Imagine a holiday filled with laughter, shared stories, and endless love, as multiple generations of your family come together to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. Multigenerational travel is a movement that allows precious moments to transform into everlasting memories.

Ready to plan a trip that will leave an indelible mark on your family’s hearts? Let’s dive into the exciting world of multigenerational travel.

The 5 Magical Steps to Planning the Ultimate Multigenerational Vacation

As we all know, planning a trip for more than one person can be complicated. Planning a trip involving multiple generations of travelers? Now that’s an adventure that needs special attention.

Discover the Dream Destination

Bring everyone together and start brainstorming! From tranquil beach getaways to heart-pumping adventure tours, limitless options await. Collect everyone’s preferences and shortlist the destinations that offer something for all ages.

Throw in some cultural experiences to enrich your family’s understanding of the world. It’s essential to involve each member of the family, allowing everyone to share their travel dreams and uncover hidden gems.

Create a Custom Itinerary

Craft an itinerary that caters to everyone’s needs and desires. Strike a balance between sightseeing, leisure time, and activities that bond the family, bringing you all closer together. Schedule downtime, daily rests, and ensure that the pace isn’t too taxing, especially for the older and younger family members.

Always have alternative plans in case of unexpected surprises. Finding little ways to accommodate everyone’s interests will make the trip more memorable.

Seek Expert Advice

Working with a travel advisor will help make your journey seamless and stress-free. With expertise, connections, and vast knowledge, a travel advisor will elevate your holiday experience. He/she will keep your budget in mind and help you avoid tourist traps, stay in family-friendly accommodations, recommend the best local experiences, and even suggest specialized activities for wheelchair-bound seniors or children with special needs.

Factor in Practicalities

Ensure that your accommodations are suitable for all ages and abilities. Accessibility, safety, and comfort are key to a hassle-free family holiday. Look for properties that offer adjoining rooms, suites, or even vacation homes, so everyone can be together under one roof.

Inquire about family amenities, such as kids’ clubs, babysitting services, or activities just for the teens. Consider renting a minivan or SUV to fit everyone comfortably and simplify transportation needs.

Capture the Memories

Photos, journals, and shared experiences will create lasting memories for you and your family. Encourage everyone to document their experiences and create a shared album that can be cherished forever. Establish a tradition that you can carry from one family vacation to another, like collecting postcards from every destination or buying a unique souvenir that represents your time spent together.

Where to Go with Your Family?

Here are a few inspiring destinations for multigenerational adventure:

Enchanting Europe

Timeless cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona offer a delightful blend of historical landmarks, vibrant culture, and family-friendly attractions. Whether you are strolling through the colorful streets of Barcelona, learning to make pasta in Rome, or exploring the magical castles of Southern France, Europe is a treasure trove of unforgettable moments.

Choose a river cruise to visit multiple European cities and villages, while also providing a relaxing environment for your family to bond.

Alaskan Wonders

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska on a family-friendly cruise. Marvel at majestic glaciers, witness incredible wildlife, and bond over Alaskan cultural experiences. Quality time together amidst nature, serenity, and adventure is the perfect recipe for a heavenly holiday.

Off the ship, there are shore excursions available for differently abled family members as well, so everyone can take part in the adventure.

Captivating Caribbean

Soft sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back ambiance make the Caribbean a picture-perfect destination for all ages. Indulge in water sports, discover local flavors, and enjoy unforgettable sunsets together in paradise.

From participating in a local cooking class to enjoying a catamaran cruise along turquoise waters, a Caribbean escape offers ample opportunities for bonding, adventure, and relaxation.

African Safari Adventure

Embark on a thrilling safari through Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and witness the majestic wildlife up close in their natural habitat. From spotting the Big Five in Kruger National Park to enjoying a magical hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, an African safari offers an unparalleled bonding experience for your family.

Luxury lodges will provide the utmost safety and comfort, while professional guides and conservationists will curate experiences that cater to your family’s specific needs and interests.

Bonus Idea: Plan a Family Heritage Trip

If you’re looking to create an even more profound connection, consider planning a journey to the land of your ancestors. Rediscovering your family roots in Ireland, Italy, or Norway, for example, will not only bring generations closer together but also enrich their understanding of their cultural heritage.

While planning a multigenerational trip might require some extra effort, your heart will overflow with love and gratitude when you embark upon this remarkable journey.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you taken a multigenerational trip? Who planned it? Where did you go? What was your experience like? What tips do you have for those in the community planning to embark on such an adventure?

I’ve always been fit. Even well into my 50s, I felt physically invincible. I could still jump out of bed for a morning run, followed by a strength class and then even possible game of tennis later in the day. Nothing could quell my energy.

Going into retirement with my husband, we had a world of adventures before us. Then menopause slammed into me like a Mack truck, ravishing what seemed like every joint and muscle in my body. I could barely get out of bed in the morning. Yet, I was determined this could be fixed.

Countless visits to multiple medical specialists did little to stem the growing aches and pains. The bills started to pile up. And to add insult to injury, our insurance coverage was far less generous since we had left the work force.

I soon realized that I couldn’t continue seeking medical advice unless I found ways to cut the associated costs. I’ve since discovered that there are a number of ways to keep medical costs in check.

Check with Your Insurance Before a Medical Procedure

We’ve learned to keep a close eye on our medical bills because of several experiences. At one time, we were billed improperly for my husband’s colonoscopy – a procedure considered preventative by our insurance plan and therefore 100% covered regardless of whether we met our deductible.

In the event a polyp was identified and removed during the procedure, we would be billed only for the surgical removal; not the baseline diagnostic procedure or the facility. However, the gastroenterologist billed us for part of the baseline procedure and the facility, in addition to the surgical removal.

After several phone calls to our insurance agent and the doctor’s office, we were reimbursed for the charges. But nobody reimbursed our time and stress.

What did we learn from this ordeal?

• First, call your insurance company in advance of a procedure and find out exactly what they will cover.
• Second, be specific. Ask your insurance agent for the code associated with your procedure and provide that code to your doctor’s office.
• Third, never pay a bill until you’ve received the EOB from your insurance company that lays out how much the procedure costs and how much out-of-pocket you’ll be expected to pay.

There are many other steps you can take to protect yourself from unnecessary costs. Following are tips from the experts. For a more in-depth review of possible cost-savings, I recommend you read the full reports cited.

In- or Out-of-Network

The most basic and important consideration is whether your medical provider (for example your doctor, hospital, radiology facility, etc.) is in-network or out-of-network.

Insurers will pay a larger portion of your cost for those providers they have an in-network contract with. This can be daunting if you find yourself hospitalized with multiple doctors checking in on you.

According to one investigative report on medical costs, many hospitals around the country hire physicians employed by staffing companies. These contracted physicians may not be part of the hospital’s insurers’ network, and therefore, can charge the patient more than the in-network fees.

Always ask whether the doctor seeing you is in-network.

Prescriptions – Go with Generic or Cost Compare

Most of us don’t need to read statistics on drug costs; prices have gone up for sure. But there are some things you can do to reduce costs:

• If a drug is necessary, ask whether there is a generic or less costly alternative that would be equally effective.
• Cost compare with different local pharmacies. You may be surprised that the same prescription drug can vary by hundreds of dollars at different pharmacies, even within the same locality.
• Investigate 90-day prescriptions to reduce how often you need to cover co-pays. Or paying in cash for a 90-day supply may be cheaper than the three co-pays.
• Search for manufacturer coupons by checking the manufacturer’s website or visit Medicare’s online pharmaceutical assistance program.

Shop Around

Urgent-care centers are usually far less expensive than emergency rooms and often cheaper than a doctor’s office. According to Cigna, a health insurer, the average emergency room visit costs $1,757 compared with $153 for an urgent-care center. (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, November 2017).

However, that said, there can be a wide spectrum of quality among urgent-care centers and the doctors serving within those centers. Do a bit of sleuthing to identify the best centers near you and always make sure in advance that they accept your health insurance.

Radiology fees for the same procedure may also vary significantly, without any difference in the quality of service. Shop around for the best price. Costs for an MRI can fluctuate by a couple of thousand dollars, according to one study.

For example, an abdominal MRI at one facility cost $4,458 out-of-pocket, while another local facility charged $672 for the same procedure. Independent radiology centers often charge less than hospitals, even though the same radiologist may be reading the x-rays.

A Summary of Steps You Can Take

• Call your insurance company in advance of a procedure and find out what they will cover.
• Never pay a bill until you’ve received the EOB from your insurance company.
• Make sure your doctor is in-network with your insurance plan.
• Ask for the generic version of a drug you need or shop around for better prices.
• Shop around for urgent care and radiology centers.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How much did you pay when you last visited your doctor? Have you had any incidents with overcharging? Are you cautious when it comes to medical bills? Please share any valuable lessons you have learned.

We often hear that we are never too old to learn something new. It has never been easier to learn new things than it is now. The internet has opened the doors to new ways of learning and I’m here for it. Now, all I need is to find the time to take all the courses I want to take.

1. Public Speaking – This free online course offered by edX can help you develop public speaking skills and boost your confidence.
2. Introduction to Psychology – This course offered by MIT OpenCourseWare can help you understand the basics of human behavior and the workings of the mind.
3. Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories – This course given from Harvard University showcases the stories of 10 women who were influential in various fields, including science, literature, politics, and activism.
4. Introduction to Philosophy – This free online course offered by OpenLearn can help you learn about philosophical concepts and develop critical thinking skills.
5. Basics of Digital Photography – This course offered by Alison can help you learn about the basics of digital photography.

What Learning Can Do for You

Learning new things as we get older is important for a number of reasons.

Cognitive Stimulation

Learning new things can help keep our brains active and stimulated, which is beneficial for cognitive health. It is proven that seniors who engaged in cognitive activities such as reading, writing, and playing games had a lower risk of developing dementia than those who did not.

Social Engagement

Taking online classes can also provide opportunities for social engagement and interaction, which has been shown to be important for the mental and emotional well-being of older adults.

Financial Benefits

Learning new skills and knowledge can also have financial benefits. Imagine putting your new skills to work and earning money.

Where to Learn Online

There are many online training websites and platforms that offer a wide range of courses, but here are some of the most popular and highly rated.

These online learning websites were chosen because they fit these criteria:

• User-friendly platform.
• Interesting and well-planned courses.
• Quality instructors and teachers.
• High enrollment.
• Excellent reviews from students.

Coursera is one of the largest and most popular online training websites, offering courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, health, and humanities.

Udemy is another popular online training platform that offers courses in a wide range of topics, including business, technology, personal development, and creative arts. Many of the courses are created by experts in their respective fields.

LinkedIn Learning is a platform that offers thousands of courses on business, technology, and creative skills. The courses are taught by industry experts and are designed to help learners enhance their skills and advance their careers.

Skillshare is another online learning community that offers courses on creative skills such as design, photography, and writing. The courses are taught by industry professionals and are designed to be interactive and engaging.

edX is an online learning platform that curates courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, computer science, and engineering.

FutureLearn is a platform that offers courses from top universities and institutions around the world. They offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including business, health, and humanities.

The courses on Masterclass are taught by well-known and highly successful individuals such as Martin Scorsese, Annie Leibovitz, and Gordon Ramsay. The platform offers a subscription-based model, where learners pay a monthly or yearly fee to access all the courses on the platform.

These are just a few of the most popular online training websites, but there are many other platforms available as well. The best platform for you will depend on your individual needs and interests. Make sure to read the reviews from former students.

Top-Rated Free Online Courses

There are many free courses online on a variety of topics. From psychology to photography, there’s sure to be a course that is perfect for you.

Here is a list of some of the most interesting and top-rated courses that I found.

These classes were chosen because they meet most, if not all, of these criteria:

• They are FREE!
• They offer interesting course material.
• They are suitable choices for women over 50.
• They have qualified instructors.
• They have excellent reviews from students who took the class or have a high enrollment.

Public Speaking

This free online course offered by edX can help you develop public speaking skills and boost your confidence. The course is designed to provide you with a foundation in public speaking and develop your ability to create and deliver effective presentations.

The course is delivered through a series of video lectures, tests, and assignments. The lectures cover topics such as speech preparation, delivery techniques, visual aids, and handling questions from the audience. The course also provides tips on managing anxiety and nervousness, and strategies for dealing with unexpected situations during presentations.

Throughout the course, you have the opportunity to practice your public speaking skills through a series of assignments. These assignments require you to create and deliver short speeches on various topics. You also receive feedback from peers and the course instructor, which helps you identify areas for improvement.

The course is self-paced, which means you can complete it at your own speed. It typically takes around 6-8 weeks to complete, and you should expect to spend 4-6 hours per week on coursework. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Introduction to Psychology

Have you always wanted to learn about psychology? This free online course offered by MIT OpenCourseWare can help you understand the basics of human behavior and the workings of the mind.

The Introduction to Psychology course is a free, self-paced online course designed to introduce you to the study of human behavior and mental processes. The course covers a wide range of topics in psychology, including neuroscience, perception, learning, memory, language, emotion, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.

The course is designed with lecture videos that are presented by Professor John Gabrieli, who is a renowned researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience. In addition to the lecture videos, the course also includes a range of supplementary materials, including readings, assignments, and tests.

One of the strengths of the Introduction to Psychology course is that it provides you with a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology, while also delving into some of the latest research and theories. For example, the course includes lectures on the neural basis of consciousness, the psychology of decision making, and the relationship between stress and health.

Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories

Are you a history buff? The Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories course is an exhibition created by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. The course showcases the stories of 10 women who were influential in various fields, including science, literature, politics, and activism.

Each woman’s story is told through an object that is significant to her life and work. For example, you will learn about a microscope belonging to developmental biologist Evelyn Witkin, who was instrumental in uncovering the effects of radiation on DNA.

The course aims to highlight the diverse contributions of women throughout history and challenge the idea that women’s achievements have been overshadowed or erased. Each object and the story it represents is a testament to the impact that women have had on various fields and the importance of recognizing their contributions.

Introducing Philosophy

This free online course is offered by OpenLearn (the Open University’s free online learning platform) and can help you learn about philosophical concepts and develop critical thinking skills.

The course provides an overview of some of the central questions and themes in philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy.

The course consists of a series of interactive activities and tests, which help you engage with the material and test your understanding.

The course is designed for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy. You can complete the course at your own pace and on your own schedule.

By the end of the course, you should have a basic understanding of the main branches of philosophy and some of the key debates and ideas within each branch. The course is a great starting point if you are interested in pursuing further studies in philosophy or simply wanting to explore some of the big questions of human existence.

Introduction to Digital Photography

Basics of Digital Photography is a free online course offered by Alison, a global e-learning provider. The course aims to teach you the fundamental principles of digital photography and how to take great photos with a digital camera.

The course is structured around a series of modules, each covering a different aspect of digital photography.

• Introduction to Digital Photography: This module covers the basics of digital photography, including how digital cameras work, the different types of cameras, and the advantages of digital photography over traditional film photography.
• Understanding Exposure: This module covers the three main elements of exposure – aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – and how to use them to create well-exposed photos.
• Composition and Technique: This module covers the principles of composition, including framing, rule of thirds, and leading lines, and how to use them to create visually appealing photos.
• Lighting: This module covers the basics of lighting in photography, including the different types of lighting, how to use natural light to your advantage, and how to use flash effectively.
• Post-Processing: This module covers the basics of post-processing, including how to edit and enhance your photos using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

The course is self-paced, which means that you can study at your own speed and on your own schedule. The course is designed for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge of digital photography.

After successfully completing the course, you will have a solid understanding of the basic principles of digital photography and should be able to take great photos with a digital camera.

How to Successfully Learn Online

Choose the Right Courses for You

Choose courses that are aligned with your interests and learning objectives. Look for courses that are taught by experts in their respective fields and have high ratings and positive reviews from other learners.

Set Realistic Goals

Before starting a course or program, it’s important to set specific and realistic goals and objectives for what you want to achieve. This can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the learning process.

Create a Study Schedule

Creating a study schedule can help you stay organized and make progress towards your learning goals. It’s important to set aside dedicated time each day or week for learning.

Engage Actively with Fellow Students

Active engagement is key to effective online learning. Participate in discussion forums, complete assignments, and interact with other learners to stay engaged and motivated.

Seek Feedback

Seek feedback from instructors or peers to help you improve your understanding of the course material and identify areas for improvement.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Celebrate your progress and achievements along the way, and remember that learning is a lifelong process.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you ever taken a course or program online? What subjects are you interested in? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

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