new trend? family travel committees

Howzit!

 

I have sat through various committee meetings in my adult life, but none quite like the one that I experienced last week. A client couple of ours—grandparents to a crew of budding world travelers—prefer to gift their grandchildren experiences and cultural education in lieu of material offerings.  They had the brilliant idea of expanding upon this present of international travel by including the kiddos in the travel planning process and forming a committee with revolving roles.  

 

I had the pleasure of Zooming with this year's appointed GTC (Grandchild Travel Chairperson) to discuss the crew's varying interests, bucket lists, aversions, and timing factors (lots of graduations, sporting playoffs and other events for this GTC to track!). We came up with three solid options for her to bring back to the wider committee for a vote.  What a joy.

 

In this newsletter, we will touch on locales that are perfect for multi-generational family “takeovers," as well as the many layers of experiential depth that we build around the hotel or lodge where you lay your head at night.

 

For multi-generational families seeking something beyond the expected, these private estate buyouts are a secret sauce for bonding...an invitation to bring generations closer through curiosity, connection, and discovery.

 

On the legendary shores of Loch Ness, Aldourie Castle offers a modern-day fairytale brought to life. The only habitable castle on the lake, it’s been lovingly restored by WildLand, the conservation-minded hospitality brand founded by Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen. A full buyout turns this 17th-century estate into your own Highland haven—mornings filled with mist over the loch, evenings by the fire, and days crafted for every generation. From whisky tastings and foraging walks to storytelling and boat rides across the loch, Aldourie blends grandeur with grounded beauty. Its ethos of rewilding ensures that every stay honors both history and the natural world.

 

Siri Sala Villa, hidden along the Bangkok Noi canal, is a teakwood masterpiece that bridges old-world craftsmanship with contemporary comfort. A private buyout transforms this riverside sanctuary into your family’s cultural home base—where chef-prepared Thai feasts unfold on the terrace, children explore the khlongs by long-tail boat, and elders unwind in tranquil gardens. Guests can take cooking classes with local chefs or enjoy private performances of traditional Thai dance within the villa grounds. Just minutes from the Grand Palace, Siri Sala feels like a world away—intimate, soulful, and steeped in the warmth of Thai hospitality.

 

Loirien Villa, set on the Kenyan escarpment, offers soaring vistas across the entirety of the Maasai Mara stretching toward the Serengeti. Once the home of Kenya’s founding president, it is now a haven for families wanting the ultimate Out of Africa experience— rhino trekking on foot, beading with Maasai women, regenerative gastronomy…all highlights, not to mention Big Five wildlife on your doorstep and a front-row view to the Great Migration.

 

Alma Del Mar is on a private peninsula in Nicaragua’s Rancho Santana, within a 3,000-acre reserve of pristine marine and virgin rainforest environments. Learning to surf like a pro, scaling volcanic sites, and exploring quaint colonial towns fill your days. The country—and the region, with Panama, Belize, and Guatemala all easily accessible— is a gem hiding in plain sight.

 

Fresh off her return from the Highlands, Hailey found Scotland to be a land of beautiful contrasts—raw wilderness balanced by refined hospitality, and ancient traditions layered with modern luxury.  

 

Some Scottish highlights:

Throughout the country, Hailey noted Scotland's talent for reinvention—at once classic and cutting-edge. The arc of her journey felt like a tapestry of Scotland itself: rugged and soulful, elegant and unexpected, always inviting you to plunge deeper.