Subway_Scoundrel

I am a seasoned traveler but I must say, my parents are not. Next year is their 50th wedding aniversery and my mother wants to go to England and maybe Scotland. They are very active but have not traveled much by plane, and have never traveled internationally. I could plan the trip for them and still might, but I think it is best for them to go with a tour. I have looked on this website and on the web about tours, but most of them seem to pack a bunch of people in a bus and drive around. I would be looking for a tour that spends more time in one place, but would cover London, other parts of England and then Scotland. (We are scotish decent)Any idea on a tour company or tour that does not spend most of the time driving? I would like them to go to Paris but that may be asking too much---Scotland, London and Paris.....

easytraveler

I don't have the name of a tour company, but

Bravo for your parents! Include Paris by all means! They'll have a ball!

You do the planning, please!

I have friends who are in their 60's and who don't want to travel anywhere. Brrrrrr!

Go for it, Subway! All the way!

tcreath

Well, I know this is probably not going to go over well but people here, but you may want to check into Rick Steves' tours. I have never taken them, but I get the brochures in the mail. They use a full-sized bus, but only have about 25 people on each tour, so there is supposed to be much more space to spread out while on the bus. And supposedly his tours are more leisurely. Again, I have never been on one (or any tour, for that matter), but from reading his brochure it sounds like something you may want to check out.

I think its wonderful that your parents want to travel overseas. I'm sure they will have a fabulous time! Good luck!

Tracy

tcreath

Sorry, that was supposed to be "I know this is probably not going to go over well with people here"!

sheila

I have been helping an older couple from New York (over 10 years older than your parents) who are coming to Scotland next month.

They didn't wanta tour, but striaghtforward physical infirmity meant it was either that or I had to take 2 weeks off work to carry their bags. i could get them where they wanted to go on public transport but they needed a bell-boy.

We have linked them up with Prestige. I haven't taken one- it would be my idea of purgatory- but they get a great name. Go for it. Send them in an antique bus to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

http://www.prestigetours.com/

Marilyn

Subway, you should be sure your parents understand both the pros and cons of a tour. I don't see any reason why people in their 70's shouldn't go to the UK on their own, assuming they are both able-bodied.

Language will not be a barrier, and it's just not that difficult to get around on one's own and see the sights. They can take some day tours if they like, but at least they won't be limited by the tour schedule and logistics.

I freely admit my bias against tours, but it really should be their (informed)decision.

P_M

First of all, hooray for a sense of adventure at that age!! I must agree that a tour is best for a 72-year-old couple with no travel experience. They will meet new friends their own age and I'm sure they will have a blast. In addition to the other suggestions, I would check with Globus or Trafalgar and let the tour company know that they don't want to do an excessive amount of riding on the bus. I'm sure you will find something suitable.

I say skip Paris this time and do just England and Scotland. They can go to Paris for their 51st anniversary.

GaryCA

I have been on two Rick Steves tours and would definitely make this suggestion for your parents. As has already been mentioned, they only fill the buses half full. The age range tends to be 50s to 60s but 72 year olds would fit in very well. I think these are very high quality tours even though the cost is on the high side. One thing to remember is that almost everything is included (admissions, tips, etc.), so you only have to shell out for a few of the meals.

sandi_travelnut

I'm doing something similar. My parents are 69 years old, never traveled internationally, celebrating thier 50th anniv. and myself, husband and teenaged son are taking them to Paris, Montreux Switzerland and through Italy over the Christmas holidays. We do not want to do any kind of organized tours (except a walking tour thru the Forum) because I a plan-o-holic and like to do things my way. I have spoken at length to my parents about what they want and don't want and they are leaving it up to me. I have built in the budget lots of various museums and shows IF we chose to do them. We've left the specifics of the day pretty wide open just in case we don't feel like doing it all...and in case the weather is not cooperating. Good luck, tell us what you decide and how it went afterwards!

uuhhhh

"My 72 year old parents want to go to the UK !!!!!!!!" and....??

who's paying for it? have they asked you to plan it? put a rein around your enthusiasm... yes, it's great that they want to go, but, short of offering to help, let them make their own decisions. heck, they've managed in the past, haven't they (they raised you)? and, you, of all people, should know that planning is half the fun...

CarrieK

The only concern with the Rick Steve's tours is there can be quite a bit of walking. But you said they are very active, so this may be a really good option. Don't have any idea what the price range is - Tauck is great too. A tour that has smaller groups would probably help the bus problem.

Mincepie

I agree with UHHH. Planning is half the fun and many of you make it sound as if 72 is one foot in the grave!!

jlaughs

Subway, if you're considering a tour for your parents, but aren't sure which would be best for them, I wonder if you've done a search for "senior travel tours" or something like this. You might find tours specifically geared for older adults and your parents would have people in their group with whom they might have more in common. Just a thought...

dln

My parents are the same age as yours and they go to Europe every other year. My mother learned how to use the internet (in her 60s, proof that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!). She does all the planning; in fact she's gotten so good at it and enjoys it so much that she's spawned a mini cottage industry planning trips for friends. I'm telling you this so you don't get the idea that 72 years old is too old to do anything but go on an organized tour. It's not.

We're going to France on a package put together by go-today.com. It includes the airfare, transfer to hotel, and hotel. Everything else is up to us. If we wanted, we could purchase, at nominal cost, extras likes days of sightseeing, short excursions, etc. Maybe this is something that would appeal to your parents. They could get the basics and customize as they see fit. You'd have plenty of opportunity as well to give them your input!

Kate_W

Have you considered something like an Elderhostel program? Are your parents interested in educational tours? I don't know anyone who has participated in one of these, but their programs seem to offer a great opportunity to step outside the traditional tour experience, learn something new and have fun. Check out:
http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/...United+Kingdom

ddgattina

Subway,
You don't mention where your parents are from, or where they travel in the US. If they are used to getting around NYC , Boston, Chicago on the subway (just wondered, given your name?) or other urban places in the US, they would do just fine in London/ UK.

London is actually easier to get around than most US cities, but familiarity with the underground is the key.

Honestly, my parents made their first trip overseas to London (they were a bit younger, in their late 50s but they were VERY untravelled) they did just fine and had a great time. It all depends on who they are and what they want!

And if they go on their own, they could put together an itinerary of day tours (of the Original London Walks type) to go on out of town excursions. The amount of walking on these varies, and they are usually arranged with plenty of time to take lunch and tea breaks (at least the full day or half day tours). I did this with my mother when she was about 75, and she did just fine. And this way, they don't have to commit in advance-- if the weathers great and they feel up to it, they just show up at the meeting place for a walking tour.

If you could find a really good tour group that fits their preferences, that might be OK, but they picked the easiest place for US travellers to visit overseas. But avoiding that "driving around on the bus" problem is a challenge.

DRJ

My god! I'm 71 and walk the streets (and hills) of Rome, Umbria and Le Marche foa a coule of weeks twice a year. What's the big deal?

travelbunny

..I think a tour is a great idea for a first trip...It will save them carrying bags and relieve some of the uncertainty that often seems to provoke anxiety..speak witha a travel agent about tours in your price range..3 middle range tour companies are Globus,Trafalger and Insight..you might want to look at their products..but read the small print carefully!! Insight tends to usse central hotels and have fewer addons..but again do your homework. Elder Hostels are great if a special interest ..my mothe has been on many..but the time you'd like to go may not match when offered..The accomidation can be a bit basic but is always adequate...hope this helps!!

ira

Hi SS,

I suggest that you have your parents contact this group themselves.

There are definite pros and cons to both independent travel and tours and we can't advise them without a dialog.

Chrissie_Novelle

Check out Shearings coach tours ( a UK company - www.shearingsholidays.com ) they specialise in coach tours around the UK for the more senior citizens. My parents , in their late 70's - go with them every year .They will take the group to a hotel and from there do several tours which are included and some which are optional. It would be a great way of your parents meeting like minded travellers from the UK. Cosomos tourama have a good reputation but their tours are a bit " if -its- Tuesday -it- must -be -Rome "!