Grand Tripping and Kid Caravanning - North America

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Along with romance travel, girlfriend getaways, “manscapes” and boomer travel, multi-generational travel has entered the mainstream of travel categories. As more and more baby boomers retire, and seek to spend their golden years in the warm but often distant, company of children and grandchildren who live miles away, boomers and GenXers are taking their family reunions on the road as a way to be united while enjoying a relaxing vacation. But anyone who's traveled with multiple generations of family members knows that the ideal dream getaway meant to bring the clan closer together can quickly turn into a nightmare replete with whining, bored and cranky kin if everyone’s interests, privacy, appetites, budgets and timetables are not taken into consideration.

Resorts are always an option appealing to all age groups; critical when choosing the right property. It could be a winter break at the Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy or the Kona Coast Resort, with all the summer-sun activities children and parents could want - snorkeling, parasailing, sailing and surfing off white sand beaches. Or a fall break to the Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, which has an 18-hole championship golf course, spa and daily activities for all ages, including bilingual story time, bingo and arts ‘n crafts such as face painting.

Another choice for families is Condo Rentals and Expansive Suite Accommodations. It offers the greatest value, giving vacationing families the maximum amount of flexibility and privacy, condo and suites; almost de rigueur. Varying by region and with floor plans ranging from 175 to 2,600 square-feet of space, stylish suites, cozy casitas, beachfront lanais and upscale condos with lofts allow ample room for children to play and make noise in the living areas, while grandparents nap in the bedrooms. Additionally, most of these accommodations are also equipped with kitchens or kitchenettes, including amenities such as refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, coffee makers, dishes and cutlery, thus allowing families to save money by dining in rather than going out to costly restaurants for every meal. Shell Vacations Hospitality even has a web site for recipe ideas!

Tips for Keeping the Peace on a Multi-Gen Vacation

1. Breathing room. Allow for some unscheduled, free time in each day’s itinerary. Don't require everyone to be together 24/7.

2. Smart spending. Don't try to cram everyone into one or two bedrooms to save a few bucks. Spend the extra money on suitable accommodations, with amenities such as kitchens and kitchenettes so that everyone can be comfortable. Instead, budget wisely on things like food, activities and souvenirs.

3. The family that plays together stays together. Since the point of taking a family vacation is to be together, make it a point to have at least one meal or activity per day together.

4. All for one and one for all. Pick a destination and resort that everyone can rally around, has amenities and nearby attractions for all age groups.

5. Who’s the boss? Involve the children in planning the itinerary for each day. Perhaps give each child one day where they get to pick the recreational activity and lunch option for the family. As an additional trip-planning resource, many of Shell’s properties’ websites offer sample itineraries and day trip ideas that are crowd-pleasers for the entire family.

6. Play “outside the box”. Make it a point to try something new that you normally wouldn’t do, especially if it means doing it with one of your loved ones. If grandpa loves to golf, offer to tee off with him. If the kids are into face painting, allow them to paint yours.

7. Two words: date night. Arrange for at least one “date night” to re-group away from the kids during your family vacation. Hire a sitter through your resort or, better yet, leave them with grandma and grandpa - one of the many perks of a multi-gen vacation!

8. Play hooky. To get more bang for your buck on a multi-gen vacation, consider booking trips over weekdays, when rates are lower, instead of weekends. Even simply checking in on a Sunday and checking out on a Wednesday could save you hundreds of dollars in lower rates. Also, take advantage of multi-night incentives offered during the week.

9. Point of view. To make sure the trip is documented through everyone’s perspective, arm everyone, kids included, with their own disposable cameras. When you get home, your scrapbook will be sure to include the trip’s most candid, and often, most fun moments.

10. Keep it in perspective. When things get stressful and you begin to feel like you’ve had a little too much together-time, remember to appreciate that you are all healthy and financially able to vacation together.

Check out this link for more information on multi-generational vacations.

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