It’s hard to believe that it has already been 5 years since the beginning of the economic meltdown.  For many of us still in the muck of it, there are lessons that have lingered from this difficult financial experience:  plan ahead, plan wisely, and perhaps most important – invest in quality time with your family since they’re what matters most.

Since the financial crisis, many of our clients have gone from booking quick vacations six months out, to calling one or two years ahead for a bucket list trip that includes everyone in the family.  Clients are holding off on the quick getaways, and putting their money toward unique travel experiences that are tailor-made to fit the age and interest range of their companions.  This trip might be a multigenerational tour of Alaska, where excursions are planned to stoke the geological curiosity of grandparents as well as the entertainment requirements of children.  It might also be a farm-stay in Tuscany, where the bucolic countryside serves up cooking courses for mom and her sisters, while the teenagers explore a ruin nearby.

Another increasing trend is Skip Generational Travel, where grandparents take their grandchildren on a vacation without mom and dad.  This is an excellent way for hard-working parents to get a break from the daily routine of childrearing, without also having to commit time and money to actually being away (we see this a lot in the summer, when parents have already used up their vacation time on Spring Break and the Holidays, while the kids still have time to spend).  All parents know how much better their children behave for others, so this type of vacation can be great for everyone.

Because of the multiple opinions involved, Multigenerational Travel requires thoughtful planning.  Here are a few tips to consider while you dream up your own adventure:

• Structured itineraries are not for everyone, so make sure there is time built in for each member of the family to relax and have time to themselves.
• Be clear on what is covered in the trip cost and what each family member is responsible for covering.
• Agree on a primary purpose for the trip, and agree on an ultimate decision maker.
• Allow everyone to pitch in their own ideas and expectations.
• Talk to a professional travel advisor.  We know exactly how to turn a jumbled list of needs into a cohesive travel plan.

This year, Global Escapes is celebrating 25 years in business.  Our clients continue to call us for wise advice on how to spend their time and money, but over the last five years, we’ve watched the value of TIME take precedence.  We’ve seen a shift in focus from vacations that are fast and familiar, to experiences that not only enrich our client’s lives, but also the lives of their children, their grandchildren, and the communities they visit.

Multigenerational travel can be complex.  A professional travel advisor can take everyone’s needs into consideration so that the lessons that linger from your vacation are good ones:  that you’re wise, that you’re prepared, and that there’s no better place than somewhere together.