MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAVEL

As I sit to write this next article we are smack bang in the middle of the school holidays so I thought I might do a series of articles on traveling with children (also Travel with Kidz Samford is a specialist division within our office).  By way of easing into this I thought I’d share with you one of our fastest growing areas of travel and that is the grandparents traveling with their grown children and their children – what we call “multi-generational travel”.

When planning a family holiday which spans three generations, you need advice based on experience and first hand knowledge.  Families are now living and working  all over the world, more so than ever before.

Jumping on a plane to visit Mum and Dad in Dubai is like catching the XPT to Melbourne 20 years earlier though far more pleasant. Personal TVs on the back of your seat, over 300 movies and 1000’s of songs to play, when it’s cold in your backyard it’s hot up north.

Baby boomers are expected to live longer due to medical advances and healthier lifestyles and early advice for retirement is allowing the grandparents of today more time and flexibility to travel with their children and grandchildren.

Travel With Kidz agents have researched destinations and accommodation that caters for the various needs of every family member. Properties and destinations are rated by TWK ensuring the family wish list is fulfilled. The TWK ‘smile star rating’ is not a reflection on the hotel standard, but a rating of the Travel With Kidz priorities based on their 12 years experience.

Families needs vary, and at TWK Samford we clarify the style of experience: Cultural: Tanzania where you dance with Masai or play volleyball on the beach in Fiji,  History: stay in a 100 year old Tuscan Villa and walk the cobbled stoned streets of Sienna Environment aware: Jean Michel Cousteau’s Fiji Resort where marine biologists are on hand for guests, Weather: some prefer beach style resorts & villas and some like cool mountain retreats, Activities: ranging from Club Med Circus School at Club Med Lindeman to riding a cable car to the peak of Table Mt Capetown, Relaxation: time out on a sandy beach and where the chief prepares dinner in your private Villa as a family, while kids have space and entertainment.

Boutique versus Resort: Grandparents love all the frills of big resorts like the Sheraton Port Douglas Mirage Resort which offers a golf course, tennis lessons, massages, lagoon pools and a kids program during school holidays, along with a choice of 1/2/3 bedroom villas which are perfect for families. Others like intimate, personal, boutique hotels, such as the luxurious Nam Hoi located in Hoi An Vietnam, with its butler service and limousines to buzz you around shopping.

Stress on the family budget is minimized when all transfers, accommodation and tours are booked in advance of departure.  A thorough knowledge of safe, reliable childcare and providing parents a break to enjoy time together also help to ensure a successful “family” holiday, catering for all the generations.

Text books teach history and TVs show visual, though nothing beats sharing the real thing with your family. Lifetime memories are made on a family holiday and grandparents are assured the needs will be met for all generations when using Travel With Kidz Samford, specialists in family holidays.

Don’t forget that only Travelscene American Express at Samford lets you travel anywhere, any time and pay with your membership rewards points so contact us on 3289 3700 and let us help you turn your American Express membership rewards points into your next trip.