Love a family holiday? It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together away from home, and whilst you may associate this with families with young children, it’s also a popular option for adult children too. This is where the term generational or multigenerational family holidays comes from, where the whole family from grandparents to grandkids take a trip together. So, why is it becoming more popular and what are the challenges with organising such a trip?
Why Are Generational Holidays Popular?
Nearly 1 in 3 UK holidaymakers have been on a holiday with adult family members from multiple generations in the last 3 years, highlighting the popularity of this type of family getaway. Travelling together whether it’s to a staycation destination here in the UK or further afield can be a fun way to enjoy some downtime, especially if larger families do not see each other all the time due to busy modern lives. Multigenerational holidays are usually where 3 generations of one family travel together, and are sometimes referred to as 3G holidays for that reason. So for example, you may arrange a holiday as parents with both your children and their grandparents, creating a different dynamic to a regular family holiday.
Spending shared time together away from home in a larger group presents its own challenges, but as long as you have enough room for everyone at your chosen accommodation and consider everyone’s likes and dislikes when it comes to food and activities, you’ll have the basis for an enjoyable trip. One of the reasons they are so popular is that they give the opportunity for family bonding over shared interests and creating lasting memories. You don’t have to spend every minute of your time together whilst away, especially if you have children eager for fun and activities and older grandparents that may need some downtime scheduled in, but you’ll be able to arrange a good mix of group activities and shared meals that everyone can enjoy.
With the growing popularity, it means more people are looking for larger rental properties such as through Airbnb in popular locations. This means for anyone looking to book a generational holiday during peak seasons, you’ll need to move quickly to secure the ideal place to stay before it goes.
What To Consider When Planning a Multigenerational Holiday
Just like with any holiday, there are various things to consider when planning everything out. As you’ll have more people to think about, you’ll want to ensure you’ve covered all angles and planned well in advance.
Travel Insurance
Having insurance to cover your holiday is not just a consideration for trips abroad but also for staycations here in the UK. The last thing you want to be thinking about is anything that can go wrong whilst away, however, being prepared will help to reduce the stress if it does. This is where having a good travel insurance policy that covers the unexpected is essential for each member of your family. With multiple generations all travelling together, having peace of mind that you’re all covered for any unexpected issues such as trip cancellations, delays, or lost items like luggage will help you cover out-of-pocket costs.
You should also think about the health requirements of the eldest family members. As per travel insurer Staysure, you’ll need to consider any pre-existing medical conditions when choosing a policy as this can impact the cost. Research policies and find the right fit for each family member.
Different Schedules
One of the biggest hurdles when choosing dates is coordinating schedules across multiple households – if you’ve ever organised a family outing before, you’ll know it isn’t always easy! With work commitments, school holidays, and everyone’s own personal preferences, you’ll want to work out early on when the best time to travel is and what everyone wants. The further ahead you can plan, the more time you will have to settle on the best date.
Destination & Accommodation
Choosing a destination that meets the needs and interests of all age groups is another challenge. Younger children might prefer things like theme parks or beaches, whereas older adults may seek more relaxed activities. All families are different, so finding a balance between these interests often involves a little bit of compromise and creativity in planning activities that can engage everyone.
Where to stay can also pose a difficulty, as you’ll need somewhere spacious enough for everyone that has all the amenities you need. Once you’ve decided on a destination, look into where the best places are to stay for your group number as soon as possible to avoid disappointment if everything gets booked up.
Activities
Managing different energy levels across generations will mean ensuring there is a good mix of downtime as well as fun activities. It’s important to plan for adequate rest periods and to choose activities that are physically suitable for the oldest and youngest members of your family. Of course, you don’t have to do everything together, so you may want to arrange some activities separately if this works out for the best. Being flexible with schedules whilst away can ensure you everything is planned thoughtfully and discussed.
Benefits of Travelling with Extended Family
As anyone who has been on a multigenerational holiday before will tell you, it can be a rewarding experience when planned well. There’s the opportunity for grandparents and grandkids to bond whilst exploring a part of the world you’ve perhaps not been to before, or maybe you’ve chosen a destination you’ve all enjoyed before, reliving a family holiday you took in the past.
Everyone has busy lives, especially as they get older, so having a week or two to meet up together can be perfect for those families that might not see each other often. Shared experiences on holidays like this, from exploring historical sites to enjoying a leisurely beach day, quickly become cherished memories that you’ll always look back on fondly.
On a practical level, generational holidays can be very cost-effective. Expenses on accommodation, transportation, and meals can be shared, and with self-catering options, you can enjoy a great holiday together even on a tight budget.
Enjoying Family Time To Create Memories
Ultimately, we all go on holiday to enjoy ourselves, take a break from our daily routine, and create memories that we’ll cherish forever. With a multigenerational trip, you’ve got even more opportunities to do so and enjoy shared experiences you can talk about for years to come. They are a great idea for a budget holiday where you can share the costs and will help family groups grow closer together, especially when you may all live further away from each other.
With good preparation, you can arrange the ideal holiday together – why not make it a group effort and meet up to arrange it? Part of the fun is the planning and that way, it’s not left to one person to organise everything. Wherever you decide to go and the activities you arrange, it’s sure to be a memorable holiday.