A European Multigenerational Trip

Summer of 2023, we finally felt it was safe after Covid-19 to travel abroad. Our family travelled to Europe with my father-in-law and mother-in-law. It was the first international trip for my two girls who were 8 and 11 and my parent in laws who are in their late 70s. When my husband and I travel, we usually like to hustle and do and see everything possible. While there are some vacations that we lie on the beach or relax at the pool, we usually get antsy after a day. Carpe Diem! To plan an epic trip for our diverse group, I carefully curated a trip that considered the limitations of my my kids and parents would have. I made sure that there was time for rest, comfortable luxury accommodations, and a variety of activities that everyone would enjoy.

Bottled Memory - Family pictures at Piazzale Michelangelo

Cities

I knew we wanted explore Italy extensively, but we also included London and Paris. With three weeks, this was definitely an ambitious plan. While I do travel often, this would have only been my fourth trip to Europe and there was a lot to see, do, eat, and drink. I sought cities with excellent food, wine, and unique experiences. For my kids, I wanted them to be exposed to history, be immersed in different cultures and languages, and have fun! They wanted to go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and the London Eye, so we weaved that into our trip planning taking advantage of our layover in London. During our travels, I made sure the kids had some time to swim, create, and indulge such as a boat cruise on the Amalfi Coast, a cooking class in Tuscany, and daily gelato.

My in-laws, who had limited international travel experience, were particularly interested in Italy's rich history and culture. They had previously visited Israel before the pandemic, but this was their first jaunt internationally since then. I added Paris at the end of our trip as everyone needs to see the Eiffel Tower once in their life and a macoron or two never hurt anyone. Knowing my parents' love for history, I booked them a small group tour to Normandy with my husband while I did a "girls day" in Paris.

Accommodations

I have an affinity to nice hotels. I want to be able to come back to the hotel, feel relaxed, and comfortable in a spacious room. I also prioritized strong air conditioning, as we are accustomed to the cold, arctic blasts of American hotels. These were tall orders in Europe where air conditioning is not guaranteed and many rooms had a 2 or 3 person maximum. For our family of four, I had to get 2 rooms or a suite at some hotels. My in laws had some hit and misses on the size of their room, but were generally happy with their choices. Overall, I would advise against lying about the number of guests in each room, as most rooms are small, and there are fire codes that should not be ignored. I thoroughly researched reviews to understand room size, amenities, and air conditioning efficiency before booking.

For my in-laws, I also considered factors like elevator availability, proximity to train stations, and avoiding hotels with significant uphill or downhill climbs. In the Amalfi Coast, for example, I chose to stay in Sorrento instead of Positano after reading about the latter's numerous steps.

Tours and Transportation

When exploring cities with historical significance, we typically book private tours. We have been doing this for years, even when traveling as just a couple, as it allows us to set our own pace and choose our preferred locations. If you get a good tour guide, they are able to give you such rich knowledge and insights that is far beyond what can be gained from walking through a site like the Colosseum or using an audio guide. For our trip, we booked private guides, and small group tours of 8 people or less. We did this for the Colosseum, The Vatican, Amalfi Coast, and Pompei. We also had a private golf cart tour in Rome that was really fun. It enabled us to ping pong throughout the city to see all the sites with the flexibility to explore off the beaten path areas like the Jewish Ghetto.

Regarding car service, I booked more than usual because with such a large group, luggage, and varying itinerary requests, it was easier than taking the train or taxi. We used it for transportation from Naples to Sorrento and back with a stop in Pompeii, and for two days in Florence, where we visited several nearby cities. Car service is not a tour guide, and most times provide transportaion from point A to B. You can ask some general questions about the city, but their in-depth historical knowledge is usually limited.

For a stress-free experience, I opted for business class train tickets, which offer guaranteed seat assignments, pre-purchased tickets, wider seats with more legroom, complimentary snacks and drinks, and more luggage space. The less crowded and quieter environment in business class cabins is also a significant advantage. In Italy, you can purchase train tickets online and print them at home or your hotel, eliminating the need for last-minute purchases at the station. Now, if half your party gets on a train, and half of them do not...that's another problem we had to solve on the fly.

Food

The food in Italy is unparalleled. Although a party of six may not seem large, it can be challenging for small, family-owned trattorias. I created a list of top restaurants I wanted to visit, and then researched which ones would be able to accomodate our group. I also reviewed menus to ensure there were options for my kids and parents, who are not particularly adventurous eaters. Prix fixe unfortunately was out of the question. My husband and I did have a couple lovely date nights where we went to Gucci Osteria and Roscioli, both of which were exceptional. In Paris, while restaurants are generally larger, I followed the same approach of reviewing menus.

Tips For Multigenerational International Trips:

• Balance Activities for All Ages: Ensure your itinerary includes a mix of activities to cater to different interests and energy levels. A combination of historical sites, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and relaxation time will keep everyone engaged.

• Prioritize Comfortable Accommodations: Choose hotels or accommodations that offer spacious rooms, comfortable amenities, easy access to transportation, and good air temperature.

• Book Private Tours for Personalized Experiences: Consider booking private tours or small group tours to gain deeper insights into historical sites and cultural attractions. This can provide a more personalized and enriching experience.

• Explore Dining Options: Ensure restaurants can accomodate your party size and book in advance. Review menus carefully to find options that appeal to everyone's taste preferences, including picky eaters and those with dietary restrictions.

• Be Flexible and Adaptable: Be prepared for unexpected changes and embrace the spontaneity of travel. A flexible approach will help you make the most of your trip and bottle long lasting memories.