The days are long gone when the kids just go along.
To be fair, they may not always have been happy with your choices. Mine certainly weren’t. By the time they were in high school and certainly college and beyond, the proposed trip had to be something they really were interested in doing (skiing in Austria for one daughter; hiking along the Amalfi Coast with another; sailing in the Caribbean with my son, for example.) I’ve just about given up getting all three of them and their partners to be free and interested in the same trip.
These days, I jump at the chance when one of the kids suggests a trip—like my older daughter did recently when she still had time off and her husband was away on business. We opted for a road trip with her and her pooch for a few days to San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast for hikes, wine tasting and exceptionally good eats.
According to the latest American Travel Sentiment Survey from Longwoods International, Americans are planning more travel in every category compared to last year, visiting friends and relatives, national parks, taking road trips, among their choices.
“Despite some potential headwinds, travelers are planning to be on the road and in the air this fall travel season,” said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International. “Strong travel demand appears to be overwhelming any inflation or recession fears, at least for now.”
The key to everyone’s happiness is a trip that will please everyone—and that isn’t always easy to achieve. Also, if there are no young kids in the mix, you don’t want to suggest a place that will be packed with other people’s children and grandchildren.
What’s your budget? Are you picking up the tab or do you expect the kids to pay for part of the trip—perhaps a flight? Do you have airline or credit card points you can offer? Consider something they wouldn’t be likely to do on their own.
If your kids are out of college (and aren’t teachers) fall can be a great time to get away. Crowds are gone in many places; prices have come down and the weather (hopefully) will have turned cooler.
Consider the Caribbean! You don’t need a passport to go to the U.S. Virgin Islands. September is not the most popular month to travel to the USVI, meaning that visitors will be able to book hotels at a lower rate, and finally take advantage of uncrowded white-sand beaches and clear blue waters without hassle. If you want an all-inclusive, Sandals resorts are adult-only (Beaches is their family brand) and everything is included, even scuba diving. Check out their deals.
For those who want to get off the tourist track without any heavy lifting, kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, wild-life watching consider an adult-only UnCruise Adventures, all-inclusive trips with ships under 100 guests cruising everywhere from Alaska to Northern Baja, the Aleutian Islands, Olympic peninsula and the Hawaiian Islands. Save$400 per person for sailings in Baja or Hawaii.
National parks are terrific in fall as are mountain towns with great wildlife viewing, foliage and an easier time getting into restaurants, as well as hotel deals. The dog-friendly Sebastian Vail is touting 15 percent off for stays of three or four nights. Aspen’s condo resort Gant, walking distance to downtown, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with gifts, $50 food and beverage credit, a private guided half-day fly fishing adventure and more. (Packages start at $435.)
Just make sure to get everyone’s approval before you put down a deposit!