Destination Family Reunion

Turn a Family Reunion into an Amazing Travel Experience

Sep 11, 2006 Kelby Carr

The old-fashioned family reunion in grandma's backyard is so last summer. The destination family reunion allows everyone to get together, while also enjoying a fun trip.

There are many reasons to consider a destination family reunion. They are especially appealing if family is already spread around the country or globe anyway. They provide a unique opportunity for several family members to bond while learning and experiencing new places.

They don't have to be exotic or expensive. Here are some ideas for planning a destination family reunion.

Keep it simple

There's no need for a pricy trip to a faraway land staying in expensive hotel rooms. Family reunion goers have one distinct advantage: a quantity of people. This means several people can share a vacation beach house, or you can get a volume discount for a family cruise. Several hotels do offer discounts as well.

Pick the right spot

Think carefully before choosing the destination. If people are spread out or even in the same region, try to find a central location so no one family feels slighted.

Also consider destinations that have a special meaning for the family. Did the grandparents immigrate from Germany? Have a reunion in their hometown, and learn more about the family history.

Look for fun destinations

OK, the kids won't exactly get nuts over a really boring destination. That's a fact. Try to find destinations that have something for everyone: cool kid activities, plus great museums and art galleries, shopping options and sporting events. Indoor water park hotels make a great choice, and many cater to reunions.

Accommodate everyone

Even if you are single and the carefree adventurous type, plan the trip with the youngest baby and the oldest great grandparent in mind. Odds are, the wilds of South America or a rugged hiking getaway aren't great choices.

Look for a destination that will be easy for everyone to enjoy, and no one will be confined to their hotel room for an inability to get around comfortably.

Forget summer family reunions

What's great about the destination reunion is you aren't locked to summer, when the mass of family members can spread out outside for a barbecue. In fact, a family vacation over Christmas can be ideal.

Several cruise lines offer holiday cruises, for example. The Christmas markets in Europe are a wonderful choice as well.

Plan well ahead

One thing you don't want to do is plan a destination family vacation on short notice. Remember that everyone has to arrange to get there, reserve a place to stay, get time off from work and school, and save money for the trip.

You might also consider chatting with some of the main families who will attend, to simply check and see if there are dates or places that don't work at all.

In the end, the planning and expense will be worth it. Getting a chance to travel with kids, bond with family members and visit a fun destination will bring memories you'll cherish for years to come.

The copyright of the article Destination Family Reunion in Family Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Destination Family Reunion in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Destination reunions are growing in popularity.

Comments

Sep 13, 2006 9:13 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

I really love the idea of a destination family reunion! I mean, if you don't live near most of your family, you are taking a trip to see them ANYWAY, so why not make it somewhere interesting, that everyone can appreciate at the same time? Great article. :)
Jen

Sep 15, 2006 8:17 AM

Amanda Kendle :

I had a kind of destination family reunion with all my step-family in California a couple of years ago. Someone picked a hotel pretty much in the middle of where everyone lived and everyone was together for the first time in years - and the first time I'd seen my stepbrothers and sister and their kids all together. In some ways it wouldn't really have mattered where we were - as proven by the fact that I can't even remember where it was! It's a lovely holiday idea, I think :-)
Amanda

Sep 15, 2006 12:17 PM

Jill Florio :

maybe I should host a destination reunion up here on the San Juan islands or something cool.

hmmmm, come to think of it, my wedding was a destination reunion - we all met at a very hidden place deep in a volcano, 13 miles off the paved roads in central Arizona. (stoneman lake, if anyone knows Arizona). Tons of age groups were involved and the actual wedding was kinda incidental to everyone seeing each other again. :)

Sep 16, 2006 11:19 PM

Alan Sorum :

This is worth investigating. Our family is strung from end of the country to the other. Everyone has to travel at least a bit to get together. Might as well go to a great place! Stoneman Lake? We were married at Goldwater Lake...

Sep 17, 2006 10:44 AM

Kelby Carr :

I think it would be really cool to have a family reunion at the same spot you got married. Why not have it coincide with an anniversary? Shoot, you could renew your vows there and have that be the excuse for all the family to get back together. Who says it JUST has to be a reunion...?

Sep 18, 2006 9:28 AM

Jill Florio :

I spent a lot of time at Goldwater Lake when I lived in Prescott. Cool.

there isn't any more actual water in Stoneman, but there still was when I got married. We stayed at the Stoneman Lake Lodge. it was wonderful. all my relatives were trapped - part of my evil plan - , so we had a very intimate time. we rented out the whole lodge plus the bunkhouse for my camping friends.

Sep 19, 2006 5:13 AM

Kelby Carr :

Wouldn't it be fun to go back there for a reunion? We actually always wanted to renew our vows in France (sooo much easier than getting married, which requires living there for a month first). We would do it at the chateau where we spent our first night of our honeymoon. They even host weddings! How fun would that be. Of course, I wonder how many people would go that far for something lika a vow renewal. On our honeymoon, we said we'd aim to do it for our 10th anniversary... which is just four years away...

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