Multi-generational family holidays: how to travel with relatives

If your family needs quality bonding time, and busy schedules or mere geography make that challenging, multi-generational holidays could be the answer. It doesn’t necessarily mean grandparents, parents and kids – it could be a trip that brings together aunts, uncles and cousins too, or holidaying with friends and their parents and kids. Get it right with our guide to multi-generational family holidays.

With today’s hectic lives, due to school commitments, working families and living far from each other, holidays can really strengthen family relationships.

Most people cite bonding time as the main reason for holidaying together, whether it’s grandparents with grandchildren, spending time with elderly parents, or even a chance for cousins who don’t often holiday with each other to do so.

There can be financial benefits too if you end up sharing the costs. Self-catering villa/apartment holidays can save you money, though something like a cruise is unlikely to be a huge money-saver.

For families with young children, multi-generational holidays are a great way to share the responsibilities of childcare with (willing) grandparents, aunts, uncles or older cousins. And while many people go through phases where a holiday with the family may fill them with fear, it can come full-circle where the chance to spend time and make memories becomes more attractive.

Self catering

Self-catering is often touted as the best option for a family holiday, but you've got to do it right. While it provides flexibility, ensure people don’t fall into their ‘at home’ roles when it comes cleaning and cooking. It can be worth paying extra for serviced accommodation, so beds are made and main areas cleaned regularly – maybe hire a chef occasionally and eat out too for that holiday vibe. See what activities are at hand – a pool, at the very least – and if possible, that the accommodation is walking distance from something (a village or beach for example).

Cruises

Cruises are increasingly popular and for multi-generational holidays, they work particularly well. Everyone’s in the same space and there are few decisions to be made – the itinerary is set for starters so unless someone wants to take it up with the Captain, there’s little room for argument. Pick a ship with a reasonable number of food and activity options and there should be few gripes. Here's everything you need to know before booking a cruise.

All-inclusives

Similarly, all-inclusives or packages that include a hotel with plenty of facilities mean you don’t end up straying too far from each other while giving everyone the choice to do their own thing. Like cruises, they can work out from a budget perspective too, as most – if not all – costs will be paid upfront.

Winter holidays

Consider winter family holidays too; you don’t all have to be skiers and snowboarders. During the day, family members can choose between ski school, free skiing/boarding, activities such as walking, snow-shoeing or sledding, or pottering in the resort, then come together in the evenings. Budget-depending, private catered chalets can be a good idea, as you’ll reunite for afternoon cakes and tea before evening activities and dinner.

Adventure holidays

Don’t rule out adventurous holidays either. If grandparents have always wanted to go on safari and your kids are wildlife-obsessed, it can be a wonderful experience. Many companies offer adventure holidays specifically catered to families. Naturally, costs are higher but if that’s not an issue, think about these epic trips. If grandparents have mobility issues, consider one of these accessibe holidays.

We've got tons of family travel tips here, but below are a few things to note if you're going on a multi-gen family holiday.

1. Find out non-negotiables

While you won’t be able to cater for everyone, do find out what the non-negotiables are for each person on your trip – en-suite bathrooms or a ground-floor room, for example. If you can cover the basic needs of most, then the rest should fall into place much easier.

Minimise decision-making

Pre-empt stress by choosing a trip that involves as few decisions as possible. That’s why cruises and trips with itineraries work well.

2. Be realistic

Don’t expect that everyone will want to do everything together all day, all night; in fact, it’s better to factor in a little space and autonomy. If your mum loves to watch TV on holiday, that’s fine; don’t confuse quality time with being together 24-7.

3. Make sure there are plenty of activities

Especially if you’ve got children of varying ages; some multi-generational holidays will have toddlers, under 10s and teens, along with the multiple generations above them. And there should almost always be a pool. Almost everyone likes to either go in or sit beside one…

4. Invest in childcare

It’s also worth booking somewhere with childcare/babysitting services so one evening, all the adults can enjoy a meal together, particularly if you don’t live nearby at home.

5. Go with the flow

If you’re sharing with a sibling, or your parents are annoying you, or your cousin’s kids are getting on your nerves, remember this is only temporary – you’ll have a much better time by accepting you won’t have the personal space you’re used to, and that you won’t all get on all the time.

6. Get the right transport

If you need car hire, hire at least two vehicles (group size-depending) so you’re not all tied to each other. Not being able to go anywhere unless everyone is ready can be stressful.

7. Be flexible

Flexibility is crucial. You can’t possibly predict what everyone will want all the time, so if one decision makes a huge difference to one person, go with that: pick your battles.

Don’t have too many expectations or worry about people having a good time, especially if you’re the organiser. You’ll have done your best and after that, for the adults at least, it’s their responsibility – not yours – to enjoy their holiday.

8. Be savvy with your cash

Money-saving is all very well, but be aware of false economy. If you’re booking a villa and you know someone takes forever in the bathroom, give him the en-suite. It’s about ratios: if something costs a fraction more but will make a huge difference to someone, opt for it.

9. Don’t forget to relax

This is a holiday, so don’t forget to relax, take lots of photographs, enjoy the moments and, just maybe, you’ll all have enough of a good time to go back for seconds.