Family guide
Our family travel guide conjures up what we rate and what we don’t as well as an awesome section entitled 'out of the mouths of babes' which gives you a family vacations travel guide from the mind set of eight to fifteen year olds.
Where to go on multi generational vacations
Although there’s much to be said for the simplicity of renting a rural villa or cottage for a week, the destinations open to you for multi generation family vacations can get much more adventurous. From wildlife watching in the Galapagos Islands to action-packed tours of Costa Rica, self drive vacations in Cuba to hiking Andean trails in Peru alongside knowledgeable local guides, intrepid families face very few limits. And you needn’t worry about your vacation becoming a little ‘too adventurous’ – these trips are honed to perfection by experts that know exactly what families are looking for in their accommodation, food and activities, and how to cater for different generations that all want varying experiences from their vacation.
1.
Andalucía
2. Azores
3. Costa Rica
4. Croatia
5. Cuba
6. French Alps
7. Galapagos Islands
8. Peru
9. Sri Lanka
10. Vietnam
2. Azores
3. Costa Rica
4. Croatia
5. Cuba
6. French Alps
7. Galapagos Islands
8. Peru
9. Sri Lanka
10. Vietnam
Andalucía
1. Andalucía
Andalucía in southern Spain is fab for families, easy to get to and host to a mix of activities that will reliably entertain every generation. There are hiking and horse-riding trips through hills and canyons, flamenco lessons, kayaking off the coast, Moorish castles to explore and stargazing by night. Families with younger kids can enjoy a relaxed stay on a farm.
Azores
2. Azores
The Azores will appeal to intrepid families who like to fill their vacations with activity and adventure. And while it’s only natural that whale (and dolphin) watching is the big attraction in this deep-watered Atlantic archipelago, you can also hike, bike, kayak and soak in geothermal hot springs.
Costa Rica
3. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is perhaps the ultimate destination for multi generational family vacations, with so much to recommend it. Direct flights, for one thing; it’s easy to get from cloud forest to coast to volcano; plus a superb range of activities that you can dive into, or skip, as the mood takes you, and all that wonderful wildlife everywhere you look.
Croatia
4. Croatia
Croatia’s magnificent coastline, rivers and islands lend themselves perfectly to active family vacations. Itineraries carefully planned by experts with years of experience allow those seeking adventure to find it. Meanwhile those looking for a more relaxed pace can easily sit out activities they don’t fancy in favour of a day on the beach or wander round a tranquil village.
Cuba
5. Cuba
Cuba is a very easy destination for multi generational families. Tailor made itineraries let older members of the group follow a more relaxed itinerary while those with the energy can be more active, the whole family meeting up regularly throughout. Cheap flights, safe bus travel, and the popular casas particulares mean Cuba is also handy for families on a budget.
French Alps
6. French Alps
Our top recommendation for multi generational family vacations in the French Alps is to arrive by train. Opening your cabin curtains in the morning to that mountainous majesty is a real breath taker. Famous for ski vacations, the French Alps are a marvelous venue for summer activity vacations too, ‘build-your-own’ itineraries letting you make things as busy or laidback as you like.
Galapagos Islands
7. Galapagos Islands
No matter your age, the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands will bewitch you. Here kids can measure themselves against giant tortoises, kayak alongside penguins and sea lions, get up close and personal with salt-snorting marine iguanas. Land-based tours are usually best for families as opposed to cruises, avoiding early departures and late nights, and with plenty of beaches to run around on.
Peru
8. Peru
As with Cuba, families in Peru can easily be split across different activities during the day, or travel to destinations on foot or by jeep depending on their preference. Reliably popular among families with teenagers, Peru can entertain everyone across the atmospheric Amazon, treks to Machu Picchu, fascinating Incan history and colourful markets.
Sri Lanka
9. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an enduringly popular country for multi generational families. It’s a small island, so very easy to get from place to place in chauffeured vehicles. And of course you have a fantastic mix of wildlife, culture and beach so it’s a cinch to create tailor made itineraries that hold something appealing for every family member each day.
Vietnam
10. Vietnam
Families new to multi generational travel will often start with Southeast Asia first, before thinking of more challenging destinations. That’s because countries such as Vietnam (frequently combined with Cambodia), have the x-factor of interesting history and culture, nature, and a range of fun activities, as well as an extremely welcoming vibe towards families, especially those with younger kids.
Luxury Greek Island vacation
Stunning accommodation on the Greek island of Ithaca
From
€2995 to €5575
per villa per week
Multi-activity vacation in the French Alps
Enjoy a multi-activity vacation in the French Alps
From
€482 to €1430
7 days
ex flights
Greece, turtle volunteering for families
Protect turtle hatchlings on a Greek island
From
£475
6 days
ex flights
Montenegro extreme activity vacation
Great extreme adventure mountain vacation package
From
€1245
8 days
ex flights
Azores family adventure vacation, whales and dolphins
Learn about dolphins, whales & fiery volcanic islands
From
£1195 to £1395
8 days
ex flights
Montenegro activity vacation, adrenaline adventure
A Fantastic Adrenaline Adventure Fun Vacation!
From
€1145
8 days
ex flights
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Multi generational family travel tips & advice
Helene Cooper from our family travel experts Stubborn Mule recommends Sri Lanka:
“It is fantastic as there is such a mixture of things to do. For example, I put together an itinerary for a family where... the grandparents are keen golfers, and that wasn’t going to work for the kids. So, I had them staying at the beach, and then the driver was able to take the grandparents off to the local golf club for the day, and then came back and brought the kids to other sites... because you have your own driver, you can stay behind and chill at the beach and send the others off to do more active things.”
“Hotels in Sri Lanka are very good at providing adjoining or interconnecting rooms. Or if families are happy to be flexible, hotels will always put a beautifully made up mattress on the floor. Which may not sound great to some but, to be honest, my five, seven and nine year olds would fight over which one could sleep on the mattress, as they love that. Triple rooms are also fine. It is a very family-oriented country, so they understand that concept.”
“It is fantastic as there is such a mixture of things to do. For example, I put together an itinerary for a family where... the grandparents are keen golfers, and that wasn’t going to work for the kids. So, I had them staying at the beach, and then the driver was able to take the grandparents off to the local golf club for the day, and then came back and brought the kids to other sites... because you have your own driver, you can stay behind and chill at the beach and send the others off to do more active things.”
“Hotels in Sri Lanka are very good at providing adjoining or interconnecting rooms. Or if families are happy to be flexible, hotels will always put a beautifully made up mattress on the floor. Which may not sound great to some but, to be honest, my five, seven and nine year olds would fight over which one could sleep on the mattress, as they love that. Triple rooms are also fine. It is a very family-oriented country, so they understand that concept.”
Ceri Jones from our partners Rickshaw Travel is a fount of good advice for multi generational family vacations:
“Tailor made vacations tend to be the best option for families, where the itinerary is more to give you a flavour of what you can do, rather than set in stone. There’s no one-size-fits-all. The most important aspects tend to be the choice of accommodation, itineraries that don’t pack too much in, and minimising long transfers between destinations.”
“Our most popular trips for families tend to be to Costa Rica, Borneo and Sri Lanka, mainly because you’ve got the wildlife that always animates everyone. In Costa Rica you’re never more than four hours from anywhere. Adventure activities are especially enticing for teens, and the beach is always there if you want it. Costa Rica also has direct flights, which is a big advantage for families with kids.
Sri Lanka is a small island, easy to get around and you’re mostly chauffeured anyway, with a mix of activities, culture and beach. Other popular destinations include Vietnam and Canada. Peru and Brazil are well-liked by families with teenagers too. Mainland Malaysia, Sumatra and even Myanmar are all under-the-radar family destinations. A lot of families dip their toes in with Asia, then progress to South America.”
Marcel Breedveld from our partner Latin America Journeys suggests Cuba for families:
“Cuba is very easy for adventurous kids and grandparents wanting something more relaxed, as we do it all tailor made. We will usually split the family up, for example in the mountains kids hike to a farm with their parents while grandparents go by jeep. We always recommend Cuba for families on smaller budgets too, as flights are inexpensive and the home stays (casas particulares) are very reasonable, as is the food. And you can travel around by bus which is very safe. Renting a car in Cuba is fun but it tends to work out quite expensive for families with kids, so we typically rent a car for a few days, then use public buses the rest of the way.”
“Tailor made vacations tend to be the best option for families, where the itinerary is more to give you a flavour of what you can do, rather than set in stone. There’s no one-size-fits-all. The most important aspects tend to be the choice of accommodation, itineraries that don’t pack too much in, and minimising long transfers between destinations.”
“Our most popular trips for families tend to be to Costa Rica, Borneo and Sri Lanka, mainly because you’ve got the wildlife that always animates everyone. In Costa Rica you’re never more than four hours from anywhere. Adventure activities are especially enticing for teens, and the beach is always there if you want it. Costa Rica also has direct flights, which is a big advantage for families with kids.
Sri Lanka is a small island, easy to get around and you’re mostly chauffeured anyway, with a mix of activities, culture and beach. Other popular destinations include Vietnam and Canada. Peru and Brazil are well-liked by families with teenagers too. Mainland Malaysia, Sumatra and even Myanmar are all under-the-radar family destinations. A lot of families dip their toes in with Asia, then progress to South America.”
Marcel Breedveld from our partner Latin America Journeys suggests Cuba for families:
“Cuba is very easy for adventurous kids and grandparents wanting something more relaxed, as we do it all tailor made. We will usually split the family up, for example in the mountains kids hike to a farm with their parents while grandparents go by jeep. We always recommend Cuba for families on smaller budgets too, as flights are inexpensive and the home stays (casas particulares) are very reasonable, as is the food. And you can travel around by bus which is very safe. Renting a car in Cuba is fun but it tends to work out quite expensive for families with kids, so we typically rent a car for a few days, then use public buses the rest of the way.”
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