In Venice With My Mom and Sister, Discovering the Joy of a Cross-Generational Trip

"As my sister and I ease into our 30s and my mom into her 70s, there's that feeling that traveling freely-hopping on planes for a long weekend on the continent-won't always be this easy. There will, one day, be partners to consider and family demands to factor in."

"Perhaps you're supposed to outgrow traveling with your mom, but I know neither my sister or myself have ever felt that way. Our relationships flex and shift and change, and roles that were once set in stone shift too."

"Something I've always found especially joyful about traveling with other women is that things just get done-dishwashers in Airbnbs get loaded and unloaded, restaurant reservations get made, flights are checked into without anyone ever having to ask."

Family vacations evoke mixed emotions—excitement about quality time with loved ones and anxiety about potential conflicts. The author has enjoyed extensive travel with her sister Emily and mother separately, experiencing memorable trips to Paris, New York, Cannes, and Venice. However, traveling together as a trio without her father is a new experience. As the author and her sister approach their 30s and their mother enters her 70s, they recognize that freely traveling together may not always be feasible due to future partners, family obligations, and aging. They deliberately chose Venice for a trip, recognizing the importance of creating these shared experiences while everyone can still travel comfortably. Traveling with other women offers particular joy as practical tasks are naturally managed collaboratively.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler