Ideas for dream vacation with extended family

[Anonymous]

Great ideas here:
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/family-reunion-resorts

I’d suggest paws up in Montana or another dude ranch

[Anonymous]

What’s the budget?

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/family-vacations/ani-private-resorts-launches-ultimate-make-up-celebration-trip-for-170000

[Anonymous]

Texas Hill Country outside of Austin.
Dripping Springs.
Rent the casitas here. Every family has their own.

https://www.hillcountrycasitas.com/lodging

[Anonymous]

Alisal Guest Ranch in California
https://alisal.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:African safari. I would go for Botswana. Maybe stay at Little Mombo where you would have the entire camp to yourselves. Lots of bonding time around campfires and in the cars looking for animals.

No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Separate quarters. Wherever you go, all must have separate quarters. Make that the highest priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love to do this once every few years and we'll get a big house somewhere in Europe. It's always so fun. We went to Spain in 2019 and stayed at this house (https://www.elmolinospain.com/). Was wonderful - huge grounds with a pool and tennis and animals and fresh eggs from the chickens. And close to a lot of really great places. I think we went to Ronda, Granada to see the Alhambra, Malaga, and Seville.

We've also done this in Provence and Italy and it always works out well.

Any recs for specific houses in Provence or Italy?

I've been digging through all of my travel stuff and just cannot find the name of the Italy house, sorry! But here's the one we stayed in in Provence a few years ago: http://www.onlyprovence.com/villas/hirondelles/?search=true&sort=&dateArriving=&dateDeparting=&sleeps=8&beds=&baths=&price=&pl=IP&collection=&v=IP&weeks=4&am1=&am2=&am3=&am7=&am9=&am10=&am12=&am5=&am6=#prop-village

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/17/travel/multigenerational-family-vacation.html

This isn't about places but mindset and expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:African safari or Nile river cruise/egypt.

Not suitable for such young children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What time of year will this be?
+1 for Galapagos or African safari, or renting a big villa in the Mediterranean with amazing views.
I would also recommend Morocco, there are amazing huge houses with pool to rent - and do a night or two of desert luxury glamping.
New Zealand could also be amazing - nature, views, etc.

OP check out Black Tomato Travel for inspiration - they have ideas for different age groups of kids, and family trips that will give you some great ideas.

I can't believe how boring so many PPs are...OP said a dream, once in a lifetime vacation and you think of Outer Banks, Disney, AI resort, or a cruise???

Probably because most of us wouldn't want to be doing extravagant travel like NZ with a one year old, and are being realistic about everything from vaccinations to entertaining a toddler on a flight to time change/sleep issues. Totally up for those destinations if not for the little kids in tow.

[Anonymous]

Basically “dream” vacations don’t come with toddlers. Lower expectations and just being together will be a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All inclusive.... actually anywhere. The goal is to be together as a family but not too much togetherness.

This is what we do. Never for 2 weeks though... longest was 5 days with us all there. here are kids programs and adult only things too. You don't have to police the kids in what they eat/drink. (My tween lived on virgin daiquries). The women can do things together and the men can do things together. Each couple can go do things alone together. The grand parents can hang out with the grand kids alone together. Those who want to get up early can. Those who want to stay up late can. Those who want to sit by the pool most of the day can. For us, since everyone is paying their own way - one family can stay for 3 nights where another stays for 10. Each family can get the type/size of room they can afford (or they feel is worth it to them).
.

We have a agenda per se, so everyone knows when they are expected to be as a group. We mainly meet up for brunch or dinner. We have one night where we get food and bring it back to one family's room. One night where we do a talent show with the kids. One day where we adults couples go to a show and the grandparents watch the kids (without the baby's mom "helicoptering" over it).

do you have specific recommendations of places?

[Anonymous]

We did this for my parents’ anniversary, and went to Yellowstone. Key factor: we stayed in the Old Faithful Inn. DH and I had an 8-month-old at the time, and a 3yo, so some days one of us stayed back from the planned activity with the baby. I have to say, breastfeeding with a cover while sitting on the deck watching Old Faithful was not so bad, as far as baby-limited-vacationing goes. And we were able to do plenty of things with everyone, including a wonderful boat ride on one of the big lakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did this for my parents’ anniversary, and went to Yellowstone. Key factor: we stayed in the Old Faithful Inn. DH and I had an 8-month-old at the time, and a 3yo, so some days one of us stayed back from the planned activity with the baby. I have to say, breastfeeding with a cover while sitting on the deck watching Old Faithful was not so bad, as far as baby-limited-vacationing goes. And we were able to do plenty of things with everyone, including a wonderful boat ride on one of the big lakes.

You’ll have to book that trip at least a couple of years ahead, and good luck getting enough rooms for all those people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did this for my parents’ anniversary, and went to Yellowstone. Key factor: we stayed in the Old Faithful Inn. DH and I had an 8-month-old at the time, and a 3yo, so some days one of us stayed back from the planned activity with the baby. I have to say, breastfeeding with a cover while sitting on the deck watching Old Faithful was not so bad, as far as baby-limited-vacationing goes. And we were able to do plenty of things with everyone, including a wonderful boat ride on one of the big lakes.

You’ll have to book that trip at least a couple of years ahead, and good luck getting enough rooms for all those people!

Well, my mom booked our trip one year in advance, and it involved getting five rooms at the Old Faithful Inn, but feel free to stomp all over this when you haven’t actually lived it.