Family has always been a core part of myself, as well as my husband! We each are blessed to have close relationships with our own parents, each others parents, and enjoy the fact that all of our parents get along well with each other. So something special that we have began to do, it take trips with all four grandparents. In 2021, we all did Croatia together. In 2024, we all did Italy. Based on these multigenerational trips, our family has a lot of happy memories and lessons learned!
Benefits of Multigenerational Travel with Parents and Grandparents
By traveling with both their parents and grandparents, young children can enjoy a supportive and enriching environment that fosters their overall development and well-being. Here are some benefits (emotional, social, and cognitive) that young children might receive from a multigenerational trip such as this one, where both sides of the family are included and united.
Steps for planning a multigenerational trip
Planning a multigenerational trip with young children and grandparents involves careful consideration to ensure everyone’s needs and preferences are met. Here are key aspects to consider:
Step 1: Select the Right Destination
Accessibility: Choose a destination that is easily accessible with minimal travel time to reduce stress for both the young and elderly. When it’s a huge group, the less complicated, the better.
Interest for All Ages: Ensure the destination offers activities and attractions that cater to a range of ages and interests.
Health and Safety: Consider locations with good healthcare facilities and safe environments. Think of any particular needs for any of the people coming. For example, my youngest is still a baby so I need to factor in things like high mountain altitudes might not be the safest for him.
Use Google Flights to enter in different departure and destination cities to explore options for various routes.
Step 2: Book Appropriate Accommodation
Space and Privacy: Opt for accommodations that provide enough space and separate sleeping areas to ensure comfort and privacy for everyone.
Amenities: Look for amenities such as kitchens for preparing meals, laundry facilities, and accessible bathrooms.
Location: Choose accommodations close to key attractions and activities to minimize travel time.
My favorite tool to use book lodging it Booking.Com. Enter in your desired filters and explore the options! I recommend finding the best few options and getting input from the person who will actually stay in the room.
Step 3: Coordinate the Travel Arrangements
Transportation: Arrange comfortable and convenient transportation options, such as direct flights and private transfers.
Pace: Plan a relaxed travel itinerary with plenty of breaks to accommodate slower-paced travelers and young children.
Private transfers and booked excursions make a world of a difference. Similar to when traveling with littles, I suggest having “one big thing” every day or every other day, with the rest of the time being a bit more leisurely. I personally think having a morning activity booked helps give everyone a goal to momentum to get the day started. For the transit piece, I would also suggest looking at Booking.com or GetTransfer.com.
Step 4: Plan the Activities
Inclusive Planning: Involve everyone in the planning process to ensure activities are enjoyable for all ages. Jot down the names of the people who are joining the trip and primary interests for each person. For example, if was my mom I would say “nice ambiance, more ‘luxury’ feel, and good shopping”. For my dad, I would prioritize “good, hearty food and convenience”. For myself, I love old towns with cobblestone roads I can stroll down with a cup of good coffee. Based on these interests, I could do research to find the right destination options.
Balanced Itinerary: Create a balanced schedule that includes a mix of active and restful periods, catering to different energy levels. Some people have higher stamina than others – it’s nice to keep it in mind to make sure certain people aren’t getting too bored while others aren’t overexerting themselves.
Child-Friendly Activities: Ensure there are activities suitable for young children, such as playgrounds, swimming pools, and family-friendly attractions.
Rest Days: Include rest days or lighter activities to allow for recuperation. My last piece of feedback from our parents on our Italy trip is that I did not factor in enough rest days.
My favorite tool to use for activity booking is GetYourGuide. Always check ratings and read reviews.
Step 5: Research Health and Safety Precautions
Medical Supplies: Pack necessary medications, first-aid kits, and any medical equipment needed by grandparents or children.
Insurance: Ensure everyone has appropriate travel insurance covering health emergencies, accidents, and cancellations.
Emergency Plan: Have a clear plan for emergencies, including local emergency numbers and the location of nearby medical facilities.
Refer to CDC Traveler’s Health for any health guidelines for your particular destination.
Step 6: Meals and Dietary Needs
Dietary Preferences: Take into account dietary restrictions and preferences, ensuring suitable food options for everyone.
Flexible Dining: Choose restaurants and dining options that are flexible and cater to different tastes and needs.
Self-Catering: Consider accommodations with kitchen facilities to prepare meals, especially for young children and elderly with specific dietary needs.
I like to use TripAdvisor to read reviews on restaurants. We prefer to only go to restaurants with at least 4.2 starts, but the higher the better. Also the higher number of reviews is good too. Always read the reviews to see the reasons for good or bad reviews.
Step 7: List out Packing Considerations
Essentials for Kids: Pack essentials such as diapers, baby formula, snacks, toys, and comfort items for young children.
Comfort Items for Grandparents: Include items like comfortable walking shoes, mobility aids, and any other comfort items that may be required. We love the TropicFeels brand for shoes for our parents!
Layered Clothing: Prepare for varying weather conditions by packing layered clothing suitable for both children and grandparents.
Make sure to let the group know about any packing considerations for weather and conditions. If there are any coordinated days, inform the group on color or themes ahead of time. Check out my free packing checklist downloadable here.
Step 8: Communication and Flexibility
Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with all family members to address any concerns or changes in plans.
Flexible Plans: Be prepared to adapt the itinerary based on the needs and energy levels of the group, allowing for spontaneous changes.
Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins during the trip to ensure everyone is comfortable and enjoying themselves.
I suggest having one primary WhatsApp group with all the attendees on the group. Full transparency makes things much easier, but request limiting unrelated messaging on the group to avoid confusion.
By carefully planning and considering these aspects, a multi-generational trip can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. For more on our grandparents trip to Croatia visit my post here and for our trip to Puglia, Italy, visit the post here.
