Celebrate!

Celebration Vacations

Not that you need an excuse to travel but if you did, there's no better reason to hit the road than to celebrate a special occasion. Whether it's a special birthday or milestone anniversary, a graduation, retirement or even a baby moon mark the occasion with a dream trip and ensure that your celebration is one to remember.

How to get the party started:

1. Figure out who's going.

Is this a couple's trip or a trip with couples? Is this just for the girls? Or is it a multi-generational trip to celebrate grandma's 80th birthday? Who is going brings up many different considerations from distance to accommodations to activities.

2. Consider cost.

Who's paying and how much is the budget?

3. Who is involved in the planning?

If there are multiple people giving input make sure they are available for the initial planning session.

4. What time of year can you travel?

Your budget will dictate whether you can go to Hawaii during high season or shoulder season. You might have your heart set on a location only to find that it’s hurricane season when you can get there.

5. Get help.

When it comes to multi-generational trips (or group travel in general) coordinating the details takes time - and patience. A professional travel consultant can help you pick the best location for your group, organize accommodations and activities, and help with the little details so you can celebrate and not worry about the little things.

Where to go?

Deciding where to go is the best part. Maybe you have a definite idea or maybe you don’t know where to start. Make a list but keep an open mind - your travel expert may know about destinations or options you haven't considered.

Other things to think about:

Where you go will often be dictated by the time of year, who's going, and what your budget is. Figure these things out first.
Are young children going? Similarly, are there older family members attending? Consider the distance everyone needs to travel, the accommodation options (connecting rooms), and the activities planned. Make sure your destination includes activities for everyone. If your 85-year-old grandma isn't up for horseback riding set up a high tea or a cooking class while the younger travelers hit the trails.
Consider the environment. Nothing can ruin an adult getaway faster than finding out you are at a huge family-friendly resort. Similarly, families don't want to bring young, energetic kids to a resort where splashing in the pool is frowned upon.
Do you want an active trip, a week of sipping cocktails on the beach, or a world-wind city tour with romantic dinners and theater tickets?
Again, if multiple people are involved in the planning get everyone's lists and hone in on a handful of spots.

Get inspired

Planning a large, multi-generational family trip? Consider...

A cruise to Alaska or the Mediterranean. Group meals on cruises are easy to organize, activities and excursions are available, and onboard entertainment will keep everyone happy.
A family-friendly resort in Costa Rica, Hawaii, or South Carolina or a similar destination with activities on and off property for everyone.
A tour company that specializes in family vacations. They have a structure in place to help with your group but your travel consultant can help fine-tune the experience.

Milestone birthday coming up? Try...

A villa in the Tuscan hillside with cooking class, private wine tastings, and sightseeing stops in Rome and Florence.
Chartering a boat for a sun-soaked fete around the Ionian islands in Greece.
How about a spa weekend in Arizona or a weekend in Napa Valley with the girls?
Hitting the best golf courses in Scotland or Ireland with 10 of your best friends.

Special anniversary? Celebrate...

Your wooden anniversary (5th, by the way) on a boat in the Caribbean.
Your 25th anniversary by reliving your honeymoon in Bora Bora.
Your 40th anniversary (ruby) in the "red city" of Marrakech.

The possibilities are endless...Celebrate them all!