Suggestions on Where to send my Parents
 

Ok you all had so many suggestions on where to go last fall for myself (I eventually picked The Dominican Republic) I thought maybe you could help with a gift to my parents. Heres the problem both have had surgery in the last 6 months (dad hip replacement, mom rotary cuff so there will be no tennis or golf this time) they are both 70 yrs old and don't like long airplane trips; we live in DC. I want them just to relax. I was first thinking of Bermuda (where they honeymooned) however maybe they need something different. I was planning for them to go sometime this fall, end of Sept Oct. Any suggestions? Thanks.

jeffy: I would first look for non-stop flights from DC and pick from those islands (due to their physical ailments).
Bahamas is still hot end of Sept-beginning of October.
But I think you need to tell us more about their likes and dislikes.

I would consider Aruba for 2 reasons..

1. it's outside of the hurricane belt and great weather is almost guaranteed

2. it has beautiful beaches for relaxing and other things to do if they are so inclined. Great restaurants and shopping are all close to the hotels.

I'm in the DC area and familiar with most nonstop routes, they are:
US Airways flies to Bermuda (daily/seasonal) and Nassau (Sat only) from National. Otherwise the rest of their flights all connect in Philly or Charlotte.
United flies to San Juan (daily) and St. Thomas (Sat only) and Cancun (Sat only) from Dulles.
BWIA flies to Barbados (Sat/Tues/Fri) from Dulles.
Air Jamaica flies to Montego Bay (daily) from BWI.
American flies to San Juan (daily) from Dulles and BWI. San Juan is one of their hubs, from there or Miami they service most of the Caribbean.
Barbados might be a good idea, as Kristen mentioned outside hurricane belt, and get them a private villa with staff.

Listen Jeffy...70 isn't old, lol how about a nice cruise to Bermuda where they can relax, be waited on, don't have to worry about finding a restaurant. I believe Celebrity has a cruise from NYC...that would fit them well. the only problem is the end of October is the end of cruising..check out the beginning of September.. oh I think there is one more upscale ship that goes...there I know we are in that age category (at least one of us is) and we find cruising to Bermuda less hassle than anything else..

I think a cruise ship is great!!! There is a Dr. just in case and lot's of fun

I agree with the cruise suggestion. I gave my parents a cruise for their 50th anniversary. I don't even remember where it went to. They were also in their 70's. They loved it. They took another cruise themselves a year later.

I went to Bermuda once the end of Sept. and the waters were extremely rough. A cruise is a great idea, but I would go with Aruba for weather related reasons. Nothing worse then being on the high seas in rough waters.

Thanks everyone for their input. I think a cruise is a great idea; however my dad can't stand cruises. I think they're the best for seniors. Any other ideas. Parrotmom you were one of the posters who helped me decide on Casa de Campo last year.

I just reread your post a few times. Unless this is a surprise, it sounds as if you might need some more info from them - other than they do not like long plane trips and you father does not like cruises.

Depends on what he does not like on cruises - for example, he might not like an all-inclusive for some of the same reasons.

Also, depends on how their mobility is - both physically and psychologically. Bermuda would involve some travel to eat at different restaurants - they may or may not like that. A rotator cuff certainly would not effect mobility, and a re-habbed hip might not either. But they may be the type who do not like to make decisions each day about where to eat - or that may be part of the fun.

You want them to just relax - but is that waht they want? My own mother, for example, needs to relax. But travel to some places just increases her unrelaxed state - has to be the right trip for her to induce relaxation.

Jeffy...did you like Casa de Campo..I'm reading mixed reviews? The D.R. is not Aruba, nor is it St. Thomas, but has a certain charm if you look for it. We went to the show at Altos de Chavon and thought it was fabulous..a show in this beautiful site. As for the rotator cuff surgery, I had that last June...and my only mistake was thinking I can shlep heavy bundles... As I mentioned Celebrity and I think one other more upscale line goes to Bermuda besides NCL and since I'm almost in that age category I love the [email protected]

Just re-read your post CRUISES AREN'T FOR SENIORS ONLY!!! You said your father doesn't lke cruises..has he been on one? Frankly, we don't like hanging around with most seniors ourselves..lol.. You could possibly pick up a Golden Circle bus tour (over 50).. or look for Tauck Tours (excellent reputation). Unfortunately most bus tours aren't relaxing..getting on and off buses and staying at hotels. If you want me to write to your father and try to convince him..that's fine..lol..but cruises are not for seniors only.. unless your on a ship thats very upscale and caters to an elderly group like Holland America (wait until you see the posts saying they cater to a younger group)..Remember Jeffy, age is only a number. One of the things I like about cruising to Bermuda is that the ship stays there...it isn't a port every day..Depending on the cruise line ...a ship may stay in one dock for one or two days and then transfer to another part of the island..There is a wonderful bus and ferry service and it makes getting around very easy..Parrot Pop nd I do things independently, we don't take tours...On the bus in June and elderly Bermudian woman on hearing this was our tenth visit said "your now a Bermudian".... I wish.!!! Our favorite spot in Bermuda... the Swizzle Inn for lunch with a fishs sandwich and pitcher of rum punch... at night they have entertainment and that is a blast.. We usually introduce new cruisers to the place. Cruising only for the elderly ..heck no!!

Thanks again for everyones input. I don't think I can surprise them with this trip I really need their input. As for Casa De Campo Parrotmom I was somewhat dissappointed. You read all these glorious descriptions of the place in travel magazines thinking its going to be a Garden of Eden and it isn't. Sure the golf Course is excellent and the tennis complex supurb but for the cost of it the rooms were nothing to write home about and dirty, the service along with attention you expect wasn't there and of the 2 pools one was closed and one wasn't that terrific. I personally would not recommend the resort unless you were a die hard golfer.

CDC has gone down in many of the reports that I had read and in many of the listings in trvel magazines., but the Leg of the Dog part of the golf course is a big drawer. We've been going to resort in La Romana several times(it's not a 5star) and when I read reviews of the place from either the same week or a week or two later I wonder if we have all been to the same place. I see places as they are to me, others want 6 star resorts for 3star prices...Sorry about your being disappointed, it was at one time one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean..I had heard that Michael Jordan, Julio Inglese,and many other stars have now moved on to their own enclaves in Punta Cana...where Suncape is finishing off a truly 5plus star resort called Sunscape Beachesto be completed this fall.

hi Jeffy

I have read the replies to your original post with interest and a smile !

In my book, you get the *good son award* !

You might want to look into Jamica Inn.

I know...I seem to sing its' praises here, as do many on tripadvisor.com.

I think your parents would be delighted with the *step back in time* that JI provides. Additionally, they would meet people who are of their age :-) !

Wonderful staff, service and some dancing under the stars to music they would recognize as music ;-) !

The drawback is the drive from MBJ. But JI arranges wonderful transport, and you can request a sedan rather than a van.

It is a beautiful and genteel place for people of all ages...but no children ;-) !

Marion

Marion, We leave for Jamaica Inn in a little over 2 weeks, and I am getting so excited!

I would agree with you that it looks like a place jeffy's parents might enjoy.

We are going to Negril first, so I'm sure it will be 180 degrees from there :)

I'll do a trip report when we return.

Look at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau. It is a beautiful resort and I think your parents would love it. Its a short plane ride and the weather at that time of year should be great.