My big fat Greek upbringing involved lots of family vacations with multiple generations of family members. There were road trips at Christmas from DC to Toronto to visit my mother’s parents, summer getaways to Rehoboth Beach with Yia Yia and Papou in tow, and trips to upstate New York to visit Dad’s widowed mother and his cousins.
The best thing about those vacations: my parents eased up on their No Junk Food rule and we got to stop at fast food restaurants along the way. Those family trips also gave me something else: the positive reinforcement that comes with knowing you’re not alone in the world. Cheesy, but true… and something every kid deserves but doesn’t always get. Thanks mom and dad!
Fun with Family in Summer 2006 – Andros, Greece
Fast forward to adulthood, and we’ve all picked up some baggage over the years (some of us are less patient or don’t eat certain foods). But if your baggage can be stored in the overhead bin and doesn’t need to be checked, it won’t be so trying to be around other family members and you can enjoy the latest trend: multigenerational family travel.
According to the AARP, 47% of people ages 45 and up plan to take a multigenerational family trip within a year. Among the reasons for the trend: grandparents are in better health and want to spend time with their grandparents, and young adults saddled with student debt are only to happy to take a trip on mom and dad’s dime.
Key Findings in the AARP’s Study on Multigenerational Vacations:
- 80 percent traveled in the U.S. and many chose active cities, beaches and amusement parks.
- 20 percent traveled internationally with half heading to the Caribbean, Mexico or South America.
- Cruising is popular for 25 percent of international travelers.
- Almost 40 percent chose nostalgic destinations to share a childhood memory.
For a variety of suggested stays for families, check out this article: Bring the Whole Family
Scattered: My Year As An Accidental Caregiver is available in paperback and eBook at
