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