A family vacation. The idea often sounds far better than the reality. And yet, that doesn’t stop families across the country packing up and jetting off to sunnier climates. In fact, as of March 2025, more than half of millennial and Gen Z parents want to bring their extended family on vacation.
So, if that’s your aim, how should you prepare? A lot of planning. This will make or break your vacation. The biggest challenge will be making sure that everyone’s schedules line up correctly. Sure, it might be easy to sort out the plans you and your kids, but what about your parents? A multi-generation – or 3G – vacation will put even the most organized individual to the test.
With this in mind, you’d better get started. Fortunately, your preparation will be much, much easier if you follow the steps below.
Begin Preparations Early as a Family
If you take one thing from this blog post, let it be this – Start early.
Planning a vacation for five, six, or even ten people takes time. Planning for three generations? That takes even more. Work schedules, school holidays, medical appointments, and social commitments all need to be considered. The earlier you begin, the more flexible everyone will be.
Start with a group conversation. It could be over Sunday lunch. It could be on a video call. Talk about where people would like to go. Some might dream of the beaches of Spain. Others may prefer the culture and food of Italy. Grandparents might want somewhere they’ve always wanted to visit, but maybe they never had the chance before.
Be open. Listen to everyone. Even younger children should share what excites them. When people feel heard, they are so much more likely to stay positive if small issues pop up later.
One you agree on a destination, lock in the dates as soon as possible. Flights and large properties book up quickly. This is particularly true during school breaks. Early booking also spreads out the cost. Many airlines and accommodation providers offer payment plans, which ease financial pressure.
Create a shared online document or group chat. This keeps everything in one place. This avoids confusion. It also reduces the number of “What time is the flight again?” messages two days before departure.
Prioritize Health and Safety
Health becomes even more important when you’re traveling with both children and older adults. What feels like a small inconvenience at home turns into a bigger issue abroad, that’s for sure.
Before you travel, check that everyone has valid passports. Don’t assume your parents’ documents are up to date. Ask. Double-check. Then check again. Everyone must also have appropriate travel insurance. Travel insurance for seniors will differ from insurance policies you might purchase.
Make sure prescriptions are ordered in advance, too. They must be packed in hand luggage. It’s wise to carry a small medical kit – include motion sickness tablets, pain relief, and plasters in this. It anyone has specific medical conditions, research local healthcare options at your destination. It’s best to be prepared for all possibilities.
You should also think about mobility. Cobblestone streets in parts of Rome might look charming, but they’re tiring for older knees. Long airport walks are also a challenge, so arrange airport assistance if necessary. Remember, it’s there for a reason.
For kids, safety might look different. Discuss pool rules. Set clear meeting points if you’re exploring busy areas. Crowded attractions, like in Barcelona and other cities, make it easy to get separated. Having a simple plan prevents panic.
Manage Expectations and Pace
This might be the most important step of all. A 3G vacation is not the time for a packed, sunrise-to-sunset schedule. You are not trying to “see everything.” You are trying to enjoy time together.
Have a few honest conversations before you leave. Some family members may picture lazy mornings by the pool. Others might want guided tours and museum visits. Both are valid. The key is balance.
Build in free time. Plan one main activity per day, not three. It’s easy to become overwhelmed on vacation, so this will help you avoid that. If you’re visiting Florence, for instance, choose one highlight and let the rest of the day unfold naturally. Stop for coffee. Let the kids chase pigeons in a square. Allow grandparents to sit and people-watch.
Also, not everyone will want to attend every activity. Splitting into smaller groups is healthy. Maybe the grandparents rest in the afternoon while you take the kids to the beach. Or perhaps one evening becomes “adults only” while the older generation supervises a movie night.
To conclude, a three-generation vacation will never be perfect. Someone will forget something. Someone will get tired. Plans may change. However, with early planning, careful attention to health, and realistic expectations, your trip will be something special.
Years from now, your kids might not remember every landmark. Your parents might not recall every meal. But they will remember the laughter. The shared stories. The feeling of being together in a new place.
And that makes all the planning worth it.
