![Jenny's wife Lotte (L) with their daughter, Lotte's mother, also called Jenny, and aunt Cheryl (R) in the pool](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2021/03/11/Multi-gen-holiday-Jenny-Southan_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqjhyAHTYZpW25XtJw4380rUZgpfUTchasAHnUPdWMzSg.jpg?imwidth=680)
Why Ibiza was the perfect destination for my multi-gen family holiday
Three generations headed to the White Island. With an age range spanning 70 years, here’s how they made it work
![Jenny's wife Lotte (L) with their daughter, Lotte's mother, also called Jenny, and aunt Cheryl (R) in the pool](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2021/03/11/Multi-gen-holiday-Jenny-Southan_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqjhyAHTYZpW25XtJw4380rUZgpfUTchasAHnUPdWMzSg.jpg?imwidth=680)
Our villa, a walled estate on a hill in the north of Ibiza, was accessed via a sharp turning off the road, up a dirt track and through a pine forest. There were no signs, just some instructions given by the owner who had listed it for “exclusive use” on Airbnb. There was a large group of us in a hilariously uncool beige van and, as the electric gates slowly opened, we were greeted by the sight of a low-lying white mansion surrounded by bougainvillea, palms, banana plants and olive trees.
On the far side was a swimming pool with panoramic views of the island and the sea in the distance. There was much laughter and excitement as we made our way through the house, choosing who was sleeping in which bedroom and who would be lucky enough to have the one with the outdoor shower. Our daughter, who was one at the time, was enjoying toddling around exploring with Grandma (my mother-in-law, also called Jenny). While someone was in the kitchen making a round of cocktails, my wife Lotte and I had a sunset swim.
![Jenny's wife Lotte (L) with their daughter, Lotte's mother, also called Jenny, and aunt Cheryl (R) in the pool](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2021/03/11/Multi-gen-holiday-Jenny-Southan_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqjhyAHTYZpW25XtJw4380rUZgpfUTchasAHnUPdWMzSg.jpg?imwidth=350)
When you have children, you quickly notice the benefits of travelling with relatives – on this occasion there was also Grandma’s sister Cheryl, my wife’s cousin and her partner Vic, family friends Chris and Hannah, and my wife’s teenage nephew Luis. In total, 10 of us, spanning a 70-year age range. Pre-pandemic (when we travelled), the multi-gen travel trend was already gaining momentum but now that we have been forced to spend so much time apart from the people we love, reunion holidays look set to be extremely popular.
Another benefit of vacationing as a group is that you can club together and get a more extravagant residence (ideally with a cleaner, cook and massage therapist on-hand), and relax in the confines of your own Covid-secure, home-away-from-home. In addition to Airbnb Luxe, other premium property rental companies set to do well this summer and beyond include the Plum Guide, The Greek Villas, Ultima Collection, Le Collectionist, CV Villas and OneFineStay. Hotels with on-site villas will also be in high demand, especially for those drawn to the additional services and facilities they offer. The Marbella Club in Spain, São Lourenço do Barrocal in Portugal and the Reschio Estate in Italy are all good examples.
![Marbella Club, Spain villa walled garden](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/2021/03/11/21-Walled-Garden_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqkZdGXfzOPVSbO-9sH583RDbZF2cN2iZDFkfQRNCPwKY.jpg?imwidth=350)
Ibiza proved a great choice of destination as there was plenty to please everyone and the island was easy to get around by car. One evening my wife and I went for dinner at Finca La Plaza with our millennial cohorts and Gen Z Luis while the seniors babysat our daughter. Another night we left the villa at midnight to go clubbing at Pacha. Calvin Harris was DJing and, safe in the knowledge that our daughter was safely asleep, we were able to dance and queue for outrageously expensive drinks without paying for a nanny. Mostly, we spent evenings together in the villa – a heavenly place with an outdoor table under a canopy of vines (couples would take it in turn to make dinner) and a pool that could change colour for moonlit swims.
Lunches were fun – one day, after doing a big supermarket shop, I went to Pike’s hotel (sans baby – a rare opportunity) with Chris for margaritas and a falafel salad. It was nice to have some time one-to-one. But a date-night with Lotte was scuppered when our daughter woke up crying for us. Other days we all swam in the sea from busy beaches (dodging jellyfish – not so good for kids), danced to Bob Marley in salty sarongs and ate bowls of guacamole while reading books on lazy afternoons at the villa.
One day I stayed at home with the baby while everyone else went on a boat trip to Formentera. But accepting that you can’t always do everything together is an important part of a successful multi-generational trip. People get up at different times of day, want to eat different food and do different activities, but that’s fine. Going with the flow is essential. After months of lockdown with only ourselves for company, holidays like this could be the perfect way to “resocialise” ourselves. Personally, I can’t wait to book one again.
At time of publishing, travel within the UK and overseas was subject to restrictions. Check the relevant rules and guidance before booking/travelling. Jenny Southan travelled before the coronavirus pandemic.