With COVID keeping families apart for months, we could all use some quality time together. Multi-generational trips provide an ideal way to reconnect. The challenge: finding the trip that works for your family. In my family, we have four generations and–in normal times–we plan a getaway at least once each year. The group ranges in age from 10 to 82 so there’s a lot to consider. Here are some tips for making multi-generational travel work—and ensuring you’re all still speaking to each other when you’re back home.
Multi-Generational Trips Start With a Family Survey
The first step to planning successful multi-generational trips is a survey. Take an honest look at everyone’s interests, abilities and income. My family is spread out all over the country—New York, Chicago, Chattanooga and Orlando—so, the first consideration is deciding on a location. As my kids and grandchildren are all in the Orlando area, Florida often wins as the destination of choice. They’re raising families and since flights can be expensive, it’s often more economical for us to get together somewhere in Florida. Fortunately, Florida has so many attractions and resort lodging options that it’s easy to find something everyone will enjoy.
Choose Lodging That Works for Family Time
Due to the varied ages and interests of our family members, we tend to have one rule when we plan our annual getaway—we will always meet up for dinner. For example, if you choose Orlando as your multi-generational getaway, chances are some of your group will want to spend at least a portion of the day at one of the many theme parks. But it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to want to see the same attraction there or spend the same amount of time. Since the point is to be together, having a place where you can eat dinner together and enjoy your downtime is important.
For that reason, consider a vacation rental. Having one or two condos, or a house with three to four bedrooms works much better for a group. And, with kids, a kitchen is a big plus. Although we all enjoy dining out, the grandkids aren’t always patient while the adults chat around the dinner table after the food is gone. With a kitchen, you can cook your own dinners and spend as much time as you want reminiscing and telling family tales around the table. And, the kids can run off to play.
Also, a house or condo will have a living room where the entire family can hang out, play games and catch up. And, when the little ones go to bed, the parents, grandparents and great grandparents can have a nightcap and continue the togetherness.
It’s all about the Amenities
While my family may not agree about everything, there is one thing we do agree on – wherever we stay, there must be a pool. With the kids’ school schedules, our getaways are usually in the summer months. It’s likely that we’ll just spend the entire day at the pool. The New York and Chicago contingents enjoy soaking up the sunshine and the kids will spend hours jumping in and out of the pool until their hands look like shriveled-up prunes. And if there happens to be a water slide, wild horses can’t drag them away.
Another amenity that is popular with our group is a fitness center. My husband always finds time for a workout when we’re traveling and even the grandkids will join him if they get the chance. And if we can score a place with access to a spa, everyone is happy.
Multi-generational Trips for Making Memories
Located on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast approximately fifty miles north of Fort Myers, Palm Island Resort often makes the destination list. My family isn’t new to the island. It was an annual destination for us when my children were teens. We have memories there—like the kids hijacking the golf carts when we weren’t paying attention.
The resort has one, two- and three-bedroom villas. Each villa boasts a fully equipped kitchen and full laundry room. Golf carts and bicycles are the main modes of transportation on the island. These can be rented from the recreation center. Additional rental items include kayaks, canoes, boogie boards, rafts, snorkel sets, fishing equipment, beach umbrellas and tennis equipment. Strolling the shell-laden beaches searching for the perfect treasure or maybe a fossilized shark’s tooth was always a favorite pastime for my children when they were young. Now, the grandkids enjoy the same lazy day pastimes.
A place like Palm Island gives us just the right amount of time together balanced with enough space to keep everyone sane. Most importantly, we make priceless memories. And, when it’s time to go home we actually still like each other.