As more and more country’s borders have started reopening after the pandemic, Travel and tourism activities have rebounded in full force.

With this increased interest in Traveling among the broader population, we’re also seeing a shake-up in the traditional dynamic that bonds together during this vacation time—that is, Grandparents and grandchildren.

Having the entire family travel can be a tremendous bonding experience. It’s especially great for kids and grandparents who genuinely nurture their connections and love for one another.

In some cases, the “skipped” generation won’t even be present during this time—whether due to work or a lack of desire—highlighting the unique experience that the grandparents and children will have to share away from home.

That said, due to this inter-generational gap, there may be a unique set of challenges that both parties will have to face.

If you want to mitigate these challenges as much as possible, here are some traveling tips to help you prepare for this life-changing experience.

1. Recognize The Reason for Traveling

While many families travel for leisure, that’s not always the case. There are many reasons why grandparents and your kids have to hit the road.

One possible reason is a planned relocation. Some senior-aged folks may find it in their best interest to live in a retirement venue like retirement communities in South Australia for multiple reasons.

In such cases, the kids may just be there to tag along and say goodbye to their loved ones.

Secondly, another reason for traveling is to visit family. In such cases, you should use other family members local to the area to your advantage in order to make the travel as smooth and convenient as possible. One example is requesting them to pick you up from the airport.

Another possible reason for traveling is for health-related reasons. Senior-aged folks are susceptible to health conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, cancer, and even rare blood diseases.

For severe cases of these diseases, local doctors may not cut it and they’d have to move elsewhere to meet their medical needs. In such events, having your child tag along can help them bond before they become bedridden.

With all that said, it’s important to know the reason behind the travel so that you can tailor your actions accordingly.

Fortunately, there are many senior-friendly and kid-friendly travel destinations that can be picked.

1. Make Plans Together

Traveling with multiple people can be tough when everyone wants to do their own separate thing.

The kids may want to do thrilling and exciting things like going to the local skate park, whereas the grandparents would probably want to take it easy and sight-see the local vicinity.

Given this reality, it’s important to make compromises beforehand so that everyone can do what they want to do without much push-back.

For instance, when the kids are out skateboarding or doing other physical activities, the grandparents can dine in a nice nearby restaurant with themselves to wait.

Similarly, if the grandparents want to dedicate the entire morning to getting ready, the children can make a plan to do something earlier and return to the hotel once their grandparents are ready.

Planning an itinerary that satisfies both parties is crucial for an enjoyable trip. It’s important to find compromises and ensure that everyone’s pace and wishes are respected.

And to accomplish this, it’s important for both parties to sit down and talk about their plans before the trip. It doesn’t have to be a rigid itinerary, but it should include a few priority locations that keep everyone happy.

1. Choose Senior-Friendly Spots and Tours

Let’s face it: seniors are not exactly at the prime of their physical lives. While some can still do impressive feats like run marathons and do strenuous hikes, those people tend to be the minority.

The average senior is quite easily fatigued and immobile. Due to the presence of these physical limitations, it’s important to account for them during your travels.

To do this, you can start by looking at tour packages that offer private driving services. This way, you don’t have to feel the rush of public tour packages or the stress that comes from navigating an unfamiliar territory’s public transportation system.

Another important thing is to choose spots that are senior-friendly and accessible. Indoor museums with cool temperatures are nice areas that seniors can enjoy.

If you want to veer slightly away from the overly touristy track, seniors can also get a local massage experience or watch a local theater production.

If the weather is good out, you can also take a river cruise ride to explore a new side of the city. Of course, eating local dishes from nice restaurants is also a great way for seniors and children to enjoy themselves.

In short, ensure that your activities are fit for senior participation. This way, everyone will have something fun to do.

1. Pack Appropriately

Packing is perhaps one of the most stressful parts of traveling.

Not only is it physically taxing, especially for senior-aged travelers, but it can also be difficult to mentally tally all the things you need to bring for the upcoming trip.

That said, it’s necessary to get your pack travel-ready and well-optimized.  You don’t want to under-pack and forget crucial items like medication and underwear. You also don’t want to over-pack and leave next-to-no room for souvenirs and dirty laundry. Balance is key.

There are a few techniques to make the most out of your luggage space.

For instance, you can roll your clothes so they take up less space.  You can also put your heavier fabrics like jeans at the bottom of your suitcase to make effective use of space.

1. Take Advantage of Money-Saving Activities

Traveling is fun, but at the end of the day, it’s not an essential activity. To add to that, your savings account can take a big hit once the time comes for you to return to your daily routine.

And naturally, the more people you’re bringing, the more expensive the entire trip will end up being.

From hotel room upgrades to food to tour packages, these costs can add up quite significantly.

If you want to keep costs to a minimum, take advantage of freebies and discounts during your travel.

For instance, you can redeem credit card reward points to have free nights or more comfortable flight options.

If money’s still tight, you can also consider postponing the travel until you’re financially ready, should it be a leisure activity.

Already booked tickets and accommodations? Then go the budget-traveler route and visit free and senior-friendly sights around the city.

There are other ways for grandparents and kid travelers to cut on costs. This way, they can focus their finances on things that truly matter, like healthcare and tuition fees.

The post Inter-generational Travel: Tips for Traveling with Grandparents and Kids first appeared on Stuff Parents Need.