Traveling to the French Riviera with my parents, who are in their 70s, required logistical compromises and a shift to a slower pace, but the experience resulted in heartwarming memories. I learned that prioritizing comfortable accommodation and flexibility in scheduling were crucial for a successful multi-generational trip.
My parents, who adore the French Riviera, invited me to explore their favorite spots on the Côte d’Azur. Although we are close, I was initially apprehensive about traveling with them. My nervousness stemmed not from their age, but from my needs as a travel photographer and someone managing a chronic illness. As a writer and photographer, I worried about constant stops for pictures interrupting the flow, and losing alone time for creative work. Furthermore, living with chronic pain and a sensitive digestive system meant I was hesitant about sharing accommodations and making food choices that could disrupt my routine.
Despite these concerns, I accepted the invitation, craving the region’s famous blue sea, pastel villages, and fragrant lemon trees. We based ourselves in Nice and planned day trips to Menton, Èze, Saint Paul de Vence, Antibes, Cannes, and Monaco. Overall, the trip was successful, though I identified a few key areas where better planning would have helped.
Choosing Accommodation That Met Everyone’s Needs
My parents typically prefer comfortable, centrally located hotels that offer a hearty breakfast, while I enjoy experiencing places like a local, often opting for accommodations further from the main action. We settled on an Airbnb as a compromise. It was ideally situated, just a two-minute walk from the seafront Promenade des Anglais and near several bakeries, allowing me to easily grab morning croissants and baguettes.
Crucially, the apartment featured a mezzanine with its own separate bedroom and bathroom. This setup provided me with essential personal space, ensuring I wouldn’t disturb them if I needed to stay up late editing photos or if I required exclusive access to the bathroom due to my chronic condition.
Adopting a Slower Travel Pace
When I was a student in Europe, my parents’ visits meant spending the entire day walking, but those days are over. Our bodies have changed, and accepting that was key. We overexerted ourselves on the first day, walking extensively around the Colline du Château, the port, and through the town center. After waking up sore, we realized we needed to shift our approach from “conquering” the destination to “lingering.”
Since the city was familiar to my parents, there was less pressure to see everything. We limited our exploration to one area each morning, allowing us to recharge by the sea in the afternoon.
Making Time to Split Up
As an avid solo traveler, alone time is essential for me. I ensured I carved out opportunities for this throughout the trip. While my parents enjoyed relaxing at a café, I explored the narrow lanes of Old Nice, wandered through the exotic garden above Èze, shopped in Antibes, or climbed the medieval ramparts of Saint Paul de Vence for better views.
If they wanted downtime and I wanted to go to the beach, we would separate and meet again before dinner. It is simply unrealistic to expect everyone in a travel group to maintain the same pace or share the same interests, and family travel is no exception.
Booking a Tour Provided a Welcome Break from Decision-Making
To vary the pace, we booked a small car tour covering Monaco and Cannes. Following a set schedule was incredibly relaxing, allowing us to turn off our decision-making faculties for a period. We didn’t have to worry about the logistics of getting there or returning, and it was refreshing to simply listen to our guide and fellow passengers while quietly taking in the surroundings.
Discussing Food Preferences in Advance Was Crucial
Managing a chronic condition means I must be mindful of what and when I eat, which is often challenging when traveling with a group. Having an open, honest conversation about our dietary needs helped manage expectations. For example, if my parents got hungry before I did, they grabbed a bite without waiting. If I needed a break from gluten, I requested restaurants that served seafood — but I made sure they also offered other choices, as my mother dislikes most fish.
Flexibility saved our moods and digestive systems on multiple occasions. Fortunately, we could always agree on ice cream.
The Need for Better Logistics Planning
While we handled many things well, I wish we had researched two logistical elements more thoroughly:
First, day-trip transportation. We wasted time pacing the streets trying to locate the correct bus stop for destinations like Menton. A general idea of how to travel wasn’t enough; we should have done extra research on routes and booked fares in advance.
Second, restaurants and menus. Deciding where to eat dinner was the most challenging part of our day. While spontaneously choosing a place based on atmosphere is fun, the trip would have been much smoother if we had researched menus and reviews beforehand instead of wandering around with increasing levels of hunger and crankiness.
Delegating Trip-Planning Tasks Next Time
Our travel dynamics were complex: I am the more seasoned traveler, but my parents were the French Riviera experts guiding the destination. This sometimes led to indecision, as none of us wanted to step on the others’ toes. On our next trip, I plan to assign tasks in a more structured way. If we delegate responsibilities—say, everyone plans one meal and one day trip—the burden of ensuring the group’s satisfaction won’t fall entirely on one person.
Despite these minor hiccups, I had a wonderful time with my parents in sunny France. Through compromise and clear communication, we created heartwarming memories. It is truly a privilege to be able to travel with them while we are all healthy and fortunate enough to get along.
- Traveling with my parents, who are in their 70s, was a unique experience.
- I learned to choose accommodations that work for everyone and travel at a slower pace.
- I wish we’d planned our day-trip transportation and looked up more restaurants in advance.
