Going on vacation can be an exciting experience. It is often a time to make memories and destress, especially if you have escaped work for a few weeks. What should be a relaxing escape can be ruined if the right preparations are not made, and this can be even more likely if your entire family is joining you on vacation.
Multi-generational vacations, which see family members of all ages coming together, are a lot of work. There are numerous individuals to make plans for; your gran might need more help due to mobility issues, while the kids want to get out exploring. This should all be considered when planning the trip.
However, this post has outlined four of the best travel tips for multi-generational family vacations. These tips will ensure you are sufficiently prepared for the trip and anything that could go wrong.
Plan Dates in Advance
When a family vacation is mentioned, the preparations need to begin early on. There are numerous preparations to make, and one of the most important aspects to lock in is the dates. This is easier if you begin planning far in advance, with the ideal being at least six months before the planned departure, particularly if the trip is an international one.
All of the family members who will be going on vacation should be included in selecting the dates. It is easier to decide this in person rather than over a phone call or in text messages. This ensures that everyone can speak up without unknowingly cutting someone off or speaking over another person. Everyone will need to double-check their vacation leave from work, or school in the case of children, and agree on set dates for departing and returning.
With the dates chosen, you can then begin looking at the available destinations and accommodations. You will also need to set a budget, though.
Discuss the Budget Before Booking
A budget is needed to ensure spending does not go overboard during the vacation, although it will also make sure you receive a good deal. Some of the costliest expenses will include accommodation and flights, but you will also have to budget for activities, excursions, meals, and tips. This can be an overwhelming task when so many people are going on one trip, but it is essential to avoid overspending.
Each family member should be asked what they are willing to spend on the vacation. As everyone will have their own situation, this could vary from person to person. However, it will help to set a realistic total budget, which can then be used to outline expenses. You will need to break down all potential costs, as previously mentioned, to ensure everything can be paid for without issues. There might be family discounts or group savings available, so it is worthwhile looking at these during this stage, too.
Once the budget has been set, you must ensure everyone is aware of who is paying for what and how the expenses will be tracked during the vacation. Everyone should be aware of how much they can spend, but you should also allow for some flexibility in the budget; there could be costs or opportunities you do not expect, and this flexibility will cover them.
Ensure Everyone is Insured
After the budget has been set, and the destination will have likely been chosen, the next step is to make sure every person in the family has travel insurance. This can be a tough task due to the various ages that will be going on this trip, but it is possible. There are numerous different insurance providers and policies to look through, and not all will cater to older travelers. This is why you must research the best travel insurance plans and select from your findings.
Some travel insurance policies are perfect for multi-generational trips as they offer coverages for senior travelers, including those aged up to 84 years old in the case of Geo Blue’s Travel Insurance. You must consider the age restrictions of each plan and the limits they might have on pre-existing health conditions if you want to purchase a family travel insurance plan. This might be easier to ensure everyone is covered and their documents are all together.
But this is best discussed with the rest of the family, too. Some family members might have their own travel insurance, meaning they do not require additional coverage, so talking about it can smooth over any potential problems.
Choose Spacious Accommodation
One of the final aspects to look at when planning a multi-generational family vacation is the accommodation. There are a lot of questions that can be raised when selecting accommodation, particularly if everyone will be staying in one place or if certain family members wish to stay elsewhere. This can be a personal preference, but it is best to decide early on, especially as this will impact the budget.
If you all decide to stay in one place, then you will need a relatively spacious accommodation. It is usually best to find a vacation rental in this case. Apartments, houses, or villas for rent can offer more privacy and space. They often have additional amenities that hotels do not offer, such as kitchens and laundry equipment, which makes them ideal for large groups.
Also, it is worth noting that renting a vacation property for the duration of your trip could be cheaper than hotels. NerdWallet found that Airbnb properties tended to be less expensive for larger groups who wanted a multi-room vacation rental.
To conclude, there is a lot to prepare when you are planning a multi-generational family vacation. With so many people coming along, it can be stressful and costly. However, with the right information, you will be able to make the right decisions for you and your family.
