Multi-Generational Travel: A New Spin on the Family Vacation

Last Updated On 11/5/2020

Recently, multi-generational travel–a fancy term for family travel that includes more than one generation in the experience–has been on the rise. Why might that be? These days, our world is so fast-paced it can be easy to lose track of each other in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. We’re all on the go, glued to technology, and just trying to keep up. Sound familiar? If it does, taking time to get away as a family might be the perfect way to reconnect.

A big difference in the trend of classic family vacations, which typically consisted of the nuclear family, has expanded to include three (or more!) generations in travel experiences. Interested? Here are our tips on multi-generational travel:

blue circle with white number 1 in middle Start Planning Far in Advance

When a large number of people with diverse interests and different schedules plan a trip together, the best thing you can do is start to plan as early as possible to avoid the most conflict. Send out a poll (we recommend Doodle) to all who will be joining to get a sense as to which dates work best for all family members, or just start asking around–whatever communication style works best for your family.

Start to feel out everyone’s preferences, think about budget, and crowd source destination ideas. The more room you have to discuss it and plan together, the more likely you are to plan peacefully. Don’t forget to think about travel insurance! We wouldn’t want you to spend all that time planning only to have your vacation get cancelled and lose out on all your travel investment. 

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blue circle with white number 2 in the middle Pick the Right Spot

at the beach with parasailors in the air

No matter what your family or group is into or how much time you have to get away, we guarantee there is somewhere in the world that will work for everyone to spend time together away from the daily grind. Rather than selecting a destination that requires a lot of structured sightseeing, we recommend finding a location that offers a variety of activities to satisfy different people. For example, if you head to Costa Rica, those who prefer to spend time lounging at the beach will have that option, and those who’d like to take part in some outdoor adventure, like hiking and zip lining, can go that route. Then, you can regroup for mealtimes and evening hangouts.

Another great option when it comes to multigenerational travel is to rent a big house or apartment together (Airbnb is our favorite way to do it!) in a place that’s near a lot of different activities.  For example, you could choose a ski town, where some can hit the slopes, others can shop, and others can spend time relaxing fireside (or in the hot tub if you’re lucky enough to snag one of those!). The truth is, as long as you’re thoughtful about the destination you pick and go in with the intention to spend time together, you’re likely to have a great time!

blue circle with the white number 3 in the middle Look Out For Deals

Because of the trend toward family travel, an increasing amount of travel agencies and accommodations offer deals on travel for large groups. If your family is planning to stay at a hotel, for example, don’t book online–call the hotel and let them know your family is looking to book a certain number of rooms, and ask for a group discount. Or, if you’re thinking a cruise is more your style, search for cruise lines that offer package deals for group travel.

Some airlines also offer family travel packages. JetBlue, for example, offers deals to tons of tropical vacations, from Orlando to Turks and Caicos, which include airfare, accommodations, and even car rentals at a discounted price. No matter where you want to go or where you plan to stay, a little research and a couple of phone calls could go a long way in saving your family money.

blue circle with the white number 4 in the middle Plan Out Finances In Advance

On that note, worrying about money during the entire trip could really put a damper on your fun. If this is something you’re concerned about, try addressing who’s paying for what/when before the subject comes up during the vacation. There are so many ways you can go about it; it’s better to talk it out than assume. For example, maybe each family will cover its own costs, or maybe it makes sense to take turns paying, and then manage paybacks at the end of the family vacation.

If you decide to pay as you go, you don’t have to worry about payments getting messy or having to hold onto receipts and request small amounts back from each family member at the end of the adventure. Why not? An amazing app called Splitwise allows you to create a group for the trip, and then everyone can input what they spend as they go along. At the end of the vacation, the app automatically balances what each person has spent or “borrowed”, and settles up the difference. It’ll tell you what you owe and to whom (or what you are owed and by whom), so you don’t even have to say a word out loud about the matter. It’s definitely better to get this out of the way so you can connect more with your family.

If you’re planning to jump on the trend and plan a multi-generational trip and have questions about what kind of travel insurance you’ll need, check this out. We know keeping your family safe, healthy and happy is important to you, and we’re here to help make that happen!

Where have you gone on a trip with more than one generation in your family? Tell us about it, and we might even share your story here on the blog! You can share on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (or tag us @insureyonder).

As a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in the travel insurance industry, Meagan has honed her expertise in marketing and operations working for Yonder Travel Insurance. Throughout her career, she's shown dedication assisting customers at every stage of their travel insurance journey, from the initial quote process to navigating the claims process. Her expert understanding of travel insurance equips her to provide unbiased and valuable insights, which help travelers find the best coverage and maximize its benefits.

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