Planning multigenerational travel means balancing different ages, interests and expectations. Grandparenting Unfiltered columnist Kathy Buckworth has tips for making those big family getaways joyful instead of stressful.

There’s a ubiquitous internet post that says you only get 18 summers with your children so you’d better make sure you take advantage of every minute.

This implies parents have the summer off, but most don’t. This implies that once your child turns 18, you don’t spend downtime with them. You do. It also implies that the summer is the only time you can enjoy them, but it isn’t.

It also doesn’t address the fact that we get “bonus” years when our kids have their own kids. It starts all over again.

Grandkids Give You More Summers

As the mother of four grown children (aged 23, 26, 32 and 34), I can tell you that the evolution of travelling with young children, then young adults and then eventually with grandchildren, the vacations just get better.

Don’t pressure yourself into the “making memories” regime. Rather, take the time to research and explore when to make the most of your time with them—especially when it comes to planning a holiday together. Multigenerational travel can happen anywhere and anytime, with some thoughtful planning.

But that said, there are some questions to ask: How do we choose where to go all together? And how do we make sure that things run as smoothly as possible when there are three generations of expectations and experiences to consider?

Grandparents Want to Travel with Their Grandkids

For the tenth year, Booking.com has released their travel predictions, which reveal what travellers, young and old, are looking for in their vacation time.  One of the trends they identified this year plays right into the multigenerational travel world.

According to the survey, 61 percent of Canadian travellers would consider recreating a favourite old photo by using AI-powered photo mapping to identify the exact location it was taken, and then travelling there. More than half of these travellers (57 percent) say their main motivation would be to revisit a memory with family or close friends, while 43 percent are drawn to destinations that make them feel young, connected or at home. 

Choose A Special Place for Multigenerational Travel

This place for me is Blue Mountain Village in Ontario.

Ever since our kids were little, ski vacations have been a part of our travel plans, and due to location, affordability and size, Blue Mountain Ski Resort was always a favourite destination. Now that our grandchildren are getting into skiing, we’ve returned to the mountain, and not only in the winter, but during the summer months and shoulder seasons as well. This isn’t just an effort to recapture fond memories, although that is a key driver, but it’s also based on the fact that I know the village extremely well and this sense of comfort allows me to pre-plan activities, meals and accommodations with ease.

While I haven’t gone as far as to recreate a photo, visiting a familiar spot is one of my key tips to planning a multigenerational trip. I also recommend a destination within an easy drive of home for a good first “try” at this type of multigen vacation.

Practical Tips for Multigenerational Travel

1. Before you book a hotel, consider the sleeping arrangements first. Who can sleep with whom, and how much quiet and privacy does each person need? If the kids aren’t sleeping, no one is sleeping.

2. Put the kids’ schedules first. If you want to stick to your own routine that badly, reconsider the vacation. Vacations are supposed to be all about breaking routines, good or bad.

3. Review the activities you might be able to do in advance, particularly at a resort or camp. Not all activities are available for all age groups, and might require extra ticketing or equipment.

4. Where you can, take turns with the kids of different ages. You don’t have to do everything together, all at once. You’ll see enough of each other during the trip, trust me.

5. Plan meals in advance. If possible, find a kitchenette room for easy meals, but if you’re planning on visiting restaurants, make sure to check the menu online first. If possible, order in advance, or immediately upon sitting down.

Above all, while you’re reaching back for the good time memories, don’t forget to remember the real challenges of traveling with children as well, which you might have blurred over. Pack your patience and your patent desire to make sure everything is the best it can be, no matter how many summers have passed.

Kathy Buckworth is the award-winning author of six parenting books, including I Am So The Boss Of You (McClelland & Stewart). She is the Go-To Grandma on Breakfast Television (Toronto), CHCH Morning Live and the host and creator of the Go-To Grandma podcast, available on iTunes. She has written for hundreds of publications, print and online, and is absolutely thrilled to graduate from parenting contributor to grandparenting columnist with Parents Canada. She is presently at work on her seventh book, targeted at Gen X grandparents. She has four regular kids and four amazing grandkids.