Intergenerational travel has become so popular that major travel agencies are planning package trips for just that purpose. Sometimes the whole clan–grandparents, parents and grandkids are included, but just as often grandparents team up with their grandchildren for a fabulous, memory-making trip of a lifetime.
Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventure or indoor tours of art museums, historical sites or breathtaking scenery, you’ll find a huge choice of trips and a wide variety of expenses. Most travel agencies can help you plan your trip, but there are agencies now that will pre-plan fabulous tours to save you the time and trouble of doing the research. Itineraries, meals, places to see and things to do for you and the children are all part of the package. Here are three of the best agencies for your grandparent/grandkids adventures.
Elderhostel now known as Road Scholar Programs
Elderhostel is a non-profit organization dedicated to travel adventures that are educational as well as filled with fun. They have wonderful trips to take all over the world. From the Scottish Highlands to the Lake District to the Grand Canyon in the U.S., Elderhostel has something for all tastes. One of their most popular trips is sure to please Harry Potter fans. It’s a trip to Orlando, Florida to discuss all things Harry Potter. They will take you to Wizard World where you’ll visit Hogwarts, take part in a Quidditch game, take on challenges and go on adventures. Universal Orlando will host part of this exciting trip. Or, how about an arts and crafts tour of Appalachia? Or a sailing adventure in the Pacific Northwest’s Puget Sound? Decide which part of the world you want to see with the grandkids and then browse their site.
The Sierra Club
Known for its strong stance on protecting the environment of the U.S., the Sierra Club also loves to see people outdoors enjoying themselves. They have wonderful family trips planned in some of the most beautiful parks in the country. Check out the age minimums before scheduling one of these fantastic outdoor adventures. You might enjoy a canoe outing in the Adirondacks of New York, a whitewater raft and biking trip in Pennsylvania or a hike in the Rocky Mountains. Some of these trips are known as Family Rambles—hiking and taking in the beauty as you go. Go to Sierra Club.
Adventures by Disney
Disney isn’t just about Mickey Mouse anymore. Adventures by Disney has worldwide family travel options. You may enjoy a tour of the largest cities in Italy: Rome, Venice and Florence or a cultural feast in and around Beijing, China. See the Chinese opera, acrobat shows, visit the panda reserve and tour Hong Kong. A totally different experience will take you and the grandkids to a dude ranch in Wyoming. Ride the whitewater on the Snake River, travel on horseback through the Grand Tetons and visit Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park.
I’ll bet you had no idea there are such wonderful family tour packages available to make your trip with the grandkids fun and easy to plan. Get busy and schedule your dream vacation—one the grandkids will never forget.