Aged mother traveling with us - questions
 

Hello,
The first 7 nights of our trip will include my mother. She is 88 and physically frail - mentally ALL THERE. She and my daughter will go back and my husband and I will continue on.
For now - my main concern is mom. We have a travel agent in Croatia. We couldn't just book hotels as she has needs such as walk-in shower and few steps.
They suggested a private motor boat transfer from the airport in Split to Hvar where we're staying in Stari Grad (travel agent feels this will be much nicer for her). But I think the private transfer costs a lot. If we had a private transfer to the ferry station and one picking us up on the other end, how easy would this be for my mom? Does the ferry run regularly? Is it easy to board? She can walk, but not long distances (so we use a wheelchair in airports for example - but she will walk the ramp herself - and can get in and out of hotels and short walks). If we were able to take the public ferry that would probably save a lot of money.

We are also planning a day trip (all private with the agent) boat back to Split (which really sounds great) , and then Trogir and Zadar. I'm a little worried - even with the private transfer to these two towns - she would like to walk around - but not long walks. She just loves ruins which is why we chose zadar

My husband and I will continue to Brac and Dubrovnik on our own after they leave. They're charging us about 3000 euro per person (including all hotels) for the first 7 nights - that cost doesn't include Brac and Dubrovnik which we booked on our own.

What could we eliminate? We can afford it if necessary - but we're not millionaires so anything that seems crazy - well - please let me know your thoughts. THANKS.

Private speedboat transfer Split Airport to Stari Grad on Hvar, Villa Apolon
Private local chauffeur at disposal on Hvar Island (for up to 5 hours)
Private motor boat transfer Hvar Island – Split with visit to Vis and Biševo Islands, Pakleni Archipelago and Hvar (private motor boat Sessa c42, professional skipper, fuel, refreshments on board included)
Exclusive Secret Dalmatia behind the closed doors lunch with Tatjana in Trogir (all transfers, lunch included)
Private day trip to Zadar (chauffeur, local guide in Zadar for leisure walking tour included)
Private departure transfer to Split Airport for Mom and Zoe

I'm not sure I can be of much help, but I would note that there really aren't a lot of ruins in Zadar, and IMO, they weren't particularly impressive. Personally, I wouldn't make the trip there just to see them.

While in Stari Grad, don't miss Tvrdalj. :star:

Your mother is fortunate that you are planning this trip for her!

Thank you for the information about Zadar. Maybe that's a trip we should skip. Sounds a bit exhausting for her.
What's Tvrdlj?
I'm fortunate to still have her. Thank you.
Ellen

Ah thanks Kja. I think you told me this before. Yes, we have a private driver in Stari Grad (took your advice) so we can see that with her.

It's that ferry (private transfer or public ferry) that is of most concern as I took all of your suggestions and we're doing most of what you suggested. BTW, she didn't want to see the waterfalls (I would have loved it) because she says she's seen waterfalls all of her life and nature can get boring. She likes ruins.. She's really quite fascinating -she won a massive award in cognitive psychology and linguistics last year. She's all there!

She sounds quite special!

There are a few (VERY few) ruins in Stari Grad -- it's the original Faros. Not much, and I wouldn't make a trip just to see them, but if you're there and have a driver and that's one of your mother's interests, you might take advantage of the opportunity. :)

And of course, there are ruins in Split that are much more impressive than those in Zadar.

Sorry I can't answer your other questions. I hope someone with better information is able to help.

Kja - THANKS - Do you think we made the right decision to stay in Stari Grad rather than Hvar Town? We will have a driver for a full day, so we can get to the town to see it. If it weren't for bringing Mom, we probably would have stayed in Hvar Town. I'm sure she'll love the castle - sounds as though that's something she'll be able to enjoy with the driver.

So will she be able to see the ruins by walking from the hotel (staying right in town) or should we think about switching the trip to Zadar to help getting her around Split?

Do you have any restaurant recommendations there and/or Split? She likes upscale restaurants for dinner with good wine (so do we:)

Well, I chose to stay in Stari Grad rather than Hvar Town, and that worked well for me! I thought Stari Grad absolutely charming, and while Hvar Town is beautiful, I found it way too upscale for my tastes. Other people love Hvar Town and never step near Stari Grad. To each his/her own! The ruins in Stari Grad are close to her hotel, but up a hill (IIRC), so I'm not sure that walking to them makes sense for her. And again, there's really VERY little to see, so I wouldn't make a point of it unless it's a we're-here-any-way kind of thing. In contrast, Tvrdalj is just steps from her hotel.

IMO, Split is well worth as much time as you can give it, and certainly the ruins there, in and around the peristyle, are much more impressive than anything you'll find in Zadar or Stari Grad -- or at least, that was my opinion. And the Duomo and Baptistry are breathtaking.

I had a wonderful meal at Eremitaz in Stari Grad, which still gets very good reviews.

There are several ferries a day from Split to Stari Grad. You can get a private driver from the airport directly to the ferry dock. You board the ferry by walking in the bottom where the cars go, then there are escalators and an elevator to the top where the passengers are. It is a little bit uncomfortable when getting off because everyone crowds the exits but if you take your time getting off maybe this would not be an issue. Once in Stari Grad your driver can meet you in the parking lot (the ferry is not in town, its 15 minutes or so outside.)

It would definitely be cheaper to do it this way as I am sure a private car/boat transfer from Split airport is uber expensive.

I don't know what lunch with Tatjana entails but if you want to cut back, maybe you can get a regular lunch somewhere?

I had wondered the same thing! I had a truly delightful dinner in Trogir at Konoba Kamerlengo, which still gets decent reviews.

Plan changes
 

Sadly my mother can't come -heart issues - so we will change our plans around. I will post again in a new thread. Hopefully the worst thing is mom can't see beautiful Croatia but is okay. Life is short - enjoy every minute. Thank you for all of your help.
Ellen

I'd assumed that you might take the hydrofoil rather than the ferry, then rialto up the thread reminded me that there was a ferry. The Hydrofoil is entered over a short gangplank thing into the stern and then you walk into the seating area, departure is much the same and there are loads of crew members about to offer a helping hands as croatians get old too. There is often a longish queue to get onto the hydrofoil but, last time i saw it, the crew had taken the feebler to one side and took them all on at the same time.

Building on what you said in your other post today, Ellen, I can only say that I am very glad that your mother has gotten this medical input now, rather than while traveling, and that the prognosis seems favorable. She sounds like an awesome woman, and I know I am not alone in cheering you on as you made every effort to help her satisfy her interests while still able to travel. She sounds like an awesome woman, and kudos to you for everything you did to make this trip possible.

And just in case it helps at this juncture: One of my dearest elder relatives (an aunt) had to cancel a trip she had planned to take, while in her early 80s, because an unexpected heart problem (identified 2 days before her intended trip) required surgical implantation of a pacemaker. She was back to traveling -- solo! -- a few years later. :star:

I sincerely hope your mother gets to travel again, and in the meantime, she sounds like someone who will savor hearing the details of your travels -- so go and and enjoy and (if you will) raise a glass to my mother and her sister (the aunt just mentioned) somewhere along the line.

Wishing you well!

Oh Kaj - you're so sweet and dear. Yes, mom is so special and I certainly will raise my glass to your aunt and mom - yes that made me feel so much better.
Love,
Ellen

:) Give your mother my best.

Sorry to hear of the aborted plans, Ellen, I am taking my 81 year old Dad to visit his 84 year old sister (travelling from Australia to Germany)...cardiologist says go now, while he can .... so fingers crossed, we head off in September. He had previously visited his cardiologist a week before an international trip for a routine check, to instead be booked in for a heart valve replacement. So this time we have got the all clear months before. I have to admit, rather than the usual excited anticipation, I am anxious it won't go to plan.
Best wishes to your Mum :)

Thank you Adelaidean. YES go no! Mom did go to London with us last year at 87 - and she received a huge prize from the Cognitive Sciences and gave us a huge speech. She has had her traveling. There may be no more sadly. But maybe the doctor will find a way to help her. Plus, the doctor said Croatia doesn't have good enough medical facilities - and it's not a place for an ill old person. I find that slightly hard to believe, but it's what she believes now and is too scared. Enjoy your trip with your dad and aunt!
Ellen

Your mother's doctor is correct in his assessment of Croatia's medical facilities, and it is good your mother is following his advice, so all that is positive. For people who travel a lot, it is almost inevitable that at some point a trip needs to be cancelled or postponed for medical reasons, so welcome to the club. kja is right is much much better to know these things before one gets on the plane!

Well, my experience with Croatian medicine was quite positive when I fell ill with a respiratory problem in Dubrovnik a few years back. I presented myself to the emergency intake at the local very modern hospital and was promptly seen by an English speaking female physician. She gave me the relevant tests, prescribed the indicated medications, and fixed the problem. The only difficulty I had was in checking out. I asked the front desk lady what I owed, and she told me a ridiculously low price; around $20, as I recall.

Astounded, I said, "I can tell I'm not in the States!", and handed her the smallest Croatian bill I happened to have; a large denomination. She hesitated, and said, "I don't have enough money to break that bill. There will be no charge."

Jaw agape, I said, "Thank you very much. I am damned sure I am not in the States, now!" :wow:

Entertaining one-off travel story, but it is quite a different thing to need emergency care for a respiratory emergency than to deal with an ongoing cardiac condition in Croatia. I was not implying that Croatian medical personnel are not friendly, caring or competent to deal with emergencies, or that socialized medicine is not better than the American system. But Croatia does not have top flight medical technology on a par available in the US or other parts of Europe. I think the doctor in this instance has given advice in the best interests of the patient, and that the patient is quite wise to follow it. She is not being overly cautious.