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 ALL-INCLUSIVE GETAWAY

Club Maeva Tulum
Xpu-Ha, Riviera Maya
52/984/8713000

Editor's Note:  This resort was closed for a total renovation after Hurricane Wilma struck and was purchased by the Palace Resorts group. It will remain open as Club Tulum until August 2007, at which time it will enlarged to accommodate more rooms, a spa and a convention center.

Not too many years ago, when people planned a beach vacation in Mexico, they headed to the Pacific coast regions of Ixtapa, Puerta Vallarta or Acapulco.  In the past few years, Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico has become a major focus of the country’s tourism, resulting in the development (some would say over-development) of its eastern coast, now known as the Riviera Maya.  Besides the calm Caribbean sea and the usual activities that beach vacations offer, visitors to the Yucatan can also explore Mayan ruins at such sites as Tulum, Chichen-Itza and Xcaret.  Since the gateway city of Cancun is widely accessible with frequent, inexpensive flights from major US and international cities, the Riviera Maya has become the "hot" destination for tropical, fun-seeking family reunions.

One of the first resorts to emerge on this coast was the Club Maeva Tulum.  This low-key, 300-room, all-inclusive resort located on a beautiful sand beach is perfect for every watersport you can imagine.  At very reasonable prices, Maeva offers spacious accommodations, a wide variety of recreation and other activities (salsa lessons, anyone?), day trips around the peninsula, excellent Mexican and American food, and nightly entertainment.  Additionally, the Maevamigos staff is known for their extremely accommodating and friendly service.

Club Maeva Tulum has experience hosting reunions and, due to the spacious grounds, families celebrating a special event can feel that they have the entire property to themselves.  The resort offers discounts for groups of 25 rooms, and a free room for every 30 rooms booked.  To be sure of your preferred dates, they recommend booking at least three months in advance, and that you make special requests for handicap accessible or adjoining rooms when you book.  Club Maeva’s reunion package includes an express check-in with welcome drinks and a resort coordinator to help plan group activities, such as a special resort dinner or visit to one of the local ecological parks.  Their winter rates begin at approximately US$80/N per adult, double occupancy and bargain summer rates at about US$60/N.