Multi-Generation Family Trip

The 3-generation trip - the biggest challenge

Grandmother 72, son 45, grandchild 12, three generations on one trip. Different paces, different energy, different interests. Wanvela ran 14 multigenerational trips in 2024, what we've learned.

First principle - pace at the slowest of the group

If grandmother walks slowly, the trip pace must be slow. Not leaving grandmother behind. So a 3-generation itinerary contains 30–40% fewer activities per day than a core family.

Example, a standard 7-night Italy vs 3-gen:

• Standard · Day 3 Tuscany, Brunello tasting at 10am, cooking class 12pm, Pienza at 4pm, dinner at 8pm
• 3-gen · Day 3 Tuscany, Brunello tasting 10am, long lunch on the estate, free time 3–6pm, early dinner 7pm

Hotels - choosing one that works for every generation

The hotels Wanvela uses for 3-gen need:

• An elevator (not every European hotel has one)
• Connecting rooms, grandmother next to her son
• Indoor heated pool, for the children to swim, grandmother for gentle exercise
• In-house restaurant, so grandmother doesn't have to leave at night if tired
• A concierge who handles accessibility

Hotels that work: Le Bristol Paris, Castello Banfi Il Borgo, The Hermitage Mt Cook.

Activities every generation enjoys

Wanvela's database of multigenerational activities:

• Cooking class · every generation can do it, pasta, pizza, gelato
• Private boat day · children swim, grandmother watches
• Hot air balloon (Cappadocia, Tuscany) · every generation thrilled
• Wine and grape juice tasting · children drink grape juice, adults wine
• Truffle hunting · children love the dogs, grandmother loves the farmhouse lunch afterward
• Cable car experience (Switzerland) · no walking, full view

Activities we avoid

• Hikes longer than 1 hour, grandmother won't do it
• Museums over 2 hours, children get bored
• Active sports, paragliding, skydiving
• Rushed trips like 8 cities in 7 days
• 1-hour connection flights, older travelers walk slowly

Daily pace management

Wanvela's daily 3-gen template:

• 8 am, unhurried breakfast
• 9:30–12:30, morning activity (90 min activity + 30 min rest)
• 1 pm, long lunch (90 min)
• 3–5 pm, nap window for grandmother, swimming for children, spa for parents
• 5:30 pm, group meet for aperitif
• 7 pm, dinner
• 9:30 pm, back to rooms

Avoid 9 pm dinner, the children fade and grandmother is done.

"Grandmother traveled for the first time in her life at 72, Wanvela made her feel honored, not slowed down. To see her happy like that was an image the children will carry." - K. Pim, family of 6, Italy September 2025

Tips for seating on the plane

• Grandmother · Premium Economy aisle near a toilet
• Children · window seats, to watch the clouds
• Middle generation (parents) · between the other two
• Wheelchair service, Wanvela arranges it at both BKK and destination

Health considerations

• Grandmother needs a doctor's letter if on regular medication
• Wanvela requests medication lists for every trip, we carry common drug backups in the first aid kit
• The hotels we choose are all near hospitals (Le Bristol is near Hôpital Cochin)
• Travel insurance at THB 3 million, including pre-existing conditions

Photo memory - important

A 3-gen trip is a photo investment, grandmother may not travel again. Wanvela's photographer captures a formal family portrait in the most beautiful destination (e.g. at Castello Banfi's vineyard at sunset), an image families keep on the mantelpiece forever.

Read our diary from an Italy 6-person trip in 2025.