Daily Times (Primos, PA)

Finding the right vacation for the summer months

- Judy Schwank is a state senator for the 11th district. Her Reading district office is located at 210 George St., Muhlenberg Township. Contact her at 610-9292151, senatorsch­wank@ pasenate.com or visit her website www. senatorsch­wank.com or www.facebook.com

and leave parents at home. This is an excellent option for grandparen­ts and grandchild­ren living farther away from each other because it allows for more quality time.

However, skip-gen traveling can be challengin­g. You’ll need to find activities to entertain both generation­s, and as every grandparen­t knows, the little ones can be a handful after a while. Experts say that when children are included in choosing and planning the trip, they are more engaged.

Some older adults may not be up for all the planning associated with this kind of trip. That’s OK. Luckily, we have an abundance of excellent theme parks just a car ride away.

Visiting a theme park can be a great way to spend quality time with grandchild­ren. For younger kids, it can be a great day trip option. Dorney, Dutch Wonderland, Legoland and Hersheypar­k, among others, are nearby.

State parks, historical sites, museums and regional nature centers are also great options that have educationa­l value. These options are also very costeffici­ent compared to theme parks, which can be pricy.

Skip-Gen traveling is a growing trend, but it may not sound so appealing to some older adults. What’s most important during a vacation is that you enjoy some time in a different setting and recharge. That looks different for everyone.

National parks make for a wonderful getaway for older adults who enjoy physical activity and beautiful scenery. There are 21 national parks in Pennsylvan­ia alone for anyone looking for a day trip. With a total of 424 scattered throughout the country, they can be incorporat­ed into a trip just about anywhere. National parks allow for activities like camping, biking, hiking, swimming or fishing.

Cruises are another great option for a summer vacation. Though older adults’ affinity for cruises has become something of a cliché, there is a reason they are so popular. In 2018, 28.5 million people went on a cruise, and 50% were over 50.

Cruises often appeal to older adults because there is relatively no hassle once on the ship. Cruisegoer­s can spend the day exploring a new place and have easy access to a variety of fun activities. Cruises also offer fun for the whole family and a myriad of things to keep the grandkids busy.

Vacations are a time to experience something new, make memories and spend time with loved ones. No matter where you go or what you do, make sure you get the most out of your summer vacation.

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