Geographic spread, busy careers and hectic school schedules can make planning a vacation challenging.  But, carving out time with the people we care about often ranks high on our priority list. 

Here are five ways it may work for you and members of your family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins -  to gather. 

 

Skip-gen or Gramping  

Family life is busy.  Remedy: skip-gen or gramping vacations. Parents get a break and grandparents and grandkids  get to know each other without the filter of mom or dad on the scene.

Grandparents: why not take the opportunity to share your experiences and knowledge with your grandkids? Are you a World War II veteran? Did you grow up inspired by jazz or classical music? Did the ethnic or rural neighborhood of your youth greatly influence the person you are today? Visit a war memorial, take in a concert or visit the old stomping grounds.  It will mean more to hear a bit of history from someone who has been there than what they’ll find in school books.

And, remember, you are part of their history.

Contact:  www.Grandparentrips.com; www.DestinationHotels.com. 

Milestone Moments

Planning ahead to celebrate birthdays, graduations, retirements and anniversaries can be an important touchstone and meaningful part of a family’s legacy. With plenty of advance notice,  the odds increase that more family members will be able to take part in the fun.  Consider a cruise, a dude ranch or an all-inclusive resort for your gathering. You’ll find a long list of intriguing itineraries and appealing destinations from which to choose. With activities to engage every generation, food choices to suit the pickiest eater (and plenty of volume to satisfy hungry teens) you’re sure to see smiles all around. Separate sleeping quarters provide the privacy and flexibility required for early birds, nappers and night owls.

Contact:www.woodloch.com; www.Beaches.com; www.RoyalCaribbean.com www.NCL.com www.duderanch.org 

Rock Star Relatives

Are you an amazing aunt, an unbelievable uncle or a cool cousin?  Perhaps your birdlings have flown the nest or your own kids have fur and four legs. Either way, you may want to join the increasing number of relatives choosing to explore the world with youngsters as their trusty travel companions.  Share your passion to fish or hike, learn a new skill together or plan a mutually engaging adventure to a National Park or a far-off land. You’re certain to return with a deeper bond and memories to share for a lifetime.  

Contact: www.XanterraTravelCollection.com;www.REI.com/adventures; www.MontanaTrout.com ; www.grasshopperadventures.com 

Family Reunion

The true value of a family gathering has less to do with boarding a snazzy cruise ship or checking in to a faraway resort. That option  might not be in the cards for your crew right now. It’s more about the quality of a shared experience. So, whether you are planning a small gathering in a state park picnic area or a mass meeting of the clan, organization will be key. Gather input regarding a budget, destination and lodging preferences, activities and  meal planning. Get a date on the calendar as soon as possible.  Communicate well and often. Keep your sense of humor at the ready and be grateful that at least some portion of your family is eager to spend time together.

“Like Family” 

With relatives spread far and wide, our best friends often become “like family”. Traveling with another crew, particularly one with children of similar ages and interests, can be fun and festive. Still, proper planning can go a long way toward keeping relationships and expectations intact. Family groups often choose to share a ski cabin, beach house, or urban condo. That can mean divvying expenses, transportation, room assignments, cleaning and cooking.

Avoid misunderstandings about how time and resources will be allocated with a clearly defined plan before your holiday gets underway. No matter how much you enjoy your vacation buddies, carve out private time  with your own family. You’ll be glad you did.  

Contact: www.Vacatia.com;  www.Airbnb.com;  www.Vail.com.

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There are few places on the planet as stunning as Glacier National Park.  And one could argue that the historic Many Glacier Hotel is the ideal venue from which to appreciate the vast and astonishing landscape with the grandkids.

Located on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake with jagged peaks as backdrop, the iconic hotel was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1914 to lure tourists to the Wild West. Today, visitors from around the world find their way to this northwestern corner of Montana, eager to see the disappearing glaciers, hike aside azure-colored lakes and to catch a glimpse of resident wildlife.

This secluded, five-story hotel offers visitors a window into the past with old-world style guest rooms and a Swiss Alpine theme.  While dedicated to honoring its historic roots, the 214-room gem has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation that included remodeling rooms, updating furniture and lighting and restoring the dining room to historic standards.

Also included was the return of the “missing staircase”.

Once part of the grand lobby, sharing space with soaring beams of Douglas fir and a massive fireplace, the original double helix staircase stretched from the lake level of the hotel to the lobby. It was removed in the mid-’50s to make way for a gift shop.

As part of the recent remodel, the magnificent spiral staircase has been restored to its former glory.

There is plenty to do for every age group. In addition to world-class hiking, Red Bus tours, boat cruises, horseback rides, and evening and Junior Ranger programs, are offered in an unparalleled lakeside setting.

Other Glacier National Park Lodge accommodations include: 

The new Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center blends the comfort of a mountain lodge with modern style at the gateway to Glacier National Park in Columbia Falls.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins, located just one mile from Many Glacier Hotel, provides 95 rustic cabin and motor inn rooms in a hiker’s paradise.  

The Lake McDonald Lodge, a classic Swiss chalet style lodge, is located 10 miles inside Glacier National Park’s west entrance on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, nestled on the shores of the largest lake inside the park.

Also, Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins and Village Inn at Apgar.  

For more information: www.GlacierNationalParkLodges.com

Glacier National Park Lodges is a member of the kikooworld.com

Grandparents Travel Collection.

If you would like additonal assistance planning or booking a family trip, we can help.

 

The Oasis at Death Valley, situated in a lush oasis surrounded by the vast and arid desert of Death Valley National Park, California is just 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada and 275 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California.

This property hosts two hotels – the historic, 4-diamond, 66 room Inn at Death Valley (formerly The Inn at Furnance Creek) and the more family oriented 224 room Ranch at Death Valley (formerly The Ranch at Furnace Creek).

Located adjacent to the Death Valley National Park Visitors Center, The Ranch at Death Valley is the perfect home base from which to explore this amazing park with the grandkids.

As you wander around the expansive grounds, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to when the site was established as a working ranch. Yet, you’ll enjoy the amenities of modern civilization, like quiet, clean rooms, a spring-fed (87 degrees warm) swimming pool, large grass lawns, and sports courts.   For the golfers in the group you’ll have stories to tell after a round on the family-friendly 18-hole golf course – the lowest elevation course in the world. Be sure to take pictures when you stop for a bite and a beverage at the turn. You’ll all get a chuckle out of the drive-thru-in-your-cart snack shop.

Share stories from your day exploring sand dunes, canyons and look out points, around the community fire pits. The kids can dispense of excess energy playing tennis, basketball, volleyball and horseshoes.

The youngest members of your group will smile when they see the playground that’s just their style. Consider horseback rides and carriage tours from the Furnace Creek Stables or rent a Jeep from Farabee Jeeps to explore the park. And come nightfall, enjoy an amazing night sky, one of the few places in North America you can admire the Milky Way with the naked eye.

The Ranch at Death Valley is a great family basecamp when visiting Death Valley National Park.

Since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway has been taking people on a fabled journey into the heart of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. For those fortunate to have traveled on this iconic train, the Grand Canyon Railway is more than just a mode of transportation: It’s a trip back in time to what many consider the most awe-inspiring place on Earth.

With surprises around every corner, it’s fun for every age group. The adventure begins soon after the sheriff wins a show-down with the town’s scoundrels Board the historic train in Williams for the two-hour trip to the iconic Grand Canyon National Park.

The train provides the luxury of relaxing instead of driving and the ability to enjoy the views of the Ponderosa pines and sage-brush-dotted fields.

The grandkids (and grown-ups) will like the guitar-playing and singing cowboys who pause long enough to allow the faux train robbery by the dastardly Cataract Creek Gang to steal the show. Conveniently, the train pulls into the park aside the historic El Tovar Hotel, a legendary place for lunch and, remarkably, just steps from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

Packages can include one night at the park’s Maswik Lodge North, which provides your family a day to explore the canyon’s wonders on your own, and a return trip departing at 3:30 p.m. for another night in Williams.

For more information visit thetrain.com or call 844-843-8724.

Great places and great experiences are best when shared with people you love.

That’s the philosophy of the pros at Troutstalkers, a fly fishing outfitter that specializes in Montana and Madison River Fly Fishing Trips. Their business is based on sharing a passion for the outdoors, their fly fishing knowledge, and a long history of meaningful experiences with friends and clients.

“We approach every day with a sense of exploration and discovery, and never stop learning,” explains owner Joe Dilschneider. “Often in this sport, just when you figure something out, everything changes. That’s what keeps it interesting.”

The Troutstalker pros can’t think of a better way to spend time with the grandkids than fly fishing.

Why?

“Fly fishing is life! The parallels to the important aspects of life are almost endless,” explains  Dilschneider.

Troutstalkers believe that guiding is based around shared interests and curiosity, mutual respect and friendship. Their goal is to provide every client with the best leadership, coaching, companionship and knowledge possible. They commit to giving 110% to make your experience with your family members safe, enjoyable and educational.

Based in Ennis, MT., Troutstalkers offers guided day and overnight trips on the Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, Yellowstone, Missouri, and Gallatin rivers. They also can help families plan a trip to other world-class destinations including Montana's Smith and South Fork of Flathead Rivers, Florida Keys, Bristol Bay Alaska, Bahamas, and Argentina.

For more information:   www.MontanaTrout.com

Troutstalkers is a member of the kikooworld.com Grandparents Travel Collection.

If you would like additonal assistance planning or booking a family trip, we can help.

 

Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures are rated #1 in family dive vacations. They have been taking multigenerational families on scuba vacations around the world for 18 years. “Grandparents tell us that we are hands down their first choice for a family vacation with their grandkids,” explains Margo Peyton, who runs the company with her husband, Tom Peyton.   We provide one week vacations that have activities and fun for every member of the family. “

Kids Sea Camp offers daily ocean oriented programs for kids age 5, 6 and 7 called SASY where they are snorkeling and learning about the ocean. Kids ages 8 and 9 are learning the first stage of diving through daily Aqua Missions in the PADI Seal Team. Kids ages 10 and up and adults can learn to scuba dive. They cater to all levels of divers from vacation divers to experts and underwater photographers.

Also offered: 15 college accredited programs, culinary classes, wine tasting, paddle boarding, yoga, jungle biking, hiking and scuba diving. Kids Sea Camp is all inclusive of accommodations, meals, excursions and activities. The trips are fully escorted and include destinations such as: St. Lucia, Bonaire, Galapagos, Palau, Belize, Cayman Islands, Roatan, Philippines, Sea of Cortez, Indonesia, Yap, Saba, St. Kitts, Grenada, and the Maldives. “Grandparents tell us that what matters most to them at this stage of life is time. Time with their family, their grandkids and they want to create lasting memories” explained Margo Peyton. “How cool is it that a grandchild can get certified to dive with their grandparents and create memories to last a lifetime?”

For more information: www.FamilyDivers.com

 

 Family Divers is a member of the kikooworld.com Grandparents Travel Collection.

If you would like additonal assistance planning or booking a family trip, we can help.

 

Here are five reasons why gathering the clan matters. (And here's hoping you can make it happen sooner rather than later:)

Today’s families are spread far and wide.

And during these challenging times it has been more difficult than ever for families  to maintain and nurture family bonds. When the time is right we'll all look forward to spending relaxed, quality time with extended family. We know that time together enables the generations to gain important insights into family history. 

When it is once again possible, consider a family friendly beach resort in the Caribbean or in Hawaii where everyone can meet on the sand or by the pool for stories and water sports.

Contact: www.cheapcaribbean.com; www.GoHawaii.com

Sharing resources has rewards.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents have the opportunity to bond with the next generation while giving weary parents a break and a chance to rekindle their relationship.

More hotel companies are reaching out to families of all compositions to help them plan a meaningful holiday. Preferred Hotels launched a website to help families find the right destination and activities.

Contact: www.preferredfamily.com

The natural cure.

Plan a multigenerational trip around camping, hiking, biking or fishing. Unplug from technology and tune in to the sounds of nature. Encourage the experienced to share outdoor skills that will serve youngsters for a lifetime. Any of nearly 400 national parks would serve as a grand classroom.

Contact: www.nationalparks.org 

Active children can be great motivators for aging relatives.

Plan a vacation that enables young people to help their less agile relatives get moving.

Many adventure-travel companies specialize in making sure every member of the family receives the right dose of adrenaline from the day’s activity. Ready, set, go!

Contact:  www.austinlehman.com;  www.TrekTravel.com 

Show appreciation.

Did a member of your family serve in the military or provide some kind of public service? Honor their commitment by making a family visit to a memorial, battlefield, museum or other historical site that might encourage the sharing of his or her individual experience.

Exploring our nation’s capital together will provide an interesting context for any personal stories that might unfold.

Contact:  www.washington.org 

 

Check out our Grandparent Travel Collection for more ideas on how and where to

travel with the grandkids!