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By Lucy Glen, Good Housekeeping
Booking a luxury holiday is 100% back on the agenda for families in 2022. And, for many, the experience of a Covid-enforced separation from loved ones and having to deal with travel restrictions has resulted in a shift in priorities when planning their annual summer fun.
One new travel trend that has come out of this shift is the rise in families opting to take multigenerational trips; ones that involve three or more generations. But how do you know it’s right for your brood? We’ve enlisted the help of a travel expert and some families who have recently returned from an extended-family adventure to tell us why it could be the right option for you.
You can reconnect
Travel expert Jane Anderson recommends involving grandparents in your annual trip. “Travelling with three or more generations makes for wonderful family bonding,” she says. “Everyone benefits from mixing with different age groups. It broadens horizons, boosts emotional wellbeing, and creates lasting family memories.”Leanne Scadeng, who recently returned from a family trip to Barbados, agrees. “My dad always said he missed out on so much of my childhood because he was busy building a life for us rather than living with us,” she explains. “When the grandchildren were born, he promised not to let history repeat itself. Holidaying in Barbados gave us the opportunity to try exciting new things together, like sailing and snorkelling, and to enjoy more relaxed moments including evening beach walks searching for shells.”
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If you’re looking to organise a memorable and luxurious multigenerational trip, the family-friendly island of Barbados offers something for everyone – particularly when you book with a trusted and personalised luxury tour operator like Elegant Resorts, which has over 40 luxury hotel and villa options dotted across the Caribbean paradise. The specialist team on the ground will support your family throughout your stay, acting as a personalised concierge, day and night, and ensuring all generations are treated like the ultimate VIPs.
Get the luxury you all deserve
With cost being one of the first barriers to flying to a far-flung location, pooling funds with your family is a smart move and can provide a more luxurious experience, Jane explains. “The cost of a villa, for example, will be spread among many, and the larger the group, generally speaking, the more you get for your money,” she adds. “Large resort bookings are often discounted, or come with added extras, too.”“Having a larger budget meant we could get a larger villa, which came with a great pool area,” Leanne agrees. “It was spacious enough so the grandparents could escape the chaos if needed, and everyone had space to relax.”
It offers flexibility for everyone
Taking a break from the daily grind is vital for everyone’s mental health, no matter your age. “The best multigenerational holidays are the ones where everyone gets to do the things they love, and maybe different elements of the family break off and do their own thing, but everyone comes back together for memorable meals, days on the beach or a local excursion,” says Jane. “Having stimulating young people around definitely gives elderly family members a mental boost as well.”It can also be a chance for parents to get the downtime that just isn’t possible with younger children in tow. And for Claire Glazzard, a seasoned multigenerational holiday-goer, it’s also a matter of safety. “As parents, it gives us time to relax and enjoy our holiday knowing our children are with people we trust to care for them,” she says. “It also gives the children the chance to explore and build relationships over a longer period of time, rather than short day visits at home.”
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