Best Vacation Ideas for a Multigenerational Vacation.

Multigenerational travel is becoming more and more popular, and it’s a trend I don’t see slowing down any time soon. Families are placing more importance on spending meaningful time together and making memories on vacations with activities that appeal to all ages.

Not every family vacation destination is ideal for guests on a multigenerational vacation.

 Parents, grandparents, and children traveling together introduces a whole new dynamic to vacations. Choosing the perfect destination or type of trip is essential to its success.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite vacation destinations that are ideally suited to the needs of larger family groups.

Tanque Verde Guest Ranch – Tucson, AZ

photo ©Tanque Verde

A Dude Ranch vacation is sure to be one your family will be talking about for years to come. Tanque Verde is a unique destination that goes well beyond that of your typical hotel. With plenty of outdoor adventures like horseback riding (don’t’ worry, there are rides for all skill levels including true novices, and the staff is trained to work with grandma and grandpa to make them feel comfortable as well), hiking, mountain biking, yoga, swimming, basketball, tennis, and even a spa, there is something for everyone.  Families love the sense of camaraderie and shared, new experiences that make these vacations a bonding experience like no other.

The relaxed vibe at Tanque Verde will put everyone at ease right away. The ranch feels like a high-end summer camp for all ages. Kids age 4-12 can participate in supervised programming that includes riding lessons, hiking, arts and crafts, and nature activities. The whole family will enjoy dining options that include outdoor cookouts from blueberry pancakes griddled over an open fire to traditional barbecue in the evening. Prefer more traditional dining? The options at Tanque Verde are varied enough to appeal to all ages and definitely don’t disappoint. Also would Paws Up in Montana is wonderful option.

Fairmont Kea Lani – Maui, Hawaii

photo ©Fairmont

Who wouldn’t love escaping to the Hawaiian islands for some family fun? The Fairmont Kea Lani is the ideal option for larger family groups. It is one of Hawaii’s only oceanfront all-suite and villa resorts. Some condos offer direct access to the big lagoon pool, others are a short walk to the beach, and many boast private plunge pools on the patio (a definite hit with the kids!).

The resort offers plenty of activities to keep everyone happy including multiple swimming pools (there is an adult-only pool, a water play area for babies, and even two family pools connected by a 140-foot water slide). The Hawaiian Cultural Program is a favorite for extended families. Other activities include various water sports, snorkeling, scuba diving, kids clubs, wellness classes, an award-winning spa, and a fitness center. Golf and tennis are available nearby as well. 

Cruising

Cruises offer great flexibility for multigenerational families. With (almost) everything included in one price, stateroom options for a variety of budgets, and an abundance of activities from sunrise till way beyond sunset, setting sail on the high seas is often the perfect vacation for everyone. Dining options are plentiful and cater to both the simple palate of the youngest member of your family and the desire for more elegant dining among the adults in the group.

Cruises offer the perfect balance of high energy fun and relaxation. Supervised kids clubs that you will often have to beg the kids to leave give parents some time to relax or enjoy the adult-only spaces and activities on board. Since everything is taken care of once you are onboard, cruising eliminates many of the frustrations of traveling with children.

Choosing the right ship will be important. Many of the newer, larger ships will have a massive list of available activities that Grandma and the little ones can all enjoy together.  This is where it gets tricky, as Grandma may have her favorite upper end cruise line. Depending on time of year and location they may not have a kid friendly activites or shows in the evening or have chicken nuggets.

Helping my clients match their vacation wishes and needs to the perfect ship and itinerary is one of my favorite parts of planning a cruise vacation, because I love putting my extensive cruise knowledge to the advantage of my clients.

Also remember cruising is more than just the Caribbean. Alaska is my #1 multigenerational cruise destination. Grandparents and the families with older kids may do the land portion pre or post cruise and the others who have younger children or who can only squeeze a week's vacation can join the others on the cruise portion.

 Bermuda is a great choice for a non Caribbean beach choice, as it's easy for Midwestern families to drive to the East Coast ports. Want history, scenery and older cities without the long European flight? Summer Canada/New England sailings fit the bill as the demographics are younger in summer, due to the easy of getting to ports in Boston, New York and Quebec City.

 Thinking Europe? There is no better way for a multigenerational group to cover a lot of ground than by ship, And don't forget the family itineraries on the European Rivers.

photo Tauck

Jewel Runaway Bay – Jamaica (All-Inclusive Resort)

©Jewel Resorts

Much like cruising, all-inclusive resorts make planning large family vacation simple and easy. Everything is included for one price, and there are a wide variety of activities for guests of all ages.

Jewel Runaway Bay resort makes our list for its extensive list of activities and amenities tailor-made for families. You’ll find a kids club (for all ages), dedicated areas for teens including a recording studio, family laser tag and not only kids programming, but family programming as well. Check the schedule for events such as Mommy and Me spa days, Father-Daughter dances, and family golf lessons. The kids are sure to enjoy the Jewel Lagoon Water Park complete with lazy river, family raft ride, zero-entry lagoon style pool, splash zone, and a giant sun deck.

The warm Jamaican hospitality and gracious service begins as soon as you arrive at the resort where you are greeted with an ice-cold rum punch (or fruit punch for those under 21!) and a smile. The staff are incredibly friendly and will soon be calling you and your children by name.  This is just one example of a great multigenerational resort in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Hyatt Ziva, Royalton, Azul, Moon Palace and Beaches are some other options.

Hyatt Ziva, Rose Hall Jamaica

Planning a multigenerational vacation and organizing all of the details can be a time consuming and stressful task. Let us take care of the logistics (and save you from dealing with all of your relatives' many questions and critiques) so that all you have to do is show up and enjoy your trip.

 The perfect vacation begins with scheduling a complimentary travel consultation. Click here to request a time for us to chat . We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.

Why You Should Take Your Family On A European River Cruise

Parents and grandparents want to plan extraordinary family vacations,creating shared memories that will last a lifetime.  Iconic destinations help to generate these kinds of enriching vacation experiences.  Europe is a popular destination for family and multigenerational vacations, offering a rich tapestry of cultural, adventure and learning experiences for families with kids of all ages.  While European river cruising used to be viewed as primarily for adults, parents and grandparents have recently discovered its family appeal.  River cruising offers a relaxing way for families to enjoy Europe and make memories together.

Many of the major river cruise lines have created cruises that are now geared toward families.  Their designated multigenerational  cruises feature exciting family programs and special excursions, a dedicated Family Host to supervise kids' activities, attractive family pricing and more.  If your considering taking the kids to Europe, here are the best reasons to choose a river cruise for your family's next vacation:


1.  Effortlessly Explore the Heart of Europe.  In contrast to some other family vacation options, river cruises offer families a stress-free way to experience the charms of Europe.  Being on a river cruise is like vacationing aboard a floating family-friendly luxury boutique hotel.  Unpack once and let Europe's most picturesque villages and cities arrive at your doorstep each morning.  Because ships generally tie up in or close to town, families can experience these destinations in a relaxed manner.  It's usually easy to  stroll off the boat and walk to local shops, attractions and cafes.

2.  Extraordinarily All-Inclusive.  The price of these family river cruises includes nearly everything you need for a great European vacation.  Most cruise packages cover all scheduled airport transfers, some shore excursions with a variety of personalized options, all gratuities for onboard crew and local guides, all meals, some forms of unlimited beverages of every kind, ship-wide Internet and WI-FI access, free use of bicycles and much more in the price of their river cruise vacations.  This allows families to fully enjoy their vacation without worrying about logistics and budgets.  Some extra services are also available, such as spa treatments and additional optional shore excursions.

3.  Easy To Plan.  The all-inclusive approach of a river cruise makes planning European family vacations simple.  The cruise lines also offer very appealing  pre- and post-cruise packages for those who would like to stay a little longer and Explore Europe's cities and attractions in more detail.  It's very helpful for families to arrive a day or two before the cruise to cope with jet lag and potential travel delays.

4. Engaging Itineraries and Attractions.  River cruise lines offer family-friendly departures on the Rhine River, the Danube, the Seine River and other European waterways.  The itineraries have proven so popular the the major river cruise lines have tripled their family-friendly sailings in the last several years.  These multigenerational river cruises provide the kids with mind-expanding travel experiences, with the opportunities for families to spend quality time together while they experience some truly unique events.  The itineraries families can experience include exploring authentic medieval castles along the Upper Rhine River Valley, walk along the wing of a Boeing 747 airplane at Speyer's Tecknik Museum, take rides across vineyards and along scenic winding canals, enjoy hands-on exhibits and tasty chocolates in Vienna, and much more.

5.  Entertaining for Kids.  On multigenerational cruises, many lines have a Host is onboard to supervise the children and accompany exclusive family shore excursions.  They also design fun activities that will be engaging for both kids and family members.  Many of the family activities includes cooking demonstrations, tours of the wheelhouse with the Captain, and dedicated family excursions to a castle or a town.

6.  Excellent for Multigenerational Vacations.  Today's grandparents want to make lasting memories and share enriching new experiences with their families.  A relaxing river cruise is the perfect vehicle for achieving those goals.  The shore excursions feature exceptional guides who expertly will bring their cities and towns to life for guests of all ages.With a European river cruise, parents and grandparents will expose their children to the wonderful cultures of Europe in a fun and intimate way.

Are you ready for a stressfree way to see Europe with your parents & the kids?