Group holidays, from 3G breaks to trips with your girl-squad are trending, says Penny McCormick…
Quick coffees, fleeting catch-ups, rain-checks and missed connections – it can be hard to get the gang together, which may explain why group travel is trending. The dynamics may vary: from multigenerational or “3G” holidays where kids, cousins, parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents embark on a break that suits everyone, to groups of couples with a shared interest, or friends on a “celebration vacation” marking a graduation or milestone birthday etc. A starry example is actress Kristen Bell who retreated to Swan Valley, Idaho last summer. She rounded up a few A-lister friends including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman and Courteney Cox who enjoyed the peaceful setting of South Fork Lodge.
“A larger group often pools resources to stay in a bigger private property like a holiday rental,” says Tom Hall, Head of Lonely Planet Europe, “which can come with the sort of extras smaller properties don’t have, like larger outdoor space or an indoor pool. Parents with young children are delighted to have grandparents along to help with childcare allowing for nights out, or just to treat the older generation to a trip they may not otherwise take.”
Overseas, popular destinations for multigenerational trips are the Greek Islands or Turkey, and family-friendly accessible spots like Denmark (for Legoland), the Île de Ré in western France and the coast of northern Spain. Villa rental specialists such as Unique Homestays and Essential Italy have noted a year on year increase in bookings from Irish families. “Villa rentals allow great flexibility and space for different generations to spread out. Teenagers can sleep in and the oldies can head out for day trips. Generally all gather round the barbecue in the evening. A private pool allows plenty of quality time with grandchildren too.”
Suzanne Cantwell, Communications Manager of Irish Landmark Trust, says its portfolio of interesting period homes, castles and lighthouses appeal to “reconnection groups.” “People tend to book a Landmark Trust property because they are looking for a unique break where they have an opportunity to ‘do good’, ‘feel good’ and to reconnect and explore the local area.” Popular properties include Tullymurry House, Co Down, Inchiquin House, Co Clare, and Blackhead Lightkeepers Cottages, Co Antrim. At Center Parcs Longford Forest everything is designed to bring families together, to “cherish the moment”.
For more places to stay, see this list.