(NAPSA)—Robin Gorges and Taylor Raftery have a lot in common. They are both avid hikers. They share a passion for gardening. They are both known for having an adventurousspirit. This year, the grandmother and granddaughter, are vacationing together—explor- ing the exotic landscape of the Costa Rican rainforests. Gorges and Raftery are part of a growing trend. Grandparents traveling with their grandkids accounted for one in every five trips taken with children in the year 2000. On average, as manyas six million Ameri- cans report vacationing with their grandchildren each month. Bob Ellsasser is president of Country Walkers (www.country walkers.com), a Vermont company that specializes in small group walkingtours. “Our Family Adventures are a natural for grandparent/grandchild vacations,” said Ellsasser. “Manyof today’s grandparents are fit, active and well-traveled. Unlike their busy 30- and 40something children, retired grand- parents have more leisure time available to enjoy extended vacations and are eager to spend it with their grandchildren.” Grandparent/grandchild vacations should include an assortmentof activities such as exploring natural wonders in a national park or experiencing frontier history first-hand in a pioneer town. Physical activities such as walking, hiking, rafting, horseback riding are easy for both generations to enjoy. Water-based fun of any kind is a sure bet—he it a swimming pool, an isolated hot spring, cascading waterfall or mountain stream. a For an increasing number of Americans, vacationing with the grandkids seems like a grand idea. “T just really like hanging out with my grandmother,” said Raftery, age 10. “A trip like this gives us time to do special things together.” Walking vacations, especially those in small groups, are excellent choices. Small group tour operators, such as Country Walkers, offer special family-friendly itineraries, accommodations and meals that reflect the culture and flavor of the individual destinations. Carefully planned guided tours of rainforests, reefs or glacial lakes assure that young travelers, as well as adults, get the most out of their vacation experience. Traveling with a grandchild is a great way to share life experiences that grandparents have to offer, and most importantly, says Gorges, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories of precious time spent together.” To learn more about grandparent/grandchild vacations, visit the Web site www.countrywalkers.com.
