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