GRAND Fall 2021

Road Trip
Travel with Grandkids
Cathy Larsen, co-owner of Departures
Travel Sidney, is passionate about sharing
her love of travel—even after 35 years
in the industry. She enjoys life and sees
travel as more than a stamp in her passport!
Find her at departurestravel.com,
facebook.com/DeparturesTravelSidney
and linkedin.com/in/cathylarsen.
Many of us have not only missed
seeing our families during the
past year and a half, but we’ve
missed travelling with them as well.
As domestic travel opens, what better
time to combine the two!
Multi-generational travel has
been popular for some time and
now there is an increase in skipgen
or “gramping” travel, when
grandparents travel alone with the
grandkids, leaving Mom and Dad behind.
It’s a great opportunity to get
to know the grandkids, create lifelong
memories and travel experiences
for your grandchildren. My kids
fondly remember those day trips up
to the BC Forest Discovery Centre in
Duncan, because, who doesn’t love a
train?!
The planning process should be as
fun as the trip itself and when all involved
participate it is sure to be a hit.
If you want to get really creative, how
about a mystery trip? With hidden
clues along the way and the destination
a surprise, it is sure to keep everyone
interested and engaged in the
trip itself. If the thought of the planning
is just too overwhelming, there is
always help by way of your local travel
advisor.
To make the most of your trip, here
are a few tips and ideas to get you
started.
Hold a family meeting. Gather
the troops together and ensure everyone
is on the same page. Are you
looking for an action-packed or relaxing
getaway? Being in agreement
from the beginning will help avoid
disappointment and conflict. You
may have an aspiring marine biologist
that would love a trip to the Shaw
Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney or
perhaps for the animal lover stop in at
the Pacific Northwest Raptor Centre in
Duncan.
Plan Together. Once you’ve agreed
on the overall concept, plan together.
Involve the grandkids! If they are old
enough to research, have them look
into activities and points of interest
along your route and at your destination.
This way they are invested
and you never know what they may
find! Need a theme? How about
a farm tour, totem discovery tour, cycling
tour or see as many waterfalls as
you can tour.
Consider Everyone’s Needs. Are
there special requirements for accommodation
and restaurants? Separate
bedrooms for the snorers in the
group? Restaurants that offer a menu
to suit everyone’s taste, including
accommodating any food allergies
or preferences. Did you know
your grandson is afraid of heights
or your granddaughter is a vegan?
Having some options in advance will
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