Having stayed mostly at home the last few months, do you find yourself missing the days of regularly seeing friends and extended family members? Phone calls and Zoom videos are great, but nothing beats connecting in person. Travel has started back up again and what better way to brush off some cabin fever than by taking a vacation together? We expect a lot of pent up demand heading into 2021; so now is the time to get the ball rolling. If the thought of pulling together this type of vacay sounds like more of a chore than it’s worth, understand that the cavalry is here! Here’s our latest advice about group and extended family travel.
Safety first. The world changed in 2020, but family/friends vacations still create unforgettable memories. Those memories deserve to happen in worry-free environments. So whether it’s a private home/villa, your own chartered boat, a suite at a resort with well-defined hygiene and safety practices or a small ship cruise sailing at limited capacity, know that Denise will recommend only those suppliers practicing safe protocols and more.
You can be selective. Whether you travel as an extended family or pair up with another family or two, vacations that cater to multi-generational groups are the fastest growing sector in the industry. With that in mind, we’ll make sure you don’t limit yourself on what’s available. Let’s create plenty of opportunities to bond! Have you considered sailing down the rivers of Europe on a Disney river cruise? What about a getaway to the eco-friendly paradise of Costa Rica, which is attracting families in record numbers? Even African safaris now offer family-friendly packages. Private group tours of Ireland are another hot item. Point is there are attractive options that mold to your group’s wants, not the other way around.
Multigenerational travel still rules. Grandparents who have only been able to enjoy their grands by video are aching to step out and enjoy them in real life! I can attest to that. Safety is of the utmost importance and vacation settings that provide spacious, controlled environments.
We’ll take the stress away. With all of the challenges 2020 has created, a hassle-free vacation has more value than ever. When traveling with multiple generations or another family, there are a lot of logistics that need to be worked through. Parents should certainly have their own happy places to enjoy and children deserve theirs too with fun and creative Children’s Clubs. We’ll also find the best opportunities for you to enjoy together. Booking and managing the flight schedule, getting seats together, as well as private ground transportation and excursions that keep specific needs in mind; these are stressors we take off your plate. With all the work that goes into a successful getaway, it’s shocking that only 15 percent of parents regularly use a travel expert! Families are busy enough with the daily grind. So why stress about the details when you can just focus on what’s important?
But advanced planning is critical. If you regularly read the newsletter, you know this piece of advice comes up a lot. Planning 4th quarter 2020 travel and travel in 2021/2022 is especially important because everyone who didn’t travel this year is longing for a getaway. Be aware of peak times like school breaks and holidays; they’ll book rapidly. My best advice is to plan for the year’s vacations in the year prior to travel.
You’ll thank yourself. After this year’s roller coaster ride, you deserve a getaway. You’ve got the vacation days! The passion for travel still burns in us all. Sounds pretty wonderful, right? 2021 will be an exciting time to travel as we all re-emerge back into the world. What better time to bond with the people you’ve longed to see and make memories over new experiences? With a little time and input from you, we begin creating that space and time having you say, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”! Contact us today.
My goal is to simplify travel-planning through an equal exchange process where I acquire your ideas and expectations for your trip relieving you of the worry, hassle, stress and time that accompanies Do-It-Yourself planning. 