Did you know 74% of travellers who have taken a multigenerational trip can’t wait to do it again? It might seem more complicated to some, but the Family Travel Association’s most recent Family Travel Survey revealed that more than half of parents say they want to travel with both their children and their grandparents!
For CAA Member Choice Vacations, multigenerational travel is nothing new! Since 1918, Collette, the family-owned company behind CAA Member Choice Vacations, has been passionate about family travel, and they are not slowing down. They have noticed that this style of travel is starting to become more popular, and it’s more than just a trend.
So why are people getting into it more? Let’s look at some insights CAA MCV shared with us, as well as some of their trips you could consider taking with your own family!
Why Multigenerational Travel?
Family Bonding Time
A survey done by the Angus Reid Institute found that 33% of Canadians feel like they don’t spend enough time with their family. This number is likely to be heavily impacted by hectic schedules—finding a time that works for everyone is hard! So, what could be better than taking a trip together? Remove the pressures of your day-to-day schedule and you’ve got dedicated family bonding time right there!
Check out this blog post from Kathy Sullivan, the wife of CAA MCV Chairman of the Board Dan Sullivan, to get a peek at what multigenerational travel meant to her! We are certain any family could have the same impact, creating a bonding experience that will be unforgettable for every family member.
Learning About the World Together
Think about how much you learned the last time you were in a new place. Now, consider how much more you could have learned if you had the perspectives of multiple people from varying generations! Each person views things in their own way, and travel is a great teacher for everyone.
This podcast episode featured CAA MCV Global Contracting Manager Patricia Grady and her son Patrick sharing their experience travelling together on a tour of Japan. Of course, they got to experience a lot together, but they also got to explore their own interests, which was a rewarding experience! Patrick studied modern Japanese history, and he shared how meaningful it was to experience the places he studied in person.
Patricia also shared about the culinary classes she has taken that had a focus on Japanese food, and how she was able to enjoy a Kaiseki dinner with Patrick! It’s clear that for these two generations, bringing each other along made the entire experience more meaningful.
Exploring Your Culture
Speaking of meaningful, the impact you’ll feel by retracing your family’s heritage together can’t be beaten! CAA MCV copywriter Alex shared on their podcast about travelling to Costa Rica with her grandmother. Though her family comes from Portugal, it was still an amazing experience to see a similar country through her grandma’s eyes. She also visited Portugal growing up, so she has been able to stay in touch with her heritage and keep it close to her heart!
Nostalgia
Think back to your childhood; what are your fondest family memories? For many of us, it’s probably a family vacation! Summers at the lake, spring breaks to Disneyland, road trips to see grandma at Christmas...they all hold so much nostalgia, and taking a trip with the whole fam is sure to do the same for your kids and grandkids now. 60% of parents polled in a Censuswide survey said they fondly remember vacations with their grandparents and want their kids to have the same experiences!
Finding the Right Tour for Your Family
So, you want to start your planning. But the question is: what trip will work for the entire family? There are many factors to consider, and CAA MCV thinks about them all when they put their tours together!
- Tour Length, Timing, and Responsibilities at Home. From kids in school to adults with work schedules, it can be challenging to figure out when is the best time for everyone to travel. Even if you don’t work, you likely have other responsibilities. CAA MCV’s tip is simple: plan as far ahead as you can! As soon as you have the info available for school vacations, vacation time at work, and anything else you need, look ahead to the best time and get it booked. This also gives you tons of time to prepare anything that needs to be covered while you’re away!
- Activity Level. It’s no surprise that a 10-year-old and a 75-year-old will probably have different levels of physical abilities. This isn’t always the case of course—you might find your grandma at the gym more often than you! But you’re not likely to find a multigenerational family with the same desire for activity level. CAA MCV has you covered! Every trip comes with a Tour Activity level to identify a good common ground for all.
- Destination. There is a lot of world to explore, so where do you go? Consider factors like how long you have, how many of you are going, and what kind of activities everybody likes! If you are musical lovers, maybe heading to New York to catch the shows on Broadway is the right choice! Or if you all love a good hike, somewhere with beautiful mountains might be better. CAA MCV has 170+ tours on all seven continents, so the opportunities are out there for any preference!
Now that you’ve figured out who is coming, when you want to go, and where, it’s time to figure out what type of tour will work best!
Types of Tours
Lucky for you, CAA MCV has carefully crafted many kinds of tours to suit whatever you need!
- Classic Tours
- Small Group Exploration Tours
- Spotlights Tours
- Cruising Tours
- Faith Tours
Your travel consultant can help you learn more about the different types and what will work best for your family.
CAA MCV Tours Available
Are you interested in seeing what specific tour you could choose for your family adventure? Here are just a few that CAA MCV has available for you!
Costa Rica: World of Nature
Take a small group journey to explore the local culture, flora, and fauna, and visit the spot called Tortuguero, where the remote jungle meets the sparkling waters of the Caribbean coast!
The Plains of Africa
Ride along for game drives and experience Kenyan culture as you see the many natural wonders of the most popular African countries!
Exploring Iberia: Southern Spain to Coastal Portugal
From bustling cities to peaceful stays on the Mediterranean coast, get a true taste of the Iberian Peninsula.
Gems of Greece: Athens, Naxos & Crete
Delve into the traditions, flavours, and history of Greece, exploring unique corners of the country and meeting locals along the way.
Japan & South Korea: From Tokyo to Seoul
From neon-lit streets to tranquil shrines, encounter Japan’s rich cultural heritage from Tokyo to Kyoto and the energy of Seoul in South Korea.
Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders
Journey from the Land of the Incas to the Galápagos archipelago, enjoying a 4-night cruise aboard a personal yacht.
Book Your CAA MCV Multi-Gen Tour
Are you ready to have the adventure of a lifetime with your loved ones? Talk to your CAA Trusted Travel Consultant and they can help you select the tour that will suit every member of your family, giving you all an experience you’ll never forget!
Non-members can book with us, but there are exclusive member benefits you won’t want to miss:
- $100 CAD per person savings
- $50 - $75 CAD per person excursion credit
- CAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee
- CAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care
Don’t wait—book now to lock in your 2025 trip!