Family holidays are one of our key specialties — so we understand how stressful it can be to plan for a trip with your loved ones of various ages and various interest. Here’s some advice to help ensure your trip and the planning run as smoothly as possible.
We like to get the whole family involved in the planning process. Begin with a list of destinations and experiences that interest everyone. If you are working with one of our expert travel designers they will guide you to a destination and to experiences that would help to satisfy everyone’s needs.
Often, our clients planning the trip are so wrapped up in catering for loved ones that they forget to consider their own needs. But here’s the thing: You matter too. Include yourself in the equation — and don’t be afraid to make decisions on behalf of your family. It can be challenging to coordinate a large group of people, and you won’t always get a unanimous vote from the rest of them.
It’s always a good idea to plan lots of activities for when you arrive at your destination. It gives your vacation some structure — and helps keep everyone entertained. But make sure you allow some time for the unexpected too! In the chaos of everyday life, it’s hard to make time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company. The best thing about family vacations, in our opinion, is that you get to do just that.
How far are you willing to travel? What kind of climate are you expecting? Do you want history and culture, outdoor/nature or beach fun, rest and relaxation?
When planning a trip with different age groups, we tend to focus on destinations that have a good variety of options, looking for a blend of:
Review destination options, show them photos, review interesting facts and potential activities. They get excited about it all while learning a great deal!
Glamping – Kids can expect to swim with dolphins, see Mayan ruins, and kayak along the jungle-fringed coastline during a trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya, but now they can add glamping to the mix too, thanks to a new complimentary experience at the all-inclusive, 539-room Grand Velas Riviera Maya. While parents head to dinner, the resort’s staff leads little ones in dream-catcher-decoration sessions, puppet-show productions, and s’ mores making around the campfire. Kids can even opt to sleep outside in their own decked-out tepees, complete with comfy bedding.
“Gramping” – the latest travel trend bringing three generations together in the great outdoors – is part of a growing shift toward multi-generational travel. Few nature trips with the tribe can compare to an Alaska adventure, and Lindblad Expeditions takes active families deep inside the Great Land this summer on an eight-day expedition cruise aboard the new 100-passenger National Geographic Venture. Kayaking along Chatham Strait, hiking around Chichagof Island, and listening for humpbacks with the ship’s hydrophone are grand ways to mark a graduation or other milestone. Groups of eight or larger have even more reason to celebrate, with special savings, a $150 shipboard credit, a custom photo op, and other perks.
Ultimate Hawaii Adventure – With seven inhabited islands to choose from, the only potential Hawaiian vacation dilemma will be deciding where to head. See more with American Excursionist’s ten-day Hawaiian adventure which covers Hawaii Island, Maui, and Lanai, with a cache of customizable activities to add to the itinerary: Swim with manta rays off the coast of Kona, cruise with the top down on Maui’s Hana Highway, and fly over Hawaii Island’s Kilauea Volcano on a private helicopter tour. Luxe accommodations include the 213-room Four Seasons Resort Lanai, the 540-room Fairmont Orchid, and the 50-room Montage Kapalua Bay.
Does it sound like a lot to think about? The good news is: When you work with one of our professional travel specialists, you can remove all the stress from the planning process. We know the right questions to ask to plan the best possible trip for your family. From there, your travel advisor can design your trip to include everything — from the destination to the activities you’ll be doing when you arrive.
Get in touch to begin planning or to learn more about our services.
