AP Features, February 12th, 2007
My kids adore their grandma. She loves to go to the movies, eat cookies and listen to the accomplishments of her darling grandchildren.
She is my husband's mother, and he grew up learning to love travel in large part because of her. She was intrepid as a young mother with three kids of her own, taking them on cruises, around Europe and Israel, and across the United States on many a road trip.
But we haven't had many travel experiences with her as a three-generation unit, and on that count, we are behind the curve, because lots of companies are offering what they call inter-generational trips.
The Travel Smart Newsletter _ http://www.travelsmartnewsletter.com _ focuses on "Grandparents on the go" in its current issue.
The newsletter lists its five "favorite" inter-generational trips as follows:
-Austin-Lehman Adventures. Focuses on outdoor and multi-sport family vacations, with hiking, biking, riding, and rafting; 800-575-1540, http://www.austinlehman.com.
-Elderhostel. These intergenerational programs tend to focus on learning (Gettysburg, farm life, nature, pirates) and also destinations like Washington D.C.; 800-454-5768, http://www.elderhostel.org.
-Generations Touring Company. Trips to the Galapagos, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, and "Baseball's Sacred Grounds," taking in Yankee Stadium, Cooperstown (and the Baseball Hall of Fame) and Boston's Fenway Park; 888-415-9100, http://www.generationstouringcompany.com.
-Grandtravel. A division of Academic Travel Abroad; runs programs to Alaska, Australia, Greece, Hawaii, Kenya, London and Paris; 800-247-7651, follow the link at http://www.grandtravel.com/
-Rascals In Paradise. Noted for combining diving and diapers with family packages to resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico and South Pacific. Designed so everyone can learn to snorkel, swim, dive or simply wade about; 415-921-7000 or http://www.rascalsinparadise.com.
___
This week's advice: If you're considering organizing an inter-generational trip with kids and their grandparents, Travel Smart also suggests that you ask some questions before you sign up: How many people will be in the group or on the tour? What is the average age of the adults? Of the children? What is the level of activity - high, average, very low? How much time to rest between activities? How often do we unpack? Will adults have time to themselves? If not, is there baby-sitting available? What happens if a participant gets sick? Can the trip accommodate those who use wheelchairs, canes or walkers?
___
If you have a question, comment or a story to share, e-mail bharpaz@ap.org.
