Family matters

What’s more, this issue is often further accentuated with extended family who might feel as though they’re missing out too, with even fewer chances to gain quality time with their children and grandchildren. 

This idea of multi-generational travel – which tends to involve three generations going away – has become a key trend over the last year, with the frequency of bookings rising to one in three trips. And this increase in demand isn’t down to grandparents being invited along to be auxiliary babysitters; it’s about creating wholesome experiences together and can involve aunts, uncles and cousins, too.

No longer are families just jetting off to a five-star hotel in the Caribbean to sit on a beach; now these excursions involve private chefs to relieve pressure from mealtimes and curated cultural tours with art historians to transform ordinary museum trips.

As a result, the question for families embarking on a new ‘multi-gen’ holiday is much less about the ‘where’ and ‘how’, and far more about the ‘why’ and ‘with whom’. In new surroundings and in the right space, routines and schedules can be left behind and normal hierarchies between generations can be removed. Parents can stand on an equal playing field with their children, whether that’s laughing over their favourite fashion faux pas in a visit to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum or forging new skills together with private Mediterranean cooking courses.

Often it has little to do with the destination but more the personalisation of activities. Carrier believes in the power of a trip to really make a family and so works closely with partners to ensure complete customisation to everyone’s needs, removing the stress of organising and providing the detail required for such an important holiday.

Is it about sharing adventure or is it about relaxation and just spending rare moments of quiet together? Whatever the needs and goals of each person in your family, Carrier ensures everything is booked in advance. Every small detail is well taken care of before you’ve even thought about it, from an additional transfer just for all the luggage to your private in-villa chef already preparing some of your favourite family meals. And special occasions are our speciality so if your holiday is to celebrate a birthday or anniversary we can create surprises and experiences that bring generations closer together than ever before.