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Speeding across the Adriatic Ocean by speedboat, my mum excitedly grabs my Millennial motherhood-induced belly rolls for support.
My eight-year-old is with us, standing triumphantly as the wind whips his hair. My brother, whom I haven’t holidayed with for 20 years, tears up over the beauty of the Montenegrin mountains. My partner places his arm gently on his shoulder.
We represent all the generations in our family; we’re attempting multi-generational travel for the first time.
‘Multi-gen Megatrips’, where family members of multiple generations travel together, are among 2025’s biggest travel trends. The experience could strengthen family bonds, reconcile strained relationships, and present an opportunity to learn from each other.
In many cultures, multi-generational living is normal, with data showing over 70% of young adults in certain countries live with their parents.
Multigenerational living is increasing
Post-pandemic, more households worldwide now include two or more adult generations, a change likely due to increased uncertainty.
Multi-generational travel offers a smaller-scale way for families to benefit from this interaction, even if daily living together is not preferred.
Choosing the right destination
Selecting the right location for a multinational trip is crucial. It must cater to all—child-friendly activities, a lively nightlife for teens, spa facilities for parents, and accessible adventures for the older generations.
Montenegro, a recent bucket-list destination, fits the bill. Our first stop, Perast, offers expansive mountain views and a surreal enclave that appealed to all ages.
We stayed at a renovated palace overlooking the Adriatic Sea, allowing everyone to enjoy the area’s outdoor seafront pool and top-rated restaurant.
Exploring Montenegro
Instead of creating our itinerary, we used Untravelled Paths— a tour agency that provides authentic, local experiences. A speedboat ride to explore abandoned submarine tunnels and a visit to Kotor Bay thrilled everyone. Local experiences are what brought us closer.
A unique family dinner experience
Susannah, a local mother and lifelong Montenegrin, hosted a traditional dinner for us. The homemade wine, laughter, the lived-in atmosphere, and the ancestral building made the experience real.
Discovering together
In Budva, my brother enjoyed the nightlife, while the rest returned to our countryside villa. Educationally, I wanted my son to learn, so we planned trips with our guide Ilija, including a visit to a Šćpanović Honey Farm.
Everyone found something that suited them, my mum relaxed, my brother and son bonded, and my partner and I enjoyed quiet time. No one felt excluded or unexamined. The only conflicts were about where to eat.
By the trip’s end, we felt closer, as if we’d made new memories and healed old wounds. It’s experience I plan to replicate annually, believing that spending quality time together is invaluable.