Travel Tips

We really have to come up with a better name for this but in essence multigenerational travel is when parents bring their kids and their parents on vacation together. Here is what Dorothy Brown from the Philidelphia Inquirer described it as:

Some call it “multigenerational travel.” Others call it “grand tripping.” But the idea of grandparents swooping up children and grandchildren is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, according to the Travel Industry Association.

While the Web and guidebooks are full of tips on what makes for a successful three-generation trip, my husband, Larry, and I didn’t read any of that before going.

We didn’t even give a moment’s thought to rerouting to a kid-friendly spot such as Disney World. We were in love with the villa-in-Tuscany idea, no matter how arduous the logistics. And the Bryn Mawr agency that helped us book our villa, Doorways Ltd., assured us we were not pioneers.

About half of its bookings (about 3,100 people last year) are for grandparents taking their entire families, a share that’s been growing since 1994 when Kit Burns launched her villa rental business.

“When we first started, the renters were mostly couples and some families. Now it’s caught on with three-generation families,” she says.

The grandparents “can stay home one day or baby-sit while others go out. Also, it’s a different way for teenagers to experience their grandparents.”

Have you tried a holiday like this? I am sure that it is much more common than we really tend to notice. If you want to make multigenerational travel work well for you then it is best to make sure that everyone gets their space, kids, parents, and grandparents because having so many people together in a foreign place could be very stressful.

This though is the perfect opportunity to have a great vacation that no one could forget.

Taking a family cruise can be a wonderful, enjoyable experience for family members of all ages. If you’re planning on taking the little ones out to sea with you, there are a few things you should make sure to bring along to make the trip much less stressful for you and more fun for them. A little preplanning can avoid any problems along the way and ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable.

First of all, it’s a good idea to bring a selection of over the counter medication for your child. Smaller kids can develop a cough overnight, and it will save a lot of sleep and discomfort if you have medication to give them. Children’s aspirin, chewable vitamins, and perhaps a heating pad can also help along the way. Cruise ships will have a selection of baby supplies, like diapers and baby food, available on board, but don’t count on a wide selection or cheap pricing. Try to bring a small selection of various things so you’ll be prepared for whatever crops up. [Read more…] about Taking your kids on a cruise

Following the terrorist airplane hijackings of 9/11/01, air travel restrictions were introduced with the aim of preventing similar attacks from happening again. Some new regulations were introduced immediately and others have been brought in more gradually.

At first, most everybody was in support of the restrictions, understanding that the aim was to make air travel safer for the ordinary law abiding traveler. However as the attacks fade in many people’s memories, some of the restrictions are starting to be criticized.

The rules vary from country to country and sometimes also depend on the airlines. Generally, there is a list of items that you may not carry in your hand baggage, and a shorter list that you may not pack in checked bags. [Read more…] about Air Travel Restrictions: What They Mean To You

Italy is not just the seat of ancient Rome; it is also the center of tourism for people all over the world. There are some many Italy travel attractions that you would probably not run out of hot spots to visit when you finally take that trip.

There are numerous places in Italy that are worth every penny of your tourist money. However, of those there are a few that have caused the excitement, engaged the imagination and wooed the hungry adventurous eyes of Italy visitors from all nooks and crannies of the globe. Words can describe it, but never successfully express it.

Here are a few of those popular Italy travel must-see destinations. [Read more…] about What to see in Italy

As I look around the travel sites it seems that the prices are falling and availability for family vacations is like no other time in recent memory. It seems that our recession or depression or whatever it is has had a real effect on the travel industry and there are definitly deals to be had.

The Guardian newspaper said the following today

As Americans evaluate and pare back their discretionary spending for the remainder of this year, the travel and leisure industries are feeling the squeeze.

Companies throughout the sector — including hotel, cruise ship, theme park and gambling concerns — have all warned in recent weeks that their businesses have slowed or that things could get worse next year.

“The deteriorating outlook for the economy is impacting travel habits and spending, and hotels are expected to experience reduced occupancy levels, and to a lesser degree, some room rate erosion through 2009,” said Scott Berman, principal at consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

For hotels, the picture looks particularly grim.