Renting a Villa or apartments
Best for: “Do it Yourselfers” and families with little ones who want privacy with lots of destination options and shared expenses. Good for special occasions — birthdays, anniversaries.

Watch out for: Extra charges for cleaning, linens, even electricity. Occupancy limitations.

Must do: Hire a chef & arrange ground transportation.

Budget: Family of 11- 7 nights $3,000 per person, airfare included.

Independent villa and apartment rentals offer a comfortable, intimate space for family reunion groups with terraces and pools and lots of space to gather and bond. Some villas are resort-based, providing the added benefit of all the commensurate services, but most are freestanding in thousands of locations around the world. Families who shy away from pre-packaged tours appreciate the autonomy this type of accommodation offers, especially with small kids in tow, who won’t be bothering other hotel guests and can play till their hearts content. Since there are so many family members in one place, there is always a built in babysitter!

There are a few caveats to consider however, as most villas don’t accommodate more than 15 people. These occupancy limitations may require big groups to consider renting a compound. Room configurations may be odd sized as well, so the group must be divided up into appropriate family units. One of the major complaints from villa renters is how the pictures on the internet sometimes misrepresented the reality upon check-in. Details such as the number of steps can be glossed over or left out all together, posing a difficulty for seniors to negotiate. Since a villa presents an intimate living situation for relatives who haven’t spent a lot of time together it’s important to discuss rules for daily living and reach compromises prior to the reunion rather than hashing it out during the reunion.

Check what amenities are included in the rental price. You may be charged extra for linens and cleaning. Decide whether to rent cars or hire a van for excursions and short jaunts to the grocery store.

Resources:

www.wimco.com

www.rentvillas.com

www.villa-vacation.com

www.rentalo.com

Ancestral travel
Best for: Independent minded families who want to go the distance and make a sentimental journey to their homeland to explore their heritage.

Watch out for: Language barriers in planning.

Must do: Visit the cemetery.

Budget: Family of 20, 10 days $3,000 per person, airfare included, meals & excursions extra.

Memories: Priceless.

The Society of American Travel Writers recently released its top 10 list of “must-see” destinations in a lifetime. Of course, it mentions the Taj Mahal and the Egyptian pyramids, but topping the list is a sentimental favorite: a visit to the homeland of your ancestors.

Travel expert D’Elia, a second- generation Italian American whose roots date back 100 years to a small village in Italy, is leading a trip of 20 extended relatives to their ancestral home this summer.

Every year since 1942 her extended Italian family has held a picnic in Connecticut celebrating their Italian American Roots. This year’s picnic — number 65 — will take place on Italian soil. While Val has had a close connection to her roots all her life, she says it’s easier than you might think to trace yours with all the resources available.

Do your research — consult with relatives to create a family tree and then confer with a genealogical tour operator for help in locating your ancestral home. Once you identify the village or town, take a scouting trip to meet a relative or close contact before bringing the whole family over.

Arrange a tour and special activities like a picnic or cooking class, something that represents your heritage.

Make the “roots” visit the highlight of the itinerary but plan other excursions around it.

Use it as an opportunity to see the country, not just the village.

Resources:

www.ancestralrootstravel.com

www.ancestraltravel.homestead.com

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