It’s no secret that international travel is on the rise. What may be surprising, however, is that the number of grandparents traveling internationally with their grandkids is also surging.
Indeed, Road Scholar, which offers educational trips for adults, notes that enrollment in its 2023 international Grandparent Adventure programs has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, enrollment in its 2023 domestic Grandparent Adventure programs lags behind, at just over half of the company’s pre-pandemic numbers.
“The appetite for global exploration is stronger than ever,” Maeve Hartney, Road Scholar’s chief program officer, told TravelAwaits in a statement. “Our participants have shown us that they’re really ready to get out there and explore the world again this year, and their grandkids are just as eager to travel abroad with them.”
To accommodate that demand, Road Scholar has announced it’s adding more international trips to its 2024 Grandparent and Family programs.
That includes grandparent and grandkid trips to Germany, Copenhagen, and the Amalfi Coast. Grandparent and Family Programs for grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids include trips to Alaska and the Barrier Islands. Both Grandparent and Family Programs will soon be offered in Panama as well.
For 2023, Road Scholar expanded its program by adding Grandparent and Family Adventures to Japan, Australia, Greece, Idaho Whitewater Rafting, Hawaii, Virginia’s Chincoteague Bay, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Sailing the Maine Coast, Puerto Rico, San Juan Islands, San Diego, and STEM Kansas to its offerings.
How The Program Works
Road Scholar has been offering a program for grandparents and their grandkids — or families of grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids — to travel together since 1985.
“Looking for a special way to spend time with your grandchild?” Road Scholar asks.
“Share the best of the great outdoors with them as you snorkel in coral reefs, go whitewater rafting, or learn about animals at a zoo. You can even share their love for STEM projects as you learn about robots or even rockets!” Road Scholar continues. “Each learning adventure is created with your grandchild’s age and learning level in mind, allowing you both to have fun, learn, and make new friends. Together, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime!”
You can choose from several adventures tailored to suit grandkids’ ages, or by interest, such as STEM, animals and wildlife, city discoveries, active outdoor adventures, and nature and environment.
Another approach is to choose a trip based on destination, including those in France, Florida, North America, national parks, and locations around the world.
What Grandparents Think Of The Program
Cindy and Jim Horner took their two grandsons on an African safari with Road Scholar in 2022, and this year, they traveled to Iceland with their two granddaughters.
“We have chosen to take our grandchildren on international trips to expose them to different geographical settings, cultures, and standards of living,” Cindy Horner said, according to Road Scholar. “It’s our hope that they return with a broadened understanding of the world.”
Meanwhile, Jean McMillan has taken three of her grandchildren on Road Scholar adventures. Her grandkids chose international trips, with her encouragement.
“I would have taken them on any of the trips,” McMillan said, according to Road Scholar. “I encouraged them to dream big so we could share memories of big adventures we had together.”
For more about traveling with grandkids, or kids and grandkids, be sure to read our Family Vacations content, including: