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Partly a way for grandparents, parents, children and extended family members to get together for an unforgettable holiday, and partly a cost-saving trick for those lucky enough to have parents and grandparents with disposable income – it’s no surprise that this holiday style has surged in popularity in recent years.
Although extremely exciting to think about all your loved ones under one roof in a villa in Son Bou, Albufeira, Elounda or Protaras – those planning a multi-gen trip away should remember that if managing your immediate family of maybe three of four people is already hard, then doubling that for a week in a foreign country will naturally come with some challenges.
As such, it pays to think about the most suitable locations, villa types and amenities that will keep your multi-gen family holiday running smoothly.
How to choose a location that will keep my multi-gen family happy?
Children and older people are more vulnerable to heat and sun for different reasons. Babies and children tend to sweat less and have a higher metabolism which makes them hot faster, while elderly relatives tend to feel thirsty much less and may take medications that interfere with temperature control.
While much of the world has battled with heatwaves this summer, there are locations within southern Europe that you can opt for that tend to be cooler. Madeira rarely experiences extreme heat because of high elevation and being surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Similarly, the Algarve is generally cooler because of the Atlantic breeze. Croatia is another safer bet for a cooler-cation, especially northern destinations like Istria which rarely experience heatwaves as extreme as southern Croatia and other southern Balkan nations.
It’s worth also considering shoulder season travel which in addition to lower temperatures brings with it lower costs and better villa availability. If you aren’t travelling with school-age children or adults who are primary or secondary school teachers, you benefit from greater flexibility by being able to travel in term-time.
Think also about how differences in urban planning might affect your guests’ mobility during a multi-gen family holiday. Protaras in Cyprus, for example, is very flat with few cobbled streets which means older relatives and pram-pushing new parents can get around with ease. And with shallow, calm waters, this region is very safe for young children and far more relaxed than some of the party-heavy destinations on the island.
What property style is best for a multi-gen family holiday?
The larger the villa, the better. Look for properties that have upwards of four separate bedrooms with lots of communal areas and garden space so family members can spread out and have that all-important alone time. SPL Villas has lists of curated holiday villa collections which includes Villas for Large Groups - properties that can sleep the whole crew, providing you with enough room to enjoy your own space and privacy both inside and out. These properties often come with grand terraces, lots of outdoor seating, cooking and dining facilities, media rooms boasting large-scale flat-screen TVs and top-of-the-range games consoles, as well as rooms for table football and table tennis. Villa Margarita Calla in Cala d’Or and Villa Shangri La in Zakynthos both feature separate annexes while Cabana Barcelo in Cala d’Or offers two separate living spaces providing that all-important breathing room for large families. It’s entirely normal to feel a bit of cabin fever when on holiday with extended family as none of you are used to spending so much time together. The key is healthy separation and boundaries that ensure you leave the holiday feeling well rested and excited to holiday with them again.
How can my travel agent make my multi-gen family holiday run smoothly?
Making sure a multi-gen family holiday goes without a hitch is tricky to do single-handedly. Having the support of an experienced travel agent or dedicated concierge can take the stress out of organising every detail, leaving you free to enjoy your time together.
At SPL Villas, our concierge team can organise airport transfers each way and private taxis for getting around the destination. From airport hotels and lounge access to discounted parking and fast-track security passes, we’ll help ensure your holiday gets off to the best possible start.
While some families enjoy making an adventure out of exploring new supermarkets and cooking together in their home away from home, others can’t be bothered to play kitchen manager for a gaggle of amateur chefs preferring to spend more time relaxing. If that’s you, we can arrange for a local chef to rustle up delicious meals and take care of everything, including the washing up!