(Quick links to our topics below)    
A Word From Our Founder: Helena Koenig
GRANDTRAVEL: A Cultural Inheritance
The GRANDTRAVEL Program
Safety: Our First Priority Questions and Answers
What GRANDTRAVEL Grandparents Say

A Word From Our Founder Helena Koenig...

Welcome to the world of GRANDTRAVEL, Luxury Vacations for Grandparents and Grandchildren, and to our new web pages filled with tours exclusively designed for the pleasure of Grandparents and Grandchildren traveling together worldwide.

We would love to hear from you about trips you would like to take, when you are available to travel together and all about your intergenerational relationships, places you’ve been, and the fun you have had together. Just e-mail us at grandtravel@academic-travel.com   We look forward to meeting you on a GRANDTRAVEL tour in the near future!

GRANDTRAVEL: A Cultural Inheritance        (Back to Top)

According to Webster, a culture is "the totality of socially transmitted patterns in arts, beliefs, institutions and all other products of human behavior and thought characteristic of a community and a population." Transmitting these characteristics to grandchildren is a practice of grandparenting, and not an easy one.

At GRANDTRAVEL, a division of Academic Travel Abroad, our sophisticated travel professionals have worked hard to produce a travel experience that will appeal to grandchildren and make absorbing new cultures enticing to them. Our integrity, honesty and experience of more than 50 years recognizes respectfully your intentions to pass on a cultural inheritance. With your help, we will work together to encourage the intellectual development of your grandchildren.

The GRANDTRAVEL Program       (Back to Top)

Developed by a team of teachers, psychologists and leisure counselors, GRANDTRAVEL is dedicated to helping grandparents create lasting memories for themselves and their grandchildren. We know that when grandparents and grandchildren travel together, they are drawn closer and relate to each other in remarkable new ways. GRANDTRAVEL expands the world of grandparent/grandchild relationships. And, you needn't be a biological grandparent to participate; surrogate grandparents, such as aunts, uncles and friends, are welcome.

Honoring a grandchild's graduation, celebrating a school award or remembering a special birthday are all terrific reasons why grandparents should encourage special trips with a grandchild. But, whether the trip is a reward, an incentive or another expression of love, it is always and foremost precious time together.

GRANDTRAVEL journeys provide the world's newest traveling companions with:

• Itineraries that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration and discovery and are fun-filled.
• Private time together -- an important part of the experience.
• Opportunities to relate to each other on an intergenerational level and to connect with the family's past.
• Peer activities, where, at some times during the trip, grandchildren will enjoy activities only with other grandchildren and grandparents only with other grandparents

 How to speak their language...

Kids these days have gadgets and lingo that not all of us are familiar with.   Acquaint yourselves with some of the most current and popular trends in their generations and bridge this social gap with your grandchildren.  Below are some rough definitions of some of the more widely used social networking and media tools that your grandchildren are undoubtably using:

• Text Messaging:
  With the introduction of the cell phone, your grandchildren are sure to be "texting" or "text messaging" as well.  This is a form of messaging another cell phone holder through the cell phone itself - something like a "cellular email" of sorts.  The written messge is sent directly to the desired recipient's phone who can then respond by typing back on their keyboards.  The younger generations have perfected the art of text messaging to the point where they have developed a full dictionary of text messaging "lingo," using heavy abbreviations and acronyms for simple words to speed up their rate of typing.  The link below will give you some insight into this new "language."

• YouTube:
  This is a website where anyone can go, set up an account, and post videos taken by themselves or others that are then made public to other users of the website to view based on what they're searching for.  Your grandchildren most likely have an account on YouTube and frequent it often.  It is a fun place to go and search out videos of any kind.  *But, please be aware that there is content on YouTube that may not be appropriate for younger audiences and should have some level of supervision involved.

• MySpace & Facebook:
  Both of these a similar website on which anyone can sign up for a private account and post personal information about themselves, share photos, videos and so much more - but can do it in a secure setting!  Meaning that they can set up a personal page and have full control over who is allowed to see their page and information.  These are great tools for your grandchildren to use to keep their friends and family up-to-date on what they've been up to, what's new in their lives and so much more.

• Twitter:
  This is a site where anyone can set up an account, and simply enter daily updates about what the user is doing, where they are and any brief comments about themselves.  They then share the link to their page with others so that they can keep up with the daily lives of their friends or favorite businesses.  GRANDTRAVEL has a Twitter account. 
  

Safety: Our First Priority          (Back to Top)

In answer to your question, "is it a safe destination?", I will respond honestly. There are no guarantees. We have selected destinations based on our past experiences. We, like you, have no way to forsee the future but we do have lots of advice to increase your chances of safety when traveling. Furthermore, we have over 50 years of experience operating tours around the world,and are very experienced in every eventuality.
 
You must stay with your group. At GRANDTRAVEL, tour leaders and bus drivers know the destination you will be visiting and are known by the local people in the destination you are visiting.They will do everything professionally possible to guide you through an incident. In the event that there is any credible warning of danger (usually a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning) before you depart, we will cancel the trip and your money will be refunded  in full. If the danger appears after your departure, our office in Washington DC, in conjunction with our partners abroad, will make every effort to assist with your safe return. 
 
Safety is important to us as it is to you. Below is some advice that experience has helped us to implement and about which we are very firm.
 
No grandchilld of any age may go any place alone (bathroom in restaurants, museum, theaters, attractions, parks, hotel rooms). No exploration adventures in hotel lobbies, hallways, elevators are allowed.
 
Room keys are to be held by grandparents only.  Passports, tickets, travelers checks are grandparents' responsibility. Pickpocketing is possible and hotels provide you with safes for protection.
 
When getting off a motorcoach, walk away from it in the direction the descending steps face.  Do not cross streets until motorcoach has departed. Crossing streets in traffic is dangerous any place, so follow all the basic rules: do not run--stop, look, and listen.
 
Swimming is a fun activity for all and, with attention to rules, we will help it to remain so.  Grandparents must know the level of swimming ability of the grandchild with whom they are traveling and should report this level to the Activity Director on tour.  No running, pushing, nor excessive splashing will be permitted in the pool or pool area. (Remember other people in the hotel are on vacation, too.) Floating devices will not be allowed.
 
Unless you are planning to buy an item, do not touch anything in a store.
 
Personal or private sightseeing in the destination may be done only once the tour leaders have been advised. This  includes after-dinner walks, reunions with old friends, dinner with relatives, and so on.
 
Know the name, address and phone number of the hotel in which you are staying. GRANDTRAVEL will provide you with the information, it is up to you to have it with you each and every day on the trip.
 
Please report any infractions of the above that you have noticed by any tour member to your Activity Director.  This is not tattling -- this is to everyone's benefit. GRANDTRAVEL is a family and we are responsible to each other.
 
Accidents can and do happen and we encourage you to purchase travel insurance.
 
If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to write to me at hkoenig@academic-travel.com

Frequently Asked Questions        (Back to Top)

What is GRANDTRAVEL?
It is a vacation travel program for grandparents and grandchildren who wish to share the pleasures of traveling together.

Who goes on GRANDTRAVEL trips?
Grandfathers, grandmothers, grandchildren, almost anyone who wants to travel with a child (aunt, uncle, friend). Grandchildren of any age are welcome, but we have found that those ages 7 to 17 especially enjoy these trips. We schedule our trips to accommodate children of similar ages (7-9 and 10-17) whenever possible. However, some departures are designed for both age groups to accommodate families with both younger and older grandchildren.

Where do Grandtravelers go on GRANDTRAVEL trips?
Just about anywhere in the world. We select destinations with school curricula in mind to enhance the education of our young travelers. We tell them about an area's history and heritage, its people and culture. New destinations are continually added to our program, many at the request of our Grandtravelers themselves.

What if Grandtravelers want to add additional stops on to their trip?
This is allowable, subject only to the regulations of the airline they will be flying. A GRANDTRAVEL agent can arrange to extend any of our trips, either at the end or the beginning. For example, Grandtravelers might like to arrive at a tour departure point a day or two early to relax and unwind before the tour begins. This is especially beneficial on international trips preceded by long airline flights.

When are GRANDTRAVEL trips scheduled?
Our trips depart primarily in the summer when grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy an extended visit with one another. With more and more parents working, the care of children during school vacations has become more difficult. GRANDTRAVEL is a wonderful solution.

How many Grandtravelers can share a room?
In most American hotels, rooms have two double beds, which will accommodate up to four persons. If you need extra beds in your room, please advise us at the time of booking and we will try to arrange for them. Hotels usually levy a small additional charge for the use of these extra beds (cots). Accommodations abroad vary, but rooms are usually limited to three persons. In some hotels, extra beds or quad accommodations are not permitted.

Are adjoining rooms available on these tours?
Yes, but these rooms do not have private-access doors between them. They are not connecting; they are adjoining.

Why is GRANDTRAVEL so special?
More than just a trip for grandparents and grandchildren, it is a carefully researched travel concept that gives special attention to the benefits that come from intergenerational experiences. Our team of teachers, psychologists, and leisure counselors understands the importance of grandparenting to the well-being of both generations.

What happens if a Grandtraveler must cancel a GRANDTRAVEL trip?
Last-minute cancellations can be a problem. We highly recommend that Grandtravelers purchase trip cancellation insurance. Cancellation penalties apply. See Terms and Conditions and Tour Protection Plan.

What is included in the price?
Each tour's specific features are outlined in its tour description. However, the following general points can be made about the cost of our trips:
GRANDTRAVEL tours include:

• Deluxe, first-class, or best-available hotel accommodations;
• Meals as described in the itinerary (BLD);
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation;
• The services of an experienced Tour Guide and a GRANDTRAVEL activities director;
• Entrance and admission fees for all events included in the itinerary;
• Airport/hotel transfers for all group departures/arrivals;
• Tipping is included in the tour price for drivers, Tour Guides, Grandtravel Activities Director, luggage porters, bellmen, sightseeing guides, and waiters;
• Hotel taxes,baggage handling; and
• All GRANDTRAVEL extras

Three meals are included daily on most GRANDTRAVEL trips. However, we have learned that, in some instances (especially in Europe, where lunches are traditionally very elaborate and served late), Grandtravelers usually prefer to select lighter fare on their own.

Grandtravel will be happy to assist confirmed participants with their airline reservations.. To make sure that you get the best value for your travel dollar, the agents will:
• Coordinate all connecting flights between your home city and our group departures/arrivals;
• Reserve business or first-class fares upon request;
• Enter your frequent-flyer account number in the reservation;
• Apply any senior citizen, child, or discount fares to which you may be entitled; and
• Issue all airline tickets for GRANDTRAVEL trips.

Are there special grandchildren's rates?
Whenever there is a children's rate for hotel, air, or other service, the saving has been incorporated into our tour price.

What forms of payment are acceptable for GRANDTRAVEL trips?
Major credit cards or personal checks will be accepted for GRANDTRAVEL TOURS and air travel.

How are reservations made for a GRANDTRAVEL trip?
You can call GRANDTRAVEL at 1-800-247-7651 (in Washington, DC, 202-785-8901) or write to us at 1920 N Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036-1601 or via email.