How to plan a multigenerational family trip that will create lasting memories
6 Minute Read
Have you ever considered travelling with your extended family?
According to research by the luxury travel network Virtuoso, more Canadians are choosing to take multigenerational trips. Canadians prefer vacations with a significant other and multigenerational travel. With over half of the 500 travellers surveyed believing that travel is essential to children's development, Canadians are opting for long-lasting memories that bring the whole family together as they explore new places.
CAA Travel Consultants are also seeing the trend, getting more and more inquiries for multigenerational trips that offer something for the whole family. “Some tour itineraries are specifically geared towards having points of interest and excursion choices for travellers of all ages,” CAA Travel Consultant Jennifer Cochrane explains. “This makes these meaningful family experiences all the more possible.”
Why plan a multigenerational trip?
A multigenerational trip is about family and experiencing a new destination with your loved ones, prioritizing your time together. They are a great way to bond as a family and create memories that will last for years to come.
“I think it is a great way to build lifelong memories and create a shared experience in a time when there can be so many other distractions,” Cochrane says.
Some multigenerational trips also help maximize limited vacation time. For example, if you only get two weeks of vacation, you might not want to spend one week at your parents’ home catching up. It can be hard to balance family time with getting the chance to travel. Instead, a multigenerational vacation helps you get the most out of your holidays. You can plan quality bonding time, and everyone can depart on vacation together, creating quality memories.
Tips for planning a multigenerational trip
Multigenerational trips can be a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones. But knowing where to start can be stressful. A trip that caters to your whole family can be hard to find, and juggling everyone's schedules and budgets can be difficult. However, with careful planning and preparation, you can create a successful trip that your whole family can enjoy.
Start the planning process early
Planning a multigenerational trip can be both exciting and challenging. You’ll want to consider the preferences and needs of all family members. By getting everyone in the planning process, each family member feels valued and their opinions considered, leading to a more enjoyable trip for all.
Plus, it helps build anticipation and excitement for the upcoming trip. By discussing and sharing ideas, everyone becomes invested in the journey and feels a sense of ownership. Planning together can lead to better cooperation during the trip, as everyone will better understand each other’s expectations and desires.
To avoid any last-minute stress or disappointment, plan early and lock down a date as soon as possible. Consider planning several months in advance to coordinate better and avoid date conflicts. Are there important events at work or school that people can’t miss? Or are the kids already on school holiday for a week, so it is the best time to go?
Starting the planning process early also allows for more options. Popular destinations tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak travel times, so it’s essential to secure reservations as soon as possible.
Give everyone a say
When planning your trip, remember to set realistic expectations for everyone who will be coming. Getting the whole family involved in the planning process, or representatives from each group or generation, means you can learn what everyone wants from their vacation. Once you understand everyone’s wants and needs, you can work together to plan your trip.
If planning a trip that the whole family will love feels like a lot of work, you can look into tour groups that offer family itineraries. There are many tours that allow your family to discover a love of travel together with expertly crafted itineraries that help you explore the world.
Figure out your budget, and who's paying
When travelling with a multi-generational family, you’ll want to figure out your budget early. Everyone will be comfortable spending different amounts, so plan and set a budget early in the planning process. Just because mom and dad are coming on the trip doesn’t mean they’ll pay for everything like when you were a kid.
In many places abroad, restaurants won’t split the bills, so having someone designated to pay will make things easier for you and your servers. At the end of the trip, you can divide the costs.
You can always delegate different types of spending to help alleviate the stress on one person’s credit card. Have an organized person keep track of expenses and receipts to better determine who owes what.
With larger groups, it may be worth booking a driver or a private tour guide to help balance the needs and abilities of the whole family. While these private experiences may seem more expensive, they are often more cost-effective.
Choose a destination that offers something for everyone
When choosing a destination for your multigenerational trip, consider each family member's interests and abilities. Look for a location that offers a variety of activities and attractions suitable for different age groups.
Consider accommodation and transportation options
Choosing suitable accommodation is crucial for a successful multigenerational trip. Look for options that offer enough space for everyone, as well as amenities and facilities to make the journey more comfortable and convenient.
Check the amenities of your accommodations. In Europe, only some hotels have elevators, or there may be many stairs to enter the hotel. When travelling with older generations, ensure your accommodation is accessible to everyone. The last thing you want to do is lug everyone’s suitcases up six flights of stairs because the hotel doesn’t have an elevator.
For those who don’t want to walk everywhere, pay attention to and research local transportation. Uber isn’t an option everywhere, so research what taxi and ride-share services are available at your destination. Some cities like Cinque Terre or Venice are entirely car-free, so you’ll do a lot of walking. Walking around Cinque Terre means navigating a lot of hills, so it may not be a suitable destination for everyone in your family.
If you opt for a tour, speak to a travel consultant to see what options are available. For example, throughout the trip, many tour groups provide comfortable accommodations, transportation, and knowledgeable guides who cater to the needs of children and adults.
Don't over-plan
It’s easy to get carried away with planning every minute detail. After all, you don’t know when the next time you’ll return to the country, so you want to see as much as you can. However, group trips tend to move more slowly, so leave room for spontaneity and unexpected opportunities. Some in the group will want to spend longer at attractions than you might expect, or adjust the plan to step into a shop or museum that catches their eye along the way.
Plus, the physical abilities of each family member may vary. So, while you can easily walk from one sight to the next, others might need more frequent breaks, transportation between locations, or a route adjustment. For example, someone who uses a mobility aid would have an easier time walking on the nearby flatter road rather than on the cobblestone street.
It’s also vital to leave room for downtime. Travelling can be exhausting, especially when you’re not used to spending multiple days with your family and adjusting to new cultures. It’s crucial to have some time each day to relax and recharge, whether it’s taking a short nap or a few hours when the group can split up to pursue their interests, such as wandering through an art gallery or going to a cooking class to learn how to make a regional dish.
Allow for alone time
While a multigenerational trip is about spending time together, alone time can help you make the most of your trip. Having time to wander local streets at your own pace can often lead to memorable moments you otherwise could have missed, whether it’s a fantastic bakery or a breathtaking viewpoint. Not every activity or every hour of the day needs to be spent together, and not everyone has the same interests or wants to visit the same attractions. Splitting up helps everyone see and do more of what they want. You can also break apart for mealtimes, allowing everyone to indulge in their favourite foods or try something new.
Book your multigenerational trip
Get ready for the ultimate multigenerational vacation with CAA Travel. Book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant to start planning your family vacation with the help of an expert.
