10 Best Destinations for Multi-Generational Family Travel

Where's the best place for a multi-generational vacation? Pettitts Travel recently revealed its 3G Family Travel Index taking into account a variety of studies of travelers of all ages who vacation with their whole families. The U.K. tour operator also identified what each generation wanted from their destination, examining a plethora of key elements such as sunshine, safety, cost, scenery, beaches, relaxation, hiking, adventure, culture and tourism services. Here are the 10 places around the world that fared the best.

Narrowly edging out the U.K. for 10th, Ireland scores a perfect 10 for culture and comes in only slightly below perfect when it comes to safety, relaxation, adventure and tourism services. Multi-generational families exploring the Emerald Isle can save 10 percent through December 15 by booking their car rental with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Arguably the most surprising entry in the top 10, Finland may lack sunshine along with plentiful hiking and sightseeing opportunities, according to the index, but it more than makes up for it in terms of traveler safety, earning a 10 out of 10 to tie New Zealand, Iceland, Singapore and Switzerland in that category. The Scandinavian destination also fares extremely well for relaxation, culture and tourism services.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the world's most-visited country is among the best for groups of all ages. France is one of the few destinations to score a perfect 10 for culture and is bested by only Italy and China in terms of sightseeing opportunities. According to new data from Hipmunk, Paris is the top travel destination for Labor Day weekend 2019. The good news is that Hipmunk's research also shows that large families can save significant money on airfare this year.

The U.S. ranks seventh for multi-generational travel, cracking the top 10 in large part due to its beautiful beaches and reputation as a safe country. Consistency also sets the U.S. apart for families vacationing together. Excluding the sunshine element (which was awarded a half-weighted score), America earns no worse than a five in any key category Pettitts Travel analyzed.

Italy topped every other country in terms of sightseeing as it offers visitors a remarkable 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to choose from. It also appeals to multi-generational families seeking adventure, placing second in the all-important category.

The whole family is sure to have a blast Down Under as Australia rounds out the index's top five destinations for multi-generational travel, excelling in a handful of key areas, including safety, scenery, beaches, relaxation, adventure and culture. Whether touring Sydney or exploring the Outback, there's no shortage of exciting activities, attractions and adventures to choose from.

Canada ranks fourth thanks to its overwhelming amount of coastline appealing to beach-goers and relaxation seekers as well as its one-of-a-kind natural wonders such as the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls.

A trendy destination that's more accessible for Americans than ever before, Portugal is among the six European countries ranking in the index's top 10. "I recommend Portugal. It's hot right now. It's a great destination and when you get there the value for your dollar goes super far," says TravelPulse founder and CEO Mark Murphy. "It's unbelievably picturesque. Lisbon is a great city with cobblestone streets and little eateries. You can even rent a car and go up the coast to Porto."

With an incredible 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Spain can't be beaten when it comes to exploring history and culture with the entire family. What's more, the European country offers visitors an average of 170.7 sunny days a year so memorable beach time isn't hard to come by either.

New Zealand was propelled to the top spot because of key factors such as safety and the attractiveness of natural assets. The country also boasts more than 9,400 miles of coastline and ranks as the second most peaceful nation in the world.