Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials Enjoying the Same Place
by Alicia Wanek
“Creating memories that last a lifetime.” What better way to make family memories than while on a trip to a new destination? For TravelStore’s Master Travel Consultant, Wendy Sandridge, also known as “Travel Mom Wendy,” her main objective is to facilitate those unforgettable memories with each client, particularly when it comes to planning trips for families that cater to everyone from grandparents to the youngest grandchildren. Wendy cherishes the memories of the cruises she took with her family, including her grandparents, their three children, their spouses, and all six grandchildren. Her extensive experience in the hotel and travel industry has equipped her to create similar memorable experiences for her clients.
“For families with different ages and interests, all-inclusive trips and cruises are usually best,” Wendy explains. “There is something for everybody. When you all get together at a family member’s home, someone has to do all the work. On these trips, everyone is relaxed.” Tracy Bell from Dallas and her family recently completed their 16th family trip to an all-inclusive destination over Thanksgiving, where they appreciated the chance to engage in activities together. This year, their group included 15 family members spanning three generations. Along with her mother, brother, and sister, their spouses, and seven grandchildren (and one girlfriend) ages 8 to 29, the family traveled to Club Med Ixtapa. The resort provided numerous activities for their active family. “We always play a family beach volleyball game, boys against girls, charades one night, another traditional family game called ‘Happy Family’… and several other games each evening. Some people went on horseback riding excursions, while others tried trapeze and archery, played tennis, went snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Several of us even treated ourselves to massages on the beach,” reports Tracy.
The key to a fantastic vacation—from the location to the amenities to the destination itself—is having someone coordinate the trip for you. In Wendy’s case, she has already traveled to many of the locations herself and, more importantly, she has personal connections that can enhance your trip experience. She is much more than just a travel agent.
As a Master Travel Consultant, Wendy seeks to customize your trip for an unforgettable experience. She provides additional perks like complimentary breakfasts, early check-ins or late check-outs, resort credits, and VIP treatment at the property. “I go above and beyond to take care of my clients,” she asserts. Tracy completely agrees, stating, “She goes the extra mile to make everything perfect!” With access to over 700 travel professionals at TravelStore, Wendy has like-minded experts around the globe to ensure she meets the needs of discerning travelers wherever they wish to go. Should she not have been to a particular destination herself, she will find someone who has to provide insider information on every detail.
Tom Ericson can’t speak highly enough of working with Wendy. His family took a once-in-a-lifetime 11-night cruise to Greece, Turkey, and Italy over the summer to celebrate his youngest daughter’s high school graduation, starting and ending in Rome, Italy. Their group included Tom’s mother-in-law, himself and his wife, and their two daughters. He says of Wendy, “She was fabulous throughout the entire process. Having visited most of the destinations we planned to see, she offered us valuable firsthand insights on what to do and avoid. Wendy was meticulous in taking care of us. She organized every detail from our transportation and lodging before and after the cruise to the cruise itself, managing to secure various additional perks even after we had booked the trip, obviously going above and beyond!”
Reflecting on his journey, Tom remembers the excellent cuisine, stunning sights, and enjoyable experiences, but he notes, “Seeing their faces and experiencing it all together was my greatest reward!” Regardless of where your family travels, isn’t that the ultimate goal? To create shared experiences that will be remembered for years ahead? As Saint Augustine observed, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Is your family prepared to turn the page?
Meet the memory maker: TravelStore’s Wendy Sandridge creates enjoyable multi-generational travel experiences
Editor’s Note: Some of Wendy’s favored destinations are featured in The Ultimate Travel Guide starting on page 31. You can contact Wendy Sandridge at TravelMomWendy@verizon.net or 972.491.1560.
