travel like your parents

Where to Travel with Your Parents (and Why You Should)

Traveling with parents.

If you’re planning a trip in the near future, don’t knock the idea of recruiting a new set of traveling companions: the people who raised you. Traveling with your mother and father as an adult provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with them or — if you’re the one footing the costs — a memorable way of saying “thank you” for all those years that they supported you. 

Plus, traveling with parents allows you to experience the world at a more leisurely pace. And if you take your kids, you'll be able to secure free babysitting, while enjoying the incredible experience of multi-generational travel.

With that in mind, here are the best destinations to take an excursion to with your ma and pa — places with plenty of culture and activities to offer that are also accessible, relaxing and fairly laid-back. 

Who knows, you may even learn something new about the people who know you best.

Napa Valley, California

When road tripping with retirees, be aware that a few too many hours packed together in tight quarters might cause everyone to become a little testy. Luckily, after arriving in Napa Valley, a bottle (or three) of Cabernet from the nearest winery you come across will soothe everyone’s nerves.

In fact, the hills and golden fields of Napa Valley are home to nearly 1,000 wineries, which you can explore by tour bus, train or even a private chartered limousine if you’re looking to drink in style. In addition to an assortment of fine wines, including internationally-acclaimed Cabernet, this destination also boasts award-winning restaurants, spiffy boutiques, and quaint orchards and farms.

Just remember: Reading a book by the hotel pool with a drink in hand is also a totally reasonable choice. (And as a bonus, it will give you some time to decompress after hours with the folks.)

Tulum, Mexico

Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel with their parents, so consider making it a trip to remember by heading south to Mexico. Tulum, situated on the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula, is a tropical, warm paradise where resort-dwellers can spend their days moving from lounge chair to poolside bar and back again.

But since you’re here, consider picking up on the local hippie vibe and sign mom and dad up for a yoga class, meditation session on the beach or visit to one of the many cenotes — natural swimming holes. Later, follow the crowds and try some of the popular local restaurants.

While the touristy joints may serve mostly American fare, authentic places offer unique options like fresh-squeezed coconut water, handground coffee, hot servings of huevos rancheros, jicama salads and even cocktails crafted with housemade mescal.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Many children across the country dread the prospect of being dragged by their parents to the old town of Williamsburg — a place most known for its American revolution museums, historical reenactments and restored battlefields. But as an adult with aging parents, this beautifully-preserved city near Virginia’s coast is worth every minute spent waiting in line during peak season.

In fact, this destination seems to always surprise people of any age with its diverse array of activities. History buffs could ostensibly spend several days stopping at historic sites and slow-walking along the shady cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Outdoor enthusiasts will encounter a range of accessible and not-too-strenuous activities, such as kayaking and biking. The area is also home to lovely bed and breakfasts, elegant restaurants, and stores that sell far more than typical tourist fare.

Playa Herradura, Costa Rica

At first glance, Central America might not seem like a go-to choice for those vacationing with older family members. Yet travelers who are looking for a unique and exotic location will be rewarded for their efforts with this location.

Playa Herradura — a coastal town on the Pacific side of Costa Rica — is best known for its well-preserved black sand beaches, turquoise water and lush rainforests. There are plenty of opportunities here to treat your parents to luxuries, such as the all-you-can-eat seafood buffets or fruity cocktails served poolside.

In order to make lasting memories, take some time away from the modern amenities and sign up for one of the many daily tours. Sports enthusiasts should check out the deep-sea fishing boat excursions or snorkeling sites. Or, see if you can talk your parents into strapping up and ziplining through the trees. Just remember to bring your camera.

Tuscany, Italy

The charming region of Tuscany is one of Italy’s best destinations for stunning scenery and excellent food and wine, making it an obvious choice for travelers of all ages. As the countryside is only a short bus or car ride away from the city of Florence, Tuscany is also an accessible option for those looking to avoid long hours spent en route.

And while napping the day away at a bed and breakfast overlooking a vineyard (or at a private villa settled amongst rows of cypress trees) will certainly be delightful, Tuscany also allows for a range of experiences. For instance, consider spending one or two days exploring the neighboring medieval towns. Day trips to wineries can also be arranged through one of the dozens of tour groups in the area.

Just be aware of the summer heat — that’s what all the shady plazas and cool cafés are for.

Montreal, Canada

If it’s your parents’ dream to visit Europe, but the distance and/or cost makes it impossible, look no further than Montreal. Once they’re strolling along the cobblestone streets, your mother and father will soon forget (or just not care) that they’re not in France.

Montreal also has excellent public transportation, meaning you can park the rental car or forget the taxi fare. But after exiting the subway, the city is best seen on foot. With character-filled neighborhoods bursting with restaurants, bars, cafés and art galleries, Montreal’s atmosphere is distinctly old-world-feeling.

The Notre-Dame Basilica adds to that vibe and is a necessary visit for lovers of architecture and history. Mont Royal, which offers a breathtaking view of the city, also belongs on the to-do list — and there are buses for those unable to make the climb.

Also take time to indulge in Montreal’s culinary fare. The local bagels, poutine and espresso drinks are famous for a reason.

Provence, France

If your mom and dad have romantic ideas about France, here’s a suggestion: Avoid the wild, stressful and sometimes smelly streets of Paris.

With its olive groves and lavender fields, France’s southern region of Provence is idyllic enough to melt away any regrets about not snapping a pic near the Eiffel Tower. For those interested in a little adventure, the limestone canyon — Gorges du Verdon — offers affordable boat rides across its sparkling, aqua green waters. Or, for a family of art and culture enthusiasts, drive down to the harmonious city-commune of Aix. Here, you can trace the steps of famous creators who lived in Provence, such as Albert Camus, Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne.

It’s also easy to book day trips to nearby medieval abbeys or easygoing port towns. Then again, with the quality of coffee and cuisine in Provence, you may be tempted to spend all day at the local café.

Palm Springs, California

Napa Valley may have rolling hills and wine tasting, but Palm Springs has something else unique to offer. It’s a really relaxed resort town, making it a great choice for later-in-life parents.

Historically referred to as an “oasis,” Palm Springs is graced with warm weather and frequented by celebrities. If you grow tired of the pool or lavish hotel brunches, hot springs and spas are in abundance. Moreover, most businesses are catered to seniors, so any one of the excellent restaurants downtown will likely be quiet and free of long waits, but without feeling like an old folks’ home.

Note: Staying out past sunrise is rewarded with jazz music emanating from laid-back clubs. Or, consider calling it a night so you can all make your tee time in the morning at one of the area’s lush golf courses.

Edinburgh, Scotland

For those with parents who prioritize history when choosing where to travel, the UK’s medieval city of Edinburgh has all the offerings of other European capitals, but without the elbow-to-elbow tourist traffic and astronomical high-season hotel rates.

The city’s most popular destination is Edinburgh Castle — its grandiose stone walls are visible from nearly every neighborhood. Moreover, museums, ancient ruins and architectural masterpieces are in abundance here.

If your parents grow tired of climbing castle steps, Edinburgh is also home to a few different whiskey distilleries, as well as popular Victoria Street, perfect for a shopping spree.

Plus, if you’re in need of some alone time, you can send your parents off for tea and head toward the city’s massive public park — The Meadows — for a jog, walk or nap.

Granada, Spain

A week away in Spain may sound like the perfect excuse to party until sunrise, night after night. But visiting this European gem with your parents may help you experience it in a new (and less mojito-fueled) way.

Granada, located in Spain’s Andalusia region in the south, is graced with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Perhaps even more awe-inducing is the Alhambra, the 14th century Islamic palace and gardens. As this site sometimes receives thousands of visitors a day, make sure to book tickets ahead of time, or, better yet, treat your parents to a day of no waiting by paying extra for a private tour.

Beyond the palace walls, there are numerous other citadels, basilicas and patios to visit. And, although they’re not as grand as the ancient Moorish architecture, the hotels and restaurants in the area are often opulent and inviting.

Bar Harbor, Maine

If your parents are hoping to get in touch with nature, think about Bar Harbor. Full of rocky shores and pine-covered mountains, Bar Harbor is adjacent to Acadia National Park, which is comprised of more than 47,000 acres that run along the Atlantic Coast. While most swaths of wilderness this size require at least a moderate level of physical fitness, Acadia can be accessed with a single day pass via bus, trolley or boat, all of which leave from town.

It’s also possible to do a little wildlife watching without walking too far — the park is home to bears, moose, seals, whales and seabirds. Plus, upon return to Bar Harbor, there’s plenty of whimsical shops to explore and restaurants to try. Ask for recommendations if you like, but any local will tell you to try to the rich and buttery lobster.

Sicily, Italy

For any seasoned traveler, it’s probably no surprise that Italy graces this list twice. From the food, wine and diverse landscapes to the architecture, museums and shopping, Italy is a go-to destination for travelers young and old.

The island of Sicily, located at the southern tip of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, is a particularly smart choice for those seeking both sun and substance. Depending on mom and dad’s mood, you could conceivably laze on the beach all day picking at plates of grilled swordfish, freshly made ricotta and tomatoes the color of Chianti wine. Or, if everyone is feeling adventurous, lace up your walking shoes and explore the abundant historical sites, which include ornate Catholic cathedrals, Greek temples, baroque palaces and Arab domes.

Sicily requires a bit more effort to get to than, say, Rome or Florence, but if your parents are up to it, this island won’t disappoint.

Jerusalem, Israel

Depending on your home base, flights to many parts of Asia, Africa and Australia might be too long and difficult for those with older parents. Yet Jerusalem is a good compromise on distance; it’s also possible to get one-stop flights to Israel from some U.S. airports.

Given that this deeply important city is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, Jerusalem is an excellent destination for those deeply interested in religion and history. While it may be difficult to pry your parents away from the magnificent holy sites, remember to rest and seek relief from the heat. Israel boasts many modern destinations, like posh rooftop restaurants and quiet cafés.

If you’re a family of shoppers, set a self-imposed limit on your credit card: Israel is not only home to bustling markets, but to massive, multi-level (and air conditioned!) malls.

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Samsonite Rediscovers the Joy of Traveling in Travel Like Your Parents

Samsonite, the renowned global leader in travel solutions, is thrilled to announce its new summer campaign, “ Travel Like Your Parents ”. The campaign invites travelers to embark on a nostalgic journey inspired by their parents’ travel experiences. Samsonite aims to reignite the spirit of adventure, the joy of discovery, and the thrill of exploring new horizons. Inspired by the golden age of travel, journeys were as much about the experience as the destination. Evoking meaningful travel, Samsonite aims to revive the spirit of the golden age, providing discerning travelers with the pieces they need for an immersive and transformative experience that connects them deeply with local cultures, fosters personal growth, and creates lasting memories.

In today’s fast-paced world, where digital connectivity often consumes our lives, Samsonite encourages individuals to disconnect to reconnect and recapture the magic of travel as our parents once did. This summer, the campaign invites travelers to embrace the spirit of wanderlust and reconnect with the authentic experiences that shaped the way their parents explored the world.

“Traveling has always had the ability to transform lives, and the journeys our parents and grandparents took were filled with a sense of wonder and discovery, “ said Erin Reynolds, Brand Manager of Samsonite Canada. “Our summer campaign aims to embrace that spirit and we encourage travelers to create their own amazing memories.  As a brand with over 100 years of history, we understand what made travel so special in the past and we can help today’s travelers understand it, too.  That’s what “Travel Like Your Parents”  is all about: it’s embracing the idea that travel is better when you take time to connect with the places you visit and the people you visit them with.”

The heart of the campaign centers around Samsonite’s high-quality luggage and travel accessories, which have been trusted by generations of travelers. From sleek suitcases and versatile backpacks to innovative travel organizers, Samsonite offers a wide range of products that combine durability, functionality, and style.

“There is an opportunity with every journey to shape who we are and inspire us to embrace new perspectives,” added Reynolds. “We hope this campaign will act as an invitation to Canadians to set out on a voyage of self-discovery, and rekindle the magic of exploration that previous generations were able to enjoy before the advent of smartphones and always-on connectivity.”

Join Samsonite this summer as we embark on a remarkable journey through time, celebrating the legacy of travel and embracing the enchanting stories of our parents. Let us unite in rediscovering the world with wide-eyed wonder, just as they did.

To learn more and view the campaign, head to Travel Like Your Parents | Summer Travels | Samsonite Canada

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How to Take Your Parents on Their First—or Any—International Trip

Jessica Spiegel

July 27, 2023

What we traditionally think about when we say “ family travel ” is parents taking their kids somewhere. When those kids grow up, however, it’s time to flip the script—maybe it’s time for you to take your parents on an international trip.

Going member Fawn B. did just that with her mother. "My mother hasn't been out of the country since she immigrated here from Taiwan 40 years ago. Now that I can afford plane tickets for two, I wanted to treat her to a mother-daughter trip to Taiwan or China. Within a month of becoming a Premium member , a flight to Shanghai appeared and I immediately booked it for us. It turned out to be an amazing trip—full of hugs, tears, laughter, and good food. My mom and I improved our rocky relationship, and China completely surpassed my expectations."

If your folks are experienced travelers, this is as straightforward as suggesting a place you all want to visit. Let’s say your parents aren’t seasoned travelers, though. What if they’ve never been outside the country? There are, as you’d imagine, a whole bunch of things you need to consider before you bring your parents on their first international trip—especially if you’re the more experienced traveler of the bunch.

Some of that is on them, since they’ll be agreeing to go outside their comfort zone in a pretty big way—but a lot of the onus is on you . You’ll probably need to adjust your expectations of what traveling looks like. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, of course, and traveling with parents can not only give each of you a different perspective on one another as fellow adults, it can also be a great deal of fun.

“My sister and I took my mom to Italy and France for her 60th birthday,” says Going member Sasha R (pictured above). “She had never been out of the US, and this trip began her love for travel. Since then, we’ve taken an annual trip with her. Last year we went to Spain and this year we are going to Germany. We watch for deals and travel wherever the deals take us.”

Your parents may be more or less active and adventurous than others, so not everything here will apply, but here are some key points to keep in mind in both the planning stages and during the trip itself to help ensure that your parents’ first international travel experience doesn’t turn out to be their last. Here are ten tips for multi-generational travel.

1. Choose locations carefully

Getting your folks on board is often as simple as finding out where they want to go. It’s not always as easy as asking, however, especially if they’re the type of parents who tend toward the, “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” end of things.

Maybe they’re history buffs with a special interest in World War II? Or they love going to the theater together? Or perhaps their ancestors came from another country? Or they’ve mentioned an African safari in the past like it’s an unattainable goal? Interests like these can inspire trips that are not only fascinating and fun, but also more engaging than a randomly-selected place.

Member Victoria M. focused on her mother’s long-time travel dreams, and it paid off. “I had been planning to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday with her #1 bucket list trip, to visit Greece,” says Victoria. “I wanted to tell her on her actual birthday and then go over the summer since she is a teacher. The day after her birthday we’re laying on the beach in California and I get an email from Going about discounts to Athens that include the summer! We booked on the spot and it was a literal dream come true for her.”

>>25 ideas for where to go in Europe

2. Pick an “easier” location

Baby travel steps are usually a good idea with novice travelers of any age. A DIY trip through India, for instance, might be a more challenging inaugural international adventure for many travelers.

Instead, opt for a place without a language barrier (a visit to England for American travelers, for instance, or a trip to Spain or Latin America if you speak fluent Spanish) or that has some familiar foods. When there are fewer things every day pushing your parents outside their comfort zone, they may be more willing to try something new along the way. Cruises can be a good option; after a day exploring they can come back to the comfort and familiarity of the ship (it can also help dealing with finances as most expenses are pre-paid).

>> The best places to go for your first international trip

3. Start slow

You may not think it’s worth the long flight for a trip that’s shorter than two weeks, but for your parents’ first international trip you should probably start with something shorter. A 5–7 day trip in one place with a day trip or two may be a better option. Think of it like the sampler platter at a new restaurant—they’ll get to try a few things and know better what suits them for the next time, without being completely overwhelmed by too much all at once.

4. Figure out budget and finances ahead of time

As awkward as discussions about money can be with friends (who ordered the ceviche, anyway?), they can be even more challenging with your parents. If you want to treat them to an international trip, that’s lovely—but if you’re not paying for everything, it’s critical to make sure they know that and can afford the trip. Decide before you book anything what costs, if any, that you’re splitting.

5. Don’t over-schedule every day

Even if you don’t think you’re a fast-paced traveler, chances are good that you’d pack more into a day than your parents might. Travel can be overwhelming, even when it’s great, and everyone benefits from being well-rested.

If you’re getting a guided tour of a museum in the morning, leave the afternoon open. If you’ve got plans to have a late dinner and see a show, allow for sleeping in or naps (or both) earlier in the day. Aside from helping everyone stay healthy during the trip, getting enough sleep also makes us less cranky.

It’s also important to consider any mobility issues your parents may have. Even if they’re spry, spending a whole day walking on cobblestone streets can be hard on joints. Consider their regular schedule at home, how much more active you’ll all be when traveling, and plan accordingly.

6. Get everyone involved in planning

This is one instance when you can’t just let Mom or Dad get away with, “Whatever you want to do is fine, honey.” Make sure everyone going on the trip offers input about their priorities, and then make doubly sure everyone has at least one of their top priorities included in the itinerary.

You may need to instigate planning sessions, either on the phone or in person. You may need to send them links to articles about the top things to do in a city, or drop off guide books for them to read. Whatever it takes to get your folks involved—do it. Getting their buy-in during the planning process means there are no surprises when you’re in the middle of your trip.

7. Plan as much as possible in advance

Whether or not you’re the type of traveler who plans ahead, it’s an important thing to keep in mind when taking your parents abroad for the first time.

Planning ahead means less time wasted during the trip going back and forth on the topic of what to do every day. It means booking skip-the-line tours, so no one has to stand for hours outside the museum. It means everyone knows (and approves of) the itinerary in advance and isn’t surprised by the announcement of a belly-dancing class, for example.

8. Balance new experiences with comfortable ones

For many of us, learning and experiencing new things is one of the perks of traveling. That doesn’t have to change when you bring your parents along for the ride, though the line where something new goes from “fun” to “scary” may well be in a different place.

This is largely about respect—you probably have a good sense of where your parents’ comfort zone ends and what might be pushing it too much. Find ways to make sure they’re not spending too much time being uncomfortable (after one dinner at an avant-garde restaurant, choose comfort food the following evening) to ensure they remain happy and not completely exhausted.

Plus, you never know—they may push you to do something you might not have done otherwise.

9. Plan some alone time

This may sound counter-intuitive, but a good way to make sure you’re all still friends after the trip is over is to do at least one or two things on your own. If there’s a museum you’re dying to see but your parents aren’t so interested, perhaps they’d rather spend the morning by the hotel pool with a good book and poolside snacks. Maybe there’s a cooking class they really want to take while you go on a bike tour in town.

This is particularly important if you live far away from your parents and haven’t spent much consecutive time with them in recent years. Even during a week-long trip, you may want to plan a day in the middle where you all get a break—everyone heads to their own afternoon spa treatment, for instance—to reset the family clock.

Ensuring you’re not completely dependent on one another for entertainment can be as simple as sitting at the restaurant bar for dinner instead of a quiet table so you can chat intermittently with the bartender or other diners, staying in central locations where everyone can comfortably walk to the corner for coffee, or going on group tours instead of private tours.

You don’t have to spend every waking moment focused solely on one another to be enjoying a multi-generational trip. What’s more, you’ll have plenty to talk about at dinner as you recap what you each did that day.

10. Make it about them, not you

This may be the most important—and most difficult—thing to keep in mind. You worked hard for those vacation days and saved up to go on this trip, and the last thing you want is to come home disappointed.

When you decide to introduce international travel to your folks, you’re signing on to take them on a trip that suits them. Depending on your parents, that might mean hotels instead of hostels, taxis instead of walking, museums instead of nightclubs, and more sit-down restaurants than street food. The perfect trip for you and your parents is out there—and you never know, they may surprise you with their adventurousness.

Going member Alice M. surprised her mother with a trip to Spain, and says the experience was one she'll always treasure. “We had the best time in our little AirBnB in El Born. We caught up over sangria every night, and it reminded me why she will always be my best friend.”

For member Anthony L., any concessions he had to make to take his father to Mexico were worth it. “He’s getting older, and when the time comes and he’s gone away forever, I’ll know we did it,” he says. “We took the time and made it matter.”

Read our tips for finding cheap flights , or join Going and let the cheap flights come to you. Members save $550 per flight on average.

Freelance Writer

Published July 27, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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How To Travel With Your Parents And Have Fun!

Traveling with your parents (and other family members) is a great way to connect and make new memories together!  I’ve been on many trips with my parents, my sister and her family, Adam’s parents, and even some aunts and uncles!  Throughout all those experiences, we’ve developed some tips for traveling together that allow everyone on the trip to have a great time together. This post will give you some ideas so you can travel with your parents and have a fabulous time, too!

These recommendations will help you successfully navigate the world of traveling with your parents and extended family members- from finding things to do, to getting along with your in-laws!

Consider The Needs of Everyone

When you travel with your parents (and/or other family members), keep in mind that everyone will have different needs and interests.  One person may love to camp, while another needs a good bed for back support.  One may love to shop while another has a limited budget.

Choosing a good location can seem daunting at first, but with a little patience and practice it starts to become easy!

A good destination for extended family vacations includes multiple things to do and at least something for everyone in your party.

You may need to travel a little differently with your parents than you do alone.  A cheap hotel or Airbnb might be ok for you.  A good bed may be a must for your parents.  It’s important to be flexible.  There are going to be things that are really important to you, and things that are really important to your parents.  The key is knowing which things are worth fighting for and which things are worth letting go.

Try to remember that you are looking for a place where you can have a good time traveling with your parents- and that place doesn’t necessarily have to be number 1 spot on your bucket list.

Get Everyone Involved In The Planning Process

If you’ve read my post about Trello then you already know I love using Trello to make collaborative trip boards for group and family vacations.  It is a great tool that allows everyone to contribute to the planning process! My family really enjoys the ability to coordinate plans and share ideas with one another.  It’s pretty easy to use, so even people who aren’t the most tech savvy can usually figure it out!

One of the things that I love about it is the idea that everyone can contribute ideas and thoughts about what they might want to do or where to stay or eat.  I love this part!  This is a great way to share your ideas and see who might want to participate in specific activities with you.  It’s also a great way to get ideas that you might not have found yourself.  

Check out my templates to get started planning your next adventure!

Single Destination

Multiple Destinations

Cruise Planner

Don’t Do Everything As A Group

I think this is the most important piece of advice!  Let me say it loud and clear: You don’t have to do everything together in a large group.

Sometimes there is pressure to spend every second together when you are traveling with your parents.  But in my personal experience, EVERYONE has a better time when you are free to choose your own adventures.  It’s ok to break into small groups and do your own things once in a while!

When we go on a cruise, we figure out what types of things we each want to do at each port.  Sometimes we decide to go all together and some days we split up and do things in smaller groups.  At the end of the day, we always meet together for dinner.  It’s a great way to vacation together because you can spend each day with a different group of people, and still come together as a whole group every day.  I might spend the day with my niece exploring Helsinki, have dinner with my whole family, then go see a show with my parents and play trivia with my sister. 

This is really helpful to manage the family dynamic.  I am blessed to have a family that gets along really well and enjoys spending time together.  But even with a great family dynamic, it can still be helpful to give people time and space alone or with their own smaller family group. Not to mention, it’s a great way to spend some quality time with a smaller group of people, rather than always having more people around.

If you are only traveling with your parents, and not a larger group, there may not be too many opportunities to split up. But this is ok! Even if you end up spending most of the day together, you can still take some time yourself (or you and your partner) in small ways.  Try taking a walk in the morning, or going out for dessert or a drink after dinner.  Having some time to yourself can help you recharge and recenter.

This concept leads us right into…

Get Your Own Space

Even when you get along REALLY well with your family, you may need a moment to yourself.  When staying in a hotel or on a cruise ship, get your own room whenever possible.  If you’re staying in a house, make sure you have walls and doors around your bed.  And try to make sure everyone else does, too.  Nobody loves sleeping on the living room couch, even if it’s comfortable! 

It’s important to have a little space to call your own.  To leave your stuff, talk to your partner at bedtime, and just breathe.  And if it’s your family and you are traveling with your significant other, they may just rest a little easier knowing they have their own space they can go to once in a while if they need to.

If someone in your party IS sleeping in a public room, like the living room- do them a favor.  Mind their stuff.  Pay attention to when they start to look tired and get out of there.  And try to be quiet in the morning if they aren’t the first ones up.

Consider a Cruise, All-Inclusive Resort, or Group Travel Company

When my family travels together, we frequently go on cruises.  There are many reasons we like to do this- you get to see a new part of the world, there are many different types of activities to do each day, everyone gets their own space, and it’s easy to figure out what to do, and who to do it with every day!  With so many different things happening on the ship, there’s almost always something for everyone to enjoy!

All-inclusive resorts can work the same way for a family vacation.  Instead of being in a different port each day, you just choose different activities to do!  There are many family friendly all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and around the world if you’re taking your kids with you.

One other thing to consider is going on a trip with a travel company.  When my parents and I went to Ireland, we decided to take a group tour with CIE Tours.  It was great for two main reasons:

• We all got to relax and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about driving, directions, making reservations, or anything like that.  We could all just sit back and enjoy!
• There were other people with us.  After a few days, sometimes we had nothing to say to each other!  Having other people around to chat with really helped because it can give you a break from each other and an opportunity to make new friends.

Talk (a little) About Money

People tend to be awkward when talking about money.  But when you are planning a family vacation, it’s important to figure out an estimate of what people want to spend.  Maybe a cruise to Alaska sounds like a great trip- but half your family can’t afford it!  Or maybe your parents want to stay in a luxury, all-inclusive resort, but you don’t have that kind of budget.  You don’t actually have to bring up numbers… but do try to get a sense of what type of vacation the other parties are hoping for.

If you’re lucky, your parents have offered to pay for a cruise for you!  Or maybe your parents are the lucky ones and you want to pay for their airfare!  It’s still important to know who is expected to pay for what so that nobody is surprised down the road.

There are so many things to love about traveling with your parents.  If you use these tips to keep everyone happy, I’m sure you’ll soon see for yourself why vacationing with your extended family is a wonderful experience!

Have you traveled with your parents?  Leave a note in the comments and let me know how it went!

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What it’s like travelling with a parent as an adult

Annette was equal parts excited and nervous about travelling to Tanzania with her mother. Here’s her advice for adult travellers planning a trip with their parents.

Planning a family trip? Travelling with your parents can be stressful and overwhelming. It can also be healing and enriching. Something I’d always wanted to do as an African American person is travel to Africa . Going to the Motherland with my mom was my dream trip.

I recently went on Intrepid’s Premium Tanzania tour with my mom. Here are a few tips that made our adventure less stressful and more fun!

Pack distractions

It’s important to pack some fun activities, games and favourite snacks to help you pass time during the trip. My mom and I both brought colouring books and markers, which came in handy during a four-hour layover in Zanzibar.

Consider creating a trip binder that has a printed-out itinerary, a place to write down memories, goals, intentions and key landmarks. This is a good way to help everyone to remember what you did on the trip and how you felt.

Yes, you can buy snacks everywhere, but it’s nice to have some of the comforts of home on hand (this comes in handy if someone is a picky eater).

Technical assistance

If you’re travelling internationally or have a long travel time, it’s good to download a few movies, podcasts or a favourite series for your parents to watch while waiting. This will keep them entertained during transit instead of asking you all of the questions. Download entertainment at home where you have strong and secure wifi.

I’d suggest bringing an extra pair of headphones for your parents as well (they were a lifesaver on our trip!). My mom sleeps with the television on, whereas I need silence and darkness. She used one of her devices to watch downloaded shows at night. I used a sleep mask. Although I could hear her snickering every once and a while, I was still able to sleep, thanks to my headphones.

Find a meeting point

This wasn’t the first time I’d travelled internationally with my mom; we’ve been to Canada, Mexico and Jamaica together. However, this would be the farthest and longest we’d travel together and I was a bit anxious. I had 35 hours of travel to Arusha, Tanzania where the tour began. However, my mom was travelling from a different location so I booked her the shortest flight with the least amount of layovers.

Her first layover, and our first meeting point, was at Doha airport in Qatar. Wifi is not always accessible, especially at international airports, so it’s good to research your meeting point and find a specific, easy-to-find place to meet within the airport. There is a big teddy bear sculpture at Doha airport that was not only great for selfies, but the perfect meeting point to connect with my mom.

Comfort is key

As you get older, comfort isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity. We had a 10-hour layover at Doha airport, so I decided to splurge and book a sleep lounge for us to lay down and rest between connecting flights. It’s nearly impossible to sleep comfortably in economy class, especially as a plus-size traveller. Booking the sleep lounge was our compromise since neither of us could afford to upgrade our seats on the plane.

Comfort is the reason we booked Intrepid’s Premium Tanzania tour instead of the other options. With Intrepid’s Premium tours you get the best accommodation and the highest level of service. This meant that we stayed in a mix of resorts, boutique hotels and permanent tented camps in both national parks.

When travelling with parents you may need to switch up your normal pace. This could mean slowing things down, taking more breaks, or opting to sit things out.

Ask for what you want and need

Since my mom and I were travelling from different places it wasn’t possible to book seats next to each other. However, at every airport, we checked in together and asked if we could be seated next to each other. At this point, my mom would share that I was her daughter and we live in different countries; 95% of the time people responded with surprise that she is the mom to an adult daughter. The other 5% asked where I live.

During one of our check-ins, we were assigned seats for the next three flights. Our seats were supposed to be next to each other but ended up being rows apart. As soon as we boarded, I explained to the flight attendant that we were family and hoped to sit together. The flight attendant was extremely helpful and found us an empty row.

Take ALL the photos

Family time is sacred. It’s something that should be celebrated and memorialised, with lots and lots of photos. There’s usually one person taking the photos who is rarely in them, so it’s a great idea to pack a tripod and set your camera phone on a timer to help capture some memorable moments that you’re both in. Ask your trip mates to take a few snaps of you as well.

Give yourself some space

It can start to feel like the walls are closing in on you a bit when you’re sleeping, eating and travelling alongside a parent for days on end. It’s totally normal to need some time alone and it’s okay to ask for what you need. When my mom was dancing on my last nerve I would tell her that I needed a moment. Then I would take a short walk or go to our room to create some distance.

Take some time throughout your trip to do something solo, whether that’s going for a walk or listening to a podcast in the hotel lobby. If you can afford it (and if it’s an option), consider booking private accommodations. When you’re travelling and eating every meal together for days, having your own private space can be a saving grace.

Allow them to do their thing

There were more than a few times on this trip where my mom did or said something embarrassing. As a 37-year-old woman, I’ve learned to let most things go. While we were in Tanzania, I was reminded that, outside of being my mother, she is a fully formed person with feelings and flaws. For both of us to enjoy ourselves, I needed to allow space for her to be her authentic self and not just my mom. If that meant smiling through some embarrassing chats, so be it!

One of the things she kept doing while making her video ‘content’ to post later on social media was misstating our location. Although our entire 8-day tour was in Tanzania, my mother mentioned that we were on a tour in both Kenya and Zimbabwe . Eventually, it became a running joke with the group. We’d all ask her where we were or where we were headed… she always got it wrong!

But in the end, travelling to Tanzania with my mom strengthened our relationship. We made new memories. We travelled to the Motherland together and went on a safari. I was able to listen to her share stories I’d never heard. We learned more about each other in a way we wouldn’t have been able to if we’d been at home.

Feeling inspired? Follow Annette’s adventures on Instagram . 

Feeling inspired?

Annette Richmond

Annette Richmond is an award-winning content creator, writer and advocate. A globe-trotter and goal digger, Richmond is the creator of the body positive travel community Fat Girls Traveling and Fat Camp, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of Fat Girls Guide. The native Californian got her start in the fashion industry, has since visited 20 countries, and hopes to continue to inspire people of all sizes to see the world and be seen.

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'I cried at the goodbye': How my aging parents changed my whole perspective on travel

When you hit middle age, there are some universal truths you begin to notice and accept, and that goes double when you’re traveling with your parents. Your knees and hips appreciate a recalibrated definition of “adventure” that favors excursions like water taxi rides and birdwatching. And, yes, your hunch is right: You really are turning into your mother (or father) … and maybe that’s not such a terrible thing.

I recently spent six days visiting my parents in their winter snowbird home just outside Tampa, Florida. Mom and Dad reveled in the tour guide role here in this middle ground – not our Indiana hometown and not British Columbia, where I’ve been living with my kids for years. 

It felt strange at first, me being a “kid” again at age 50. It was a rare window when I wasn’t caring for my own kids and my parents, still healthy and mobile, didn’t yet need my care. I could relax. I could play. Without any responsibilities or distractions, I could savor just being a daughter.

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It feels good to slow down a little

Vacating with my parents, I got to experience life at a slower pace. My mom didn’t hesitate to say yes to the hourlong wait when we put in our name at the popular Rusty Bellies oceanfront restaurant in Tarpon Springs. I followed Mom to the Adirondack chairs outside but soon got restless, feeling as if I should be doing something. But she encouraged me to stay put and do nothing, reminding me that I’m always caring for someone in this busy season of life and that it’s OK to rest. That moment of stillness made room for easy conversation that led to her telling me the story of how my parents first met. 

Another day, because we ambled long enough in a mangrove sanctuary, we saw the fins of blacktip sharks and cute noses of manatees break the surface of the water. And since we took our time at the Armature Works green space waiting for the water taxi on downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk, we spotted dolphins playing and got good at deciphering the locals (dogs, laptops, long pants) from the tourists.

Vacation ideas for older travelers:

• 9 best tour companies for travelers over 50
• 5 best senior adventures for travelers age 50+
• 8 grandparent-grandkid vacations for active seniors
• 7 best resorts for multigenerational family travel
• 9 skip-gen destinations for grandparents and grandkids

Being together still comes easily

Even though I’ve lived away from my parents for decades, I realized during our week together how well I still know their idiosyncrasies and they know mine. I know my dad will check the forecast before we head out for the day. He knows I’m going to sneeze when he gives me a piece of peppermint gum, and starts laughing when I do. I’m not surprised when my mom stops to hug me as we walk across a parking lot … just because we’re together. And the three of us still find the same things funny, including the mustache baby pacifier at The Dalí (the Salvador Dali Museum) gift shop. 

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Midwesterners tend to get stuck in routines, and some of that is what I wanted to break free of when I moved to the West Coast years ago. But on this trip, I found a strange comfort in doing many of the same things we used to do together – church on Sunday, a Major League Baseball game, and dinner with longtime family friends who still call me by my old nickname. 

Mom, Dad and I even visited some of the same places we first went to during a childhood vacation together in 1979. Our history of good memories together keeps hitting me − through out the trip, I was reminded of who I am and where I came from. I let it sink in, this sense of knowing and being known, of deep connection. Somehow it satisfied a longing I didn’t even know I had. 

As an adult kid, I see myself in my parents

In downtown Tampa, we stepped off the trolley at the Ybor City stop into the city’s Little Havana neighborhood. Cuban music filled streets lined with restaurants and cigar bars. We popped into one cigar lounge, dark and smoky, and were mesmerized watching busy hands rolling cigars. Dad pointed out all the leaf scrap cuttings on the floor. Mom noted the unique purses made of cigar boxes. At that moment, I realized this is why I am curious and observant, and I felt strangely sentimental. It’s because of them.

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Over lunch at The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge , a favorite spot overlooking the airstrip at St. Petersburg’s Albert Whitted Airport, we watched small planes and helicopters coming and going. Dad recalled memories of flying with a friend who had a little Cessna. He laughed and, in his easy way, shared some near-miss flight stories we hadn’t heard before: a downdraft in the Smoky Mountains, losing altitude, and scanning the ground for a flat potential landing space before getting through it. Sitting there listening to him, I saw my own love for travel and adventure. 

On this trip, I realized just how much I see myself in my parents. I was a little surprised to realize this fact didn’t make me roll my eyes and make an “I’m turning into my mother” joke. Instead, I found myself smiling, embracing turning into my mother and father, because that’s exactly who I’ve always been.

My parents have always enjoyed watching ocean sunsets. When I was growing up, it was one of those things that happened in the background on our family beach vacations while we were swimming, playing ball or searching for sand dollars. This time around, though, the sunset was the main event. I noticed my parents and other locals about their age planning their evenings around it, bringing a chair, and even going to a special spot on Indian Rocks Beach where a retired guy brings his trumpet and plays “Taps” to celebrate the daily setting of the sun. 

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It was a surprising moment of joy, and Dad captured it. He has always loved photographing ocean sunsets on vacation, and now he gets to do it for six months every year as a snowbird. I used to be bored looking at sunsets, but now I find myself sending him my own sunset photos from home in Canada. My daughters do the same with me. I guess a sense of awe and wonder is hereditary, too. 

These moments are pure gold (and fleeting)

Traveling with my aging parents, I realized how lucky I am, but I also knew this could be our last trip together, just the three of us. I couldn’t help but reflect on how fragile life is and how precious these moments together are. My parents are still together, in good health, and have mobility. I can’t think of anyone my age at 50 who is in the same situation with their parents. 

At a Clearwater Beach souvenir shop on my last day of the trip, Mom bought us matching blue sweatshirts we both liked. I think it was her way of marking this time together with a tangible reminder. As she handed me mine, I pushed away the thought that this might be the last time we get to vacation like this and replaced it with gratitude. 

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On the drive to the airport, Dad launched into his usual sort of closing paragraph that he does at the end of every visit. He mentioned the highlights of the week and asked about everyone else’s favorite memories from our time together. Then he shifted to what we should to do next time. I smiled, realizing I do this closing paragraph, too, when I’m saying goodbye to my girls.

I cried at the goodbye like I always do with my parents, then boarded my flight and took my seat next to a young mom with a baby girl on her lap. I cooed and made silly faces the same way other women did when my girls were young and I traveled alone on trips home to see my parents and felt the sweet weight of this full-circle moment.

How a vacation with my aging parents changed my whole perspective on travel originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com . 

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 5 best Florida beach towns (plus where to stay and eat)
• Florida beyond beaches and theme parks: Try these 10 state parks
• 21 best all-inclusive family resorts in the U.S.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .

IDEAS: Evoking Nostaglia With Samsonite’s Latest Campaign

Adam Stacey , Skift

June 8th, 2023 at 4:30 PM EDT

Samsonite are aiming to reignite the spirit of adventure and celebrate the golden age of travel with their latest campaign . 

Created in partnership with global advertising agency Iris , ‘Travel Like Your Parents’ evokes a sense of nostalgia inspired by the genuine escapades undertaken by those who came before us.

Set against the sunny backdrop of Southern California, the wanderlust-inducing campaign urges today’s travelers to disconnect from our fast-paced digital world and ‘discover the magic of travel as our parents once did’. 

You can take a look at the newly released campaign video on the Samsonite YouTube channel .

“Traveling has always been a transformative experience, and we believe that the journeys our parents took were filled with a sense of wonder and discovery,” said Nicole Adriance, senior director of brand marketing at Samsonite. 

“Through our summer campaign, we aim to inspire travelers to tap into that same spirit and create their own remarkable memories. As a brand with over 100 years of history, we understand what made travel so special in the past and we can help our audiences understand it, too. That’s what “Travel Like Your Parents” is all about: the idea that travel is better when you take time to connect with the places you visit and the people you visit them with.”

At the 2023 Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking to highlight advertising campaigns that have been created with the intent to drive action. 

If you have an exciting marketing initiative that deserves to be celebrated, head over to the  Skift IDEA Awards  and start your application today.

Tags: luggage , marketing , marketing strategy

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The 20 Best Getaways for Parents (Only)

Being a parent is rewarding, but it's also riddled with responsibilities and a to-do list that redefines the term "the grind." Between cleaning bottles, grocery shopping, crafting endless incarnations of chicken, and schlepping the brood to school, soccer, and beyond, moms and dads invariably watch the concept of free time evaporate as early as in the delivery room.

Equally as difficult to swallow is how the concept of vacation changes once you factor in children. Just because you've eschewed the city for the beach, the suburbs for the slopes, or this country for another, doesn't mean the daily demands have altered. You will still be awakened at 5:30 a.m., still have to organize your day around naps, plan for snacks and meals, still have to sacrifice your loftier gastronomic hankerings for kid-friendly fare.

Don't get us wrong: we love our kids, but sometimes parents need a break. If you and your significant other have been day-dreaming about leaving the kids at home and heading out for some much-needed R&R, we're here to tell you it's okay. To save you time in planning, we've even done the research and carefully selected a roster of getaways exclusively for fatigued parents.

Our guidelines? Properties are luxurious, low key and, for the most part, intimate in scale. These trip ideas are all about reconnecting: Rooms are spacious and airy; the ambiance is decidedly anti-millennial. No dark lobbies, bathrooms, or rooms, and no music blaring from elevators or pool speakers. No incomprehensible design features hijacking the creature comforts of the room. Also, these destinations are easy to reach, with a wealth of direct flights from major American hubs.

Above all, each property boasts a sense of place, with notable décor, amenities like transformative spas or creative guest experiences, and of course, standout dining options. So, banish the guilt and get away—and return to your kids relaxed and recharged. You deserve it.

Amy Tara Koch regularly covers the family beat for Travel + Leisure . Follow her on Twitter and Instagram .

Soho Beach House, Miami

Tucked behind the flashy Fontainebleau is one of Miami's best-kept secrets: the Soho Beach House , a small, open-to-the-public hotel within the city's coolest private social club. The look is groovy, Brit-meets-beach; the vibe is South Florida soigné. Don't be surprised to find hipsters commingling with film producers commingling with artists here. Lazy afternoons will be spent at the pool and beach, or reading in the hammocks, aperitifs in hand. As a hotel guest, you have free rein to take advantage of the club's bar, screening room, and Cowshed Spa. Our tip? Book an ocean front bedroom. A bay view will only make you wish you'd grabbed one of these 1,500-square-foot apartments with massive terraces instead.

The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

After a long flight and customs, parents may be cranky when they arrive at Pedregal . But, following a welcome margarita as they take in the view—where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean—they're thrilled to be back in the Baja Peninsula . Rooms are massive, each with a private plunge pool, and linens and towels so plush that getting dressed seems a chore. The amenity program alone is worth the property's high marks (think fresh guacamole and Corona delivered on a whim at 4 p.m.). Spa lovers will be bowled over by Luna y Mar, where the heady scent of rosemary follows guests to their treatment pod. Services, including ancient healing massage and indigenous herbal detox, were devised by Mexican folk healers. For dining, flights of champagne and just-caught mariscos are served up at El Farallon, a restaurant suspended over the Sea of Cortes. The elegant Don Manuel's puts a fresh spin on classic dishes, while the crudo bar at the pool serves fish tacos with tequila cocktails.

Goldeneye, Oracabessa, Jamaica

All things James Bond are sexy, so it stands to reason that Goldeneye , the North Jamaica property where Ian Fleming penned all 14 Bond novels clocks in as one of the Caribbean's most idyllic destinations. Celebs and mere mortals adore the ridiculously lush 52-acre hideaway, where 22 bungalows are speckled around an expansive turquoise lagoon (good news, travelers: another 26 beach huts are expected to open in 2016). Water sports, a swim-up spa, and a glorious tree house gazebo (where Fleming took his breakfast) that houses a restaurant are among the getaway's highlights.

Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont

For East Coasters, a much-needed getaway can be as simple as a jaunt to bucolic Vermont. Twin Farms is a luxury five star property with the charm of an intimate B&B—known for its elevated take on sustainable dining . Its 20 rustically elegant cottages rest upon 300 acres of rolling hills and meadows, and the main building is housed in a romantic 18th century farmhouse graciously designed by the late Jed Johnson with hand-painted murals and American folk art. Spend the day skiing (downhill or cross country), snowshoeing, skating, or sledding, then relax by the stunning winter wonderland before a memorable, multi-course dinner. The spa features products by local skincare guru Tata Harper.

Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico

For parents, tending to nonstop needs and ignoring your own invariably leads to a spiritual crash and burn. Rancho La Puerta (another T+L World's Best winner) is the perfect intervention. Located in Tecate, Mexico, this is the granddaddy of spa vacations, a property that, for 75 years has artfully integrated wellness into every element of a guest's stay. Plan on eating well, going to art classes, hiking, doing yoga, and getting many a healing spa treatment (craniosacral therapy, Feldenkrais, acupuncture, Ayurveda, and Watsu, to name a few) that incorporate medicinal herbs and aromatics grown on site. Check for specialty weeks featuring guest speakers and performers. Bonus: Mexican wine is having a big moment. After a killer morning hike, take the resort's new wine tour to the Guadalupe Valley .

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico

North of the tourist scrum and strip malls, Dorado Beach epitomizes the spit-shined image of Puerto Rico, set as it is on the oceanfront former estate of Laurance Rockefeller, surrounded by a tropical forest and coral reefs. Its Ritz-Carlton Reserve status translates into high-concept Caribbean design and the type of service that elevates the term "barefoot elegance." There's no need to exit the property, with the gourmet tapas served at Jose Andres' Mi Casa restaurant. Afterwards, you can walk the Rockefeller trail, an open-air sanctuary, or enlist your personal embajadora to set up some water sports and ensure your lattes are just so. Spa treatment rooms are administered in tree house pavilions.

Le Pavillon de la Reine, Paris

Just behind the stunning 17th-century Place des Vosges, a stroll away from the trendy Marais arrondissement, and just past an ivy-covered facade is one of those tough-to-find, small hotels that feels like your personal pied a terre . The 54 rooms—some with original wooden beams—seamlessly marry historic charm with Parisian sophistication, sporting either antique furniture like canopy beds and vintage trunks, or modern touches like brightly colored bedding. Only adding to the property's in-the-know feel is the newly unveiled 2,420-square-foot-spa by Carita, the iconic Parisian skincare brand.

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, California

Like Paris, a visit to Los Angeles is always a good idea. For a glam getaway, head to this Four Seasons situated at the junction between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Couples can flit effortlessly to Runyon Canyon, Beverly Hills, or the dozens of the award-worthy eateries peppering the celeb-studded neighborhood. Or, lounge by the succulent-studded pool—the ultimate urban oasis. Treatments like BioMeditation and Tibetan Ku Nye abound at the spa (and can be performed at the poolside cabanas). The bar is perfection for cocktails and people-watching. If that's not enough, on-site Italian restaurant Culina is one of the hottest tables in town.

Washington School House, Park City, Utah

While "home away from home" can sound cliche, once inside the unassuming limestone building, you'll grasp how well this term applies to this property —comfortably inside one of our favorite family-friendly travel destinations. There is no formal lobby. The heart of the hotel is a cozy living room punctuated with a crazy, cool antler-and-crystal chandelier. This is where guests eat their breakfast, and chat with fellow travelers over wine and snacks in the late afternoon. Check in and concierge-type duties are performed from a small alcove next to the living room. There is no standard room: the 17 rooms and suites vary in size and decor, each a study in upscale rustic with a side of flea market fabulous. There's reclaimed barn wood floors, high pitched ceilings, muted color schemes, vintage furnishings, and white marble bathrooms fashioned from locally quarried Utah Quartzite. Then, there is the ski lounge, a snazzed-up rec room equipped with board games and a fireplace. Though the vibe is relaxed, the service is not. Staff will arrange anything and everything, from après ski in bed to a private yoga session in a yurt reachable by snowshoe.

L'Auberge de Sedona, Arizona

For downtime sprinkled with upscale New Ageism, shack up at L'Auberge de Sedona (a T+L World's Best Winner) in a cozy, creek side cottage. The property harnesses the spirit of Sedona with meditative enrichment experiences like stargazing and "forest bathing" (a yoga-meets-outdoor-meditation class). Kick off the day hiking Sedona's majestic Red Rocks. Then, explore the wineries peppering the Verde Valley; lunch at Page Spring Cellars' rustic tasting room is a must. Back at the hotel, have a spa treatment (many include guided visualization) followed by a romantic, al fresco aperitif on the rocks of Oak Creek. The signature restaurant, Cress, puts a contemporary spin on local flavors, and Chef Rochelle Daniel will craft a multi-course tasting menu upon request.

Parrot Cay by Como, Turks and Caicos

Don't be surprised if you run into Babs Streisand, Penelope Cruz, or Julia Roberts at Parrot Cay . With fewer than 70 rooms on a 1,000-acre privately owned island, it's lush and secluded. Whitewashed walls, teak furniture, and Balinese decor are a study in understated glamour, a hallmark of the Como brand. There are miles of unspoiled beach and surrounding wetlands perfect for swimming, water sports, and boating. The spa's Thai, Indonesian, and Ayurvedic range of treatments are a big draw. In 2016, expect eco-kayaking outings (you'll spot sea turtles, nurse sharks, and osprey) on the property's new Bonny Creek waterway.

Windsor Court, New Orleans

When the routine of parenting gets a bit staid, head to the quirky Big Easy for some undiluted fun—and admire its post-Katrina comeback. Explore the French Market, take the streetcar to award-winning NOLA restaurants (Peche, Upperline, Commander's Palace, Brennan's), check out the local musical acts on Frenchmen Street. After the party, head back to the charming 316-room Windsor Court Hotel for a dose of Southern gentility. Its newly refurbished spa is excellent, as is the afternoon tea.

San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California

Perfection is a private cottage luxuriously sandwiched between the Santa Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Toss in some grand history (Winston Churchill, JFK, and Jackie were loyal patrons), in-room spa treatments, majestic hikes, and you've got a grand romantic hideaway at this T+L World's Best Resorts Winner. Tranquility abounds: Meander along the citrus- and lavender-studded paths. Play croquet and bocce. Swim in the hillside pool. Indulge in fine dining paired with incredible wines culled from nearby Santa Ynez Valley. Contemplate never leaving.

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica

This upscale yet understated hotel ensconced in Costa Rica's bio-diverse Peninsula Papagayo will be nirvana for adventure-loving naturalists. The Andaz feels like an organic reflection of its surroundings, sporting earthy wooden touches, wide open spaces, and tranquil nooks and crannies to take in the views of the Bay of Culebra. The Guanacaste is, above all, a wildlife refuge. You can zip-line between tree canopies and monkeys, surf, white water raft, hike to the volcanic peaks of Rincón de la Vieja National Park and, without much effort, spot humpback whales, sloths, macaws, toucans and sea turtles during your stay. After a day or two, the country's "Pura Vida" catchphrase (which means "chill out") becomes second nature.

The Goring, London

There is chic, and then there is top-drawer swank. With its quintessentially British ambiance (think footmen, croquet lawn, and chintz-covered walls), The Goring (a T+L World's Best Winner) goes beyond it all, with its lineage setting it apart from London's luxury fray. This is the only five star hotel in the city that is owned and run by the family that built it. As a favorite of countless Lords, Ladies, Dukes, and Duchesses (William and Kate famously holed up here the night before their wedding), it holds the Royal Warrant, a mark of distinction awarded to the Crown's preferred products and services. After a recent renovation (its first major one in 105 years), it emerged the belle of the Belgravia ball, with sumptuous rooms, and a grand dining room awarded a Michelin star. To top it all off, it's an easy walk to the Royal Parks and the fashionable shops of Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Sloane Street.

Vendue, Charleston, South Carolina

Things seem less chaotic in Charleston, where a calm, cool, and collected vibe—and a few mint juleps—magically diminish the strains of daily living. This is especially true at The Vendue, an 84-room boutique hotel fashioned from historic warehouses in the city's French Quarter, a five-minute walk from Waterfront Park, the East Bay Street dining scene, and Rainbow Row. Rooms and public spaces are an eclectic mash-up of old and new, with original exposed brick, hardwood floors, vintage décor, and an impressive 300-piece collection of contemporary art. Book the King Junior Suite. It feels like a scene from The Notebook , complete with fireplace, sitting room, and a crystal sherry-filled decanter at the ready.

The Thompson, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

For the parents who love the artful combination of sun-drenched downtime with nightlife, the game-changing Thompson Playa del Carmen is a no-brainer. In an 80-mile coastal strip known for towering all-inclusive resorts, the just-opened Thompson stands out in the best possible way. It's got 92 rooms (with more opening in 2016), an outpost of NYC hotspot Catch, a 30,000 square-foot roof deck complete with in-water lounges, a swim-up bar, private cabanas, and 360-degree sea and city views, all of which brings a sense of urban sophistication to this Mexican beach town.

The Langham, Chicago

For Midwesterners in need of a break, there is no better pick-me-up than Chicago . Here, the hotel to book is The Langham , a modernist marvel on the Chicago River with massive rooms and a cutting-edge spa. Take in a Blackhawks or Bulls game, eat at a classic like Spiaggia or a trendy spot like Blackbird, Girl and The Goat, Maple & Ash, or Dusek's), hit the Art Institute of Chicago, and visit hipster neighborhoods like Logan Square and Wicker Park while you're there. There's little in Chicago to disappoint.

The Surrey, New York City

The trick to vacationing like a local in NYC is finding a perch that feels more Beaux Arts townhouse than hotel. You will certainly feel like a glamorous Upper East Sider at The Surrey , a boutique hotel close to Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and posh shops on Madison Avenue. The property reads sleek and sophisticated, showcasing a refined palette, tufted club chairs, and eclectic modern artworks by the likes of Chuck Close, Richard Serra, and William Kentridge. Within the hotel is Daniel Boulud's restaurant Cafe Boulud) and the Cornelia Day Spa. Don't skip sipping cocktails at the sultry, Coco Chanel-inspired Bar Pleiades.

Madeline Hotel, Telluride, Colorado

For the uninitiated, Telluride is a skier's paradise: 300 days of sunshine, no lift lines, no crowds, a variety of terrain, and a vibrant town that ranks high on charm and low on pretension. The Madeline Hotel is a perfect (powder) lovers' perch, especially after its $10 million renovation. Rooms got a chick alpine makeover (think leather club chairs for front-of-fireplace chilling, Pratesi linens, and soaking tubs) and amenities expanded. Now, a bath barista can customize your bathing experience, a new ski valet program eliminates hauling equipment. The food is fabulous, but the 4,000 square-foot sky terrace is the crowning glory. With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, a heated pool, hot tubs, and fire pits, it's an après ski game-changer.

11 best places to take your parents and grandparents on holiday

Mar 7, 2023 • 7 min read

It’s almost a cliché but Florida is a ideal for seniors (and little ones) © kali9 / Getty Images

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There’s a pivotal moment in life when you make the decision to take your parents or grandparents on holiday for the first time. It’s your chance to take the driving seat and plan a perfect trip for the people who first set you on the path to becoming a traveler – think of it as thank you in holiday form.

But it has to be done right. Sure, you want a trip that shows off your love of travel and your world-class knowledge of the globe, but the destination has to work for everyone – a trekking holiday in the Alps might work for you and the kids, but will it work for mom, dad, and grandad?

Going long-haul with the next generation can be particularly challenging. If anyone in the group has limited mobility, consider the ease of getting around – at street level, as well as by public transport – and the general levels of convenience and comfort in your chosen destination.

The ideal multigenerational trip will involve less zipping around to see the sights and a more gentle appreciation of the destination. Consider hiring a car instead of relying on public transport and pause for several days whenever you stop to make the most of your time together. To get you on the move, here are some of our favorite destinations for multigenerational travel.

1. Florida, USA

It’s almost a cliché that Florida is a haven for seniors, but with warm year-round weather and impressive infrastructure for seniors and people with limited mobility, this is one of the easiest destinations for different generations to travel together. With kids in tow as well as grandparents, combine theme park days or a trip to Cape Canaveral with urban beaches and walkable hubs such as the Miami shorefront and Key West .

With just older travelers in your party, consider lower-key seaside resorts such as Clearwater Beach, bird-thronged Marco Island, and Cocoa Beach. There are museums and golf courses aplenty but come outside of the summer peak to avoid crowds and uncomfortable temperatures.

2. Utah, USA

The southwest is classic Winnebago country, and a recreational vehicle is an ideal way to explore Utah ’s outdoor attractions as an extended family group, with maximum control over your immediate environment. Book well in advance to secure camping space at national parks such as Arches , Zion , and Canyonlands , and plan your route around viewpoints, gentle strolls, and history, rather than thrill-seeking adventures. Don’t overlook Utah’s state parks – they’re often calmer and more peaceful than Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks .

3. New England, USA

New England is the gentler side of the US, with buoy-dotted harbors and historic townships that are perfect for exploring at a slower pace. Fly into Boston , for a city stop with maximum history, then plot a route north along the coast through New Hampshire to Portland, Maine , stopping in at photogenic lighthouses, cute town squares, and scenic bays with gentle coastal walks. Even dramatic Acadia National Park can be easily explored by car or park service bus. Look out for senior discounts – they’re easy to find in this part of the country – and plan at least one lobster dinner to remember.

4. Budapest, Hungary

For a spa break that will appeal to all ages, it’s hard to beat cultured Budapest . A city break where you can pause to soak in therapeutic spa waters has obvious advantages, and EU citizens over 65 can avail of all sorts of discounts including free public transport, from trams and trains to buses and boats along the Danube. Essential spa stops include the Palatinus Pools on Margaret Island (ideal for groups with kids in tow) and the Gellért and Széchenyi baths for a grown-up soak surrounded by architectural grandeur.

5. London, UK

Few places can compete with London when it comes to culture for free . For a museum-hopping trip that will get parents and grandparents as excited as the kids, stay central and plot days out around South Kensington, for the Natural History Museum , Science Museum and V&A , the West End, for the British Museum and Wallace Collection , and the banks of the Thames, for the Tate Modern , Tate Britain , and the National Gallery .

Having spent zero English pounds (excluding voluntary donations) on culture, you can spend a similar sum on green spaces in the city’s famous Royal Parks – Hyde Park and Regents’ Park are standout spots to stroll. For a US equivalent, consider Washington DC , which has free museums to appeal to every generation, from the Smithsonian museums to the National Gallery of Art .

6. Porto, Portugal

Seniors and Spain go together like Serrano ham and Manchego, but we’d sing the praises of neighboring Portugal , where the pace of life is just that little bit slower and easier. Porto ’s steep streets might seem off-putting, but senior discounts on the city’s Metro, trams, and buses (and Andante Card discounts for everyone else) make it easy to reach the hilltops for river views, or you can jump onto the city’s historic Elevador da Ribeira. Plan days around museums, historic cathedrals and churches, refreshment stops to sample the local port (of course) and walks around the backstreets snapping photos of azulejos tiles.

7. Tuscany, Italy

Multigenerational travel is all about family time, and you can’t get much more family-focused than a long, lingering Italian lunchtime. Tuscany serves up the best of Italy , from fine food and cinematic scenery to some of the world’s greatest art and architecture, in one easily-navigable package – Florence is just an hour from Pisa and two hours from Siena , which in turn is just 50 minutes from San Gimignano . Rent a villa for the whole group (ideally with a pool) and use a hire car to potter from village to vineyard to trattoria.

8. Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan

More than 20% of Japanese people are over 70, so the country is extremely well-organized for older travelers. Efficient public transport can whisk your group from timeless temples to Zen gardens in whistlestop time, but the sightseeing focus is on slow appreciation, whether that means wandering under the cherry blossoms in Tokyo’s Ueno Park or paying your respects at a Shinto shrine with a view of Mt Fuji .

Linked by Shinkansen bullet train in just 2 hours, Tokyo and Kyoto are easy hubs for exploring, with historic Nara and Osaka just half an hour further west. Make full use of discounts for seniors, charter a taxi or private car for local sightseeing and plan stops at onsen baths and historic ryokan (inns) to appreciate Japan at a slower pace.

9. Melbourne, Australia

The main obstacle to family travel to Australia is the cost and time it takes to get here, but once you arrive, things are well set up for multigenerational travel. We say skip Sydney for the calmer vibe of the Victoria capital – travelers of all generations will appreciate Melbourne ’s gentle nature, abundant sights, and almost European café culture.

After you’ve sampled the city’s much-touted coffee , admired the bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, and strolled in the Royal Botanic Gardens , Australia’s remarkable wildlife is just a short drive away at Phillip Island or Wilson’s Promontory, with the added bonus of handy surf beaches to keep younger members of the group onside.

10. Central Thailand

Thailand is the perfect destination for tropical multigenerational travel – hassles are limited, history spills from every street corner, it’s easy to find a hotel with a pool, the food is familiar (and there’s plenty that isn’t too spicy), taxis and hotels have icy air-conditioning and you can travel from A to B in calm comfort by 1st and 2nd class train without having to fight for a seat.

Don’t be too ambitious about what you plan to see. Life gets easier once you leave busy Bangkok , so devote a couple of days to strolls around the palaces and temples of compact Ratanakosin island, then drift north towards foodie Chiang Mai , stopping by temple-strewn townships such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai . Riverside Kanchanaburi , the setting for the WWII-era Death Railway, is another stop with maximum history appeal.

11. Rajasthan, India

India might not leap out as an easy destination for older travelers, but that depends on where and how you travel. Rajasthan has history to spare – and some of India’s best infrastructure for older travelers. You can take the hassle out of getting from forts to national parks to historic-colored cities by hiring a car and driver.

Rajasthan is also close enough to the capital that you won’t have to spend your whole trip in motion – and if older members of your group get tired while exploring, taxis, rickshaws, and autorickshaws can whisk them back to the hotel air-conditioning in double-quick time. Visit in winter (October to March) to avoid the soggy monsoon and the sticky heat that precedes it.

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A Complete Guide To Traveling Abroad with Your Parents (2023)

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This is your guide to traveling abroad with your parents, whether it’s their first time out of the country or just their first time traveling internationally with you. Many people wait until they retire to start traveling the world, but then find that they aren’t entirely sure how to plan a trip or navigate things like creating itineraries, finding great hotels, or choosing fun activities. 

Over the past several years, I have traveled with my father to Ecuador, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. We’re planning another trip to Italy in the coming weeks, where we’ll start in Milan and then head south on the high speed trains. I’ve learned several lessons while planning trips with my dad, and I wanted to share them in the hope that you’ll consider taking your parents abroad.

Like me, I have friends who became World Travelers as adults, seeing new places and countries while on vacations from their jobs. After a trip or two, my friends have felt compelled to take their parents abroad, but they’re not always exactly sure where to go or how to plan the best experience. No trip will ever be perfect, but there are some common pitfalls that I’d like to help you avoid. If the travel bug has bitten you and you want to help your parents cultivate a sense of wanderlust, here are some tips that can help! 

Why you should travel with your parents

Travel is a powerful experience; one that can open your eyes to new ways of operating and seeing the world. Travel can stoke our sense of curiosity and creativity, expanding our worlds and helping us to contextualize our own existence. Taking a trip with your parents also gives you the opportunity to create lifelong memories together ; what a wonderful thing to share with your parents! 

If your parents travel often, you may not need the tips in this post. I’ve written this guide mostly for people who are trying to navigate the landscape of international travel with their parents for the first time. 

How to travel with your parents

If you’d like to travel abroad with your parents, a great place to start is to check that everyone has a current passport . It’s possible that your parents’ passport will have expired, or maybe they’ve never had one. Be sure to leave enough time for their application to be processed, you can read more about applying for a US passport here . 

Next, you’ll want to choose an itinerary and travel plan that will support everyone’s needs. Choose a destination country that is exciting for your group while fitting into your budget. I’ve included several countries that are great for visiting with your parents, as well as some overall tips for making the most of your trip. 

Which country is best to visit with your parents?

As you may have guessed, there is no single “best” country to visit with your parents. In fact, if your first trip goes well, you may want to plan more travel to different countries! The best country to visit on your trip will depend on a variety of factors, including budget, interests, preferences, and time constraints. Simply put, the best country to visit with your parents is going to be the one that meets the most requirements for your trip. 

There are destinations for every sort of traveler. For the purposes of this guide, I compiled a list of places that are generally safe, relatively easy to navigate, and where you’ll find plenty of activities to occupy your time. Though it’s always a good idea to learn some basics in the language of the place you’re visiting, these destinations should be relatively easy to navigate largely in English. 

Of course, if there’s somewhere that your parents have always wanted to visit, don’t feel constrained by this list! 

Mexico is a wonderful place to visit because it’s budget-friendly when traveling from the US, has plenty of resources for tourists when visiting popular destinations, and it’s typically pretty easy to find locals who are able to speak English. 

Within Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula is a wonderful destination for a trip with your parents. Try to stay away from the mega resorts that line the beaches of Cancun and explore places with more local flavor and exciting activities. Great activities to consider in the Yucatan include Uxmal, Merida, and Isla Holbox. 

On a recent trip with my father and grandmother, we stayed in Tulum and explored the surrounding area. We explored cenotes, wandered around Chichen Itza, and swam in the ocean. Tulum was a wonderful spot for our single destination trip, as we found plenty of activities without having to spend a night in another city or town. 

Ireland as a country is safe, beautiful, and English-speaking, with a robust tourist industry that can support many types of trips. Throughout Ireland, you’ll find activities that are accessible to people of varied fitness and activity levels, from a leisurely stroll through Dublin to hiking Carruntoohill, Ireland’s highest peak. As a bonus, most of the people you’ll encounter will be very kind and welcoming, which always helps to make a trip feel special. 

If the primary destination of your trip is Ireland, I suggest that you get out of Dublin and try to see some of the countryside. Glendalough is a lovely day trip from Dublin , or its own destination if you’d like to rent a cottage and spend a bit of time in the Wicklow Mountains. If you decide to take a road trip south, be sure to visit Cork, Ireland’s second largest city .

Although Ireland is a safe and lovely place to visit, it’s not a great fit for a trip with a very tight budget. Prices in Ireland are relatively high, and you won’t find many deals on accommodation, transportation, or activities. This is especially true during the country’s peak tourist season from May to October. 

Known for its stunning architecture, renowned cuisine, and world class museums, Italy is a great choice for a trip with your parents. If you stick to the larger cities and tourist hotspots, you’ll find plenty of tourist infrastructure in Italy. Unlike Ireland, it’s possible to travel through most of Italy by train, eliminating the need to rent a car. 

In the northern part of the country, expect to find beautiful cities and higher prices. By contrast, southern Italy is a bit more rustic, and offers more budget-friendly accommodations and activities. I fell in love with Naples when I first visited, and I think it would make a great trip for anyone who is interested in Italian food and life slightly off the beaten path in Europe. 

Be sure your trip to Italy includes time to try local foods, admire the stunning coastline, and take in some incredible architecture. 

Peru is perhaps best known for Machu Picchu, the incredible ruins that lay deep in the Andes mountain range. This country is generally safe, with ample tourist infrastructure to support the millions of Americans who travel to Peru each year. In addition to Machu Picchu, most groups make some time to visit Lima, Cusco, and the Amazon rainforest, all of which are sure to make for an incredible trip. 

Peru will likely require a bit more physical activity than some other countries on this list. To see Machu Picchu, for example, many people choose to trek for a few days with a group and they may also complete a hike while at the site. It’s important to note, however, that the ruins are easily accessible by public transport if you’d prefer to travel directly there. 

A great book to read before you go is Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams. 

Paris is a common staple on many traveler’s bucket lists, and it is a wonderful place to visit. In terms of this list, I would consider France to be an intermediate destination, appropriate for groups who are comfortable navigating both public transit and social interactions in another language. Though Paris can be an adventurous city, there are still plenty of relaxing things to do to keep your trip fun without being overstimulating. 

France is renowned for its architecture, food, and culture, and you can easily spend a week or two exploring the cities and countrysides of this wonderful country. Be aware that prices can get steep in Paris, especially during the peak tourism months from June to October.

Here is my list of the top budget-friendly hotels in Paris .

Determine the best type of trip   

Deciding early on the type of trip you’re targeting will make it easier to manage the expectations of everyone in your group. There is no type of trip that is “best” when traveling with your parents, but you will want to be sure that it accommodates the pace you’d like to set for your itinerary.

Single destination

In this option, you’ll go directly to a single destination and likely stay in one hotel for the duration of your trip. This type of trip gives you maximum control over how hard you push each day, as taking a break is as simple as not leaving your hotel. 

To make the most of this style of trip, choose a comfortable and clean rental property with a kitchen where you can prepare simple meals . Stay somewhere close to the action, ideally where you won’t need a car to access a few fun activities. 

Beach trips

A beach trip is a great example of a single destination trip because you’re likely to find a rental near the water and stay put for several days. If you’re intending to spend your time relaxing by the water, be sure that there is a stretch of beach nearby that will be accessible to you. You’ll also want to be sure that you can wash your clothes, since they’re likely to get sandy during your long days at the beach. 

Multiple destination

This is a broad category that encompasses essentially any trip where you’ll be traveling from one place to the next. My upcoming trip to Italy is a great example of this style of travel, as we’ll fly to northern Italy and then take trains and ferries through the country until we fly home. Another example would be a trip where you fly between destinations, say spending a few days in Mexico City before heading onto the Yucatan. 

Multiple destination trips are a great way to see many different places, but this style of travel typically necessitates a set pace. If you have flights from one place to another, it’s unlikely that you’ll have the flexibility to move the flight if you’re feeling worn down and want a day off. So, be careful that you set a reasonable itinerary with enough time for rest and relaxation for your group. 

A road trip can be a great way to see a new country, but it’s definitely going to be a better fit in some locations than others. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, a road trip is a wonderful option because it’ll allow you the flexibility to see a variety of landscapes and attractions. Conversely, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a road trip around Peru, where the tourist attractions are quite far apart and may take you down dangerous roads. 

If your group is particularly adventurous, you might enjoy car camping in a new country! It’s a great way to spend time outside while saving money on accommodations. 

Cruises 

Cruises are popular ways to travel, especially if you want to see several places and don’t mind short stays at each shop. A cruise will take care of most, if not all, of your itinerary planning, and it will allow your group to have a “home base” that they can return to whenever they start to feel fatigued. 

I wouldn’t recommend cruises for most groups because they’re not a great way to experience connection to a new place or cultivate curiosity . 

A tour can be a great option if you don’t have time to plan and you’d like to get to know some other people while you’re traveling. Although tours fell out of favor for a while, you can now find all sorts of tours online, many of which are led by knowledgeable locals who love to share the history of their home with visitors. 

You can always incorporate a tour into part of your itinerary, which will give some of the benefits of a group experience while also making time for independent exploration. 

Create your itinerary

Once you’ve determined your destination and trip type, it’s time to start creating your itinerary. I suggest that you work in a Google sheet, making note of anytime you’ll be in transit, where you’ll be staying, potential and scheduled activities, restaurants you’d like to try, and anything you’d like to remember closer to your trip.

Trip length

If you travel often and know how long you like to be gone for, then you can certainly use your best judgment here. As a general rule, I’d suggest starting with a trip that’s between 7 and 10 days, erring towards the longer side of that if you’ll lose a day or two to jetlag. 

You should set a budget for your trip as early as possible. Keep in mind that your flights, accommodations, local transportation, food, and any tours will likely be the most expensive parts of your trip. The more that you can do to try to find estimates for these expenses, the better. 

If your trip is starting to look like it will be too expensive, the earlier you catch the problem the easier it will be to solve. Say you pitch a trip to Italy, but after doing a little research you decide it’s going to be too expensive, you could always pivot to another country or destination. If you already have your plane tickets, perhaps you take a train down to southern Italy and spend your time in Sicily instead of Florence. 

If you’re willing and able to get creative, you can usually find a solution!

Be sure to include activities they’re excited about

As you build your itinerary, be sure that you include several stops and activities that will be exciting for your parents. This will ensure that everyone has something to look forward to, and it’ll help balance out the trip. If you’re not sure what would be exciting, ask! 

If your parents learn a bit about the destination before you go, it will naturally pique their interest. Ask them to keep you informed as they research fun things to try or places to visit so that you can keep them in mind as you set the itinerary. Netflix and YouTube documentaries are great starting places for this research. 

Give your parents a full itinerary

Once you create a full itinerary, be sure to share it with your parents. This will help to keep you from fielding endless questions about where you’re going or what you’ll be doing, and it will help them to feel some ownership over the trip. 

Tips for traveling with your parents

After several trips abroad, I’ve collected some tips to help make traveling with your parents easier and more fun. Read on for some of my top tips for having a great time with your parents on their first trip abroad. 

Teach them common travel tech tools

You may not think about it, but you probably use a number of apps and other travel tech tools when you travel. If your parents don’t travel much, you may want to make sure they download and know how to use the following applications: Google Maps, Spotify, Google Photos or another app to backup their photos, WhatsApp (if you’ll be communicating with locals when you arrive), Uber/Lyft, Google Translate, and Venmo/Cash App.

Spending a little time getting their phone setup before your trip will help to prevent a situation where you’re desperately searching for McDonald’s WiFi in order to download an app you urgently need!

Be patient and kind

Travel already takes people out of their comfort zone, so you’ll want to do your best to stay positive, patient, and kind with your parents. It’s possible, maybe even likely, that they will trigger you during your trip together. Practice self-care while you’re traveling to help regulate your emotions. 

Remember that it can be hard to travel with other people even under the best of circumstances. Traveling with friends can come with intense highs and lows, and the same is true of traveling with a family member. Do your best to take care of yourself and create the most space possible for you both to be imperfect as you navigate the trip. 

Encourage them to learn about the place

Even if you’re happy to do most of the trip planning, your parents will probably enjoy the experience and get more out of it if they spend some time learning about the place you’ll be visiting. This can be simple and fun, something like watching Rick Steve’s Europe or a Netflix documentary can give some context for your destination. 

Context makes everything more interesting; if you have a sense of the art history of the place you’re visiting, it’ll make art museums more accessible. There are so many interesting documentaries, so don’t settle for one that’s boring and drolls on about facts that aren’t exciting. Keep looking until you find one that holds your interest and makes you feel like you can’t wait for your trip. 

Warn them about cultural differences

If this is your parents’ first trip out of the country, or if they haven’t been abroad in many years, you may need to warn them about potential cultural differences. If there are ways you’ll need to modify your behavior before your trip, be sure to communicate those with your parents so that they have time to prepare. 

In Paris , for example, it’s considered quite rude to skip the customary, “ bonjour ” when you greet them. A smiley English, “Hello!” is likely to bristle your average Parisian. After a few negative interactions like this, it can start to feel very personal and really take a toll on you and your parents. 

Be realistic 

On the spectrum of under-planners to over-planners, I tend to fall on the under-planning side. This isn’t super common–many people err on the side of creating rigorous itineraries and scheduling every moment of their trip. 

It’s perfectly fine to have an itinerary, but take care not to over plan . Instead, make a list of things you’d like to see while being sure to schedule some downtime and even a few days off on your trip if you’re taking an extended trip. 

An ounce of realism and restraint during the planning process can be worth a pound of relief once you actually leave home. Be measured and aim to plan about half of your days, then plan some backup activities that you’d love to try if there’s time. 

If it works for you and your group, it could also be helpful to plan to spend a few days or partial days apart. Maybe there’s a hike you’d like to do but you know your mom won’t be able to tackle the mountain. If she’s comfortable, she may prefer to spend a day wandering the town you’re staying in and reading a book instead of exploring the trails all day. Try your best to make sure that everyone has a chance to take a few days at their preferred pace, if at all possible. 

Accept their limitations

No one wants to feel left out on their vacation, so be sure to have fun activities planned that take into account your parents’ limitations. You may need to explicitly ask how many hours per day they can be on their feet, which is valuable information as you decide activities. If you’re going to a large historic site, you may even call ahead to reserve a wheelchair, if that’s needed for your family member. 

Being accepting and kind towards your parents will go a long way towards ensuring that everyone has a great time on your trip. Even if your parents are able to push really hard for a few days, they may eventually be too tired to keep up the pace. Aim to keep your itinerary and travel plans manageable and sustainable for your group. 

Don’t assume they’ll know things about traveling

If your parents haven’t traveled much, consider that there may be things about travel that seem simple to you that haven’t occurred to them. Things like how to pack for a trip, what types of accessories you’ll need to bring, and what should go into a carry on vs your checked bag all may be new to your parents. 

If, on the other hand, your parents have traveled a lot on their own or seem resistant to help, you might stay hands off here and just bring a few extras of things they might forget. The goal is to be helpful, not to micromanage the situation. 

Make a pre-travel checklist

If you think it would be helpful for your parents’ trip, you can make a pre-travel checklist for them to follow. This is a particularly good idea if you’re going somewhere where you’ll need special visas, equipment, or vaccines, as you won’t want anything to get missed in the whirl of travel planning. 

Be sure they’re be comfortable in your accommodations 

Choose places to stay that will be accessible and comfortable for everyone in your group. For example, if you’re going somewhere with a warm climate, consider ensuring that your flat will have air conditioning. If your dad has a bad knee, see if you can find somewhere with an elevator or minimal stairs. If your parents have trouble sleeping, try to choose a room that doesn’t face a busy street. 

The easiest way to find this information is by closely reading the listing and the reviews before choosing your rental. Here’s a guide to finding budget-friendly accommodations anywhere the world. When reading reviews, you’ll want to be particularly conscious about things like: is the shower easy to access? Are there a lot of stairs? Do people say the beds are comfortable? Is there an elevator? 

Buy travel insurance

Travel insurance is important for everyone, but it’s an even bigger consideration for your parents. Be sure to include coverage for medical care and missed connections, as these can cause quite a headache if something goes wrong while on your trip. I use SquareMouth , a tool that lets me compare different types of coverage for every trip.  

Remind them to discuss the trip with their doctor

Your parents may have health considerations or conditions that you aren’t aware of, and that’s OK. Remind them to talk to their doctor about the trip and ensure that they will have plenty of their necessary medications before you leave. Do not take pills out of their bottles if you can help it to avoid any confusion or questions by border control. 

Your parents may need to update their immunizations before your trip, depending on where you’re going and the local requirements. Their doctor will have a more holistic understanding of their health status, so just be sure they are able to discuss their itinerary. 

Slow down 

Try your very best not to overwhelm your group with an aggressive itinerary. If you can, plan several days with significant downtime to allow them to rest and recharge. It’s perfectly fine for you to go off and do a few activities on your own, just be sure that your parents are able to get the rest that they need to enjoy their trip. 

Choose convenient flights

If you can help it, don’t send your parents on a flight with three layovers and an overnight in a country they’ve never visited. You might be able to roll with it and sleep on the floor, but your parents probably won’t be able to, and it can tire them out unnecessarily before their trip. 

This is an example of a great place to spend a little extra for your comfort, the cheapest flight simply might not be the best option. 

Be flexible

As much as you can, try to be flexible on your trip. Especially if this is your parents’ first trip abroad, it could bring up emotions that they weren’t expecting or require them to be extra vulnerable. The more that you’re able to remain flexible and unattached to outcomes on your trip, the better. 

Remember that you’re traveling not just to see a new place, but to have a set of new experiences with someone you love. 

Make time for self-care

The key to a great trip and remaining patient and calm is for everyone in your group to make plenty of time for self-care . Drink water, eat some veggies, and generally be conscious of your mental and physical well being while on your trip. It’s OK for a trip to be a bit of a stretch, but you shouldn’t be feeling wrecked at the end of each day. 

Final Thoughts: Traveling abroad with your parents

This can be an extraordinary chance for you to spend time together that you wouldn’t normally get. Sharing with others helps to bond you together, and it offers a chance to create memories that will last a lifetime. 

Do your best to laugh at the circumstances when things go wrong, to be as present as possible, and to find joy wherever you can. The world is full of wonderful, beautiful places with delicious foods to try and fascinating people to meet. 

Have you traveled abroad with your parent? If so, where did you go? Do you have tips for other travelers who might be considering a similar adventure?

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My Top Tips for Traveling With Your Parents as an Adult

Created On: May 5, 2019   |   Updated: May 3, 2019   |   Leave a comment

Not sure how you feel about traveling with parents as a post-grad? Here’s how to make the most of your family trip and have an incredible time together!

I’ve had the idea for this post wriggling around in my brain for a while now. I’ve traveled extensively with my parents over the years, both as a child and now as an adult living my best post-grad life. But I put off writing this post for a few weeks, because when I looked online to see what others wrote about traveling with parents a lot of results to the tune of “family trip survival guide” and “how to keep your cool with your parents” popped up. I’m sorry, but what? I know that not everyone has the best relationship with their parents, but it seems kind of absurd to me that that’s how so many people are framing their tips about traveling with parents. To me, that type of attitude is setting people up for a less than enjoyable trip with their family.

I’ve always loved traveling with my parents and genuinely look forward to vacationing with them (and no, it’s not just because they pay for a lot of my meals!). But as much as I like seeing the world with them, there are a few things I keep in mind when planning a trip with them. So no, this isn’t a “survival guide,” but rather a list of helpful tips that will make traveling with your parents even better — tips that both you and the parentals will benefit from. My goal with this post is to not only have you look forward to the upcoming trip you have planned with your parents, but to be excited to plan another vacation together as soon as that trip is over!

Read more:  5 Reasons I’m Glad My Parents Prioritized Traveling

Before Traveling Together

If you want to have a truly spectacular trip with your parents, you’ve got to put in the work ahead of time. Ask lots of questions and over communicate with your parents about what you  want out of the trip, what they  want out of the trip, and what you all want out of the trip for each other. It may seem like a lot of talking to you, but if your parents are anything like mine they’re probably thrilled that you’re so involved in planning your family trip. Whether your parents work full-time or are retired, this is probably one of only a handful of trips they get to go on this year, so get excited with them. Here are a few things you should do before your trip to ensure it goes smoothly:

Pick a location that everyone agrees on

You’d think this would be a no-brainer, but so many of my friends have overlooked this crucial step in the family trip planning process. It’s crucial that you and your parents are all super clear about a) where you want to visit, and b) the types of activities you’re interested in. After a lifetime of living together, you likely have an idea of what each of your parents will want to do, but it doesn’t hurt to write things out so you’re all 100% clear about the expectations of this trip. Pick a location that has a few activities you’re all interested in doing together, plus a one or two things that can be reserved for “mom’s afternoon,” or something similar. This way, everyone will look forward to the trip and there won’t be any one day that you’re dreading.

Discuss who’s paying for what

My mom and I have taken a lot of girls trips over the years, and I’ll admit it took me a while to realize that my mom wanted me to pony up more cash once I started working full-time. I’d been stuck in the “I’m still a kid” bubble for so long that I didn’t understand why my mom seemed annoyed when she paid for both of our dinners every night of the trip (sorry, Mom!).

We now make it a point to ask what each other’s budgets are and chat through what I’m expected to pay. My mom is usually okay with me paying for my own flight, and I’ll usually give her whatever cash I have left from my personal spending budget near the end of our trip. If she wants me to pay for anything else (like lodging, etc.), I usually ask her to give me a number far in advance so that I can pay for things before the trip. That way, I can plan an exact budget for the trip and not spend more than I can afford. Obviously, you’ll need to work things our with your parents however you see fit, but this is what works for me and my mom!

Read more:  10 Easy Ways I Save Money While Traveling

Book lodgings with separate rooms

I know booking two separate hotel rooms isn’t within everyone’s budget (I know it isn’t in my family’s!), but if possible book separate rooms for you and your parents. And if two rooms isn’t feasible, try to book a room with separate beds at the very least. My dad and I can share a bed since we both sleep like the dead, but my mom and I don’t sleep well together (she hogs the blankets). If I know I’ll be sharing a room with one of my parents, I’ve started bringing an eye mask with me to block out their reading light if they want to stay up later than me. Little things like this make such a difference when it comes to traveling with family!

Make an itinerary

Again, the clearer the expectations for this trip are, the more everyone will enjoy traveling together. I’m the trip planner of the family, and as soon as we pick a location and set our travel dates I’ll throw together a Google Doc and share it with my parents. I only give them the ability to comment on the doc so that I can keep it as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. On the itinerary, I’ll jot down each day’s activities in the order I think we should do them, along with any ticket fees or tour times that the group should remember. If your family needs extra structure, go ahead and write down a few restaurants in the area you’re interested in trying as well as their addresses. In my experience, picking a place to eat can quickly become a point of conflict when the whole family is hungry and has been on their feet for a while.

While You’re Traveling Together

Planning your trip and researching activities ahead of time is vital, but as I’m sure you already know you simply can’t plan for everything. As your trip draws nearer, maintain a positive mindset about traveling with your parents. I love traveling with my parents, especially now that I live out of state and only see them a few times a year. But I know that many people have complicated relationships with their parents, so it might be tough to be truly excited to travel together. If that’s the case for you, do your best to not talk negatively about the trip and don’t dwell on all the things you think you won’t enjoy about your family time. I know it’s easier said than done, but if you go into your family trip with a negative attitude, I guarantee you won’t enjoy traveling with your parents. With all that said, here are some actionable tips to keep in mind when traveling with family:

Adapt to your parents’ schedule

Whether or not you travel well with your parents, a good rule of thumb is to go with the flow and stick to their schedule. Yes, you’re young and would probably like to enjoy a city’s nightlife, but if your parents are tired and want to go back to the hotel room just do what they want. Odds are, your parents are footing most of the bill for this trip, and you can always return to wherever you’re visiting and do all the things you couldn’t on this trip. If there’s something you feel really strongly about doing that’s at a less-than-ideal time of day, add that to the itinerary ahead of time so your family can plan for that late-night show or sunrise yoga session. Whatever it is, I’m sure your parents won’t mind as long as they have a heads up and can plan for it.

Get alone time each day

I know this trip is supposed to be filled with quality family time, but if you try to spend every minute of every day with your parents you’ll all go crazy. Carve out 30 minutes to an hour every day of the trip to do something on your own, whether that be going for a walk or grabbing a morning coffee sans mom and dad. Alone time doesn’t have to mean peacing out for an entire afternoon; just do something by yourself to clear your thoughts.

Visit different attractions when necessary

Chances are good that you and your parents have different interests. While I think it’s important to have shared experiences, sometimes it’s best for everyone if you take an afternoon to do different things. Again, plan for your afternoon apart and choose a time to meet back up for coffee or a meal. You’ll each have so much to talk about, and you’ll enjoy your time together more because you recognized the need to fly solo for a bit. With that said, use your best judgment about splitting up. I know my parents really appreciate when my brother and I go along to things they really want to do, so I do my best to go along with my parents’ plans if I know that deep down they want me to go with them.

Take things slower than normal

It’s strange to realize that as I develop and become more confident as an adult, my parents are getting older. For so many years, I was the baby who couldn’t keep up with my parents and who needed to be carried when I got tired. But now it’s my parents who need more breaks and time off their feet to recharge. Be cognizant of your parents’ needs and plan for more breaks during the day. If you know mom and dad will need to rest midday, try to scope out a nice park or a pretty café ahead of time. This way, your midday break will be enjoyable for you as well, and your parents won’t feel rushed to get back to the day’s activities before they’re ready.

Read more: 15 Common Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Making Them 

Take a guided tour or class

One of my favorite things to do with my parents is take a walking tour or class of some kind. It gives all of us time to switch off our brains for a bit and let someone else hop into the driver’s seat, so to speak. My mom and I especially enjoy going on walking tours together, and we always have so much to discuss afterwards about the places we visited and the pieces of history we learned. It still feels like family bonding time, only neither of us had to plan anything. A win-win for everyone!

Traveling with parents should be fun, not something you dread! I hope these family travel tips are useful and encourage you to plan more trips with your parents. If there are any tips I’ve forgotten, please leave me a comment below.

Tell me: What’s the best trip you’ve gone on with your parents?

More posts you’ll love:

• 27 Questions to Ask Your Friends Before Vacationing Together
• How to Travel with Friends as an Introvert 
• How I Practice Self-Care While Traveling (& Why You Should Too!) 
• My Top Tips for Dealing with Airplane Turbulence 

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4 Tips for Traveling With Your Parents

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As an adult, being able to organize and then take trips with my parents is a really special experience. After all, they spent many years planning family vacations; now it's my turn to take the reins. It was a lot of fun to be able to lead them around, instead of the other way around.

I recently took my parents on the trip of a lifetime, which started in London and continued to Ghana, Dubai , Beijing, Bali , Singapore and ended up in Hong Kong . After countless flights, surviving an active volcano, eight different hotels and lots of laughter and adventures, the trip is done — but I can't wait to do it all over again!

I absolutely love traveling with my parents — here are some tips that may be useful when planning and organizing if you're thinking of taking yours on a trip.

1. Redeem Miles for Multiple Seats

Digging into that stash of miles to redeem for multiple award seats is the perfect gift for your parents who spent so many years providing for you. If you're unconvinced, remember that with constant program changes and mileage devaluations , it's better to use those hard-earned points and miles sooner rather than later.

When figuring out award tickets for your parents , do not transfer or share the miles to your parents' frequent-flyer accounts (you'll be charged a fee in most cases). Instead, just redeem the miles from your own account for award tickets in their names. You don't even have to be on the same itinerary as them. You can also do this for redeeming flexible points such as Chase Ultimate Rewards points in the Chase travel portal. Note: Some airlines like Korean Air make you send in proof to book award tickets for family members, so plan in advance. You'll likely also have more options if you work with one-way tickets, versus roundtrip. Keeping an eye on ExpertFlyer is also a good idea, so you can see when award seats open up.

One of my most memorable travel moments was when I booked my parents and myself in British Airways first class from London to Accra, Ghana, using miles. It turned out we were the only passengers in first class on a 747. It was like chartering a private jet for the three of us — but it cost me just 68,000 Avios and $462 per person. Not a bad way to fly the Queen of the Skies!

In case you plan to pay cash and let your parents earn miles, keep an eye out for sale fares that are cheaper if bought in pairs, like a sale earlier this year from Emirates, where two people could fly from New York to Milan for just $799 total round-trip.

It's also a good idea to know the ins and outs of using partner awards. For example, I've typically used Alaska miles in the past to book Emirates awards, but you can only do that when flying to or from the US (however, Alaska has devalued their Emirates awards so this isn't always the best deal anymore). For our trip from London to Accra, I was able to use JAL miles instead .

2. Use Credits Cards for Your Parents' Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Global Entry is something I've grown accustomed to, and I can't even count the number of times that TSA PreCheck has saved me from missing a flight. If you can use your credit cards to get these services for your parents, your travel will be much less of a hassle, since you won't have to wait for anyone to go through the normal customs or security lines. After all, my parents know that keeping up with me can be intense. As they always say,"There's no dawdling with The Points Guy: Move fast or get left behind!"

The following credit cards offer a free Global Entry credit (and TSA PreCheck along with it): The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige, Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, US Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card.

3. Give Your Parents Lounge Access and More

Although my parents and I traveled together for most of the trip, they did jet off to London a day before I did, so I made sure they were both authorized users on my Platinum Card from American Express, which gives them access to Centurion and Delta lounges. Plus, the cool part is that authorized users also get the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck fee waiver too.

It's important to note that authorized users on this card aren't free. It costs $175 annually to add three of them (that's $175 total, so just $58.33 each if you add all three). However, I still came out on top because each of my parents got the Global Entry $100 fee waived plus the lounge access to Centurion Lounges and Delta.

Besides being really useful for my parents with the Global Entry and lounge access, this premium credit card has ton of other perks , including a $200 annual airline-fee credit , a $200 annual Uber credit , Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta , Gold status with Starwood and Hilton , 5x points on airfare and more. Sure, the benefits come with a recently increased annual fee of $550 (See Rates & Fees), but when you consider the value you're getting from the card, that annual fee is well worth it. And I know my parents would agree as they sipped their champagne in the lounge. "Go big or go home," they told me!

4. Be Patient and Adapt

Your parents likely don't travel the way you do, and navigating through airports quickly can be stressful and take the fun out of the travel. I made the mistake of leaving the lounge in Singapore way too close to boarding and our gate was 15 minutes away. While both of my parents are fast walkers, we almost had to run and I could tell my mom was getting stressed out. In hindsight I probably should have planned that one a little better.

Also, you may have to take the hit for the team and let them have first dibs on the best offerings, like when I let my mom and dad sit together in Emirates first class and I headed back to business because there were only two award seats in first. Side note — my mom gets mom of the year for bringing me back a glass of Dom to business class! (After getting approval from a flight attendant, of course.)

In short, I love traveling with my parents. They appreciate every moment, and so do I. Be patient if your parents aren't expert travelers and, in turn, they'll appreciate you introducing them to new experiences. I often tend to do more touristy things when I'm with my parents — activities I wouldn't do on my own or with friends — and it usually ends up being a blast!

I know I'm fortunate to have an amazing relationship with my parents, and getting to travel with them around the world is a treasure I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here.

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Travelling With Your Parents

Travelling with your Parents

Reasons why multi-generational travel is a good idea.

Travelling with my parents was not really a thing for me when I was growing up. I can think of 3 vacations we took when I was young, but that is about it. One of them was incredibly fun, full of adventures, activities, and memories (good and bad) that stayed with me for a lifetime.

As an adult, I travelled with my folks only a couple of times, and one time, while it was fraught with negative moments, it too, became a trip I will never forget. I refrain from calling it a vacation because it was a trip with a purpose that meant a lot to my dad (and my mother in turn). This trip was my last chance to travel with my dad. Several years later, Nick and I took my mother on a road trip to Nova Scotia , filled with many attractions and activities that would help give us all some good memories. Alas, this was the last chance to travel with her as well.

On the other side of this, we have Nick, who, as an only child,  has travelled extensively with his mother since he was born.  In fact, he cannot recall his first travel experience with her because she took a trip to Brazil with him in-utero.  Don’t tell her I said that. Together with the grandparents, they would go on many family vacations over the years. They would seize any excuse to get away when the opportunity presented itself,  thus making many fantastic family memories together during his formative years.

Why you should consider Travelling with your Parents

Travelling together as adults.

Depending upon your family dynamic, travelling with your parents can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. We have compiled this list of reasons why you should plan a shared travel experience with your parents:

• It Makes the Best Gift Ever

Why not surprise your mum and (or) dad with a trip of a lifetime? They will love that you thought enough of them to include them on your vacation.  Travel makes a perfect gift for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because. So, instead of those boring gifts of sweaters, perfume, aftershave, or other meaningless trinkets, give them the gift of quality time together. A shared experience of travelling with your parents is the best gift you can give them.

• Thank Them for everything

When you invite your parent(s) to join on a trip – offer to pay for their flights, cruise, hotels, meals, etc., as a way to thank them for everything they have ever done for you over the years. Even if they don’t allow you to pay for everything, and you end up splitting expenses, the time together is all the thanks they need.

• It’ll Get You Both Out of Your Comfort Zone.

You are at different stages in your life. The way you experience things and the items you are interested in are different. Share these diverse interests by exploring somewhere new and experiencing the world together.

Some people are more risk-averse than others and may have some apprehension about getting off the beaten path or leaving the comfort of a resort. This can often be the parents, but it is not always. Visit places you might not typically think of going on your own. Get away from the touristy spots and check out more of the place’s authentic culture, history, and food. Put aside your ideas of what travel is, and see what travel can be.

• Get to Know Each Other

Change the way you look at each other by getting to know each other even better than you already do. Travel is an excellent way to bond as adults, see each other as equals, and shift the parent-child relationship from the past into the present and future.

• You’ll (Likely) Make Good Travel Buddies.

Your parents are probably more well-travelled than you. They have likely experienced more and figured out how to traverse the pitfalls of travel. So, when something happens on your trip, they can help you figure it out and solve the problem. Remember: Travel can be stressful, and arguments & disagreements will happen, but they just don’t matter.

• Family History – Learn your family ancestry

If you are travelling to your family’s ancestral homeland, you can take some time to explore some family history. Where did your ancestors live? Walk the streets and explore the towns where your grandparents/great-grandparents grew up. Many movies have been made about people visiting their distant relatives in the country where they are from and getting in touch with their heritage.

The year 2018 was a big milestone birthday for myself and Rogue Momma, & it was Nick & My anniversary within one month. To celebrate, we decided to go to make a bucket list trip to Norway so that Tanya could visit the country of her ancestors. It was a very special trip full of emotion, and we are all so glad we did. She was able to see the town her beloved family member grew up in and the gorgeous scenery he would have seen every day when he lived there.  She even brought him home – and scattered some of his ashes in the country he was born in and loved—definitely, a trip to remember.

• Cross Things Off Your Bucket List Together

Chances are there are many places you both have always wanted to go. Now is an excellent opportunity to look at your bucket lists and see if there is anything in common. If there is, why not experience these places together?

I can honestly say that a trip to India was never on our bucket list, and neither was it on Rogue Mommas. However, when her work presented her with an opportunity to attend a conference in Mumbai, We jumped at it. This trip was not only our first trip for the three of us together, but it turned out to be one of the most unique vacations ever. If you have never experienced HOLI in India – I highly recommend it. It was so much fun.

• It’s the Best Way to Catch Up

We take plenty of cruise vacations with Nick’s Mum because it is a great way to see the world in a relatively relaxed environment that is good for different generations.

Check out our Tips on taking a cruise

• Photographic Evidence

The flurry of travel photos that you will take of your parents will make for a great memory book, perfect for framing and sharing with other family members. A lot of people are more open to having their photos taken when they travel – parents included. I have more pictures of my parents on vacation than in most of their daily lives. Snap as many shots of and with your parents at all of those great locales & attractions; your future self will thank you.

• Show off Favourite spots

• Parents tend to pay a lot

• Travelling with Your Parents can be a lot of fun

As a well-travelled person, Rogue Momma loves to enjoy local culture whenever she is on vacation. Sometimes this results in some hilarious events that make that trip even more memorable for ‘US’. On one trip to Nashville, she insisted we go to a local honky-tonk to enjoy live music and a beer. She is a bit of a lightweight drinker, and after what appeared to be a few sips – she became very ‘happy’ to be in Music City. Coffee, please!

“If you Aint Laughing, you aint living”. – Dolly Parton

• Experience a different type of travel

Those who know us and are frequent readers of Roguetrippers will know that we pack a lot into every trip we take when we travel. That is how we do travel now. However, parents have a different way of travelling. When we return from a trip with Rogue Momma, she frequently gets asked, “how did you do all of that”? While she prefers to take a more relaxed approach to travel, she looks forward to travelling with us and experiencing all of the more exciting things we find to do.

When you travel with people of a different generation, their health must be considered. The types of adventures you plan may need to be scaled back to accommodate their mobility, ability, and sensitivities. Not every trip is going to be suitable for both you and your parents, but that shouldn’t stop you from inviting them. Nick’s Mum always says – she would rather be asked and not be able to participate in everything than to not get the invitation at all.

Safety tips for protecting yourself and your parents on vacation

• Conversation Starters

Family gatherings will change, and the dinner table conversations will shift away from those tired, rehashed childhood experiences. A shared travel experience will give you new stories from which to draw. Regardless of what happens on the trip, the banter at the next holiday gathering will likely be a lot livelier.

• You never know …

We have a finite amount of time with our parents, and before they are gone, start making these unforgettable memories with your Mum & Dad now. Make the most of the time you do have left. You won’t regret spending this quality time with them.

• Create Incredible Memories to Last a Lifetime

Time together on travelling with your parent(s) allows you to have experiences that will stay with you forever. When your parents are gone, these are the memories that will bring you the greatest comfort in times of grief. Memories of these shared experiences are the most important reason to travel with your parents.

Travel Tip:   Don’t forget to pick up amazing souvenirs from your travels together. They will become physical reminders of these precious moments when they are gone. 

We don’t always travel with Rogue Momma, but we do try to plan at least one trip with her every year (or 2). Travelling with your parents may not be something you do every time you travel, but it is something that will fill your heart with memories for years to come.

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

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Adventurer, gastro-tourist, avid road tripper, and butter tart aficionado. Exploring the road less travelled and the adventures that exist for all to see if you open yourself up to new possibilities. Greg and his husband Nick are residents of Guelph, and their greatest joys in life are exploring the world around them. Road trips with no real destination are a favourite past time. Get off the beaten path and discover somewhere they have never been before. Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you don't really plan. Life is about the journey together and not the destination.

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How to Travel with a Parent and Not Go Completely Insane

By Carlye Wisel

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So you have a real-world paycheck and the urge to repay decades of emotional debt by taking your parents on a vacation. Kudos! The good news is, you’ve got a heart of gold. The bad news is, you are about to lose your damn mind. Sardine-ing yourselves together from the moment you wake up and staring at each other’s faces at three meals a day will be a shock, especially considering the last time you cohabitated was when Dwayne Johnson was a wrestler, not our nation’s future leader .

As someone who travels a lot and has a spouse who gets too few vacation days, I have traveled extensively with my mother. Despite being grounded for my entire junior year of high school (I was a swear-spitting brat, so what!), I’ve mastered the art of parental travel, taking her on weeklong river cruises, a jaunt to Paris, and multiple work trips without pushing her—or my sanity—overboard.

We just returned from an Adventures by Disney trip in Barcelona and a Disney Cruise Line sailing to France and Italy—yes, I am childless, and no, I’m not crazy—and I survived two weeks of hotel rooms, shared beds, and a ship stateroom beside my mother in near serenity. If I could brave it all and not get into a single fight (except her accidentally waking me up in the middle of the night), trust me, you can, too.

Setting yourself up for suitcase-wheeling success goes beyond booking an al fresco lunch that’ll perform well on your mom’s suburban Facebook feed. Stick to this guide and you’ll master the fine art of traveling with members of your bloodline, all without wanting to murder them before returning home:

Ask your parent to click around the Internet and e-mail over a list of all the things they want to do. Then edit out the bad stuff—no, Dad, we’re not going on The Ride —and put together a schedule. Whether my parents visit me in Los Angeles or travel overseas to Paris, I send them an itinerary of where we’ll be, what we’ll do, and what to expect for each day. Is it a psychotic Type A move? Yes, absolutely, but my mom loves getting that schedule in her hot little hands and knowing precisely when she’ll eat and, more importantly, which shoes to wear.

If you’ve booked a hip apartment on Airbnb, your vacation is going down in flames before it's even begun. You may prefer the dim lighting of a boutique hotspot or the aesthetic that comes with bolting Aesop shampoo to a concrete wall, but this is not the time to kick it in a cool hostel . No matter how chill your parent is, they’ll want something plush to come back to at the day’s end, so make it happen, even if it means cheap-o lunches and fewer souvenirs. Chain brands are a safe bet but painfully boring, so dig through Tablet (the holy grail of boutique hotel search engines) for stylish but affordable spots, or seek out old-school lodging—anything with excessive crown molding, Adirondack chairs overlooking a scenic view, or the word “Victorian” in its description is a sure bet.

If you don’t think you need alone time, you’re wrong, and if you think you need alone time, it’s already too late. Carve out one chunk of time each day when you can fully be by yourself, whether that’s walking too far to get a cup of coffee, shutting down the bathroom to tooth-brushers while you’re taking a shower, or doing “work” solo in the hotel lobby. Hell, tell your dad you’re training for a 5K and go walk on the hotel-gym treadmill while scrolling through Instagram—it doesn’t matter. Just do it.

Sixty-five-year-olds have lived too long on this now-apocalyptic planet to tolerate loud restaurants, so honor thy parent and don’t subject them to frou-frou dietary nonsense—no lobster bisque that’s served as an orb, no wine that comes in teacups, no three-hour wait for walk-ups only. You can do that with your friends back at home. Seek out restaurants that were peak trendy three or four years ago, as they’re likely to still have solid food but thinner crowds. Choose your bars wisely, too—make sure there’s ample seating. Upscale hotel bars will have the craft cocktails you’re in search of, with the bonus of comfy leather chairs; trendy rooftop bars will always be more chill in that sweet spot just before happy hour. Basically, just let them eat something good and not have to stand while doing it, which is remarkably difficult to do these days. Do your research, and make reservations.

You’ll run out of topics to talk about by day three, when the memories of your preschool behaviors or that horrific prom story are going to explode from the conversation well, which has just run dry. I often take my mom on group trips, which is perfect, because she always meets a fantastic woman her age and they become BFF for life, but solo travel requires some finesse. If you’re not lucky enough to have a friend in town to come along for dinner, book an edgy food tour, interactive museum visit , or strange cocktail tasting experience that’ll bring someone, anyone, into your purview to give you a break from each other and something fresh to talk about.

Yes, reminding your mom that you are an adult with a job and you don’t need to hold her hand in a crowd is a real-time nightmare, but using your parent’s parental quirks to your advantage is the ideal antidote. My mom is a confident woman who’s freaky-good at getting what she wants, so I regularly task her with talking us into ordering breakfast at restaurants that have stopped serving, or asking locals dumb questions. Milk it for all it’s worth. Lean into the parent thing! After all, your father’s habit of small talk with strangers won’t be so irritating if those strangers are your age and hot, ya know?

Cough up money for things—you can’t really stand your “but I’m an adult!” ground if you don’t pony up for anything. Insulate yourself from others on flights by booking early and securing those two-seat rows in the back of international planes, or the bulkhead for the three of you. If there’s a weird art exhibit or trendy boutique you want to see but know your parent will hate, specifically plan something they’ll adore to keep things balanced. And if things are going south, fix it immediately. Because you’re family and have likely fought two zillion times before, little tiffs can escalate into screaming matches quickly. Even if it means choking down a sassy retort like your first-ever Jägerbomb, do it for the sake of the trip. Your sanity will thank you later.

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9 Fun Reasons to Travel With Your Parents

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Right, before anyone jumps down my throat about how not everyone gets on with their parents, allow me to clarify. Obviously if your parents are serial killers or not-so-nice people or just HATE travelling, then you should not travel with your parents.

BUT for those of you that are lucky enough to have decent parents, or one decent parent, or decent parent-like figures in your life that enjoy travel, then this article is for you. Here are all the wonderful reasons why you should try travelling with your parents.

9 Reasons to Try Travelling With Parents

• Money. Let’s be honest, parents will buy you the odd meal at least when you’re travelling. I’m not being mercenary, but it’s definitely a plus. When I asked my mam for suggestions for this list she literally said “Walking ATM Machine”. I would just like to say, in my defence, that I do bring my mam on the occasional press trip . That kind of balances it out right??

There’s something comforting in knowing that your family will be OK with you while you travel, because they know all your not-so-nice habits. They know you’re just tired or hungry or too hot ( OK maybe that’s just me), that you’re not actually some sort of demon.

They’ll forgive you and you’ll forgive them and when you get home you’ll have incredible memories that you can bring up at family dinners for years to come.

** READ ABOUT OUR FAMILY TRIP TO LAS VEGAS – 3 Days in Las Vegas + The Grand Canyon . **

My Travels With My Mam

Travel with your parents or your family in general is something that I feel very strongly about. I have been travelling with my mother ever since I could walk.

My first flight was from New Zealand to America when I was 2 years old, with my mother. After that my mother made a habit of flying around the world with my sister and I.

*Note:   My mother worked hard for all of this. We didn’t win the lotto or come into money. My mam loved travel and worked hard to fund her love of travel. This is something I inherited from her. 

Most of the countries I’ve been to in my life have been with my mother. And it’s not just my mother, sometimes my sister, aunt, granny or cousins pack their bags and join the party too.

One year I visited the Maldives and Sri Lanka with my mam and aunt. Another year my mam came to meet me in Bali for a week.

The year before that my entire family came on a trip to Prague with me. This was particularly funny as Prague was originally supposed to be a romantic weekend break for me and an ex .

My mam and sister and I even spent a weekend in Disneyland Paris a few years ago. Both myself and my sister are solidly in our twenties, we had the time of our lives.

In fact, there are some places in the world that I just would not even consider going to without my mother. I’d feel guilty and, honestly, it would be more fun being there with her.

For example, my mam has been telling me about the Galapagos Islands (her ultimate bucket-list item) ever since I was a child and I just could not imagine seeing it without her.

Mam, if you’re reading this, I hope you appreciate how thoughtful I am #bestchild.

Where to Travel With Your Parents

People always ask me “What are the best places to travel with your parents?” and the answer is simple – wherever you want to go! I will say that if your parents are older then they might prefer a quiet, adults only hotel/resort.

Obviously wherever you go on vacation with your parents is a very personal decision. But for me I like to help tick off my mam’s bucketlist. Ask your parents where is left on their list, is there anywhere they REALLY want to see and then make that happen.

If you’re hesitant about how it might go or if you’re concerned about medical conditions then it might be best to try somewhere close to home. A staycation could be a great way to test the waters.

Let’s Wrap it up

Ok, so in case you were curious, allow me to tell you about one of my most ridiculous travel moments with my mother.

My   mam, sister and I were driving around Dingle peninsula in Ireland. We stopped at a small beach with massive waves. My mam got too close to the sea and as she turned around to run away from the waves, she tripped.

Of course, her natural reaction was to reach out to my sister and I for support. But, in her panic, instead of grabbing my arm or hand or shoulder for support, she grabbed my boob. We all promptly collapsed in a fit of giggles. Luckily for her, I didn’t press charges.

ANYWAYS, if that hasn’t convinced you to travel with your parents then I don’t know what will.

P.S: Mam I know you’re probably mad at me for using these photos. I apologise. Just think of all the press trips in the future!

Tell me your favourite family travel memory! Leave a comment below.

Love this! As a matter of fact, I’m traveling in Barbados with my husband, mom and step dad and we love traveling all together. 🙂

Take care Tara!

Sounds like a fun trip! Hope you have a great time 🙂

Your article is so awesomely funny & inspirational! I hope more people go for it and travel with their parents. Hugs to your mom for being so fabulous!

I LOVE travelling with my parents! I’ve got a trip planned with them next year too!

Awww love it. Where are you off to?

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Welcome to Epic Travel Plans!

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15 Tips: Traveling with Your Aging Parents

Looking for tips for traveling with your aging parents? I’ve got you covered! Here are 15 tips I’ve learned as an adult “kid” while traveling with my mom, dad and mother-in-law.

Now, doesn’t the feature image just make you chuckle?! Kudos (and credit) to Matthew Bennett from Unsplash for capturing this scene. Although my parents might sit a little closer together, it embodies so much of my parents’ generation. And many of their travel styles. 

From week-long house rentals with the family to 1500-mile road trips, touring Europe, and exploring Maui with both my husband’s mom and my parents … The tips below are tried and tested. And I definitely come out on the other side STRONGLY encouraging you to travel with your aging parents. 

I realize not everyone has the best relationship with their parents. And concentrated time in close quarters might feel a little risky! BUT there’s something very special about the memories you create during these trips. 

So, take a deep breath, read through what I’ve discovered, and then make it happen. The fact that you’re reading this post means that you see how great it can be, too!

But first, CONTEXT: 2 studies on how our aging parents like to travel …

Two studies I came across give us helpful context when preparing to travel with aging parents.

First, what motivates your aging parents to travel? This literature review gives us a solid list of motivators: the need for social interaction, special events, memorable experiences, cultural amenities, educational offerings and a desire for self-fulfilment. How do these motivators match with yours? 

And there are other areas where your parents might differ from you … and from each other. Types of destinations. How often and how long they want to travel. Activities they want to do. While some want to organize their own “soft adventure,” others want pre-packaged tours. What sounds more like your parents? 

Second, how old or young do your parents feel , and how does this affect their motivation and desire to travel? This study compared Asian and Western seniors. Results showed that seniors from Western cultures were more likely to “feel younger” than their Asian peers; and, the younger a senior perceived himself or herself, the lower their perception of travel risks. 

Together, these studies remind us how important it is to TALK about your motivations for traveling together. And they warn us that our parents may underestimate their physical limitations. Prepare for lots of discussion and negotiation in your planning. And to watch for signs of your parents’ limitations while on the trip.

1. Start with your GOAL: Why travel with your aging parents?

My #1 tip for planning  any trip is to start with your end goal in mind. What do you hope to say about this trip on the OTHER side? When you’re back at home, which words do you hope you can use to describe it? This becomes your compass as you plan.

Now, think a bit about what this goal looks like. What are you doing together? When you spend time together now, what do you all enjoy? What kinds of experiences bring out the best in you and your parents? Make note of the top two or three things that come to mind.

I would argue that when traveling with your aging parents, your primary goal should be about relationship . Because that’s what it is for your parents. And if anything – a hotel that doesn’t match their vibe, or an activity you’re itching to do that they won’t like – is tested against this compass, you should likely drop it. 

You may also like: Trips to Take with MOM and FATHER Son or Daughter Trips

2. Note your aging parents’ travel CONSTRAINTS

If you apply the project management constraint triangle, it’ll help you define your trip’s “boundaries.” All of us have three main constraints: time, money and activities (scope). How big or small they are as constraints for this trip will help guide your trip planning process.

When looking at this model for traveling with your aging parents, ask questions like:

• Time: How much time do I and my parents have to travel? Are either of them limited by health or other issues? Are there certain seasons that work best for us to travel? Do we have a span of time before we start getting edgy with each other?
• Money: How much money am I and are they willing to budget for this trip? What types of things am I and are they willing to spend money on, and what are any of us not willing to spend money on? How will we divide up the costs?
• Activities: What types of activities do I and my parents enjoy individually (besides those noted above that we all like to do together)? If each of us could pick one activity, what would it be? Is there the option of splitting up in a way that everyone would be happy with?

3. Consider TRAVEL STYLES of your aging parents

Beyond the practical constraints you and your aging parents face, what are your travel styles? If you haven’t traveled with them before, think about their day-to-day lifestyles. Although this can change a bit when traveling, it’s a great predictor of travel styles.

Consider the questions below about travel styles for each person in your group:

• Preferences: What types of things do we spend extra money on, and what do we cheap out on? How – and where – do we like to spend our time? Do we have favorite activities? For example, walking, driving, shopping or golf. 
• Vacation rhythms: Are we early or late risers? Early or late to bed? What are our typical schedules for things like meals, coffee breaks, naps? How similar or different are we?
• Physical limitations: Typical limitations might be car sickness, jet lag or tiring quickly. Fear of flying. But also included here would be things like how often they need to move … like if they’re on a long flight or road trip. And how often (and urgently) they need to use a washroom. What medications do they take, when, and with what side effects?

Depending on your parents’ age and condition, you might want to visit their doctor together before you go. You can make sure their medications are up to date and that the doctor doesn’t have any concerns with the trip.

4. Pick a DESTINATION and TIMING that fits: What do you love doing with your aging parents?

If you don’t already have a destination and timing set for traveling with your aging parents, consider it carefully. Where (and when) you visit should make it as easy as possible to realize your goal. It should work within your time, money and activity constraints. It should fit all of your travel styles.

Ideally, don’t go to a place where you have a super-long bucket list of activities you’re itching to do. You’ll struggle to see and do a few of them, dragging your parents along or leaving them behind. In the end, your experience won’t match up to your original goal for traveling with your parents.

Instead, pick a destination that enhances what you already enjoy doing together. For example, if you love sipping tea and taking walks together, maybe rent a place with expansive views and walking paths nearby.

5. Ideally, balance out personalities

No matter the age or personalities of your travel companions, it’s usually a good idea to balance out different travel styles. If everyone has a pretty similar travel style, you’re probably okay sticking together. So long as everyone is paying attention to each others’ limitations. 

To split up and keep everyone happy, you typically need a balanced number with balanced travel styles. In a group of three, someone has to be happy – and even want – solo time … either  as the one who stays back to chill or the one who goes off to explore on their own. And everyone needs to be okay with this situation, or you’ll have stress. 

But, perhaps you’re looking at traveling in a group of three where the other two don’t want to see and do as much as you. And you don’t really want to see and do them on your own. If possible, I’d encourage you to invite along a fourth person. Maybe an aunt or an uncle, who can balance things out in many ways.

Where you have very different travel styles and strong personalities, it’s a REALLY good idea to even these out among your group. Even if it means increasing your group size.  

6. Prepare for strong personalities when traveling with aging parents

While I can definitely think of exceptions, most of us get more set in our ways as we get older. This isn’t a good or bad thing, but something to be aware of. And as ADULT kids, traveling with AGING parents, you’re all bound to be fairly head-strong in what you want and don’t want.

So, have lots of conversations BEFORE the trip. About what you each want to get out of it. Your constraints and travel styles. Destinations, hotels, activities. How you’ll split the costs, and what splitting up might look like.

7. Respectfully take the planning lead

Weigh this point out with your relationship with your parents. And with your lifestyles and skill sets.

Although my parents do pretty great with technology, it’s still less stressful for them if I book flights and hotels for them. Also, my dad isn’t one to book ANY hotels in advance, so it’s less stressful for me if I do it! And while my dad is an experienced driver, it’s much less stressful for everyone if I or my husband do the driving in a foreign land.

A good approach to getting opinions from your travel companions is this: narrow down your top 3, list your pros and cons, and then take votes. 

8. Pay your own share 

Paying your own share as an adult kid traveling with aging parents might be a tough subject. This point again depends a lot on your specific relationship with your parents. And financial positions, which can be rather tricky to talk about.

But a good rule of thumb is to pay your own share when traveling with your parents. What each person’s “share” means is a little fluid, as someone might decide to pay for the accommodations, for example. Yet, a benefit to everyone paying their share is the equal right to “vote.” For where you stay; what you do. The person who pays kinda has the final say. And you might not like it that much.

9. Book a place without stairs

This one I learned most recently when in Vienna with my mom. Our home rental was in a great location, near the historic city-center and transit to everywhere else. BUT, the only access was up two flights of narrow stairs. In hindsight, we should’ve booked another place.

Even for the most agile of us, having to climb stairs after a long day of walking and touring is a real pain in the butt. So make it easier for everyone by booking a place without stairs.

10. Pack comfort essentials for your aging parents that might not be available

What exactly these comfort essentials are depends on your parents.  Don’t expect everything to be easily available at your destination.

Here are some items to get you thinking:

• A flashlight for your parents to use during the night. 
• Portable foam raised toilet seat and wipes to keep it clean.
• Non-slip bath mat.
• Continence products. 

Also, keep your daypacks stocked with snacks and water. 

11. Plan activities around your parents’ schedule

When do your parents take coffee breaks? Nap? If they don’t nap, do they cherish relaxed morning coffees or early evenings in? 

Find out what their typical schedule is, and plan your outings around this.  

Now, I had a hard time with this (other than the coffee breaks!). I like to see and do as much as possible. So, if you’re a bit like me, remember this tip: Plan more active stuff for when your parents are more active, and more restful stuff for when they’re sleepy. Makes sense, right? But what about in practice?

Here are examples that I’ve used:

• On road trips , plan most of your stops in the morning. Then, plan only a few (if any) stops during the afternoon in case your parents want to nap in the car. (Another reason to assume you’ll be driving.)
• If touring a large site , plan for lots of relaxing breaks. Don’t race through it; stop for lunch and a coffee/dessert break. Savor the moment. And limit your day to one location, with a chill evening back at your place.
• If general sight-seeing , plan the walking for the morning. In the afternoon, do things like people-watching at a cafe, a bus tour, or something near your place. Then, if your parents want to stay back, it’s easy for them to do this.

12. Slow down your pace

Maybe you already like to take it easy on vacation. Even then? Expect to slow your pace even more. 

Now, maybe this isn’t that true for your parents. Maybe they’re young aging parents! Super healthy and fit. Fantastic! The main point here is to be sensitive to their physical limitations and let them lead in setting the pace. 

Again, I confess that I’m not so good at this. I think I’m slowing things down, but it’s hard to stop the urge to go go go. And my mom is so not a complainer that it’s sometimes all too easy not to see her discomfort. 

A good rule of thumb is to only plan one main thing or a few small things per day. And to leave plenty of time at each spot and between spots. Another interesting idea, especially if pride is an issue, is to establish a code phrase like “Wanna people-watch for a while?” Then your parents can gratefully plunk themselves down without feeling like they’re always saying they’re tired.

13. Add in chill days

If you’re traveling with your aging parents longer than a weekend, build low-key days into your schedule.  

This is a really good idea if some days are quite heavy. For example, don’t take day trips back-to-back; leave a resting day in between without much planned. If one day has a lot of walking, make the next a sitting day.

This kind of itinerary-building is good for all of us, no matter our age or fitness levels. It adds variety and interest to the trip. 

14. Budget more for conveniences when traveling with your aging parents

While you’re saving costs on the zillion things you’re not doing … by slowing things down and adding in chill days … you get to do something a little indulgent!

Budget more for conveniences you typically don’t indulge in while traveling. Taking a cab is much easier on your aging parents than public transit and all those subway stairs. Booking a comfortable bus tour is much more enjoyable than wandering lost through the streets to find that obscure statue.

This goes back to keeping your trip’s goal front and center. And your aging parents’ constraints and travel styles. Plus, it’s fun!

15. Take a lot of pictures and videos 

When your trip is done, the pictures and videos you took with your parents will be absolute treasures. So, be sure to take MANY of them. Even when it feels awkward or silly. Even if your dad hates them.

I think it’s pretty common to forget that our parents get old . How time passes, and suddenly the people who seemed so old back in high school don’t seem so old anymore. WE’RE that old.

And I’ve watched best friends lose their parents far too soon. It’s heartbreaking . 

So, we’re the lucky ones. We still get to take trips with our parents, and create EPIC memories with them. Make it happen!

RESOURCES for traveling with aging parents

Looking for more information and resources on traveling with your aging parents? I suggest checking out Travelwithagingparents.com . It’s dedicated to traveling with aging parents. And if your parents need specialized care, there’s also a forum to help you figure out logistics.

Here are other posts you might find helpful:

• Awesome Trips to Take with MOM
• Fun FATHER Son or Daughter Trips
• TIPS for Traveling with your MOM  

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The 50 Best Gifts for Parents Who Love to Travel

My husband and I loved to travel before becoming parents, and having kids hasn’t stopped us from exploring. Adventuring with children is eye-opening, fun, and unpredictable. With the right gear (and a lot of patience!), seeing the world with little ones is even better than traveling on your own.

Whether you have a travel buff’s baby shower coming up or a special celebration for that mom or dad in your life who loves to roam, we’ve got your gift-giving needs covered. Using our experiences with products we love and equipment we’ve received and cherished through the years, we’ve rounded up the top 50 gifts for parents who love to travel: 

Table of Contents

Gifts for Home

If you have parent friends or relatives who tour the world, get them some travel-themed accents to warm their home or nursery:

1. Push-pin map

Help Mom and Dad capture all the places they’ve been with their youngsters with a map wall-hanging . Choose one with push-pins to help them build upon their travel memories over time.

2. Travel-themed nursery decor

Give them some special decor to help create a beautiful travel-themed nursery for a new baby. A map-themed rug , tapestry , puzzle , or sheets makes the perfect gift.

3. Kids’ travel books

If you’ve got a baby shower coming up for travel buffs who are soon-to-be parents, help them pass along their love of traveling to their new child. A national parks children’s book, a kid-friendly collection of sights around the world , or a set of travel books makes for a special memento.

4. Global baby food cookbook

Your parent friends who love to travel will love sharing tastes around the world with their little one. This unique cookbook includes 80 purées from around the world to prepare babies’ palates for a lifetime of travel.

Gifts for Travel Day 

Here are some gift ideas to help parents with driving, carrying, and feeding those youngsters on the go: 

5. Baby carrier

A baby carrier is a home-run present for any new parent, especially one who’s always on the go. Carriers by Beco , Ergobaby , and BabyBjörn provide comfortable and ergonomic ways to carry babies in multiple positions, on wooded trails and airplanes alike. If you really want to kick it up a notch, the designer baby carriers by Artipoppe make a luxurious gift.

6. Toddler sling

When kids get too big for the baby carrier, a hip sling can help parents carry their toddlers through airport terminals or sightseeing adventures.

7. Large diaper bag

Any parent who travels knows that a diaper bag needs to be large. Backpacks with stroller clips are usually easiest for travel, so arms are free for carry-on luggage. Throw in a travel changing pad and a wipes dispenser to help mom or dad set up a changing station on the go. 

The best diaper bags for two kids.

8. Travel nursing necessities

If you’re looking for a gift for a mom who is nursing, try a nursing cover or scarf to help with breastfeeding in public. A high-quality nursing bra that Mom might be hesitant to splurge for herself is also an excellent gift for traveling.

9. Travel feeding essentials

You can’t go wrong with a collection of items for feeding tykes on the go, like snack catchers , food containers , silicone zip-top bags , and reusable pouches . Formula dispensers are a must-have for any parent traveling with a formula-fed baby . For more feeding and entertainment tips for traveling with youngsters, read our posts on taking a road trip with a toddler or flying with a toddler or baby .

10. Stroller blanket

Don’t underestimate the utility of a good blanket . Choose a small-to-medium-sized one for keeping little ones warm in the stroller or snuggling up on a plane. Pick a blanket with soft, washable fabric or make one yourself for an extra-special gift.

11. Kids’ in-flight bed

Jet Kids and Flyaway Design both make products that extend a child’s airplane seat area, creating a large, flat space for them to play or snooze. Just keep in mind that many US-based airlines like United and American Airlines don’t allow them.

12. Car mirror

Need a smaller item to round out your baby shower gift? A car mirror is an essential for any parent bringing a rear-facing passenger along for a road trip.

Gifts for the Trip

If you have a baby shower on the horizon for parents who love to travel, or if you want to give your mom friend something practical for an upcoming trip, check out these ideas for local and far-away excursions:

13. Travel stroller

For a more significant gift, the lightweight UPPAbaby Minu is an excellent travel stroller that folds into thirds for compact storage and creates a smooth, comfortable ride for babies and toddlers. Read our complete review here , as well as our favorite strollers that can fit in the overhead bin of an airplane.

14. Hiking child carrier

Give hiking parents the option to bring their child on the trail with the Osprey Poco (read our Osprey Poco LT review here).

15. All-terrain wagon

Wagons like the Veer Cruiser XL (reviewed here ) allow outdoorsy parents to bring multiple kids and lots of gear along for adventures, no matter the terrain.

16. Collapsible booster seat

The Hiccapop OmniBoost (read our Hiccapop review ), which is great for use on the floor, on top of a regular dining chair, or on the beach, includes an attachable tray and folds down into a compact storage bag for travel. Inglesina’s Fast Chair (reviewed here ) is another collapsible travel option that clips onto dining tables and countertops. Shop other portable high chairs here.

17. Compact bouncer

Parents traveling with a new baby will love this durable, foldable bouncer by BabyBjörn. Read our full review of this versatile product by BabyBjörn here.

18. Outdoor playard

Having an enclosed space for babies to play keeps youngsters safe in unfamiliar outdoor territory. Check out these options from Veer and Summer Infant .

19. Portable play mat

Parents traveling to new spaces will appreciate having the ability to give their baby a clean spot to sit, play, and crawl inside. Infantino and Crate & Barrel both make foldable play mats that are perfect for throwing in the car.

20. Travel bassinet or crib

Give the traveling new parents in your life a comfortable spot for their baby to sleep on adventures away from home. Try the compact Chicco LullaGo Nest Bassinet (reviewed here ), or the popular Guava Lotus Travel Crib for older babies.

21. Outdoor baby napping spot

We love our UPPAbaby bassinet which came with the Vista stroller for the newborn days and our Fisher-Price Baby Dome as a safe place for our infant to doze off outside. For a compact option with bug protection, try the innovative Joovy Gloo .

22. Small sound machine

Any traveling parent needs a portable sound machine. The Hatch Rest Mini is small enough for air travel, and the Yogasleep Hushh clips onto the stroller or car seat to create a peaceful environment for naps along the journey.

23. Portable baby bather

For home and car travel, we use the collapsible Oxo Tot Splash & Store Bathtub . If we’re traveling by air, The First Years’ Folding Baby Bather is our go-to. Read more about our favorite baby travel bathtubs here.

24. Travel toiletries set for baby

Consider collecting some travel toiletries for baby and wrapping them in a pretty nursery basket or bath caddy to make a practical, thoughtful gift. Baby soap , diaper rash cream , Aquaphor , lotion , and sunscreen are all helpful travel necessities.

25. Medical travel kit for children

Keep your friends prepared for traveling with sick kids . Round up some infants’ Tylenol and Motrin , travel tissues , a thermometer , and Vicks Children’s VapoRub or BabyRub . Pack them into a toiletry bag for a cute gift that parents will be glad to have on hand when they need it.

Gifts for the Family 

Want to find something parents can share with the whole family? Here are ten gift ideas to keep families connected, entertained, and equipped during travel:

26. Family games

Choose packable options like Uno , Pictionary Air , travel Rummikub , or this roll-up backgammon set by Pendleton. 

27. Portable speakers

The playlist might look a little different than their pre-parenting days, but your friends or relatives will love having high-quality speakers for some tunes with the family. Try the tiny Bose Soundlink Micro or the waterproof Sonos Roam .

28. Insulated drinkware

Whether they’re traveling with tiny tots or older teens, parents will appreciate having coordinated, spill-proof bottles for the family. Some can even be engraved with everyone’s names. Alternatively, you can give those parents some insulated tumblers to keep their coffee hot (and their beer cold!) outside in any weather.

29. Family beach essentials

A waterproof beach blanket , a set of beach towels , and even coordinating swimsuits for the family make great gifts for parents who love to spend the day in the sand with their kids .

30. Sleeping bags

These sleeping bags will keep parents and kids warm for camping trips and nights under the stars.

31. Family tent

For parents who love to camp and adventure outdoors with their children, you can’t go wrong with a family-sized open-air shelter or tent .

32. Walkie-talkies

Cell service can be spotty when you’re out in the woods. Help parents stay connected with their kids by giving them a set of walkie-talkies for the family.

33. Portable humidifier

Humidifiers can be clutch for parents and little ones on vacation, especially if the destination is higher in altitude, or if someone ends up getting a cold on the trip. Equip your friends or relatives with a travel humidifier to help with sleep away from home.

34. Travel guide books

Keep your friends’ bookshelves stocked with inspiration for their next family hike , road trip or camping adventure .

35. Trip memory book

Help parents and children capture memories of their excursions with this beautiful and clever Trip Passport .

Gifts Just for Mom or Dad

Give that awesome parent in your life something to keep them comfortable and organized on family adventures: 

36. Luggage

Every parent can agree that luggage gets heavy when you start packing for more than just yourself. Lightweight hard-shell luggage with a lifetime warranty can lighten the load, while more rugged, water-resistant packs help protect the gear inside. You can also go for a bag specific to an upcoming trip, like a waterproof beach tote or a roomy ski boot bag.

37. Luggage scale

Help Mom and Dad determined if they’re under or over the 50-pound limit for checked bags before they arrive at the airport with this invaluable luggage scale .

38. Personalized luggage tags

Help prevent others from taking the wrong suitcases from baggage claim by mistake with unique and colorful luggage tags .

39. Reading tablet

If Mom or Dad gets a second to themselves on the plane, or if they have a quiet moment after the kids are asleep in the hotel room, they’ll appreciate having a Kindle or an iPad to read from.

40. Books and a reading lamp

For a more budget-friendly option, parents are sure to appreciate a few good books for their journeys. Include a clip-on reading lamp to ensure they’re able to read when youngsters are snoozing nearby.

41. AirPods

Anyone who has carried a baby knows that headphones with cords aren’t going to work. Help baby resist the temptation to pull at those wires and give Mom or Dad some cordless earbuds or AirPods for the plane.

42. Portable phone battery

Traveling parents are constantly using their phones to take pictures and videos of their kids in new destinations, so phone batteries run down quickly. Keep them connected with a reliable power bank to keep their devices powered up on the go.

43. Tech folio

Things can get messy with all these tech accessories. Help those parents stay organized with a unique, monogrammed tech folio with pockets for everything.

44. Comfortable clothes for traveling

Traveling with kids may have its less comfortable moments, but the right clothes can help. Give your mom friend a cozy sweatshirt and pocketed leggings to help get her through travel day.

45. Passport holder

Crossing national borders with kids is a whole new undertaking. Help keep Mom and Dad organized with a family passport wallet that holds two, four, or six passports at a time.

46. Multi-tool

Help Dad feel like he’s still a man of the woods with an impressive and compact multitool . He’ll probably use it to cut tags off new stuffed animals and open boxes of diapers more than for foraging in the wild, but he’ll feel empowered to conquer anything that might come his way.

47. Supportive sneakers or hiking boots

Your friend or relative will be carrying a whole lot more now that they have a child (or a few!) in tow. Keep them comfortable with high-quality sneakers or hiking boots for their treks with baby .

48. Hiking backpack

Hiking with kids means more gear, food, and water to carry. Keep parents comfortable with a durable, ergonomic hiking pack .

49. Framed travel photos

For a personalized gift, print some of those beautiful family travel photos and slide them into decorative frames as a thoughtful keepsake.

50. Digital photo frame

If you’re looking for a versatile way for Mom and Dad to keep travel memories close, consider giving them a digital picture frame or a Google Nest Hub that lets them upload new vacation photos as they happen.

Deciding on presents for a friend or relative who is now a parent can be a tough task. You can’t go wrong with a personal gift to help them stay comfortable on their travels or a baby-themed item to help them navigate new adventures with their kids. Whatever you decide, they’ll be sure to appreciate that you included their love for travel in deciding on a thoughtful gift.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!

With a background in medicine as a licensed physician assistant, Christy is a freelance writer and mom of two young kids. As someone who loves to ski, run, and hike, she most cherishes introducing her son and daughter to the beautiful outdoors and spending time with her precious family.

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U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Orientation Services

• Parents and Guest

Red Raider Orientation

For Parents & Families

RRO Guest Information

Get ready for rro.

Now that you're registered as a guest for RRO, review the items below to prepare for your student's orientation session.

• Monitor weather prior to arrival to be prepared.
• Consider bringing a light jacket as some buildings can be cool.
• Money for meals
• Unofficial Transcripts
• We highly recommend your student submit their immunization records to Student Health Services through Med Proctor at least two weeks prior to their RRO session in order to allow time for the registration hold to be removed. However, you can bring your immunization records to RRO if not previously submitted.
• Any documents you may need for Financial Aid , such as your tax return.

Event & Travel Information

As you prepare for your student's RRO session, review the important event information below to coordinate your travel and arrival to campus.

ONE-DAY SESSIONS

• 7:30 am - RRO Check-In / College Check-In / Hold Removal
• 8:00 am - Transfer Connection Program
• 9:30 am - Official RRO Welcome
• 10:00 am - College Welcome
• 11:00 am - Resource & Apartment Fair, Meet one-on-one with Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, Student Business Services, and/or Military & Veteran Programs
• 12:00 pm - Red Raider Families: Supporting your Student's Tradition
• 1:00 pm - Academic Advising & Course Registration

*Please do not make plans to travel before 4:00 pm to ensure adequate time to register for classes and ask last minute questions.

TWO-DAY SESSIONS

• 10:00 am - RRO Check-In / College Check-In / Hold Removal
• 10:30 am - Campus Tours
• 11:00 am - Lunch on your Own
• 12:30 am - Official RRO Welcome
• 1:00 pm - College Welcome
• 2:30 pm - Raider-to-Raider (students) & Red Raider Families: Supporting Your Student's Transition (guests)
• 3:30 pm - Campus Resource Fair, Information Session, Fraternity & Sorority Meet-&-Greet, and much more!
• 5:45 pm - Fajita Dinner (students & registered guests)
• 6:30 pm - Raider Life (students) & Parent & Family Social (guests)
• 8:00 pm - Night at the Rec
• 7:45 am - Breakfast & ID Pickup
• 8:30 am - Learn more about student success at Texas Tech
• 9:00 am - Academic Advising & Course Registration
• 10:00 am - Last Call for Questions, Residence Hall Tour, and Meet one-on-one with Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, Student Business Services, and Military & Veteran Programs
• 10:30 am & 12:00 pm - City of Lubbock Bus Tours

*Please do not make plans to travel before 2:00 pm to ensure adequate time to register for classes and ask last minute questions.

Arrival to Campus: Check-in begins at 10 am at the Student Union Building (SUB) . To ensure you do not miss out on important activities, plan accordingly to arrive during the scheduled check-in time. Parking will be available in Lot Z-2 located at 17th and University Ave.

Parking on Campus: Students and guests are able to park on-campus for free during orientation by registering their vehicle. A vehicle registration link will be sent to each attendee one week before your session with instructions. Please register your vehicle before arriving on campus. Vehicles not registered may receive a parking citation and could be towed. Parking in other lots, reserved spaces, or in fire lanes will result in a parking citation or towing.

Rental Cars: If you are renting a car and do not know your license plate number, you can register for parking upon arrival using the same link provided to you via email.

ADA Parking: Parking in other lots, reserved spaces, or in fire lanes will result in a parking citation or towing. Handicap parking spots on campus are available to registered vehicles with a current permit that is displayed on the vehicle.

Airport Information: The Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (Code: LBB) is less than 20 minutes from Texas Tech and is serviced by American, Southwest, and United Airlines.

Other Transportation Information: For travel information in Lubbock, including rental cars, taxi services, rideshare services, and bus transportation, go to VisitLubbock.org .

Meals During Two-Day Orientations: All students and registered guests will be provided a Fajita Dinner on the evening of Day 1. Students will also receive a buffet breakfast on the morning of Day 2.

Meals during One-Day Orientation: Students will receive a $10 meal card to use at any of the dining locations in the Student Union Building for lunch. Guests can purchase meals on their own at any of our dining locations. All dining facilities on-campus are cashless.

You'll also have access to on-campus dining facilities to purchase additional meals and snacks. All dining facilities on-campus are cashless.

Plan Ahead: Lubbock serves as host to many programs, camps, and festivals throughout the summer. We encourage you to make any additional reservations once you have registered for your RRO session especially if you are arriving early or departing later than your session.

Get Involved & Support Your Student

• Like Orientation Services on Facebook Like Orientation Services on Facebook
• Follow Orientation Services on Instagram Follow Orientation Services on Instagram

Hayley Maxfield Is Ready To Be A Star, Celtics Fans Fighting & 'SUCKMEOV 69' Kings Fan

What's the best value vacation destination for 2024 .

I can't be the only one interested in this topic as we head into May. I know we're in the middle of a period where everything costs a ton and Airbnb is going to slap $250 on every single booking for cleaning fees. 

That's why I want you to give up your honey hole. Share your secrets. What's the best value destination out there right now? 

Yes, we could go to Northern Michigan, again, but I want to hear new places where a vacation budget is going to stretch.

Email: [email protected]

Is it normal in your 40s to get bummed out when your routine (Saturday lunch and drinks at a certain restaurant) is thrown into chaos?

- GenXer Warren M in Florida writes: 

Here’s a little story that I never thought would affect me, and that’s developing routines as we get older, plus dealing with change now vs. in our 20s and 30s. When my Grandpa (and later my Dad and Stepdad) got older, he’d get set in his ways and get into routines. 

Have breakfast a coffee at this place, lunch there, grocery run over here, etc. But if anything were to happen, i.e., the restaurant stopped serving breakfast, it would be hard for him to change that routine, at least at first. In my 20s and 30s, that’s life! Favorite Italian restaurant is sold and the new one stinks? No problem. Routine thrown off, no big deal. I’d manage. But now in my 40s, oh my! I get it! So a few months ago, my Saturday routine was almost upended: Run or ride my bike, clean up, errands, lunch at my favorite local Latin American fast casual restaurant, and read Saturday Screencaps. Great way to get my weekend started. Well, I’m chatting with a regular at the bar (it’s not really a bar, per se, but more of another place to eat and get a cerveza) and the long-time server, who is super nice, drops a bomb on us: They’re going to close the location, go to a new place (across the street) and no longer have TVs to watch, but mostly it will be a take-out place. Oh and it’s her last day. Man, you’d think the other regular(s) and I lost a dear friend, because we panicked! "Whatever shall we do, wherever shall we go?!" As it turns out, the place is open a few more months, but all the regulars are gone. Yes, the restaurant is moving, but it’s to a brand-new building and they will keep some elements from the old one (not the bar). But, again, regulars already left. And then I was like, "Man, now I get it! Now I get why my Grandpa, Dad, and Stepdad would be bummed out if something happened to their regular routines as they got older!" Sorry for the long story, but I wonder if any other Gen Xers out there are experiencing this as they get older? Or am I just an old man? 

Kinsey:  

I'm no Dr. Phil, but I have to believe this is normal mental behaviors that Warren is describing. We have our lives dialed in to a level of comfort and then all of a sudden, it's thrown into chaos by change. 

But, let's look at this positively: Warren now gets to go on the hunt for a new place and that can be exciting. Maybe there's a beautiful, 10 lunch spot out there that Warren didn't know about. Maybe he'll come to learn that this Latin American fast casual was actually a 7, or an 8 on a special day, and there are 10s out there waiting to be discovered. 

Or maybe, at the end of the day, Warren was actually dating a 10 lunch spot and he really did have the best life going. 

Times change. Life changes. At this point, it's all about trying to move forward and remembering the good times at the Latin American fast-casual lunch spot. 

Have you had a moment like what Warren's describing? Tell us about it and how you overcame the heartache.

How would Babe Ruth do against modern pitching? Would he even make the Majors?

– Resident economist Jared P. checks in: 

Your Babe Ruth question reminded me of the Lucas critique in economics, which states that models that do not account for changing behavior of people/firms through time will fail to be helpful. That is, if the model stays the same and people change, the model is using an outdated way of thinking and will therefore project poorly.

How does this relate to your Babe Ruth question? Easy. If we took Babe Ruth as is and stuck him in the modern game, he would probably struggle because he adapted to the game at his time and the game has changed considerably. However, put Babe Ruth in the modern game with all of the modern training/diet/coaching (and let him have that from youth), and he would probably be great. 

Baseball hasn't changed the same way basketball has changed (e.g., prioritizing shooting over low post skills). It's still eye-hand coordination and mechanics. 

Buck-I-Guy stories from the wild: At the valet stand

Disclaimer: Yes, I know Buck-I-Guy is an asshole. Yes, I know Buckeyes fans hate him and wish he'd go away. Yes, I know he is known to refuse photos unless you pay him. 

- Collin writes: 

My friends love to send me anything in the news about the Buck-I-Guy due to the disdain I have for him. I'm sure there are a million stories, could be an entertaining article, what's the worst interaction/most outlandish act from fake famous fans like him.

Mine was back in the winter of 2008. I had finished undergrad and was working a job making $14/hr at the time, we all remember what the market was like at that time so I was valeting for extra money on Fridays and Saturdays. Some company booked BIG to show up to their holiday party and I happened to be valeting that night. It was $3.00 to valet and tips were generally $2 most of the time. End of the night, BIG hands me his ticket and I go get his Lexus LS400 (Not his absurd show mobile), and when I bring the car around and tell him it's $3.00 he starts to try to haggle that he's the entertainment and he should be exempted. I explain that I'm not with the company party and that it's $3.00. 

I still clench my fists when I recall what happened next. He opens his trunk and pulls out a picture of himself and offers me a signed copy of it instead of paying for valet. I was in such shock and didn't even feel like dealing with him since a line was forming waiting to get their car next I just said, take the car and let him off for free.

I'm sure plenty of others are sharing similar stories, if an article like this on dealing with BIG would get traction, feel free to share as much or little as you'd like.

Have a good week.

I said no complaining until Monday

- Tom from Florida sent this on Sunday: 

Why am I getting the Mcafee scams when I'm on screencaps?Seems to be a virus with this site. Not Good!!!

Trust me, Tom, I'm not trying to hack your computer. And when I determine it's a no-complaining weekend, you can't send complaint emails until Monday. 

Disgusting travel ball parents

- Duncan in Georgia writes: 

I've mentioned before that my son plays 11U travel, and we're lucky that our parents and coaches are very chill.  Today we beat a team that was the complete opposite.  Dads telling their kids that they were embarrassments, to swing the bat, etc.  

Every time a kid made an out, or god forbid struck out, they immediately looked at their dad because they knew they'd get yelled at.  If we had a parent do that, our coaches would tell them to leave.  

I like travel ball because my son is a good player, and he needs the competition.  But any time we play a team like today, I just can't understand how parents can act that way.  Keep enjoying the house ball! 

Kinsey: 

I have to keep beating this drum because I can see it coming a mile away. Look at this scenario that reportedly played out this weekend. 

It's coming. It's just a matter of enough parents becoming emotional and high school baseball at the top levels will be dead. 

Ok, now that I have that out of the way, it's a huge week for Screencaps' 12U house ball team. We have three practices and one of those will hopefully be a scrimmage to see what game-action looks like. 

The practice schedule looks like it should be perfectly positioned to avoid rain, so it's time to work on sliding, base-running, chasing down fly balls and continue to get the pitchers comfortable on the mound. 

In other words, it's going to be a busy week for this coach. 

Johnny Manziel stories

- Neil OD writes: 

Beer guy Neil checking in again. A good friend of mine leased a white Range Rover that previously belonged to Johnny Football. When he valeted it at a popular downtown restaurant, the attendant said to my friend, 'This is the first time I've parked this car that is doesn't smell like weed!'

Check your wallet

Make sure to check those dollars! 

 ######################

That's it. Let's get going on the final Monday of April 2024. The sun is out. The A/C is on – Saturday, we went from heat to A/C in a matter of hours – and the plants are growing like weeds. 

Go have an incredible day at work or retirement. 

Numbers from : 

Stuff you guys sent in & stuff i like :.

Money latest: State pensions 'could be in doubt for future generations'

A pensions expert has told Money that if he was 20 today, he would be "sceptical" about the promise of a state pension. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Tuesday 30 April 2024 07:41, UK

• State pensions could be in doubt for future generations, expert warns
• Higher food prices and shortages warning - as new Brexit checks begin
• Royal Mail pausing £5 charge for post carrying counterfeit stamps
• Tesco offering up to £50 in points through 'Clubcard Challenges' campaign

Essential reads

• Swap rates are the reason mortgage rates are rising - what are they?
• Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture: The items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune
• Money Problem : 'A company isn't abiding by written warranty for dodgy building work - what can I do?'  
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches
• Train strikes in May - everything you need to know

Ask a question or make a comment

By Jess Sharp , Money team

We first came across Tom McPhail when he posted this on X... 

The pensions expert appeared to be suggesting state pensions were at risk of disappearing.  

After speaking to him on the phone, he confirmed that was exactly his concern, warning something needed to be done sooner rather than later to avoid a "catastrophic" situation.  

He described state pensions as a social contract – each generation pays taxes and national insurance, which funds the pensions of today's older people, and they hope the following generation will do the same for them.

But with population growth slowing, there's a worry there may simply not be enough people to keep the system afloat in the future.  

"There's a significant demographic shift going on in the UK. It started before the Second World War, cohorts of people born in the 1930s have been experiencing significantly longer lives than was the case prior to that, so people now in their 80s are living quite a lot longer," he said. 

"But at the same time, we've got fewer children coming through. And so this exacerbates the shift in the age of the population."

He said if he was 20 today, he would be "sceptical" about the promise of a state pension because he isn't sure how it's going to be paid for.  

At the moment, the state pension system costs around £120bn a year and more than half of retired people rely on it to make up at least 50% of their income, he added.  

Over the next 50 years, Tom predicts the proportion of GDP the state spends on older people will increase from around 16% to 25%.  

"I hesitate to use the word unsustainable, but it will certainly start to look challenging," he said.  

"If we suddenly switched off the state pension or significantly reduced it, people would be in trouble, so the government can’t do that. 

"You can't keep on progressively ratcheting up a more and more generous state pension. The costs of state pensions is going to become increasingly difficult for the younger cohorts to bear."

He pointed to a few ways to potentially salvage the state pension – policy change, more babies being born or people working until they are in their 70s.  

"Politicians are going to have to make decisions about how to get out of this kind of political bind," Tom added. 

"Time and time again it's just kick the can down the road on the pension question, just put a sticking plaster on it and let the next government deal with the problem. 

"You can't keep doing that. So I would really like to see, on the other side of this forthcoming general election... whoever's in power, in collaboration with whoever's in opposition, to just really open it up to some honest conversations about where the demographics are going to take us." 

He does note there is one piece of good news: "This happens quite slowly, so we do have time on our side." 

Basically, swap rates dictate the pricing of fixed-rate mortgages.

Lenders, such as banks and building societies, borrow in order to lend.

They borrow from financial markets and often these transactions are made using Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) swap rates, which can move around.

By contrast, most domestic mortgages are set on what is known as a "term" rate – in other words, the borrower knows how much interest they will be paying for a set period of time.

To avoid a situation where the SONIA rate goes above the rate it is charging borrowers, which would leave the bank or building society lending at a loss, the lender will seek to enter a "swap" arrangement which protects them from such a situation.

Under such agreements, two parties exchange cash flows with each other. The lending bank will swap the variable payments it may make to service a mortgage (which is fixed to the SONIA rate) for payments at a fixed rate. This insulates the lending bank from unexpected increases in the SONIA rate.

Once a deal is struck based on the swap rate, mortgage providers set their fixed deals for customers, with their own profit margin priced in.

How are swap rates decided?

Swap rates are based on what the markets think will happen to interest rates in the future.

When they go up, so do the rates being offered on the high street, as we have seen in the last week or two amid uncertainty over whether forecasts for a summer base rate cut are accurate.

Read other entries in our Basically... series:

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May. Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's  journey planner  to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying this was way below inflation, and was linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef says train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

Royal Mail is temporarily waiving a £5 charge for unsuspecting members of the public who receive post sent with a fake stamp.

The company said it was developing a new scanner in its app which will let customers scan stamp barcodes and check whether they are recognised counterfeits.

While this takes place, the £5 charge for people who receive the post will be paused, Royal Mail said.

It added that it would work to ensure the sender of items posted with counterfeit stamps are charged instead of the recipient where possible.

Royal Mail chief commercial officer Nick Landon said new security measures alongside its barcoded stamps have "led to a 90% reduction" in counterfeits.

"We want our customers to buy stamps with confidence and always recommend that customers only purchase stamps from post offices and other reputable high street retailers," he said.

Tesco Clubcard users have the chance to secure up to £50 in points over the next six weeks as part of its new "Clubcard Challenge" initiative.

Three million Clubcard holders will be invited to take part in the campaign. If they accept, they'll receive 20 challenges that Tesco says will be "personalised just for them" - of which they can choose up to 10 to complete.

The supermarket giant said it was working with AI company EagleAI to offer the "hyper-personalised" promotion.

Challenges will involve spending a certain amount on a range, such as its BBQ food offering, or type of product, such as plant-based food. Customers who complete the "challenges" will be handed extra Clubcard points.

Lizzie Reynolds, group membership and loyalty director at Tesco, said the company was "very excited" to see how its customers responded.

Let us know what you think of this in the comments box above.

Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next few weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are set to walk out during the early bank holiday in May, with their union warning planes could be "delayed, disrupted and grounded".

Click here to find out when all the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which airlines are affected...

The average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance rose 1% in the first quarter of the year, according to industry data indicating an easing in the steep rises seen last year.

The latest tracker issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showed a 1% increase on the previous three months to £635.

That was despite the average claim paid rising 8% to reach a record of £4,800, the body said.

The ABI said the disparity showed that its members were "absorbing" additional costs and not passing them on.

Nevertheless, the average policy was still 33%, or £157, higher between January and March compared to the same period last year.

Read the full story here ...

Getir , the grocery delivery app, has abandoned a European expansion that is set to result in the loss of around 1,500 jobs in the UK.

Sky News had previously revealed that the Turkey-based company, which means "to bring" in Turkish, had  successfully raised money from investors to fund its withdrawals  from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

It had already departed other countries including Italy and Spain.

The exits were prompted by growing losses linked to the company's rapid expansion.

Waitrose is launching an exclusive range of products with popular chef Yotam Ottolenghi today. 

The Israeli-British chef is famous for his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired food, and has worked with the supermarket to release products including a pasta sauce, spice blend and shawarma marinade. 

It is the first time Ottolenghi has partnered with a supermarket in such a way. 

The full range will be available in Waitrose shops, Waitrose.com and Ottolenghi.co.uk from today, while a selection of products will be available from the supermarket on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. 

An introductory 20% off offer is being launched until 18 June. 

The range includes: 

• Ottolenghi Miso Pesto 165g (£4)
• Ottolenghi Kalamata Olive & Harissa Sauce  350g (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Pomegranate, Rose & Preserved Lemon Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Green Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Aleppo & Other Chillies Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Sweet & Smokey Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Citrus & Spice Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Red Chilli Sauce (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Shawarma Marinade (£4)

Ottolenghi said he had "always been super eager to get our flavours onto people's dinner plates nationwide, not just in London, without having to cook it from scratch every single time". 

He added: "I hate to admit it but the pasta sauce already features heavily in my home kitchen, when no one is looking."

The cost of bread, biscuits and beer could increase this year due to the impact of the unusually wet autumn and winter on UK harvests.

Research suggests that production of wheat, oats, barley and oilseed rape could drop by four million tonnes (17.5%) compared with 2023.

The wet weather has resulted in lower levels of planting, while flooding and storms over winter caused farmers more losses.

The predictions come just as the rate of price increases on many food items begins to slow as inflation falls.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) analysed forecasts from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) and government yield data.

It found a "real risk" of beer, biscuits and bread becoming more expensive if the poor harvest increases costs for producers, according to its lead analyst Tom Lancaster.

Beer prices could be affected because the wet weather is still disrupting the planting of spring crops such as barley, the ECIU said.

And potatoes might also see a price hike in the coming months, with growers warning of a major shortage in the autumn due to persistent wet weather.

By Emily Mee , Money team

When I think about the toys of my childhood - my pink Barbie car, my Gameboy Micro, my collection of Pokemon cards - I can't tell you where they went. 

Maybe they were shipped off to a charity shop at some point... Or perhaps they're in the attic? 

While my hot pink Gameboy Micro is lost to the void of time (or a cardboard box somewhere in my mum's house), other versions of it are selling on eBay for £100 or more. 

And there are Pokemon cards selling for anything from a tenner to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

It's possible you also have items at home that are a collector's dream. 

Gumtree says its collectables category is already proving to be a "hotbed of activity" this year, with listings up 22% in 2024 so far. 

Its most popular items include rare stamps, coins, war memorabilia and Pokemon cards. 

Spring is often the most popular time for buying and selling collectibles, with demand spiking in March and April. 

We've enlisted the help of TV presenter and collectables expert Tracy Martin to give an idea of what could make you an easy buck. 

Old toys making a 'retro comeback'

Tracy explains that while trends change, vintage toys tend to stand the test of time. 

"Toys are always going to be popular because they tap into nostalgia, our childhood memories," she says, explaining that adults like to buy the toys they used to have. 

Perhaps you were into cars, and you've got some old diecast vehicles from Matchbox, Corgi or Dinky Toys. 

A quick look on toy auction site Vectis.co.uk shows a Corgi Toys "James Bond" Aston Martin estimated to sell for between £600 to £700 - while others are likely to fetch £50 to £60. 

Sindy dolls are also particularly sought after - particularly those from the 1960s - and Barbie dolls from the 1990s too. 

Pokemon cards have seen a "massive surge", Tracy says, with people paying "thousands and thousands of pounds" for good unopened sets. 

She's even seen examples of people paying £16,000 upwards. 

Another up-and-coming market is games consoles, such as Gameboys, vintage consoles and PlayStations, which are making a "retro comeback".

What else could earn you some cash?

Tracy says there's currently a surge in people wanting to buy "mid century" furniture, which is dated to roughly 1945 to 1965 and typically uses clean lines and has a timeless feel. 

Vintage Danish furniture is sought after, particularly tables and chairs with good designer names such as Wegner, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen.

Prices range from the low hundreds into the thousands.

People will also look out for vintage framed prints by artists such as Tretchikoff, J.H. Lynch and Shabner - these can range in price from £50 upwards to a few hundred pounds plus. 

Vintage clothes, handbags and shoes can fetch a good price - but you can also invest in modern pieces. 

Tracy suggests looking out for good classic designs with high-end designer names such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. 

Modern designers such as Irregular Choice, Vendula and Lulu Guinness are also collected. 

Collaborations with designers and celebrities can do well as they're often limited edition. 

For example, Tracy says the H&M x Paco Rabanne maxi silver sequin dress retailed at £279.99 last year but now sells for in excess of £600. 

When it comes to shoes, "the quirkier the design the better" - so look out for brands such as Irregular Choice and Joe Browns. 

Converse and Dr Martens collaborations also do well, depending on the design and condition, as well as Adidas and Nike limited edition trainers. 

What's the best way to sell?  

Tracy recommends to always research before selling your items, as they might perform better on different platforms and you can also get an idea of how much they sell for. 

For example, Vinted can be a good place to sell clothes and shoes, while other items might be better suited for sale on Gumtree, eBay or Etsy. 

Tracy's favourite way to sell is through auction - especially if there are specialist sales. 

Vectis is one of the biggest and most popular for toy selling. 

Interests in different periods and items can go up and down, but for the time being vintage pieces from the 1980s and 90s are popular. 

How much you'll be able to get from an item often takes into account its rarity, condition, whether it reflects a period in time, and if it's got a good name behind it. 

You never know - you might be sitting on a treasure trove. 

Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021, according to new data from Zoopla .

The biggest impact of rising interest rates has been in southern England where house prices are higher.

Across the South West, South East and East of England, the annual mortgage cost for an average home is £5,000 higher than previously. This rises to £7,500 in London.

But the universal uptick in mortgage costs has been less pronounced in other parts of the UK, with the North East seeing a £2,350 increase.

In a bid to tackle inflation, the Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.1% in December 2021 to a 16-year high of 5.25% now.

The Zoopla research looked at the average home buyer taking out a 70% loan-to-value mortgage.

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Working Parents, Plan for the Week with This Simple Exercise

• Avni Patel Thompson

To avoid surprises and decision fatigue, take 20 minutes to preview your family’s commitments.

As work travel and hours in the office mount, work parents are feeling the logistical challenges of making every week happen — from kid pickup and dropoff and sports practice to meal planning and doctor’s appointments. The main difficulties lie in managing the firehose of information, coping with decision fatigue, and dealing with surprises like an illness or a forgotten event. The best approach for avoiding — or mitigating — these obstacles is the weekly preview: A planning session between the core adults in the family each week to go over what’s coming. The week’s plan is documented and discussed, highlighting variances from typical weeks and indicating back-up plans for particularly tricky spots.

It’s been nearly four years since we first met Amir and Ria as they were navigating the early months of Covid with two jobs and two young children at home.

• AT Avni Patel Thompson  is the founder and CEO of  Milo, the world’s first app to tackle the invisible load of running and raising a family. She is a third-time founder building technology solutions that make everyday parenting lighter and more connected. Previously she was the founder of YC-backed Poppy. Prior to taking the entrepreneurial plunge, she spent over a decade building consumer businesses at P&G, adidas, and Starbucks. She has an MBA (HBS ’08) and a BSc Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two daughters.

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