Let’s stick together: how holidays with grown-up children strengthen ties

Parents and adult offspring reveal how going on holiday together gives them the time and space to forge fresh, often deeper, bonds

For many of us, there comes an age (typically around 16) when holidays with our parents become anathema: “Not a static caravan in Aberystwyth again Dad, I want to stay at home with my mates and drink Monster and play Fortnite!” (or, per your author, listen to the Doors and paint gloomy gothic tableaux). As we mature into adulthood, Britons most commonly plan holidays with friends and partners and later with our own kids, who will in turn become embarrassed by trailing around beach resorts with their cringey sun visor-sporting parents.

But a novel travel trend is upending this accepted cycle of holidaymaker life. Bonding holidays (one-on-one intergenerational breaks involving a parent and adult offspring) have emerged since the pandemic, says Tom Barber, co-founder of Original Travel. The tour company recently launched itineraries to cater for these holidaymaker duos, including a five-night biking and food tour to Catalonia.