When I was growing up, my grandmother, aunt, uncle and two cousins lived down the block from me.  Within walking distance, or maybe a short subway or car ride away lived many other relatives, and it was quite common for us to all get together for dinner on Sundays, especially while my grandmother was alive.  While the grown-ups chatted, gossiped and complained, the cousins would play games (usually made-up ones), tease each other and make mischief.  When I told my son about these get-togethers, he couldn’t imagine what it was like to have so much family nearby.  Of course, many of his relatives live in Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado and California, so visiting with them is a rare event.  Today, the concept of "extended families" is somewhat unusual and due to jobs, climate and just personal preference, we find ourselves spread out across the country, or even in foreign lands.

In answer to this phenomenon, family reunions have become increasingly popular and, according to the Travel Industry Association of America, 34% of American adults have traveled to a family reunion in the past three years, and 22% have done so this past year. These events can range in size from a multi-generational trip with a few relatives to a genealogist’s fantasy of a few hundred people. If you choose the right location, everyone can reunite while enjoying favorite activities as well as a break from their normal routine. 

Planning such an event can be a large undertaking.  While there’s lot of practical information out there about the logistics of organizing the group, dividing the tasks and setting a budget, perhaps the biggest question is "where should it be."  Considering several criteria such as geographic location (35% of reunion attendees travel 500 or more miles from home), available transportation, the variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities to please every age, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts, FTF has selected the following as the “Top Ten Getaways for Family Reunions."  More detailed information about each venue is available elsewhere on FamilyTravelForum.com.

TOP DREAM GETAWAY

Houseboating on Lake Powell

Lake Powell is at the heart of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a geologic playground straddling northern Arizona and southern Utah. The 186-mile-long lake boasts 2,000 miles of soaring red sandstone cliffs, 90 major canyons and sandy beaches, and is astonishingly beautiful in its desert setting.  Houseboating is the best way for family groups to explore it, while unwinding amid the comforts of home.

Lake Powell’s amazingly clear blue-green water is everywhere and it is so enticing.  In order to best explore the canyons and guarantee fun, houseboat renters generally tow a powerboat so that they can enjoy waterskiing and fishing, and carry water toys, including personal watercraft, wakeboards, kneeboards, sprayers and water trampolines.  Children under the age of 12 are required to wear life jackets at all times on powerboats, water toys, and on the exterior of the houseboat.

Never been a pilot?  A thorough orientation and training session is given to the boat’s captain who must be at least 18-years-old and have a valid US driver’s license or passport.  Additionally, all sailors will receive written information about docking, anchoring, refueling and other naval issues in the form of an instruction manual.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by Aramark, is a concessionaire of the National Park Service that operates three full-service marinas offering houseboat and powerboat rentals and sells provisions such as food, beverages, ice, film and fuel, and provides “How-To” lessons, maps, gear, rest rooms, phones and laundry facilities.  All houseboats, like the standard size 44’ Explorer (sleeping 10), provide a propane range, oven, refrigerator, water heater and space heater, outdoor gas grill, electric light system, bathroom and shower, dishes, utensils and a swim slide.  Extras on the new luxury class boats like the 75’ Odyssey (sleeping 12) include hot tubs, fireplaces and home theatre systems, rivaling those of a four-star hotel.  Rates in 2004 range from $823 for a 3D standard boat rental to $6,365 for a 6D luxury boat rental, so relatives on every budget can add their floating home to a reunion convoy.  Houseboating packages including lodging, powerboat and watertoys are available.  New in 2004 is the Antelope Point Marina, located near Page, Arizona.  Built in conjunction with the National Park Service and the Navajo Nation, it provides similar services while highlighting the Native American culture of the area.