At the ATF26 tourism exhibition in Antalya, Tolga Kilit, a board member of Kilit Group, proposed a significant restructuring of how Turkey's hotel industry communicates its most popular booking option: the "all-inclusive” package. The initiative, currently under consideration, seeks to replace the vague, catch-all label with a five-tier classification system designed to clarify exactly what services a guest is paying for before booking.
Kilit argued that the current "all-inclusive” designation is too broad, often masking a wide disparity in service levels. Under the existing system, a modest hotel offering basic meals and limited facilities may appear identical to a premium resort featuring multiple specialty restaurants and exclusive amenities, simply because both use the same marketing term. This lack of differentiation can lead to mismatched expectations, where travelers assume a level of luxury and variety that is not present in their specific property.
A Five-Tier Framework
The proposed reform would categorize hotels into five distinct levels: Eco, Eco Plus, Mid-range, High-end, and Luxury. Unlike the current star rating system, which often focuses on physical infrastructure, this new classification aims to standardize the evaluation of service spectrum and quality. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey is expected to develop the specific criteria that will define each category, ensuring that the labels reflect objective service standards rather than marketing discretion.
Israeli and foreign airlines alike must submit crew information 48 hours before departure; non-Israeli crew and passengers required to fill out online form before entering country
Marissa Goldstein and her husband moved to Vietnam 10 years ago and are raising two sets of twins in Ho Chi Minh City.
Provided by Marissa Goldstein
Marissa Goldstein and her husband traveled to Vietnam for work in 2016 and decided to move there soon after.
Now, a mother of two sets of twins, Goldstein says her family of six is happily settled in Ho Chi Minh City.
The city's low costs and kid-friendly culture make family life easier — though international school fees are high.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Marissa Goldstein, a 40-year-old entrepreneur from the Boston area who lives in Ho Chi Minh City. It has been edited for length and clarity.
In 2016, my husband and I flew to Vietnam with our 1-year-old twins and two bags. We told everyone we'd be back in three months.
Ten years later, we have four kids — two sets of twins — and a life in Ho Chi Minh City that I wouldn't trade. We've taken our kids to about 50 countries and spend summers with our families in Boston, then come back to the chaos of a city we love.
They are raising four kids — two sets of twins — in Ho Chi Minh City.
Provided by Marissa Goldstein
Asia had my heart long before Vietnam
I grew up outside Boston. I studied communications at the University of Maryland, and a trip to Thailand during my junior year abroad was my first taste of Asia. I fell in love.
My husband and I met in high school and married after I graduated. I worked in PR and sales, then got my MBA at Babson College. Around 2015, there was an opportunity to help US companies diversify their supply chains away from China, so we started The Timroon Group, a manufacturing and sourcing company focused on Vietnam.
Being home with two babies overwhelmed me. Even though we had an incredible support system, living with my parents in a six-bedroom house in the suburbs. I quickly realized that staying home wasn't for me.
When traveling, though, I felt unstoppable. We headed to Ho Chi Minh City the day after their first birthday.
The family travels regularly around Vietnam and the region.
Provided by Marissa Goldstein
Vietnam won me over through my kids
I loved it right away, especially how people treat children. We'd bring the twins to dinners and big brunches, and the staff would take them and play. I felt really safe. Within a month, we had friends from all over the world. Three months turned into 18.
When the twins were 18 months old, we took an overnight train to Sapa in northern Vietnam. Hmong women were selling their textiles, and I decided to start my own travel accessories brand, working with women artisans. On that same trip, we decided to have one more child. Soon after, we found out we were having twins again.
In January 2020, we returned to Boston, where I grew Raffi Nova, my textile accessories brand. But by 2022, my husband's business was picking up, and we had the itch to return to Vietnam.
When she travels back to Boston in the summer, she gets surprised by how expensive things are.
Provided by Marissa Goldstein
Ho Chi Minh City works for a family of 6
We live about 15 minutes from the city center. There are a lot of foreigners living here, several international schools, and everything is within a 10-minute drive.
There are good doctors and hospitals, Michelin Guide-rated street food, French bakeries, and plenty of activities for the kids, from taekwondo to tennis.
The cost of living is much lower, though school and housing add up. Housing in our area ranges from about $1,500 a month for a smaller apartment to around $10,000 for a villa. We're somewhere in between, in a five-bedroom serviced apartment.
We spend about $1,000 a month on groceries, buying fruit and vegetables at the local market, and spending more on meat and imported food. A latte at a cute, bougie café is about $2, so I treat my friends to coffee without thinking twice.
We have a live-out helper who we pay about $900 a month. She cleans, preps groceries, and helps with the kids. Health insurance for our family runs under $10,000 a year.
I get serious sticker shock when I go home in the summer. I take the kids out for bagels, and it's $100 or more.
Schooling is by far our biggest cost. International school fees in the city range from about $8,000 to $30,000 per child per school year. We're at the higher end, but we strongly believe in a good education.
With fees for four kids, we probably spend about the same as we would in the US, where we wouldn't have to pay for school. But there, we wouldn't eat out or travel as much.
Goldstein says she thrives on chaos, so Vietnam is the right pick.
Provided by Marissa Goldstein
Being far away is hard, but travel makes up for it
Both our big families live in the Boston suburbs.
There's also the weather: hot, hotter, and wet. In rainy season, it pours at school pickup every single day, even when you're sure it won't. The upside is that the kids need only one wardrobe all year.
I see Vietnam is our launchpad to the world.
Last spring, we spent a night in the jungle in Phong Nha, home to Vietnam's largest cave. We've been to Thailand about 20 times. Last February, we rented an RV and drove around New Zealand's South Island. On a trip to Sri Lanka, the kids learned to surf, and we stayed at a homestay in the mountains.
Traveling as six is hard. Most hotels don't allow four children in a room, and we can't fit in a regular car. Our best trips have never been at nice resorts. They're homestays, campsites, and RVs.
That's probably why this life suits us. I never wanted to say, "This is the house we'll live in for the next 50 years." Predictability scares me. I thrive in chaos, and with two sets of twins, there's always plenty of it — I wouldn't have it any other way.
After leaving Mumbai in 1998, Vikram Maira turned his family’s holiday home and orchard in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon hills into an intimate Himalayan retreat where thoughtful cooking, a close-knit local team and personal attention matter more than expansion
Fort William has been named the UK's best autumn staycation destination by Sykes Holiday Cottages, but a frequent visitor to the Highland town questions whether it deserves the accolade.
Major U.S. and international airline groups are pushing back against a new Ebola-related travel requirement that will affect millions of people flying into the United States.
Beginning Nov. 3, all passengers on international flights to the U.S. will have to confirm that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The requirement applies to everyone flying into or connecting through the U.S. — including American citizens, green card holders and airline crew members, the CDC said.
Travelers will have to complete a paper or digital statement before boarding, even if they have never visited the DRC.
Airlines must collect the forms and keep them for at least 42 days after the flight arrives in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major carriers including American, Delta, Southwest, United and JetBlue, is asking the CDC to reconsider the requirement and give airlines more time to prepare, according to an Oct. 26 letter provided to Fox News Digital.
The group said it supports the CDC's public health goals but argued that the new requirement is too broad and is being introduced too quickly.
A4A asked the government for a "more proportionate and measured U.S. response" focused more closely on affected areas and travelers who have recently been there.
The group also asked for the Nov. 3 start date to be delayed.
"Changes to check-in systems, digital signatures, station procedures and training cannot readily be completed in the allotted time," A4A wrote.
Dr. Tyler Evans, a California-based infectious disease physician and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, told Fox News Digital, "This was a step in the right direction, given the fact that we really do have to take this seriously. We have to ensure that this does not cross borders."
He added, "This is the second-largest outbreak of Ebola in history. So this is very serious."
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents more than 370 airlines around the world, has also asked the CDC to reconsider the requirement, Reuters reported.
"It is unreasonable for the U.S. government to require all airlines serving the U.S. market to modify their procedures to accommodate the collection of attestations from each individual (passenger and crew) flying to the United States in less than two weeks," IATA wrote in a letter, according to Reuters.
A4A is also asking the CDC to exempt airline crew members, arguing that existing aviation documents already contain information about crews and their travel.
The group has requested an exemption for U.S. military passenger charters as well, saying the military already tracks service members' health, safety and whereabouts.
The 21-day period reflects the maximum amount of time it can take for symptoms to appear after exposure.
Anyone who has been in the DRC during that period, including travelers who only passed through an airport there, will not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound flight unless they have a government exemption, the CDC said.
"Some of the initial symptoms would just be flu-like symptoms. You'll have a high-grade fever, you'll feel sort of fatigued," the doctor said.
"[For] people that ... are asymptomatic, being able to screen is a very effective modality to reduce, to prevent or mitigate further transmission," Evans said.
Evans worked on the Ebola response twice in the past, both in West Africa and in the DRC, the two largest outbreaks in history.
"The reality is Ebola is one of the most infectious and has one of the highest case fatality rates of infectious diseases," Evans said.
But Americans often don't view Ebola as being relevant to them, he said. "When it comes to infectious diseases ... microbes don't sort of respect boundaries."
Angry port workers in Barcelona, Spain set a barricade ablaze Wednesday, blocking access to a cruise terminal and forcing passengers to haul their luggage on foot, according to local reports.
The protest took place near Barcelona's cruise terminals, where workers blocked an access road leading to the Porta d'Europa bridge, Spanish news outlet Crónica Global reported.
The workers were protesting potential pay cuts, with the road closures forcing cruise passengers to walk with their luggage instead of traveling by bus or car, the same outlet reported.
Spanish outlets reported that the protest followed a government audit that found discrepancies between approved salary budgets and the amounts workers were actually paid.
Workers fear the findings could lead to pay cuts of up to 8%, according to local news outlet betevé.
Employees have argued they should not be penalized for the discrepancies.
"The solution is not to cut salaries," the workers' committee said in a statement Wednesday, translated from Spanish, according to maritime news outlet Diario del Puerto.
In a statement, the Port of Barcelona said it was required to correct the payroll discrepancies identified in the government audit but maintained that the issue was not the result of wrongdoing by the port, according to local broadcaster betevé.
Barcelona is one of Europe's busiest cruise destinations, with the port recording nearly 4 million cruise passenger movements in 2025, according to the Port of Barcelona.
The disruption comes as Barcelona continues to grapple with broader tensions surrounding tourism.
Earlier in October, Fox News Digital reported growing tensions over tourism in Barcelona, where protests have raised concerns about the impact on visitors to the popular Spanish destination.
Earlier this summer, Barcelona officials pushed to increase taxes on cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours to as much as $35, as part of broader efforts to curb overtourism.
The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra issued a demonstration alert for Spain (not related to the port protests) on Oct.28.
"Demonstrations and protests continue to occur in Spain. While some demonstrations have been announced, including on October 31, other protests are spontaneous. Last minute changes can happen and may occur outside planned routes," the alert said.
"Local authorities may increase security measures, including road closures, traffic restrictions, or increased security presence in areas where the demonstrations will occur. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and areas of unrest.
"Stay away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity," it added. "Even peaceful protests can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."
Two college students who went hiking in Colorado were found dead after they were not seen or heard from for several days.
Deputies discovered the bodies of Kaden Matsuda, 19, and Jackson Donlon, 20, in a mountain basin on West Apostle Mountain, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Matsuda, of Ridgway, Colorado, and Donlon, of Queensbury, New York, were both students at Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus. Deputies say they left campus for a hike near Ice Mountain Friday, Oct. 23.
Investigators shared detailed updates on social media about the mission in which 60 search and rescue volunteers deployed from six different counties and had to brave treacherous trails and deteriorating weather conditions to try and find the men.
In a statement, Sheriff Andy Rohrich said in part, "Our heart aches for Kaden and Jackson’s family and friends. We are very proud of our team’s efforts to find them before this weekend’s coming storm. Although this is a gut punch, our prayers were answered that we would find Kaden and Jackson, allowing some closure for the family."
Kathy Villalba sent an "urgent" memo asking residents for financial support.
Suy SE / AFP via Getty Images
The boss of Villa Vie Residences sent passengers an "urgent" appeal for financial help in August.
Three months before the cruise halted in Cambodia, CEO Kathy Villalba warned of soaring fuel costs.
"We have now reached a critical point," she wrote. Read the full message to residents below.
Almost three months before Villa Vie Residences suspended operations on Tuesday, leaving residents of the "never-ending" cruise stranded in Cambodia, the company had already warned the Odyssey's residents that it was running out of money for fuel.
In an August 1 memo to residentslabeled "urgent," Villa Vie CEO and founding partner Kathy Villalba asked residents for financial contributions to buy fuel.
The memo, which Business Insider reviewed, said the company needed to make"immediate and creative operational decisions to preserve the voyage."
The company behind the 509-cabin ship had promised a permanent life at sea and a voyage around the world every three-and-a-half years for its residents. That came to an abrupt halt on Tuesday, when residents were told to disembark with only a few hours' notice.
In a Tuesday statement announcing it had halted operations, Villa Vie said it had taken "significant steps to reduce fuel consumption" after prices rocketed following the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran in February, but that these steps had not been enough.
Villa Vie founder Mikael Petterson told Business Insider in a phone call on Wednesday that the fuel price surge triggered a "cascading effect" that culminated in the suspension of operations.
Financial pressures became clear to residents in April, two months after the war in Iran began, when Villa Vie asked residents to loan the company money, offering interest rates of 12% to 24%, according to a separate letter viewed by Business Insider.
And by August, Villa Vie had reached a "critical point," according to Villalba's message, which you can read in full below.
Villalba, Petterson, and Villa Vie did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Business Insider.
URGENT OPERATIONAL UPDATEConfidentiality Reminder: This communication contains confidential and proprietary information intended solely for current Residents and authorized participants of the Villa Vie community. It is being shared through Circle as part of our commitment to transparency and open communication. We respectfully ask that you do not repost, forward, or otherwise distribute this information outside of Circle without the prior written consent of Villa Vie Residences.Dear Residents,We want to provide you with a direct, straightforward update regarding Odyssey's current operational realities.When the fuel contribution was requested several months ago, participation was not universal. The contributions received helped some, but they covered only part of the extraordinary increase in fuel costs. Since then, the company has exhausted its available reserves covering the remaining shortfall and keeping Odyssey moving.We had hoped that improving conditions in the region would begin to stabilize fuel prices. Unfortunately, the continued conflict and renewed market disruption have caused prices to rise sharply again. This is not simply an itinerary issue. It is an immediate cash-flow challenge that directly affects our ability to purchase the fuel required to continue the voyage.Odyssey currently needs approximately 650 metric tons of fuel. Under normal market conditions, that fuel would cost approximately $450,000. At today's prices, the cost is nearly double ($800,000).We have now reached a critical point. The lack of full participation, combined with the unprecedented increase in fuel costs, means we must make immediate and creative operational decisions to preserve the voyage.We are working toward receiving a partial fuel delivery as early as Monday. Our berth is available until Friday, August 7 at 4:00 p.m., subject to final confirmation from the port agent and Singapore Port Authority. The current recommendation is to remain alongside until August 7 and then sail at a slower, more economical speed to Nha Trang for our scheduled arrival on August 12.We are asking every Resident who did not previously contribute to please do so now. We are also asking those who are able to provide additional support to consider helping with this immediate fuel requirement.While every Resident has a contract with Villa Vie, this international crisis has created costs far beyond the circumstances contemplated when those agreements were made. The financial need is real, immediate, and necessary to keep Odyssey moving. This is a moment when preserving our home and continuing the voyage requires support beyond contractual minimums from those who are able to provide it.To conserve fuel and reduce operating costs, we will cancel Brunei and proceed directly from Singapore to Nha Trang. This will help reduce the expense, but it does not eliminate the need to fund the required bunkering.We will provide another update as soon as the fuel, berth, and departure arrangements are confirmed.Thank you for your understanding and support.— VVR Management."
The Villa Vie Odyssey's residents said they were given eight hours to disembark in Cambodia.
TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP via Getty Images
The founder behind the "never-ending" cruise told Business Insider that problems piled up this year.
The Iran war sent fuel prices soaring. Then Villa Vie spooked passengers by asking them for loans.
Now founder Mikael Petterson says he is considering bankruptcy.
A financial whirlpool sucked the "never-ending" cruise under.
The founder behind the Villa Vie Odyssey told Business Insider that the Iran war fuel-price surge was the beginning of a "cascading effect" that led the cruise to shut down this week. Mikael Petterson, Villa Vie Residences' founder and executive chairman, said he's considering bankruptcy.
Villa Vie sold permanent cabins at prices ranging from $119,999 to $439,999, promising residents an endless cruise with stops at more than 400 ports of call and a global circumnavigation every three-and-a-half years.
Here are five business problems that brought the trip to an abrupt end.
1. Fuel prices soared.
In February, the United States and Israel launched a war in Iran. Fuel prices surged. The Odyssey uses marine gas oil, or MGO.
Villa Vie had typically paid around $600 or $700 per metric ton for the Odyssey's fuel, Petterson said. By March, the price of MGO in Singapore had soared to nearly $2,000 per metric ton, according to data from Ship & Bunker, a trade publication.
2. The company was too small to hedge.
Some publicly traded companies, like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, have told shareholders this year that they have taken measures to blunt the impact of fuel-price volatility. Unlike larger cruise lines, Villa Vie didn't have the scale to absorb the higher prices, Petterson said.
"They're able to hedge and take away some of that risk, but we're too small of a company to do that," he said.
The ship changed its itinerary to spend more time docked at ports and conserve fuel, but it wasn't enough, Petterson said.
3. Villa Vie spooked its own passengers.
In April, Villa Vie wanted residents to help shore up its finances. The company asked them to loan Villa Vie money, offering them interest rates of 12% to 24%, according to a letter viewed by Business Insider.
Some residents got "scared," Petterson said. They sold their cabins to other people who wanted to live aboard. That made things more difficult for Villa Vie's sales team, which was still trying to find buyers for the remaining vacancies on the ship, Petterson said.
4. The company's reputation was damaged.
Some of the Odyssey's residents were content creators. In Substack posts and YouTube videos, they posted about their experiences, some positive and some negative, for the roughly two years that it sailed the world.
Some travel bloggers and social media posters blamed Villa Vie's management for the operation's financial troubles. The negative publicity made it harder to bring more people aboard, Petterson said.
5. The company struggled with cash flow.
The ship's original launch in 2024 was delayed for four months while mechanical problems — including issues with the aging ship's rudder — kept the ship stuck in dry dock. Preparing the ship for launch cost $15 million more than what Villa Vie had expected, Petterson said.
He said the operation was on track to get to break-even cash flow by the second quarter of this year — but the Iran war blew up that plan.
Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey ship was meant to be a 'never-ending' luxury cruise.
But its voyage ended just over 2 years after it first set sail.
From its luxurious suites to gym facilities, take a look inside the doomed cruise ship.
In the famous ancient Greek poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus' journey home took him 10 years. The voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship was much shorter.
The promise of Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey cruise ship was that passengers could purchase or rent one of the rooms, with the idea of spending the rest of their days aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
The company had retrofitted the 33-year-old ship and sold permanent cabins priced from $119,999 to $439,999.
However, the company suspended the cruise ship's operations on October 27, 2026, just over two years after it first set sail. Villa Vie Residences cited rising fuel costs as the reason.
"I think we would have been absolutely fine — and we would have seen this through — if there was no Iran war," Mikael Petterson, founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie, told Business Insider this week.
With photos from Villa Vie Residences' media kit for the Odyssey, and information from its official website, take a look inside the doomed Villa Vie Odyssey.
The Odyssey is 195 meters long and could house 650 residents.
Villa Vie Residences
Residents could either opt for full ownership of a room or rent one for a shorter-term stay.
It offered a culinary experience using local ingredients from every place it traveled.
Thistle Restaurant
Villa Vie Residences
The Thistle Restaurant offered a daily menu that rotated on a 14-day cycle, with an emphasis on healthy, locally sourced cuisine.
The buffet-style Palms Café also had a 14-day rotating menu.
Villa Vie Residences
Lunchtimes also included an American grill for those missing a taste of home.
The Coral Club was the spot for late-night entertainment.
Coral Club
Villa Vie Residences
It offered activities such as live music, dancing, and karaoke.
Another socializing space is The Morning Light Pub.
Morning Light Pub
Villa Vie Residences
It offered a café menu in the mornings and turned into a bar in the evenings.
The Observatory also offered a similar day-to-night vibe.
Observatory
Villa Vie Residences
On Deck 8, The Observatory was a café that turned into a sunset-watching spot in the evening.
Villa Vie describes the Neptune Lounge as the place for "top-tier entertainment."
Neptune Lounge
Villa Vie Residences
It offered local entertainment from each destination, such as live music and shows.
The Business Center offered a place to work for residents.
The Business Center.
Villa Vie Residences
Connected to Starlink, the Business Center was open to all residents at no extra charge, with private offices available as well.
The Fitness Center features cardio and strength-training equipment, along with ocean views.
Fitness Center
Villa Vie Residences
It also offered classes, such as yoga and wellness sessions.
On Deck 3, there is a spa equipped with a sauna and steam room.
Spa and Steam room
Villa Vie Residences
There was an on-site hairdresser in the spa.
Odyssey spa
Villa Vie Residences
As well as a nail salon.
Spa
Villa Vie Residences
There is also a medical center on-site Deck 3.
On Deck 8, there is a pool deck.
People by pool
Villa Vie Residences
It's also equipped with jacuzzis.
The deck also has a pickleball court.
Pickleball court
Villa Vie Residences
One of the room types available for rent was the porthole villa.
Porthole Villa
Villa Vie Residences
During meal times, all residents were given access to complimentary wine and beer.
The balcony suites have a separate living area.
Balcony suite
Villa Vie Residences
The superior suite had a private balcony, a separate living area, and an additional living space.
I have two kids under 3, and traveling internationally felt out of reach. One trip to Mexico with my in-laws and extended family totally changed the game.
Carmen Varner
Recently, I traveled with my husband, our two young children, my in-laws, and other family members.
Our international trip to Mexico felt more manageable and fun because we had so many people.
Some people don't get along with their in-laws, but I'm not one of them.
I lived with my in-laws for years from my mid-20s to early 30s. My husband and I still go to their house every week or two, and after we had kids, my mother-in-law has always stepped in, whether coming over to assist with bath time or to drop off food.
So, it's no surprise that traveling with them (and other members of our extended family) to Mexico was a no-brainer.
We've actually done it multiple times, but this latest trip was the first with both my two small children, who are 3 years old and almost 8 months old.
Looking back, this whole Mexico trip wouldn't have been feasible without my in-laws and extended family.
It was nice having a big group as we headed to Mexico for a few days
The kids have enjoyed walking around with abuelito.
Carmen Varner
We traveled from San Diego to Querétaro, Mexico, with a whole crew in tow: me, my husband, our kids, my mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and one of my husband's cousins.
Our big family trip was a four-day adventure, and the main purpose was to attend my husband's cousin's wedding. (It later turned into a five-day event thanks to a flight delay, but more on that later.)
Our trip required several transfers.
Carmen Varner
We've done large family trips like this since 2019, so we have an intuitive groove, where everyone contributes in some way — looking up where to eat, figuring out what to see, or even getting coffee delivered to the hotel.
This time, we split up into three separate rooms at a hotel where most of the wedding guests were staying, but were located right across the hall from each other.
This arrangement made it easy for the kids to head to their grandparents' room for bath time or to hang out with the cousins while my husband and I got ready.
Having more people came in handy throughout the trip — and made it more fun
We had some drinks and a nice meal out with the family on our first night.
Carmen Varner
Not only was it extremely helpful to have more hands on deck, but it was genuinely fun traveling with a group spanning such a wide range of ages, from 8 months old to age 59.
There were various interests and dynamics at play, which also meant more excitement and more brainpower.
Cousins were funny and entertaining, which helped break the tension in stressful moments or squash the occasional toddler tantrum. I also appreciated that abuelita helped with diaper changes and baths, while abuelito helped carry or hold the kids whenever we were out and about.
Although our large crew mostly stayed together throughout the trip, we were also able to split up and do different things.
For instance, sometimes part of the family went out to the nearby market to explore, while others stayed in their room to nap or hang out.
At one point, most of our group went into the Centro Histórico in Santiago de Querétaro for churros while my husband and I put the kids to bed.
It's nice to have extra eyes on the kids.
Carmen Varner
Our big group's ability to divide and conquer especially came in handy when our travel plans were thrown off.
When our flight was delayed until the next day, we all went into action: My in-laws arranged a new hotel for us, my husband and sister-in-law booked transportation for a large group, and I called the travel-insurance agency to see what our options were. We all kept an eye on the kids.
It was nice to have multiple adults working to solve a problem, rather than the pressure falling solely on my husband and me.
The journey back home was much longer and more complex thanks to layovers, but again, being around family made it easier.
I could have my sister-in-law, who was in the aisle behind me, watch my toddler while I went to the airplane restroom and my husband helped the baby nap.
We couldn't have done this trip without our support system
Right now, I wouldn't want to travel internationally as a family without my in-laws.
Carmen Varner
I've done shorter, more local overnight expeditions with my children — I've even taken them on a work trip — but this was our first international journey with them.
My children are very young, with a close enough age gap that makes travel particularly difficult right now. However, going on this trip with in-laws and family made everything feel so much more manageable.
Any time I felt a bit tired or overwhelmed, there was someone there to make it easier. It was especially fantastic, considering how poorly the baby slept during the trip, which left my husband and me even more fatigued.
I'm so grateful my kids got to see a bit of their heritage in Mexico and have some new experiences. I can't wait to show the world to my children, especially since I couldn't travel outside of the country until I was 17.
However, I'd prefer to hold off on these international travel dreams for a couple of years when my kids are slightly older and don't require quite as many naps or diaper changes.
For now, multigenerational trips make the most sense for us — and my wonderful in-laws have changed the travel game.
Scotland's best cities for 2026 have been crowned as tourists ranked them on everything from sights and 'attractiveness' to food and drink prices and accommodation
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