Why Skip-Gen Travel Is the New Retirement Trend

Jordan Defazio
6 days ago
3 min read

Most grandparents want more than just quick visits with their grandkids.

But once they enter retirement, many aren’t sure how to create more meaningful time together, especially as schedules get busier and lives grow apart.

That’s why Skip-gen travel, when grandparents take a trip with their grandchildren while the parents stay home, is growing in popularity.

JoAnn Bell, senior vice-president at Road Scholar, has helped plan hundreds of these trips.

She’s also taken one herself with her grandson where they chose something different - a nature getaway.

Just quiet time walking together through Crater Lake National Park, sharing stories, and creating a memory that, as she says, meant far more than any birthday gift¹.

“No matter what iPad you give them, it will pale in comparison to remembering that you travelled with your grandparents,” she told Fox Business¹.

Skip‑gen travel opens up a different kind of relationship. You get to see your grandkids in a new more relaxed, more curious, more open way. This is backed by advice from AARP’s guide to skip‑gen vacations, which emphasizes how one‑on‑one trips help families bond, plan with fewer constraints, and focus on creating lifelong memories⁴.

The Benefits Go Beyond the Photos

Traveling with your grandkids can have many health benefits such as:

Emotional well-being - Studies show that spending time with younger generations reduces loneliness and improves overall life satisfaction in retirees².

Mental sharpness - New environments and meaningful conversations help keep your mind engaged and active³.

Physical movement - From nature trails to museums and beach walks, these trips naturally keep you moving without the pressure of intense activity⁴.

A Canadian survey found that 74 percent of families have already taken a multi-generation trip and would gladly do it again². Many parents even encourage skip-gen travel to give their kids a new kind of bonding experience and to enjoy a little break themselves⁶.

Where to Go: Canada Has You Covered

You don’t need to leave the country to create something meaningful. Some of the best skip-gen experiences are right here at home.

Banff and Jasper, Alberta - Ride the gondola, spot wildlife, and explore scenic trails through Canada’s most iconic mountain parks.

Prince Edward Island - Bike the Confederation Trail, visit the Green Gables house, and skip rocks on red-sand beaches.

Niagara Falls, Ontario - Board the boat to the base of the falls, stroll Clifton Hill, and explore interactive exhibits at the Butterfly Conservatory.

Quebec City, Quebec - Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Town, visit historic forts, and enjoy local pastries at a riverside café.

Tofino, British Columbia - Explore tide pools, surf gentle waves, and gather around a beach fire for s’mores under the stars.

Ottawa, Ontario - Tour the Canadian Museum of Nature, visit Parliament Hill, and cruise the Rideau Canal by boat or paddleboard.

Wherever you go, the goal is the same. Spend time together, share stories, and create memories that grow in meaning long after the trip ends.

Turning a Wish into a Plan

These trips don’t have to be complicated or expensive. The real value is in the time you create and not the money you spend.

With a thoughtful retirement strategy, you can build flexibility into your plan so you’re ready when the opportunity comes.

Curious how other like-minded retirees are making space for these memory-making moments?

Join us for our next in-person seminar to explore how a well-built plan can help

you spend your retirement living, not waiting.

Sources:

This commentary is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax or other advice. David Popowich and Faisal Karmali are Investment Advisors with CIBC Wood Gundy in Calgary. The views of David Popowich, Faisal Karmali, and guest author do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc. This information, including any opinion, is based on various sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc