By Dara Mormile

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At first glance, spending a vacation surrounded by parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles may not sound like the typical recipe for rest and relaxation. Yet family travel offers something far more meaningful than a getaway alone. Traveling with loved ones creates opportunities to strengthen bonds, share experiences across generations, and build lasting memories that can be treasured for years to come. Beyond the fun and adventure, these shared journeys foster a deeper sense of connection, belonging, and emotional well-being—making family vacations one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your relationships and your health.

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The rise of multi-generational travel is reshaping the way families vacation. Designed to appeal to travelers of all ages, these shared experiences have long been a meaningful way for families to celebrate milestones, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories together. Today, the trend is becoming increasingly popular as more families recognize the emotional and social benefits of exploring the world side by side.

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According to Leah Martin, travel advisor and founder of Living La Vita Ladies and La Vita Travel, multi-generational vacations represent far more than coordinating a group getaway. In an exclusive conversation with Preferred Health Magazine, Martin explained that these trips provide a unique opportunity for families to reconnect across generations, share experiences, and create cherished moments that often become part of a family's legacy for years to come.

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When a family books a vacation together, it’s definitely about creating shared experiences and trying new things together,” said Martin. “The most appealing aspect is that everyone can do their own thing or plan activities that appeal to them, and then come together for meals and drinks every day to talk about their day. There’s something special about having that bond of spending time together when you’re in another state or country away from your home environment.” 

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There’s something special about having that bond of spending time together when you’re in another state or country away from your home environment.

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According to Martin, cruises are the top booked vacations for family-fun experiences since there’s so much to offer to so many ages. 

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“All-inclusive cruises are the way to go for a lot of large groups because you can customize the activities you participate in together and some of the younger family members can break away for their own excursions,” she said, adding that packaging excursions and trips together are also more economical - and give families a reason to participate collectively. Booking adventures individually also becomes more costly. 

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Martin, who pursued a career in the travel industry 10 years ago, aside from her corporate law profession, travels often with her family. 

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“Our group of 16 people, ranging from ages 7 through about 70, took a vacation to Mexico,” she said, fondly remembering her experiences. “Some of the younger ones did zip-lining, the older ones took walks together - but we all had dinner as a family at the end of the day and shared those stories, learning from each other in some way.” 

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Despite some of the challenges older family members may face if they have limited mobility, Martin said there are plenty of flexible, low-impact adventures like walking tours that families can do as a group as they learn together and try new things along the way. Even spending a day around the pool together can be a relaxing and simple way to unwind together. 

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“What I love is when grandkids experience new things with their grandparents,” Martin marveled. “When I was growing up, it all just happened at grandma’s house. But today we go out and see the world together and kids today will cherish the memories when they get older.” 
 
PHM also spoke with frequent excursionist Jennifer Gonzalez, 49,  who feels the ultimate ‘boarding passes’ to generational travel values are the precious, once-in-a-life-time moments experienced with her family. “Twice a year my mother and father-in-law take all of the children, spouses and all of their grandchildren on a family vacation,” she said. “On our last two trips, there were a total of 21 people; in December we went to Pennsylvania and in February we spent time in Kissimmee Florida.” 

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Gonzalez loves how her family bonds during their exclusive time together. 

“My mother-in-law is very creative when it comes to keeping the children busy,” she said. “Sometimes when we’re in Pennsylvania in the winter, we spend time playing games and doing crafts - depending on the weather. We’ll often travel to the local tree farm for a tour of their historical village. And when we’re in Florida, we’ll choose a different park to go to every year.” 

Gonzalez and her family visited the Bonnet Creek Resort last year. “We also went to Sea World, which features multiple activities for multiple ages - which worked out great! They have Sesame Place/ aquariums and roller coasters, all great adventures for different ranges.” 

Instilling family values of love and celebration and making memories is her favorite part of the adventures. “The best memories about traveling with my family are watching them grow every year,” she said. “My mother-in-law hires a private Mini and Mickey to come to the house and entertain the younger ones. They sing and dance and I do think that that's my favorite part of being in Florida. 

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“At 16, my daughter is the oldest and she helps watch the kids when they're swimming. Our Kissimmee home features its own pool, as well as a movie theater, so she helps them create talent shows for us. Another really exciting tradition we have is someone’s always baking a cake because when we’re traveling there, it’s always around someone's birthday,” she joyfully added. 
 
No matter where your tribe is heading - or what experiences wind up making your itinerary - there’s always room to make reservations and spend quality time with your loved ones! 

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