Comments on: Travel for Ten? Where do you go for a reunion vacation?

By: Amy Bowling

Amy Bowling — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:46:02 +0000

O.K. Down to earth. WOW! I am shocked at the budget that these other family’s have to work with. My family of 11 has $5000 to budget for a vacation. We want to go to disney. I know some of you are like no way. I have rented a beach house for $800 (five bedrooms, private pool, grill), tickets $2600 (estimation for base tickets), food to cook $500, hotel, gas, and food $1000 (while driving to and from disney). I know a lot of peoples idea of a vacation is to not have cook. I am ariving one day before everyone else, and preparing most meals. All we will have to do is heat and serve. I know each family will spend money at disney, and we do plan on eating out 2 days. I think with some self control we can stay pretty close, and have a magical time.

By: Karen Emery

Karen Emery — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:21:04 +0000

I have held family reunions at the Extreme Polynesian Beach House on the west coast of Florida. The home is on a private 26 acre island that comes with all types of beach gear, kakaks, snorkeling gear and a large pontoon boat for your transportation. The home consists of six separate buildings -tahiti style and interconnected with a covered walkway. The home is a six bedroom and can accomodate up to 24 persons if you don’t mind a a sleeper sofa and murphy bed. It is large enough that everyone can find a quiet place to be alone or join in the group in the large living /dining building.

The best part I think is the location because it sits right between two towns that are boater friendly communities so you boat over to a restaurant if no one feels like cooking on the grill for the night or stroll the shops or public gulf beach. Swimming is great on site and comes with a boat dock and beach chairs.
I highly reccommend this for a family reunion. http://www.extremepolynesianbeachhouse.com

By: Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:41:50 +0000

I think a return trip to your old stomping grounds in Athens would be a great idea! You wouldn’t believe how much is new, and the view as alums is always far different than you might have gotten as undergrads! Between UGA and Athens Clarke Leisure facilities, just about everything is free or nominal cost. Great new Hotel Indigo is opening just this week. Whether you pick Athens or another location, you can get plenty of free help from the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) or similarly-named tourism organization. In Athens, we help with room blocks, itinerary and tour planning, stuff to do, and know all the good deals and discounts to be found! http://www.VisitAthensGA.com

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:18:48 +0000

I also plan our yearly family reunion @ 25 of us. There are resouces to be found at http://www.ReunionTravelDirectory.com to find reunion friendly resorts, cruises or better yet a tour operator who can put the whole thing together. We usually alternate between domestic destination and international destination every other year..with kids, Disney is a great choice, looking for something “in the Middle” chicago is a great city easy to get to with soemthing for everyone (don’t come in February)

By: LL

LL — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:42:53 +0000

I have family all over the east coast and in the mid-west. There were about 45 of us on 1 side of the family (all immediate family) and we went to Gatlinburg/the Smokey Mountains. There are several places there that specialize in family reunions and the hotel we all stayed at had 2-3 bedroom condo/townhouse style rooms. With so many of us, this location was ideal – almsot everyone was able to drive. The resort had a great pavillion and golf course, and also helped us set up white water rafting for the whole group and horseback riding on the trails. As a plus for the less adventurous, it was also a short drive to the outlet malls in Pigeon Forge.

By: Maya Northen

Maya Northen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:13:51 +0000

We plan family reunion vacations about every two years. There are about 10-12 of us usually, three generations. We have done several trips to Europe, including cities Prague, Vienna, Italy, the UK and Ireland (not all in one trip). We generally have a loose itinerary (other than which cities we’ll be in what day) and some days do things as a big group and some days as several smaller groups.

I would say this type of family/group travel is not for everyone. If you are more into laying back and relaxing, an all-inclusive in the Caribbean could be perfect. Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica are family oriented and quite popular with groups and reunions. A cruise could be another option – it is good for groups and kids as you can visit multiple destinations without having to unpack, hop a flight/train, etc. Plus lots of activities for all age ranges.