| As more and more baby boomers retire, and | | | | Spending. Don't try to cram everyone |
| seek to spend their golden years in the warm, | | | | into one or two bedrooms to save a few bucks. |
| but often distant, company of children and | | | | Spend the extra money on suitable |
| grandchildren that live many miles away, | | | | accommodations, with amenities such as |
| boomers and GenXers are taking their family | | | | kitchens and kitchenettes, so that everyone |
| reunions on the road as a way to unite the | | | | can be comfortable and instead budget wisely |
| family while enjoying a relaxing vacation at | | | | on things like food, activities and |
| the same time. But, anyone who's | | | | souvenirs. |
| traveled with multiple generations of family | | | | |
| members knows that the ideal dream getaway | | | | 3.      The |
| meant to bring the family closer together can | | | | family that plays together stays |
| quickly turn into a nightmare replete with | | | | together. Since the point of taking a |
| whining, bored and cranky kin if everyone's | | | | family vacation is to be together, make it a |
| interests, privacy, appetites, budgets and | | | | point to have at least one meal or activity |
| timetables are not taken into consideration. | | | | per day together. |
| | | | |
| Knowing that a multi-gen vacation can turn | | | | 4.      All |
| quickly from a blessing to a curse, family | | | | for one and one for all. Pick a |
| vacation options by Shell Family Resorts | | | | destination and resort that everyone can |
| offers properties, amenities, packages and | | | | rally around and has amenities and nearby |
| programs perfectly suited for vacations that | | | | attractions for all age groups to enjoy. |
| include the kids, grandparents, and extended | | | | |
| family, too! | | | | 5.      Who's |
| | | | the boss? Involve the children in |
| Resorts are always an option appealing to all | | | | planning the days' itineraries. Perhaps |
| age groups; which is critical when choosing | | | | give each child one day where they get to |
| the right resort property for a multi-gen | | | | pick the recreational activity and lunch |
| vacation. It could be a winter break at one | | | | option for the family. As an additional |
| of Shell's Hawaiian properties such as the | | | | trip-planning resource, many of Shell's |
| Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy or the | | | | properties' websites offer sample itineraries |
| Kona Coast Resort with all the summer-sun | | | | and day trip ideas that are crowd-pleasers |
| activities kids and parents could want | | | | for the entire family. |
| including snorkeling, parasailing, sailing | | | | |
| and surfing off white sand beaches or a fall | | | | 6.      Play |
| break to the Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix , | | | | "outside the box". Make it a point to |
| which offers an 18-hole championship golf | | | | try something new that you normally wouldn't |
| course, Â spa, and daily activities for | | | | do, especially if it means doing it with one |
| all ages including bilingual story time, | | | | of your loved ones. If grandpa loves to |
| bingo and arts 'n crafts such as face | | | | golf, offer to tee off with him. If the |
| painting. | | | | kids are into face painting, allow them to |
| | | | paint yours. |
| Another option for families is Condo Rentals | | | | |
| and Expansive Suite Accommodations. Offering | | | | 7.      Two |
| the greatest value, and giving vacationing | | | | words: date night. Arrange for at least |
| families the maximum amount of flexibility | | | | one "date night" to re-group away from the |
| and privacy, condo and suite accommodations | | | | kids during your family vacation. Hire |
| are almost de rigueur at Shell's resorts. | | | | a sitter through your resort or, better yet, |
| Varying by region and with floor plans | | | | leave them with grandma and grandpa-one of |
| ranging from 175 to 2,600 square-feet of | | | | the many perks of a multi-gen vacation! |
| space, stylish suites, cozy casitas, | | | | |
| beachfront lanais and upscale condos with | | | | 8.     Play |
| lofts allow ample room for children to play | | | | hooky. To get more bang for your buck |
| and make noise in the living areas, while | | | | on a multi-gen vacation, consider booking |
| grandparents nap in the bedrooms. | | | | trips over weekdays, when rates are lower, |
| Additionally, most of  these | | | | instead of weekends. Even simply |
| accommodations are also equipped with | | | | checking in on a Sunday and checking out on a |
| kitchens or kitchenettes including amenities | | | | Wednesday check-out could save you hundreds |
| such as refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, | | | | of dollars in lower rates. Also, take |
| coffee makers, dishes and cutlery, thus | | | | advantage of multi-night incentives offered |
| allowing families to save money by dining in | | | | during the week. |
| rather than going out to costly restaurants | | | | |
| for every meal. Shell Vacations | | | | 9.      Point |
| Hospitality even has a web site for recipe | | | | of view. To make sure the trip is |
| ideas! | | | | documented through everyone's perspective, |
| | | | arm everyone, kids included, with their own |
| Tips for Keeping the Peace on a Multi-Gen | | | | disposable cameras. When you get home, |
| VacationHere are some survival tips on how to | | | | your scrapbook will be sure to include the |
| get away together and manage to return home | | | | trip's most candid, and often, most fun |
| stronger than ever. | | | | moments. |
| | | | |
| 1.      | | | | 10.   Keep it in |
| Breathing room. Allow for some | | | | perspective. When things get stressful |
| unscheduled, free time in each day's | | | | and you begin to feel like you've had a |
| itinerary. Don't require everyone to be | | | | little too much together-time, remember to |
| together 24/7. | | | | appreciate that you are all healthy and |
| | | | financially able to vacation together. |
| 2.      Smart | | | | |