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Grandparents travelling with grandkids can create special memories for life. These unique bonding experiences can offer a different perspective to both the young and the old, and can greatly enrich their relationship. Susan Mariani Mitchell and Louise Steele are two such grandparents who have chosen to make these extraordinary memories with their grandchildren.
Susan Mariani Mitchell’s Grand Adventures
In 2017, Susan Mariani Mitchell decided to take a unique trip with her twelve-year-old granddaughter to London, England. As a part of a group tour for adults, they visited iconic sites such as the Tower of London and the historic Borough Market. Mitchell was pleasantly surprised by the curiosity and confidence displayed by her granddaughter during the trip.
Following the success of this trip, she decided to take her other two grandchildren on similar adventures, this time via Road Scholar, a Boston-based travel organization known for its education-focused trips designed specifically for grandparents and grandchildren.
With her middle grandchild, she visited Tuscany in Italy, where they learned to cook gnocchi and sauce from scratch. Her youngest grandchild accompanied her on a safari adventure in South Africa, where he crafted a bow and arrow out of wood.
The Trend of ‘Skip-Gen’ Trips
These ‘skip-gen’ trips, where grandparents travel with their grandchildren leaving the parents at home, have become quite popular in recent years. Road Scholar, for instance, offers about 75 unique itineraries for small group trips tailored for grandparents and grandkids.
It’s common for grandparents, like Ms. Mitchell, to take each of their grandchildren on a special trip. For many, it’s almost like a rite of passage when their grandchildren hit a certain age.
Louise Steele’s Memorable Journeys
Louise Steele has embarked on a trip to Iceland and two trips to Costa Rica with three of her grandchildren through Road Scholar. She plans to take one more trip with her youngest grandchild.
Her trips have included glacier tours, learning about geothermal energy, relaxing in hot springs in Iceland, and rock climbing and beach visits in Costa Rica. However, more than the activities, what she cherishes the most is the time spent with each grandchild.
Financing Strategies for Retirement Travel
Though rewarding, these trips can be expensive and may require careful financial planning. Shannon Lee Simmons, a certified financial planner, suggests that a proper plan is the key to enjoying these trips without financial stress.
She suggests several ways to fund travel during retirement – traveling in early retirement, working part-time, setting aside a portion of income, downsizing home or selling other assets, planning a more affordable trip, or using ‘house-swapping’ services.
Meaningful Moments that Endure
Despite the financial considerations, the memorable moments created during these trips are priceless. For instance, at the end of her trip with her youngest grandchild, Ms. Mitchell’s grandson created a touching ritual by burning the bow and arrow he had crafted in South Africa.
These trips, according to Ms. Mitchell, are likely to remain with her grandchildren forever, making them a wonderful heritage to pass on.
