When planning a multigenerational vacation, the possibilities seem endless. However, there are vacation destinations that are not fit for families. A major task in deciding where to go is knowing where not to go.
Traveling as a multigenerational family has its own set of drawbacks. The last thing you want to do on your multigenerational vacation is to go somewhere undesirable for anyone in your party. So, what vacation destinations should you avoid, and why?
Not All Vacation Destinations Are Multigenerational Friendly
Some vacation destinations are just not suitable for everyone. Whether these destinations are just not places for all ages or they are too dangerous to consider visiting with varying age groups, some places should be avoided. In this article, we will discuss the worst vacation destinations for:
- Seniors
- Young Children
- And Families in general.
To help you plan the ultimate multigenerational vacation while avoiding a nightmare.
Where Not to Vacation with Senior Family Members
If you are vacationing with your grandparents, you will want to avoid destinations that will be unpleasurable or dangerous to them. For example, unless the seniors in your family are very active and healthy, you probably will not want to climb steep mountain trails or go on a bicycling tour of Maui.
When planning your multigenerational vacation with elderly family members, you need to consider:
- Mobility issues. If your parents or grandparents are not as mobile as the rest of you, they will not have much fun on a vacation that requires a lot of walking or climbing. They will probably spend a great deal of time alone in their hotel room while the rest of the family ventures to more thrilling places.
- Health issues. Some destinations could pose serious health risks to your senior family members. If your family members suffer from heart or blood pressure problems or they have trouble breathing you may want to re-think a trip that is at a high altitude, or visiting underdeveloped countries. You should also stay within easy access to knowledgeable medical professionals in case someone is injured or sick.
- Comfort Issues. Many seniors have difficulty regulating their body temperature, so temperature extremes should also be considered. Places that get extremely hot or cold could cause the grandparents extreme discomfort. They may also tire easily and need comfortable places to rest or sleep.
By taking these issues into consideration, you will be better able to recognize vacation destinations unfit for your senior family members.
Where Not to Vacation with Young Children
Places you don’t want to go or cannot go with children are numerous. These destinations are often much more fitting for adults but not for multigenerational families with children. So even some of the advertised “kid friendly” vacations may not be what they are cracked up to be.
Here are some of the worst vacation destinations to take young children:
- Places like Las Vegas. Anywhere that gambling is the draw is not a suitable place to bring the kids. They are too young to be in the gambling areas of the casinos.
This means an adult must sit with them in the motel room, or you separate and leave older kids in the arcade areas. There just isn’t much for young children or teens to experience in a gambling environment.
- Places where the night-life is the highlight. Vacationing at places like Bourbon Street in New Orleans is great if you’re an adult and want to party. It is not a great place for young children. Your child will be bored or overwhelmed in such a setting. It could be potentially dangerous for a child as well.
- Certain Cruises, such as Viking Cruises, do not allow children at all. Even some cruise lines that allow children, such as Disney, will not allow a child under six months on the cruise.
- Avoid places with steep terrain and cliffs that must be traversed on foot, such as the Amalfi Coast. Using strollers may be less than ideal in these settings. If you have a child old enough to walk but still get tired easily, it may be best to avoid these areas.
Vacationing with children requires a juggling act unlike anything else. A lot of gear needs to be brought with you depending on how young your child is, and the younger the child, the more likely they will require you to carry or hold them often.
Certain families may be able to traverse a vacation that requires a lot of hiking. If you are a family that has perfected the art of front packing or backpacking, and your young child is perfectly at home snuggled next to you, you will not need the stroller as much or at all.
Vacation Destinations to Avoid as A Multigenerational Family
Even though most places will tout that they are family friendly, and there is something for everyone, this isn’t true. Unfortunately, many families discover too late that their dream vacation was not what they hoped for.
As a multigenerational family, you should avoid vacations that are:
- Extreme in nature. Cliff Camping or a Camel Caravan are two examples of extreme vacations. These may sound thrilling, but they are not suitable for a multigenerational family quest.
- Boring destinations. Places such as Hollywood are just not what they are cracked up to be. You are not likely to run into celebrities, and there really is not much to do, aside from shop.
- High conflict risk. There are many countries that are unstable places to vacation. Two of these include Somalia and Haiti. Which at the moment are extremely volatile, and travel to these destinations is not recommended.
- Hostile toward Americans. These destinations can and do change often. They are easily found with a quick internet search. As of writing this article, it is noted that China is considered a destination to “re-think” traveling to. This is due to Covid-19 restrictions as well as hostile propaganda, especially in Hong Kong.
Choose your vacation destination wisely. You should avoid conflict areas at all costs and aim for places that have something special for everyone.
Avoid Booking a Bad Multigenerational Vacation Experience
The idea behind a vacation with your family is to make it pleasurable enough for everyone that they want to do it again at some time. There are ways to avoid having a negative vacation with your multigenerational family.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid choosing a bad vacation:
- Be observant of your family’s needs and abilities. If the grandparents need to use a wheelchair or scooter, you probably want to avoid a sandy beach or mountainous terrain.
- Include your multigenerational family members in your travel planning. Communicate with them by having them help you with vacation ideas that appeal to them.
- Research the destinations thoroughly! Just because a place boasts family friendliness and activities does not mean they are a great place for family vacations. Look at the reviews from other vacationers.
- Choose a vacation that is not too long in duration. According to Travel and Leisure the perfect family vacation lasts precisely eight days.
Planning well in advance with the help of your multigenerational family members will help you when choosing a great place for everyone involved.
Know What Vacations to Avoid as a Multigenerational Family
Knowing what vacations to avoid as a multigenerational family group can be difficult. However, if you take your time during the planning stage and thoroughly research vacations of interest to all of you, you will be able to find a vacation full of fun and thrills.
