A traditional English breakfast is a favorite for multi-generational families traveling to England together	London’s parks are great places for grandparents and their grandchildren to wander. (St. James’s Park)	Street entertainers are fun visitors to London, especially young people

Multi-generational trips are increasingly in popularity, as baby boomers often travel with their children and grandchildren. Organizations such as Elder Hostel have long planned trips for grandparents and their grandchildren, while sometimes families plan trips for three or more generations. Here, Yvonne and Richard Mason share with our readers their recent trip to London with their young granddaughter.

After only three days into our visit to England, our 10 year old granddaughter was a ìlocal,î looking right then left as we crossed the busy streets of London.

Seven nights in London and Windsor with Grammy and Pop was wildly successful, and outrageously expensive, the pound worth approximately twice as much as the dollar.

We started our sightseeing at the royal familyís home for 900 years and the Queenís official residence, Windsor Castle. Queen Maryís dollhouse and strangely live looking dolls were a big hit. But, nothing compared to the elegant staterooms with paintings from the royal collection. Yes, they are the real thing, Leonardo, Ruebens and Michelangelo. St. Georgeís Chapel, the castleís church, a lovely gothic structure, houses the tombs of ten royals.

A barge trip up the Thames is a refreshing contrast to the royal richness. The cruise offered lazy views of Eton, Michael Caineís house and the understated Royal Windsor Racetrack.

We stayed at the Langton House B&B in Windsor and our granddaughter got a lesson in how to fry an egg from the proprietor, Paul Fogg. Windsor is a charming small town especially when the tourists leave around dusk. Restaurants include Indian, Turkish, Moroccan, Italian and Vegetarian. The shopping is good, too. And, because the dollar is worth so little, I introduced my Granddaughter to thrift shop shopping. She loved it and purchased several darling outfits for less than ten pounds.

The little traveler was frequently referred to as ìprincessî, every little Americanís dream.

We found that one big attraction a day is about right for a young one. Hampton Court was a hit with frescoed ceilings and the maze. She traversed the maze in ten minutes, flat. The gates at Hampton Court must be a replica of the gates to heaven.

Oneís education would not be complete without a trip to the British Museum. What is more impressive than the Rosetta Stone, that helped to crack the hieroglyphics of Egypt, and the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon of Athens and the library has to be one of the biggest in existence.

We taxied to Leicester Square to purchase same day tickets to ìThe Producers.î Afterwards at the stage door the actors were more than happy to sign our granddaughterís program. Around the corner we discovered Sarastro, a very fun Turkish inspired set designed restaurant with good food and opera.

Kensington Palace (the former home of Princess Di, a favorite of 10 year olds), with splendid grounds, a Di memorial garden and Orangery were a real treat, Orangeries were the rage in 17th-18th century when royals were trying to grow citrus indoors, in the winter, in northern climates. We loved the food here, the fresh tomato/basil soup and, of course, the pastries eaten while intermitted rain competed with the bright blue sky.

We strolled past surf shops, skateboard shops (an owner gave our granddaughter free decals), many restaurants, Diís favorite pizza DeMoriís, and took in a show of Bejewelled by Tiffany 1837-1987 at the Somerset House. Every would-be princess needs to see a 128 carat canary diamond.

What better way to end the trip than with a visit to Westminster Abby with over a thousand years of amazing history. ìAmazingî is the word we heard constantly from our granddaughter. The highpoint was the Tower of London, also with a thousand years of history. Richard sent for tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys, a ceremony that has been performed every night for the past 700 years. It was thrilling to be at the Tower of London at 9:30 p.m. and feel the ghosts of yesteryear.

A guide at the Tower of London told us, ì Ten is the perfect age, old enough to have read history and before the difficulty of puberty sets in.î Our granddaughter, who previously ate only white food like rice, potatoes, bread, learned to enjoy Italian, Turkish and Indian food and was the perfect little princess.