Cooking’s cheaper, but dining out is special
Cooking together can save on dining costs and avoid the hassle of making reservations and arranging group transportation, but staying in every night might make the experience less of a vacation, Ms. Regenstreif said. “Experiencing the food culture and interacting with people is part of the experience,” when traveling, she said. A hybrid approach of some cooking and some dining out usually works, she said. Also consider varying your dinner companions, Ms. Fine said: “You don’t all have to eat together every night.” The younger generation may want to venture out on their own, or grandparents may want time alone with the grandchildren.
Discuss sharing costs and remember to say thank you
If one branch of the family, or grandparents, are picking up the tab, Ms. Regenstreif suggests that each part of the group pay for dinner one night, buy snacks on a tour day or find another way to say thank you. When costs are being shared more widely, the family should discuss how finances will be handled in advance, she said, “and do it in whatever way is comfortable for the group,” whether that is taking turns making grocery runs or keeping a more detailed spreadsheet of who’s been paying for what.
Be mindful of health concerns
For minor illnesses, be sure to pack basic medical supplies like a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, disposable masks, Covid self-tests and over-the-counter symptom relievers like cough medicine, said Rebecca Acosta, a nurse in Manhattan whose Traveler’s Medical Service helps people prepare for trips. If any family members come down with Covid or another contagious bug, the advice is the same as at home, Ms. Acosta said: Isolate the sick people if possible, treat their symptoms, and ask them to wear masks in shared spaces. If they are having trouble breathing or experiencing other serious symptoms, take them to an emergency room, and if they have a significant pre-existing condition, check in with their home physicians, Ms. Acosta said. To keep the rest of the family healthy, open the windows to increase fresh air and move activities outside if possible. You’re still on vacation, so “try to set things up so you can avoid risk but keep enjoying yourselves,” Ms. Acosta said.
Make space for everyone
Each family has its own needs when it comes to lodging. A common kitchen or hangout area may be a high priority for teenage cousins, while families with young children may want separate spaces so they don’t have to worry about making too much early-morning noise. There’s a price range for every lodging category, and it’s important to weigh the trade-offs, Ms. Regenstreif said: “When you go for a lower price, you may be giving up on location, amenities, size, or other important factors.”
When choosing a destination, think about the aspects of the family that need the most attention, Ms. Regenstreif said. Accessibility issues may be important. Alvaro Silberstein, a co-founder of Wheel the World, which specializes in accessible travel, advises those with medical or mobility needs to keep medications handy (not in their checked luggage), reserve airport wheelchairs in advance, and make sure lodging offers elevators or ramps and showers with grab bars.
And don’t forget that some family members, for example those who identify as L.G.B.T.Q. or those in an interracial relationship, may not feel comfortable in certain destinations. “The goal is to pick a place everyone can be themselves,” Ms. Regenstreif said. “Making a trip beautiful is to respond to each person’s needs but also create a dynamic that works for everyone.”
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