In Part 1, we talked about the rise of families travelling overseas with their adult kids – not out of obligation, but because they genuinely want to. We looked at the relationship shift, the shared curiosity, and why this stage of life can be the perfect time to do something meaningful together.
But once the dreamy ‘family villa in Italy’ vision takes hold – reality eventually taps you on the shoulder.
Because as lovely as the idea is, travelling with your adult kids isn’t quite the same as bundling them into the back seat with a packet of chips and a colouring book.
There are real conversations to have.
Expectations to manage.
Logistics to untangle.
And the earlier you talk about them, the better the trip will be.
So let’s dive into the slightly awkward, entirely important practical side of travelling with your adult kids.
The Slightly Awkward (But Very Important) Money Conversation
Then there’s the question everyone is thinking about but not always saying out loud . . . who pays for what?
Do the kids pay for their own flights?
Do they chip in for their travel insurance?
Do they pick up the odd lunch, wine bill or coffee round?
Or do they sit back and let the family holiday freebies flow?
There’s no right or wrong answer – every family is different.
But one thing we’d strongly suggest is having that conversation early and being really clear. It avoids awkward moments later and means everyone can relax and just enjoy the trip.
No surprises. No quiet resentment. No passive-aggressive ‘Oh don’t worry, I’ll just get this one too . . .’ moments.
Just good, honest planning – which is always a very good start to any holiday.
The Sweet Spot: Guided + Independent
What we’re seeing work incredibly well is a hybrid approach.
Join a small group tour for the tricky or bucket-list parts. Then peel off and travel independently as a family.
Structure when you need it.
Freedom when you want it.
Far fewer arguments about who is in charge.
In fact, as I put fingers to keyboard, this is exactly what we’re doing this year.
I’m taking my 20, 23 and 26 year olds on their first Northern Hemisphere Christmas. A trip that has been quietly sitting on the back-burner for about twenty years.
Ten days through Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria) sounded absolutely fantastic. But even for a travel consultant, juggling winter logistics, multiple cities and three adult kids felt like . . . a lot.
So we’re jumping on a small group G Adventures tour for that portion. The routes are sorted. The hotels are booked. The tricky bits are handled. I get to be ‘on holiday’ too, instead of full-time operations manager.
Then we’ll peel off and head to Switzerland for our own White Christmas – slow mornings, snow (hopefully), and a few days entirely on our own schedule.
Best of both worlds.
And honestly? That balance makes the whole thing feel lighter before we’ve even left. It’s proof that even those of us who plan travel for a living don’t need to control every single piece of it.
You Don’t Have To Travel Together Every Minute
Another thing families are figuring out?
Together doesn’t have to mean every single moment.
One family we worked with built a very smart ‘win-win’ into their itinerary.
About halfway through their month-long trip, the daughters wanted a couple of days doing their own thing. So they planned a short break where the girls jumped on a cheap flight to a Mediterranean party island for a hit of doof-doof music, late nights and beach clubs.
Meanwhile, the parents stayed put and enjoyed a few very civilised days of good food, better quality wine and mornings completely on their own schedule – no negotiations required.
Everyone came back refreshed, happy, and with new stories to share.
Sometimes the best family travel memories come from the moments you don’t spend together.
(And if the parents quietly enjoy the break a little more than expected, well, that can stay off the family group chat.)
So . . . When Is the ‘Right’ Time?
Short answer? There isn’t one.
There will always be a reason to wait. Work commitments. Study. Saving for a house. Waiting for the perfect exchange rate. Waiting until ‘when things calm down’ (pfft!).
If we had to gently nudge, though, our unofficial suggestion is:
Do it while everyone is still independent, mobile and doesn’t need looking after.
And ideally – before semi-permanent boyfriends or girlfriends enter the picture.
Not because partners aren’t lovely. Many are. Some are even excellent travel companions.
But suddenly you’re dealing with questions like:
- Do we invite them?
- If we invite them, who pays?
- If we don’t invite them, is it awkward?
- And the big one . . . will they still be together by departure date?
That is a level of emotional and logistical planning that frankly belongs in a spreadsheet, and even then it’s risky.
Most young adults are pretty happy to have one last ‘core family’ adventure before life gets more complicated. And many parents quietly feel the same.
Is It a Trend – Or Just a Really Good Idea?
Maybe it’s a trend.
Or maybe it’s just a generation that values experiences over stuff. Families that actually like spending time together. Parents who know time speeds up once kids become adults with jobs, partners and calendars that need booking six months in advance.
If you’re thinking about doing something like this, you are absolutely not alone.
And if you’re still in the dreaming phase?
That counts. Dreaming is basically pre-planning.
A Gentle Nudge From Us
If this is something sitting in the back of your mind, you don’t have to have it all figured out before you start talking about it.
Sometimes it starts with a ‘Would you guys ever want to do a trip together?’ conversation over dinner. Sometimes it starts with one destination that everyone agrees on. Sometimes it starts with someone sending a family group chat message that simply says, ‘I’ve got an idea . . .’
Whether it’s blending a small group tour with independent travel, building a fully personalised itinerary, or just helping you sanity-check ideas and logistics, this is exactly the kind of trip we love helping families bring to life.
No pressure. No overwhelm. Just good planning, good advice, and hopefully a few very good stories to tell for years to come.
Written by Suzanne Holden, and her chosen tour for travelling with adult kids. <<10 Days, Budapest to Sofia Adventure with G Adventures>>
