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

Considered America’s last frontier, Alaska continues to entice those who find its natural wonders, unusual wildlife and awesome size a must-do travel experience.  For those of you who are seeking a destination-driven, unforgettable experience as a backdrop for a family reunion, we suggest that you join many other families and share an Alaskan cruise.

Most major cruise lines including Princess, Holland America, Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer sailings with itineraries through the Inside Passage of the Gulf of Alaska, where Glacier Bay National Park will bring you face to face with massive walls of ice, along the Kenai Peninsula and into Anchorage.  Popular add-ons include train and motorcoach excursions into the interior regions of Denali National Park, the home of Mt. McKinley, Fairbanks and the Yukon.  On-board lecture series will present experts, naturalists and Native American artists to enhance this unforgettable experience.

While sightseeing from the ship’s deck will engage Grandma and Grandpa, a myriad of on-board activities will keep tots, teens and their parents busy.  Mealtimes are when you can all come together to share news of your day, and the dining facilities are perfect for large group meals and special occasion dinners.  Port excursions at all activity levels bring everyone up close and personal to Native American culture, breaching orcas, charming sea otters, and calving glaciers.  The most adventurous among you can add-on such unique experiences as flightseeing and glacier trekking.

Contact your travel agent or a planning specialist at the cruise line to help you work out all the details and count on spending up to $1,000/D per person, land only, for cabins ranging from four-person dorms to deluxe balconied suites.  At the more modest and mid-range of the spectrum, we recommend that you sail with either Holland America or Princess.  As early developers of the Alaskan market they offer their experience in the region, more sailings, their own hotels plus internal Alaska transportation via rail or motorcoach.  Don’t forget to ask about special group benefits and discounts available to reunion-goers.