Getting everyone together under one roof can be challenging for many families. As children age and move out or siblings and extended family move across state lines, planning get-togethers with the whole crew isn’t always easy. However, multigenerational travel, where multiple generations within a family travel together as a group, is becoming increasingly popular in today’s globalized world. What better way to plan a multigenerational travel adventure than during spring break?
Let’s take a closer look at trends in multigenerational travel, how families can prepare for a spring break adventure and more tips on how parents can plan a successful trip for all family members.
Multigenerational travel is heating up
Several trends are emerging in generational travel as more families are looking to explore new places together. Mintel’s U.S. Multigenerational and Family Travel Market Report 2023 found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are family travelers, with over half wanting to travel and spend quality time together. Additionally, 68% of multigenerational travelers are interested in more bespoke offerings that help handle the complexity of planning such trips and over two-thirds find it difficult to plan trips.
What do these insights tell us? It shows that multi-generational travel is on the rise as more families, particularly millennials, want to pass values onto their children with the help of their grandparents. However, planning multigenerational trips is difficult, and multigenerational travelers want to work with brands that make the planning process as seamless as possible.
Tips for planning a multigenerational spring break
Spring break is an excellent time to plan a multigenerational spring break adventure, as children have time off from school and temperatures in many areas across the globe are slowly warming up. Multigenerational travel is a great way for families to strengthen bonds, form new family traditions and create lasting memories for all generations based on a sense of togetherness and unity. However, there are various challenges that need to be overcome, such as scheduling conflicts, budget considerations and desired activity levels. Below are a few tips for planning a multigenerational spring break to ensure it goes smoothly.
Begin planning early
Spring break can be a busy time of year for travel, as many families are looking to escape the cold and take advantage of the time off their children have. Begin planning well in advance to book flights, accommodations and activities and to ensure all family members have time to coordinate their schedules and make necessary arrangements.
Try a travel planning service
One way you can prioritize multigenerational spring break adventures is through Road Scholar. Road Scholar’s mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel through experiential learning programs that help deepen their understanding of the world’s peoples, places, cultures, history and environment. Road Scholar specializes in unique learning adventures, including an unforgettable multigen spring getaway. This can be a great way for parents, children and grandparents to explore the world while forming new memories based on shared experiences.
Establish open communication
When planning multigenerational travel, ensure there’s open communication and everyone is involved in the decision-making process, as it can ensure everyone’s preferences and interests are considered when selecting a destination and activities.
Choose family-friendly destinations
Multigenerational travel means you’re traveling with people who have varying interests and ability levels. Make sure to choose a destination with various attractions and activities suitable for different age groups.
Budget carefully
Planning a multigenerational travel adventure can be expensive, so make sure to discuss budget expectations with all family members to ensure their financial considerations are taken into account.
Plan downtime
A key component of a successful trip is planning downtime. Downtime can be a great way for people to rest and recharge after a day’s activities or for others to break off and explore personal interests on their own time.
Pack carefully
Taking time to carefully pack is essential. Depending on your location, make sure you have the necessary adapters to charge your electronics, appropriate clothing that can be layered to adjust for temperature fluctuations and all travel documents and necessary health supplies.
These are some of the tips that can help families plan a successful multigenerational spring break vacation. Through careful planning and allocating enough time to choose transportation, lodging and activities, you can ensure your trip goes off without a hitch.
Considerations for planning multigenerational spring break travel
As you prepare for your spring break trip with your family, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind to meet the diverse needs and interests of each age group. Below are a few factors parents can keep in mind throughout the planning process:
Accommodations
Make sure to look for accommodations that can cater to larger families, such as suites, villas and rental homes that are accessible and close to attractions, particularly for older family members with mobility issues.
Health considerations
Traveling can be taxing on the body, and it’s crucial to be mindful of the health and medical needs of older family members. As you plan your trip, consider factors like medication schedules and access to medical facilities.
Sleep schedules
To get the most out of your trip, everyone needs to be energized, which means plenty of sleep throughout the trip. However, a challenge with multigenerational travel can be the different circadian rhythms of the various age groups. Make sure to book rooms or create separate spaces based on sleeping schedules to ensure everyone gets plenty of shut-eye.
Meal options
It’s also important to consider each family member’s eating preferences and restrictions and choose restaurants or accommodations that offer a variety of meal options.
There’s a lot that goes into planning a multi-generational spring break trip. This can be challenging for parents struggling with the mental load of caring for children and organizing the logistics. To ensure the parents in the group enjoy their stay, delegate responsibilities to other adults in the group, create checklists for family members to ensure nothing gets overlooked and schedule downtime for self-care and relaxation.
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