Traveling with Parents - Any tips?
Nov 23rd, 2004, 04:47 AM
#41
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Hi Anna, I don't have in this moment real clever ideas but in saying that one thought has crossed my mind.
Would Ireland be a good place for your first stop? I have not had the pleasure of visiting Ireland but from everything I have read the Irish are beautiful and kind and I have always had the impression that life is a bit slower.
I have an older friend who had heart surgery. About 6 months later she and her cousin flew from SFO to Ireland. She loved her time there. She said she felt so relaxed. They than went onto to London and she said she felt sort of overwhelmed. But she is the type that gets nervous easily. And she did not have a young person with her just her cousin who is her age. She had been to Europe before when her husband was alive but they only did tours so travelling independently was a new experience for her.
Anyway, Ireland as a start is just one idea.
About the Swiss Alps - would flying onto Switzerland than be a good idea. The Swiss are very low keyed IMHO.
Having said that though you do want to see London, Paris and Rome. Maybe go from Ireland to London and than on to the continent.
If I get any better ideas I will post them.
Take good care.
Would Ireland be a good place for your first stop? I have not had the pleasure of visiting Ireland but from everything I have read the Irish are beautiful and kind and I have always had the impression that life is a bit slower.
I have an older friend who had heart surgery. About 6 months later she and her cousin flew from SFO to Ireland. She loved her time there. She said she felt so relaxed. They than went onto to London and she said she felt sort of overwhelmed. But she is the type that gets nervous easily. And she did not have a young person with her just her cousin who is her age. She had been to Europe before when her husband was alive but they only did tours so travelling independently was a new experience for her.
Anyway, Ireland as a start is just one idea.
About the Swiss Alps - would flying onto Switzerland than be a good idea. The Swiss are very low keyed IMHO.
Having said that though you do want to see London, Paris and Rome. Maybe go from Ireland to London and than on to the continent.
If I get any better ideas I will post them.
Take good care.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 06:03 AM
#42
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Anna-
What about renting two cell phones, so if you do split up, you can easily keep in touch?
I heartily agree with the idea to start somewhere laid back. We did this on our second trip to Paris and it was great to get acclimated.
I've never been to Ireland but my parents LOVED it. They rented a car, drove around looking at scenery (my dad's arthritis makes this his preferred mode of travel) and loved having pub lunches in small towns.
For my trip with my inlaws, we are thinking of flying into CDG then going straight out to Rheims for a night or two to taste champagnes and hang in a smaller, friendlier city before hitting Paris.
I've also been reading a lot here about Annecy because I, too, have an obsession with seeing the Alps and Annecy looks gorgeous. You might also look into the special trains that wind through the Alps letting you view scenery- no walking!
What about renting two cell phones, so if you do split up, you can easily keep in touch?
I heartily agree with the idea to start somewhere laid back. We did this on our second trip to Paris and it was great to get acclimated.
I've never been to Ireland but my parents LOVED it. They rented a car, drove around looking at scenery (my dad's arthritis makes this his preferred mode of travel) and loved having pub lunches in small towns.
For my trip with my inlaws, we are thinking of flying into CDG then going straight out to Rheims for a night or two to taste champagnes and hang in a smaller, friendlier city before hitting Paris.
I've also been reading a lot here about Annecy because I, too, have an obsession with seeing the Alps and Annecy looks gorgeous. You might also look into the special trains that wind through the Alps letting you view scenery- no walking!
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:57 AM
#43
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As for small cities, I've been thinking about hitting Salzburg since from what I've read it's seems really quaint and romantic. Some say it's touristy, but since it's a walking town, it might be a good way to go.
The only problem is that I'm not sure how we would route the trip out of Salzburg - isn't Ryan Air the only budget airline that flys out of there?
Our other option is to start in London...although it is a large city, because english is spoken, it might make the transistion open.
Anyone who has ideas on this would be appreciated!
The only problem is that I'm not sure how we would route the trip out of Salzburg - isn't Ryan Air the only budget airline that flys out of there?
Our other option is to start in London...although it is a large city, because english is spoken, it might make the transistion open.
Anyone who has ideas on this would be appreciated!
Nov 23rd, 2004, 10:33 AM
#44
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I have travelled with my mother (early 60s) to Europe on a couple of occasions: once to Paris, where she'd been several times before, and once to Italy, which was new to her.
Taxis, taxis, taxis. They saved us! And I normally never take them, preferring to walk or take the metro.
Jetlag seemed to hit Mom much harder than anyone else, and harder than it used to hit her just a few years ago. In Paris we had an apartment (not a studio), so she could go hang out in her bedroom, nap, read, whatever, and my sister and I would go out and bring her Parisian goodies when she was too tired to go for dinner or drinks.
On the other hand, in Italy hotels were nice because she got to rely on a concierge instead of just me. Italy, for whatever reason, felt very "foreign" to her, and I think she was a little intimidated. (And we lived in Spain for a year when I was a kid; Mom spoke no Spanish and got around fine. The years have made her more timid, I guess.)
Don't pack too much in, make liberal use of taxis, let them sleep as long as they want. And have a great time.
Taxis, taxis, taxis. They saved us! And I normally never take them, preferring to walk or take the metro.
Jetlag seemed to hit Mom much harder than anyone else, and harder than it used to hit her just a few years ago. In Paris we had an apartment (not a studio), so she could go hang out in her bedroom, nap, read, whatever, and my sister and I would go out and bring her Parisian goodies when she was too tired to go for dinner or drinks.
On the other hand, in Italy hotels were nice because she got to rely on a concierge instead of just me. Italy, for whatever reason, felt very "foreign" to her, and I think she was a little intimidated. (And we lived in Spain for a year when I was a kid; Mom spoke no Spanish and got around fine. The years have made her more timid, I guess.)
Don't pack too much in, make liberal use of taxis, let them sleep as long as they want. And have a great time.
Nov 29th, 2004, 04:59 PM
#45
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Why not try communicating with them about it? Some sixty year olds are adventurous and want the freedom to enjoy travel. Others act with more trepidation. The way you are referring to your parents and planning the trip suggests they are very passive and a little sheltered. But that may just be your view! It may be their first trip abroad, but what type of people are they? I would not coddle them if they don't want to be treated like that. I would not suggest, as some other posters here like the self proclaimed sculptor, that they need to be treated like timid children simple because they are in their sixties and one has a heart condition!
Have you traveled with your parents before in the past few years? If so, this should give you insight about what type of travelers they are. Very often children and parents will find that they enjoy very different things in adulthood. If this is true, it will add far more stress than would the planing of the trip. In fact, unless they are very passive people, I would encourage that they get involved in planning or they may end up feeling victimized and you may be to blame! Most importantly,
work on getting free of the family roles!. And it will get horrid if there is a clash of needs, styles and desires, so please be careful!
Have you traveled with your parents before in the past few years? If so, this should give you insight about what type of travelers they are. Very often children and parents will find that they enjoy very different things in adulthood. If this is true, it will add far more stress than would the planing of the trip. In fact, unless they are very passive people, I would encourage that they get involved in planning or they may end up feeling victimized and you may be to blame! Most importantly,
work on getting free of the family roles!. And it will get horrid if there is a clash of needs, styles and desires, so please be careful!
Dec 1st, 2004, 06:27 AM
#46
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Hi Anna,
Great that you are sharing time w/ your folks.
Is this a concern to consider? Maybe an "off topic" issue.
What do the others Fodorites say about Medical preparations... ?
Most medical insurance may not cover care over-seas, a reminder to take Rx copies, some med records to take along,
How to call for emergency help by Asking a Local to get an Ambulance, or a pay phone.
High costs of emergency AIR transport in case.
Are the Travel Medical Insurance companies worth it???
There are threads on Fodor's to check out.
Not wanting to scare anyone from their travel. Some things are just diff overseas, Western Europe medical care is just as good as in the USA.
$-)
Great that you are sharing time w/ your folks.
Is this a concern to consider? Maybe an "off topic" issue.
What do the others Fodorites say about Medical preparations... ?
Most medical insurance may not cover care over-seas, a reminder to take Rx copies, some med records to take along,
How to call for emergency help by Asking a Local to get an Ambulance, or a pay phone.
High costs of emergency AIR transport in case.
Are the Travel Medical Insurance companies worth it???
There are threads on Fodor's to check out.
Not wanting to scare anyone from their travel. Some things are just diff overseas, Western Europe medical care is just as good as in the USA.
$-)
Dec 1st, 2004, 09:02 AM
#47
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I traveled with my brother and sister-in-law a couple of years ago to London and Paris. We truly have a great relationship and get along very well, but........having said that, we were together for two weeks every day. We all have our little "quirks" except for me of course..I'm the perfect one..LOL. Anyway, I debated and debated over the extra cost of getting a room by myself..would have been so much cheaper to have three to the room but I will say that in the end it was the best money I ever spent. It was so nice the few times that things got a little tense to be able to go back to my room, do my post cards, read, what ever. We were away from each other for those few hours and sure enough tomorrow was always another day and everyone was fine and cheerful again the next morning. So just make sure you have some space from each other so possible little annoyances don't turn into big problems. My sister-in-law has very severe arthritis in both kness...bone to bone..so we didn't use the tube or metro but opted for the buses instead. Much easier on her. Stairs were a huge issue. I think you have gotten lots of good suggestions, so if you are open and honest with each other and plan well, the trip should be great.
