Have you ever considered taking a ‘grand’ trip? No, it’s not a trip where you spare no expense, but rather one you take to forge stronger bonds and make lasting memories with your grandchildren.
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The Origin of ‘Grand’ Trips
Grandparents are increasingly travelling with their families. They’re also starting to travel more with their grandchildren. Baby boomers who are now all grown up are in their sixties and seventies, and most of them struggle with empty nest syndrome. If you’re a grandparent, you know that your children are all grown up and you probably desire to spend more time with your grandkids who are growing up just as fast.
While retirement age is steadily increasing, so is the flexibility of working hours. This means that there is an emphasis on how grandparents decide to spend their time and money.
The value one receives from a trip is a huge factor in making decisions around travelling. But while budgets play an important role, you still expect a level of comfort, style and great memories, especially when travelling with grandkids who might be fussy…
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Gen Z Travel Requirements
If you’re travelling with a grandchild, chances are that they would’ve been born during Gen Z (1997 and 2012). What might seem like the perfect holiday to you is probably not going to seem like that to a Generation Z grandchild. They will be focused on getting immersive experiences, Instagrammable moments and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
The Gen Z clan ranges from pre-teens to those in their early 20s; with members of this generation now being called the ‘destination disruptors‘; those trying to call the shots on family holidays. Experts even claim that they hold the most influence over their families’ travel decisions!
One big travel trend that appeals to the Gen Z traveller is the idea of ‘voluntourism’. These are holidays that involve an aspect of volunteering that benefit local communities, nomadic journeys spent discovering familial roots, or culturally immersive experiences that take them out of their everyday lives and into those of other cultures.
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4 Tips For a Grand Trip
1. Make sure the parents are on board
You are a parent yourself. Get the approval from your grandchild’s parents and let them in on the planning process. If they’re not comfortable with you gong alone, be willing to compromise and plan a trip together.
2. Put their interests first
This trip is to develop a better bond. It’s not only to tick off items on your own bucket list. Make sure you know what interests your grandchild and try as best you can to find activities they will find rewarding.
3. Don’t overdo it
As much as you should try and cater to their interests, it’s important to not go overboard. A jam-packed itinerary will just result in grumpy travellers dragging their feet.
4. Pack light
Travelling with too much luggage as an adult is already a situation set for aches and pains. Add children or teens to the mix and you have double the amount of stress to deal with. Discuss with your grandchildren that they don’t need to pack a lot. Make sure that everyone can comfortably carry everything that they have…on their own. One backpack and one suitcase are more than enough.
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If the idea of a ‘grand’ trip sounds appealing, take a look at these families that have amassed a large Instagram following travelling and exploring the world, and get planning:
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