quiltingmamma

Glad you had your talk with your parents and came back to update us. Sometimes 'readers want to know'. I hope you won't be disappointed if come next May, some other body part needs attending to...as it might be a kind excuse for not wanting to go. Do keep an ear out for 'I'd really love to see' or what about taking out some travelogues DVDs from the library----all in the pretext of helping you plan your next trip---and see their reaction?

greg

>>> Basically they said that once things are a little more 'quiet' they'd consider it. .. But there are so many interesting destinations that have been mentioned, so I'm not worried.

My parents retired in their 60s and moved to a new house. They had a long list of places to visit. Traveling has always been on their agenda. However, after move, they postponed trips, "We would travel when we get settled down after the move once things are little more quiet." After 5 years, he passed away leaving a long list of places to go behind. My mother did one of the many trips on the list on her own, "I have to do this in his memory."

>>> So basically maybe it's not really about the destinations themselves but rather to not try to do everything once there and make it very easy going.

In my opinion, at that age, destinations are irrelevant. They just want time with family, eating familiar comfort food (no Pizza or Pasta in Italy. They don't taste like at home....), and talk about their past everyone has heard many times before. A destination, any destination, offering family together time would do.

Mimar

I am 74 and bristling. Not all older people want to stay home. We downsized from a house to a condo, did all the work that involved, then signed off on the sale from Edinburgh, after discussing the options with our agent over Skype.

People are different. The best way to find out what they'd like is to ask them as the OP did.

Tabernash2

"I had promised myself that the next time I go to Europe I'd bring my parents, we'll see what happens, hopefully next year it will be the right time and everything will come together."

Just be aware that this is your dream, not theirs.

If you take them, you might wish you hadn't, because they might not enjoy it like you hoped they would.

(Mimar, I don't think anyone is saying that.)

PegS

Thanks for checking back in. I do agree that it's important to "hear" them. They may be gently trying to tell you--in your well-meaning enthusiasm--that they have no interest in going to Europe. Regardless, this is a conversation for another time you're a darling daughter for wanting to show your parents the world. This respite may give you more time to get them used to the idea.

whfan_whfan

Thanks again everyone! And for the record I'm a guy!!! Lolll

KTtravel

Thank you for the update. It certainly doesn't sound like your parents have much interest in travel but that they appreciate your trying to include them in something you enjoy. You are a good son.

thursdaysd

It's good that you want to do something nice for your parents, but I prefer the version of the Golden Rule that says "do unto others as they would have you do". And making promises to yourself based on other people doing things is a singularly bad idea.

BTW: "but if it's a hectic long wait to go inside it" - you need a better guide book that will explain how to buy tickets ahead of time so you can avoid lines.

PegS

Ha! Sorry Whfan! I guess I was projecting wee too much! You're a fine example of a son. ;-)

vipsha

Would they enjoy architecture and culture more or natural landscapes? I took my parents to Switzerland some years ago and they enjoyed it for the most part, I say for the most part because they were horrified each time I spent what they considered a 'lot of money'. My father had just turned 70 then. It was easy because we did a lot of scenic train rides. We stayed in an apartment with great views in the Interlaken area, they liked all the touristic stuff that I did not really care for, but was happy to see them enjoy it anyway. I agree with the poster who said it matters for them to be with their family - my parents saw my then 7 mo old son for the first time, I wonder if they would have been as interested to go otherwise.
I also like the idea of Rome-Florence-Venice. I think Venice may be doable in bits and pieces over a week for someone who can walk, because the steps are not so many, the walkways are mostly flat and it is mostly pedestrian. I would have had trouble navigating a stroller which is why I ruled it out at that time. The caveat is Rome - many people who go to St. Peter's would feel cheated if they could not climb to the top. That can be tricky.
Good thing you are thinking about this, my father is in his eighties now and refuses to move out of his little comfort zone.

WeisserTee

"I am 74 and bristling. Not all older people want to stay home."

Amen to that! My mother has just booked her flight to Switzerland for a visit with us in September. She's 90.

thursdaysd

"Good thing you are thinking about this, my father is in his eighties now and refuses to move out of his little comfort zone."

Some people are just not interested in travel, regardless of age. I've met people in their thirties who never wanted to leave their home town. Or they just wanted to chill out/play golf at the beach. There is no reason to expect everyone to have the same tastes, and it is actually a good thing we don't. Someone in their 80s has earned the right to their comfort zone, celebrate the fact they are still with you rather than trying to change them (always a lost cause).

quiltingmamma

《Rome - many people who go to St. Peter's would feel cheated if they could not climb to the top. That can be tricky.》
Perhaps because I didn't climb it, I did not feel cheated. If I had, I would have missed watching the procession of priests exit the cathedral. Standing aside watching them of all ages, seeing who had not shaved that morning, the other with a variety of past dinner stains on his cassock, or the ones who smiled and gave shy waves; well, that snippet of the humanity of the place is more memorable to me than any roof with a view....and required no stairs

Danna

I would go to Bologna... not hilly,great food and easy rail trips to Modena (balsamic vinegar), Parma(ham and cheese) and the seaside.

vipsha

> Perhaps because I didn't climb it, I did not feel cheated. If I had, I would have missed watching the procession of priests exit the cathedral.
I am so glad you point that out, truly life presents many moments to enjoy. I remember being exhausted that day, and my then 3 year old had so much energy he sprinted to the top even after a full day of walking around. It was so hard to keep up with him and I did not have the heart to stop them - there were so many people who were tired and pushing themselves, so I thought, this must be a big deal and carried on.