Location for a multi generational trip (not cruise)
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Anonymous
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OP, you need to have a real budget. How much per person or family of 4?
All inclusive means everyone pays near the same. Beach houses are more flexible and affordable. |
Anonymous
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Sorry but this sounds awful. I can’t imagine vacationing with that many people, all with varying abilities and interests and budgets. Sounds like a nightmare.
Sure, it sounds fun on paper, especially to gramma, but she is not thinking of the logistics of this whole thing. And a lot of people who responded completely ignored OP’s statement that it needs to be on a cheap budget. |
Anonymous
| Key West? There is a wide range of ages there. And I think most places are driveable so older folks don’t have to walk everywhere. Lots of different activities and attractions, so people could break off according to interest then reconvene for dinner. |
Anonymous
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During times like this -in our family - we have found a central location (NC beaches, smokey Mountains, AZ) has worked well. Since budget seems a priority I would consider either traveling off-season or to places that aren't as popular to get cheaper prices. Not always easy with a big range of ages.
We have family all over the country - our last family reunion needed to be near our oldest member since she couldn't travel. We decided on the SW - since the majority of the family could get there by driving, those flying had plenty of options. It took about 6 months to plan - since the younger ones all had different school schedules - we ended up with only a few days that would work. And honestly, 4 days together with extended family was more than enough time. We located a community center - rented it and paid for a catered family dinner. We rented houses in family clusters - each family working out the expenses related to their house. We had a bbq in a state park. Everyone chipped in for food and had a few cooks. Each family unit had to decide how much they could pay - not everyone made it - but most of the family did. Some people were generous with their time, some with their money. You will really need someone who is a good organizer - it takes a lot of work to pull families together - but its worth it in the long run. |
Anonymous
But demanding grandma who isn’t paying or planning wants a beach! |
Anonymous
| How about a large rental house in a place like Lake Norman NC. Would allow for stuff like the 3 year old taking a nap, while others keep visiting. |
Anonymous
| If your budget is high, Sea Island, GA sounds perfect. Could rent a cottage or do a mix of hotel rooms. |
Anonymous
| So I agree that the key principle here is that you need to find some place that won’t be a massive financial burden on the lower end of the group, and that includes making it drive-able and likely includes renting a group house or two or three so that the lower income family members can scale down. Grandma’s desire for the beach can be factored in but it can’t be the primary factor. Lake houses might be a better option, or just rent in an area that has at least one of the houses with a nice big pool (e.g., rent in the suburbs of a middle-America city, so there are easy daytrips to museums, etc. have the wealthier families rent or split a big house with a big open kitchen and dining area and a pool and then you can rent one or two other houses nearby that can be more basic. Grandma stays at the fun pool house and you all meet up for swimming and a big meal once a day and you all do day trips that people can opt in or out of based on interest. |
Anonymous
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In the end, I bet distance will be a factor, at least for the budget conscious. But I can understand you to wanting to post everyone's locations.
Besides OBX (which frankly, is the obvious choice for large houses at a beach), consider: the Adirondacks (Lake George or Lake Placid) Cape Cod (go as soon as school is out because cost is less then) Acadia NP Smith Mountain Lake Hilton Head Seaside or Amelia Island, FL |
Anonymous
| The most important thing is a budget and where the most price conscious people are starting out. |
Anonymous
| Lol we have a beach insisting grandma who always complains about the beach when we get there because she’s not that mobile anyway. International flights can be cost prohibitive and everyone’s needs passports. I would try North Carolina or the southwest somewhere maybe even Vegas so there are drive options and hotel options for all families. We’ve done all inclusives in the DR and Mexico and they aren’t worth the $$ imo and my kids refuse the kid clubs mostly anyway. The best most reunion we had was in Cleveland where a couple family members lived and took turns hosting big spaghetti dinners or bbqs and we out of towners stayed at a nice hotel and planned family outings to the beach/parks every day. |
Anonymous
| Maybe I’m a terrible person but I promise you I am not wasting a precious vacation with a non-mobile not-paying demanding grandma. I make sure my kids grandparents see them throughout the year and assume all the cost and traveling associated with doing that for them, but I am not planning a vacation around them when they can’t walk or pay or plan and try to tell me how to do it. You can just say no. |
Anonymous
*most inclusive |
Anonymous
| Hilton Head |
Anonymous
| We spend a week each year with 3 other families in Indian Rocks Beach or Indian Shores Florida. Each family rents their own condo in the same building and hangs out together at the pool and beach. The condo buildings along the barrier island are right on the beach with balconies overlooking the Gulf and have elevators. And there are plenty of restaurants and activities to walk to or are a short drive away. |