Why Travel Is Important for All Generations and Why Doing It Together Is the Greatest Gift

Oct 12

Passport. Check. Carry-on suitcase. Check. Sense of adventure. Check.

Back in the late 1980s, travel had a different kind of magic, one that was spontaneous and unencumbered by the many restrictions we know today. I decided that our family needed to get out of our comfort zone, and one summer morning, feeling the itch for adventure, my husband, our son, and I packed a single suitcase with a mix of generic clothes—just the essentials, really—and grabbed our passports. There were no itineraries or carefully laid plans. Instead, we headed straight to the airport, arriving with only our carry-on bags and a sense of curiosity.

Our only rule was to find a flight leaving between 11 and 2, and wherever it was headed, we would buy three tickets and go. This was a time before TSA and strict ticketing policies when the thrill of unplanned travel was still possible. My goal was to be spontaneous, ready for adventure, and to shake up our routine. The world felt wide open, just waiting to be explored, and I was eager to embrace whatever destination came our way.

Traveling has long been a way for individuals to explore new cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. Yet, in my opinion, the true magic of travel lies in the shared experiences we create with our loved ones across different generations. I will tell you that we played this travel lottery game four times. I would love to tell you that on each trip, my husband and son embraced them enthusiastically, but that would be far from the truth. The first adventure was greeted with shock, then laughter, thinking I wasn't serious, and finally, cautious excitement. Sort of. I could have set up the adventure better. Lesson learned: everyone's readiness is different, and I probably should have told them why I was doing it (to have a shared experience and make memories together), what its purpose was (go someplace we had never gone before), and how was it supposed to work (pack, drive, select, go…be willing to lean into discomfort, no overthinking involved), and finally the length of time (a long weekend).

Whether young or old, traveling with family or friends can be a profound and life-changing experience. One of the most beautiful aspects of travel is that it transcends age barriers, allowing people of all generations to learn from each other, grow together, and forge memories that last a lifetime.

So, where did we go? We were living in California then, and there were numerous flight options. United Airlines was my go-to airline, but we stayed true to the "any flights between 11-2." Our first trip was to Vancouver, Canada. Finding a room at the Victoria Hotel was very lucky, but this boutique Victorian Hotel was our base camp for all our excursions. Our second and most exotic was Tokyo, Japan. Luckily, my husband had many business partners, so we had a cheat sheet on where to stay: the Imperial Hotel. However, we took control of everything else and had a memorable experience. With a 5,000-mile flight, we ended up staying a week. Our third trip ended up being in San Francisco. On our final trip, we decided to shake it up a little and picked a letter of the alphabet that we all agreed on using the same criteria of between "11 am and 2 pm," we found our way to Chicago, where I had an unfair advantage of growing up nearby. Still, I let them be the guide and they did a great job stepping up to the challenge.

The Value of Shared Experiences

So, why was this important? I found that traveling with multiple generations offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps and see the locations from a different perspective. I would have loved to take this travel lottery with a grandparent or two with us, all experiencing something new for the first time together.

That being said, my mother did me one better. She instinctively knew that shared experiences allow for genuine connection and provide a common ground for conversation and mutual understanding, so she decided that the entire family, 21 of us, would share an experience. That included them, all their daughters, our spouses and grandkids. She and my dad wisely created opportunities to bring us closer and create a lasting bond. We did a Szostak family vacation at least five times. Alaska, the Caribbean, a Disney cruise, and an all-inclusive- each experience is unique and forces all of us to break free from our everyday roles and responsibilities.

I saw that a parent isn't just a parent; we each became a fellow adventurer. A grandparent wasn't just a storyteller from the past; they became a partner in creating new stories on each of these journeys. Everyone became equal participants in the journey, experiencing and contributing to the moment. This shift gave each of us a fresh perspective on each other's personalities, revealing sides that might remain hidden in the routines of daily life.

Learning from Each Other

When different generations travel together, it brings a wealth of diverse perspectives. Older generations carry with them the wisdom of experience, having seen the world evolve and change. They can provide historical context, deeper insights, and stories that enrich the travel experience. In contrast, younger generations often bring a sense of wonder, enthusiasm, and curiosity that can reignite a sense of adventure in older adults. The grandkids were young, but seeing the world again from a child's eyes as they explored was priceless.

These intergenerational exchanges can be enlightening. I remember on one of these family trips while visiting a historical site, stories from a firsthand account brought a surprise, awe, and a little insight into the world's past. Suppose we didn't take this trip together and offer a personal connection to places and stories that younger generations would only read about in textbooks. In turn, the younger family members can teach grandparents about current trends, creating a bridge between the past and the present.

Getting Out of Comfort Zones

Travel inherently pushes people out of their comfort zones. Whether navigating a new city, trying unfamiliar foods, or engaging with people who speak a different language, travel challenges us to adapt and grow. When the trip is completed with family across generations, whatever the challenge now turns into a shared one, fostering teamwork and mutual support. And remember, there's a sense of safety in numbers, which makes it easier to take risks and try new things.

Building Lifelong Memories

Traveling together allows families to create memories that are distinct from everyday life. These moments become stories retold at family gatherings, captured in photographs, and cherished for years. The beauty of these memories is that they are interwoven with personal growth and understanding. For instance, when our grandparents and grandchildren recall the Alaska train ride years from now, it won't just be a place they visited; it will be a symbol of their bond, shared exploration, and love for each other.

Such memories are priceless. They remind us of the joy of being alive, the wonders of the world, and the strength of familial love. As time passes, these memories become a part of our legacy, a gift passed down through generations. They also remind us that, regardless of age, we are all capable of learning, growing, and experiencing new things.

A Gift Beyond Material Possessions

In a world where material possessions often hold a significant place, giving the gift of travel is extraordinary; unlike objects that may wear out or lose their appeal, the experiences and memories created through travel last a lifetime. They shape who we are, influence our worldview, and enrich our lives in countless ways. Traveling together as a family is an investment in relationships, emotional well-being, and personal development.

As we reflect on our family journeys and other trips, it's clear that the greatest gift we've given each other is time spent together. The laughter, the challenges, the stories, and the silent moments of awe have all contributed to a tapestry of experiences that bind us together. I believe that travel teaches us that the world is vast and full of wonders and that exploring it together makes the journey all the more worthwhile.

Conclusion: The World Awaits

Travel, whether by cruise, drive, or flight, offers a chance to break free from the routine and embrace the unknown. It invites us to lean into discomfort and explore the world with the people we love most. For all generations, travel is not just about seeing new places; it's about connecting with each other and the world around us.

So, pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and embark on an adventure. The memories you create will be the greatest gift you can give each other. The world awaits, and together, there's nothing you can't discover.

Carlene Szostak

Carlene Szostak is a renowned speaker, educator, author, and consultant specializing in 2 genres: self-help and children's fiction.

As a children's book author, her rich stories are woven from the colorful tales and activities passed down by her father, each narrative a cherished gift of imagination and wisdom. The best-selling The Marshmallow Mystery. All the marshmallows have gone missing in this delicious book, leaving one little girl devastated. Jack, the little girl's beloved teddy bear, is determined to save the day by solving the sticky mystery.

Carlene lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she enjoys the three W's: weather, woods, and wine. She believes writing books can ignite change by shaping perspectives, inspiring action, and fostering empathy for generations.