Top on the list of a multi-generational travel plan are activities and amenities to keep the young ones occupied and happy. If they are enjoying themselves and all their needs are well provided, the adults can have great time too.
These are important considerations when deciding on the destinations; this is very challenging. The trick is to make sure these places have attractions and activities that are age-appropriate or would appeal generally to kids. Planning with research is most certainly the key to ensure that the kids in the party will have a blast, while the adults find doing things with them fun as well, while getting to sneak for some adult fun when the kids take a break or at night.
Travel Agent Central – Trips and Activities Section offers a collection of five destinations worth checking out.
Visiting Mantua, Italy (Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency)
“… Mantua was famous for its music, art and the powerful Gonzaga family… Here you can immerse yourself in what was and what is. Without tripping over other tourists…
At one time, Mantua rivaled Florence for its art… There’s still amazing architecture and frescoes like the Camera Picta …amazing Biblena Theater where Mozart played … In June, there is a music festival…
Aside from music and art, kids (and adults) will love pasta-making lessons, and eating them along with other local specialties, sleeping in historical and beautiful palace – the Palazzo Castiglioni and having to meet warm locals.
A Unique Caribbean Resort (Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency)
… Jumby Bay — located on a private 300-acre island just off the coast of Antigua. Though expensive, it gets it right when it comes to families…
… The resort … has more room for guests — and a place for families to spread out — in its 36 villas and vacation homes than in the resort’s 40 rooms. Rates (are)… not crazy expensive for a fancy resort when you figure everything is included…
If you can afford the place, you’ll be happy to take your multi-generational party here where “everything” is provided. Who wants to do chores (laundry, wash the dishes, babysit, etc.) on a holiday? With the vast space you can always seek your own corner. This is why it is sold out during peak seasons…
A Holiday Theme Park(Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency)
If you want to “soak up the holiday spirit,” — Disneyland is the place to be…enjoy “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” complete with the “Frozen” princesses, the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks show that ends with “snowfall,” Walt’s favorite gingerbread cookies and holiday tamale plates, the 60-foot Christmas tree in Town Square and the rides re-themed for the holidays like Jungle “Jingle Cruise” and ” It’s a Small World Holiday” with more than 300,000 lights outside and children from around the world in their holiday best singing holiday songs.”
Disney theme parks are a real treat for folks of all ages. Kids will have a great time living for a while in the make-believe world while adults will have fun reliving their childhood fantasies, and of course, loving the enjoyment the young wards are having. You will love the festive decorations, fireworks, the general feeling of enthusiasm that’s pretty contagious… everything put you and everyone on a holiday mood.
Family Activities on Norwegian Escape
Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will set sail in November 2015 from Miami. It will be NCL’s largest ship… it will feature a large Ropes Course. The course will include two Planks and five Sky Rails, which are zip tracks that allow guests to soar through the air. Norwegian Escape’s Aqua Park will include a new Aqua Racer slide, while the sports complex will have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle miniature golf course.
The ship will also have an expanded Kids’ Aqua Park; entertainment from Nickelodeon; and the line’s first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two and under.
NCL’s Norwegian Escape will also feature Nickelodeon-branded entertainment and will give kids the opportunity to meet SpongeBob SquarePants and his friend Patrick Star, and Dora the Explorer. They can also attend the Nickelodeon Pajama Jam Breakfast and Dora’s Dance Party.
The cruise also offers “Youth Programming” and childcare services for children ages 6 months to 3 years a nursery with a napping area, age-appropriate activities and Guppies program for parents and babies. The Splash Academy complex offers supervised activities for kids 3-12.
For teens, there is Entourage on Deck 17 near the video arcade with a lounge and a central gaming station.
Taking the Kids to Valley Forge(Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency)
… Valley Forge National Historical Park and the rest of Montgomery County … offers that ideal mix of history, outdoor fun (Spring Mountain Adventures nearby has skiing, snowboarding and tubing and an inexpensive lodge that would make a good base for a visit here) and all the shopping you could want, including the huge King of Prussia Mall with more than 400 stores and the Philadelphia Premium Outlets…
There is so much to see in Philadelphia, where you can have your base, being just a short distance away. Enjoy Waterfront Winterfest and skate at Blue Cross RiverRink while taking in the city lights and skyscrapers.
It is a fabulous destination for Christmas with the “Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show” held in the Franklin Square. It also boasts of Kids’ Craftivity Hours, Lightning Bolt Holiday Express train rides, caroling, dancing snowflake and more for the kids, and a Holiday Marketplace and local beers for the adults. Cap the kids’ experience with an authentic Philadelphia sandwiche and original and homemade ice cream near Franklin Fountain. The adults can indulge with Philadelphia’s mouthwatering cheesesteaks sold along Market Street at Campo’s.
Traveling anytime soon with your kids in tow? Bring the grandpa and grandma too. Everyone can certainly build happy memories in these destinations.
