How to Choose a Villa for a Multi-Generational Family Trip

A villa is often the best way for three generations to travel together. Everyone has their own space and routines, and the family comes together for meals and afternoons by the pool. But the details matter more than usual.

Start with the least mobile person

Steps are the most common problem. A cliffside villa on the Amalfi Coast can involve hundreds of them. A ground-floor bedroom with its own bathroom can make the trip for a grandparent.

Think about bedroom layout

• Parents of young children usually want to be close to them.
• Grandparents often appreciate being a little further from early risers.
• Teenagers value their own space, and a walk into town.

Estates with a main house and a separate cottage can be ideal, giving each branch of the family privacy while keeping everyone together.

The pool

For young children, pool safety comes first. Fencing isn't standard in Europe, so ask. For older family members, shallow steps and shade make the pool usable for everyone. See our notes on villas with pools.

Location

A remote farmhouse is peaceful, but a village within a short drive or walk makes days easier: a pharmacy, a café, somewhere for an evening walk.

Help around the house

Someone always ends up doing the cooking. Daily housekeeping, a cook for a few dinners, or a staffed villa can mean everyone gets a holiday.

Destinations that work well

Tuscany, Mallorca, the Algarve, Crete and Corfu are all excellent for multi-generational trips, with short transfers, good villas and plenty for every age.