Deb

My sisters and I would love to send our parents to Italy for their 50th; we have a budget of about $2,000 for the land portion of the trip. They are in their mid-seventies, and we want to make this the most wonderful experience we can. Could I please have some suggestions for lodging, dining, and itinerary? Thank you! Deb

Rex

Deb,

You've provided a partial answer to the most important question(s): why? You've answered why this year - - because it's their 50th anniversary, and (presumably) because they are still healthy enough to enjoy it.

Now answer why Italy? Not that you won't get 200 answers out of 100 people you ask. But what specifically does Italy mean to you? and what do you think it will mean to them?

Italy has everything - - art, history, architecture, racing cars, fashion, wine, food, mountains, seasides, hilltop vistas, islands and so much more than I can fit into this box.

And to use $2000 well, it will help to know best what experiences express this most wonderful gift you want to give to them. Choices have to be made. One might assume that you don't want either extreme - - from a two night stay in the most luxurious hotel in Italy to 40 nights of hostel and backpack exploring. Either could be done for about $2000.

Last of all, mention whether it is important to do this right ON their anniversary (or not) - - and what month is that (if applicable).

Best wishes,

Rex

Mari

Hello, Deb: A little more information will be needed for some help on this site. Where in Italy are you planning to have them visit? Have they been there before? Do you have an idea of places in Italy they might want to visit? What type of hotels do they like to stay in? How long of a trip were you planning on? Rex is right - it is a wonderful gift. I'm sure if you provide a little more info you will have lots of help.

Deb

It has always been my mother's dream to travel to Europe; my parents have many friends who've told them over the years that Italy had been their favorite destination, and Rome seems to be a great favorite on this website; my mother would enjoy soaking up, culturally, anything and everything; she would be on the go from dawn to dusk. My dad would be happiest sipping a martini in a beautiful, serene, setting...They both occasionally have trouble walking long distances,so we are looking for as relaxed, convenient, yet full an experience as we can get....our other option is to send them to Kauai; they love Kauai, but they have been there a number of times,and we were hoping to give them something different. Does this additional information help at all? Thank-you, Deb

xxx

An elderly (75) year old friend of mine has been on several tours with Grand Circle, some of which were in Italy. She highly recommends this tour company. Most of the people who go on the G.C. tours are "older" people. My friend is a lively, intellectually extremely curious, strong (but not athletic) person who enjoys light walking, lots of learning, the arts. She has also travelled to Italy independently several times, mainly to Sicily.

I have some other elderly friends who enjoy "elderhostel" tours. They are less physically active than the friend who goes on G.C., but bright, perpetual-student types.

I know other older, intelligent, not too active people who have enjoyed the Smithsonian tours, but I think they're quite expensive.

I have heard of a tour to sicily that looks pretty good. It goes to the major attractions and also to some unusual places, and special arrangements are made for the group to meet town official, folklore expeerts, etc. I've seen photos of previous tours and the ages look mixed, but to me it seems more suited to older people. (I'd find it too structured.) It's available from Arba Sicula (www.arbasicula.org).

Deb

Whoops...I forgot to mention that their anniversary is in May, which should be a nice time to visit, but it is not paramount they visit that day or month; I guess what is most important would be nice weather and lack of crowds; they do not need luxury in restaurants or lodging; for instance, we could not afford a luxury hotel, but we could afford breakfast, lunch, or drinks on a rooftop that would provide beautiful views. In lodging, most important would be cleanliness, lack of noise, and helpful people, and being convenient to all the sites...so, I am thinking about eight days...2 locations...one with all the culture my mother can handle, and one of extreme beauty....Does this help?? Thank-you again...Deb

xxx

Assuming that they can FLY from Florence to Catania, how about Florence and Taormina? (not a good idea if they can't fly between them -- much too fat to go by train or car comfortably).

Barbara

Why not give your parents the airline tickets and cash and let them plan their own destinations ? -- if I were taking one dream trip to Italy, I wouldn't want anyone else to make those choices for me.

Rex

Well, since you answered our questions, I guess further advice is in order. You will get many dissenting opinions.

And many will question the wisdom of my omitting Rome since you actually did mention it. But I think that if they want to travel by themselves (as opposed to with a group), Rome may be a little too intense (and especially walking intensive) for first-time Europe travelers. Rome is very, very urban - - city noise, traffic, energy, dirt. It's terrific for a trip with you and your sisters leading the way for them everywhere.

I think that 7 or 8 nights sounds about right, and I recommend Venice and Menaggio (or Bellagio), with flights into Venice and back out of Milan. Both are somewhat expensive destinations, with respect to lodging, but you can do this for $150 per night (average). Train between Venice and Milan, and private driver to Menaggio (expensive, but an appropriate frill for 50 years of marriage together).

Hotel Bonvecchiati for Venice and Grand Hotel Victoria for Menaggio.

Excursions to Burano, Bellagio and Villa Balbianello.

So many choices to make. Are you sure you and your sisters won't want to go with them?

Best wishes,

Rex

igor

Rex,
I was looking at the pictures of Grand Hotel Victoria for Menaggio and I noticed that most of the folks in those pictures have grey hair. Is it a coincedence or this destination is very
popular with senior citizens?

Lesley

My 84 year old mother accompanied me to Italy last November. Rome was less successful than Florence because the walking is just too much as another resondent suggested. Florence was compact and "doable" for us...we could shop in the Straw Market, eat at one of three great spots near our hotel o Via Faenza, visit Fiesole by city bus from the train station/ bus terminal, a and see the Uffizzi... without aid of taxis. Hotels in Florence are less expensive than Rome for the "best" areas. If you/they decide on Florence as a destination bookmark my address and I will be more explicit with hotel, restaurant et al as my daughter is at school there and we are back and forth frequenty with "oldsters".

kam

I absolutely agree with Rex in skipping Rome for a first time for elderly people unless they go on a tour. It sounds like they are too independent for the tours though. I would suggest either Siena or Lucca, both smaller Tuscan and very safe and walkable. There are lovely hotels with helpful staff and there's plenty of culture everywhere in Italy. Another possibility would be Verona--an easy train ride from Milan where many flights arrive. I think Venice would just be too expensive, but you can do day trips from Verona to see Venice. My itinerary would be fly into Milan and spend one day (your mom will love the cathedral and your dad can have his martini, except he will have to qualify it as an "American martini cocktail" otherwise he will get a glass of vermouth!) there is a great old bar, the Baboon Bar, at the Excelsior Gallia Hotel which is across the piazza from the main train station (hotel porters will help them if they need it--just tip), take train east to Verona and stay in Verona (lots of hotel suggestions on this site). From Verona you can see Venice, Padua, and Vincenza. May is a great time of year.Some other sites are www.travel-italy.com and www.initaly.com. What nice daughter you are!

Maria

I agree with the Grand Circle recommendation. I worked for an italian airline ( there are so many of them ) for 3 years and the best tours were Grand Circle. They have so many repeat travelers and they rant and rave about them. They have travelers of all ages after 55 ( I think ) and all in different levels of health. They are a great company and relatively reasonable. The Taormina tour is the best. Congratulations to them!!

hamlet

I think Rome is a great idea for your anniversary gift. I say go for it! If they are in their 70's and this is your mother's 1st trip to Europem why wait? If they have trouble walking for long periods they can always pull over at a cafe and rest, or sit by a fountain and watch the people pass by. And there are also taxis and buses if needed. Your budget is definitely doable, but maybe more so during shoulder seasons in early May or early October, when crowds also die down a bit. Eight nights in Rome may be overwhelming, but there is definitely enough to do, especially if they are moving at a slower pace.

howard

I'm with kam and Rex on the Milan/Lake Como/Venice/Verona package or parts thereof. Rome is great, but a lot of walking is required to really enjoy the city.

Rex

Well, igor, I don't think so - - I am 47, and I feel like I was close to the median age of the guests. And my hair has more than "a little bit" of gray in it!

Deb

Wow! I am overwhelmed by all your suggestions and will definitely change our plans a bit...I think, in retrospect, that half the fun of this trip (at least for my mother) would be in the planning and anticipation, but to just hand over the cash and tickets would be a disaster. They would end up spending the money on other things...so I think my sisters and I will tell them what our budget is; that way, if they personally want to kick in a little extra, they may. I think for their anniversary this year, we will give them a few books, definitely a copy of all your suggestions, an Italian phrase book or tapes, and perhaps a few travel videos, and tell them we will give them a few months to plan before we book everything. I think my mom will be totally incapable of narrowing her choices down to a sensible few, but the internet will be burning for months with her happy surfing, so I thank you all, especially Rex, and if I am doing something wrong here, please, let me know! ...Happy Trails! Deb

nancy

Deb
I have been reading this from the beginning, but did not contribute, cause I have nothing to add.
But, to clarify;
Their 50th is May of 2002?
not this May ,so you do not have to rush all the planning,yes?
Have fun planning!

Deb

Nancy,
Yes, I wanted to start planning at least a year in advance...just in case some hotels or events book that far in advance....although, I have had so much fun just the last few days, I'm not sure we'll be able to wait that long...my sisters and I may have to convince them they were really married in 2001! Thanks, Deb

Rex

Such clever detective work, Nancy! I guess the clue is right there ("for their anniversary this year, we will give them a few books, definitely a copy of all your suggestions"), but I clearly overlooked it!

Now, more than ever, I strongly urge you to consider making this a family trip, you, your parents, your sisters, kids, grandkids, you name it! I can tell you a lot about the (mostly) joys and (occasional) headaches of organizing a family small group tour (though to be honest, I have not yet had the pleasure of doing a trip that spanned more than two generations at a time).