by Holidays with grandchildren, it seems, can be good for you. Or at least that’s what biogerontologist Dr. James Brown, a scientist who specializes in the aging process, found in a recent report. Three-generation vacations can boost memory, improve physical function and reduce loneliness among older adults – contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
The big travel companies seem to be taking notice. This week, EasyJet Holidays announced a “grandparents are free” scheme, which allows one grandparent to travel with a family group – which must include their grandchild – without paying. Proof of “age and relationship” will apparently be taken upon arrival at the destination.
Of course, traveling with three generations is nothing new, but it is very popular. Tour operator Scott Dunn reports that the number of multigenerational family groups traveling with them has doubled in 2023 compared to 2021. And in a survey of 2,000 young adults, EasyJet found that 54 percent intended to travel with their grandparents on an upcoming holiday.
Celebrating a milestone
Destinations such as Spain, France and the USA are the most popular, which generally coincide with your favorite holiday spots in Britain. But some families are opting for something more unusual, using an anniversary or milestone as the reason for a multi-generational trip.
Alan Thomas, a photography librarian from London, had planned a South African safari for his family and grandchildren to celebrate his 80th birthday in 2021. and two grandsons, aged 10 and 12, took the trip at the end of last Easter.
“You never quite know how it’s going to go,” he says. “We’ve had holidays with our children and grandchildren before, but they were usually cottage holidays in England, which are a different kettle of fish.” The nervousness is understandable – feeling responsible for a trip, and therefore enjoying the group, is an intimidating prospect.
It’s something Alan admits, saying he wanted his grandchildren to enjoy it and “not suffer it just for us”. He needn’t have worried. The group was blessed, he says, with exceptional safari sightings, ticking off elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes and zebras.
More exciting than the wildlife, however, was the reaction of his family. “They seemed, without hesitation, to really enjoy every moment. Everyone – especially the boys – have said it was the best holiday they’ve ever been on.”
Need for compromise
This type of holiday can, of course, highlight uncomfortable differences between generations. For grandparents who used to have a glass of wine at sunset, the relentless bedtime battle may turn into an abomination after two weeks. And the bright bustle of the water parks, compared to, say, a walking tour of a historic city, could be a compromise too far.
Then there is some childcare. For some parents, having a second group of adults on hand may be a worthwhile childcare option. Grandparents may not agree.
For Phil Dykes, holidays are a time for intimacy – so he chooses to travel with his wife to adults-only resorts. “I have a daughter from a previous marriage and a grandson. But we don’t like to travel with children,” he says. “We don’t like any part of it: whether it’s waiting in the airport, or being on the plane, or in a restaurant. We lead busy lives, so we need to take days off. When we snap them, we just want to be alone, not with comics. And the kids will be kids.”
Undoubtedly the age of the children will lead to compromises on a multi-generational journey. Regardless of one’s usual holiday preferences, nappy changing needs or activity sessions aimed at a teenager will dictate everything from accommodation to meal times. Alan says he is now grateful his holiday was delayed, as his sons were mature enough to fully appreciate a safari – and suggests that everyone on a big holiday helps with the planning, which ensures that all members are satisfied with the itinerary.
As with all family occasions, such holidays run the risk of psychological backlash. There is a risk of Christmas Day dynamics, with parents and their grown children suddenly re-enacting arguments from 20 years earlier, and siblings squabbling over seating arrangements. For some, the pressure is too much.
Cost of living pressures
Then there are the financial implications. Almost half of those surveyed by EasyJet said the grandparents in the family are the biggest earners, but only 35 per cent would expect them to contribute to the holiday.
Undoubtedly, travel has become more expensive. A report by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) found that last year 72 per cent of people said the cost of living would affect their travel plans, while only 10 per cent said they would not take a holiday because of it. . Tourists, therefore, need to be creative, cutting out activities or meals in favor of cheaper options.
Could multi-generational holidays be solved? A large group tour can certainly be a viable form of travel from an economic point of view: a villa shared between eight people, rather than four, often has a cheaper rate per person and can result in cost savings shared food and ride.
Unfortunately, that is not often the case. A spokesperson for Scott Dunn noted that among their customers, grandparents were often the ones initiating multi-generational holidays, and crucially, the ones footing the bill.
Graeme Buck, spokesman for ABTA, agrees. “Our research shows that the travel plans of older people are less likely to be affected by cost-of-living pressures than those who are younger,” he says. This means that it may fall on the older generation to pay for everyone.
Financial need is often not at the heart of the choice of holiday, however. Alan Thomas’ holiday, for example, was much more about the experience. “It was a gift for them,” he says. “I was looking at what our guide was showing the boys, but really I was looking at them – I was looking at how much they were enjoying it all. And that’s what made it special.”
Buck agrees: “A big reason why vacations are still a spending priority in today’s tough economic climate is that they offer a really important opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones.”
EasyJet’s offer, then, could be the first in a long line of deals targeting grandparents, helping with the costs of big family holidays. They will certainly provide better value than the traditional “kids go free” option. But regardless of the price, the emotional satisfaction they provide is probably the reason families choose to travel together.
“We’ll always remember him,” says Alan. “That was my aim when arranging the holiday in the first place. It was a great feeling to see him do so well.”
Holidays for those who want to take the whole family away
Stubborn Mule specializes in adventure holidays for families. Their 15-day Kerala Family Holiday includes trips to tea plantations, wildlife reserves and a night on a houseboat. Prices start at £2,125 per person, excluding flights.
Responsible Travel offers seven-night whale watching holidays in the Azores, including accommodation in a family-friendly hotel. Prices start at £930 per person, excluding flights.
And holidays for those who don’t
Kuoni offers all-inclusive packages at the Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa, an adults-only hotel in Rhodes. Prices start at £1,536 per person, including flights and most meals.
Sandals Barbados also offers all-inclusive packages, including flights, meals and gratuity. A trip to the resort in April flying from London Heathrow starts at £2,492 per person.
