around a roaring fire to share about their snowy days!
If you’re ready to plan your own bond-building multigenerational family escape, learn more about my travel planning services here—or hop to completing my brief trip inquiry form to get started!
