HELP!! PLANNING A TRIP FOR PARENTS...
Nov 17th, 2012, 08:53 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HELP!! PLANNING A TRIP FOR PARENTS...
My siblings and I are planning a extended weekend get-away for my parents.. They are in their 70's and are healthy and active. Problems lies is my mom won't fly and they don't want to drive to far - we live in Jacksonville, FL .. Max 6-7 hour drive..
Second issue is... My mom likes historical places, antiques and shopping in general. (and she won't do anything alone)
My dad wants to do some fishing (fresh water) (my mom will not go fishing) , he likes food shops.. like Trader Joe's.. or any type of country store, cheese, deli, pastries ect...
Does anyone have any ideas on where we can send them... that we can meet in the middle with these two... We just want to plan a nice trip that they will both enjoy..
Also include places to stay.. Very nice.. (this is for their 55 year anniversary) but not overly priced.. (better than and days inn or holiday inn) maybe a B&B or lodge..
Please HELP we need to get this planned quickly!!!!!
Second issue is... My mom likes historical places, antiques and shopping in general. (and she won't do anything alone)
My dad wants to do some fishing (fresh water) (my mom will not go fishing) , he likes food shops.. like Trader Joe's.. or any type of country store, cheese, deli, pastries ect...
Does anyone have any ideas on where we can send them... that we can meet in the middle with these two... We just want to plan a nice trip that they will both enjoy..
Also include places to stay.. Very nice.. (this is for their 55 year anniversary) but not overly priced.. (better than and days inn or holiday inn) maybe a B&B or lodge..
Please HELP we need to get this planned quickly!!!!!
Nov 17th, 2012, 10:05 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Savannah is about 2 hours from Jacksonville; Charleston, SC about 4 - either would be worth a look. I might pick Charleston over Savannah - and one thing to consider is that Savannah Historic Distric has some cobblestone streets that are tough on anyone, but especially older people who might have mobility issues.
Not sure about fresh water fishing in these areas, though - but wondering how he would feel about a half day saltwater charter fishing thing.
Not sure about fresh water fishing in these areas, though - but wondering how he would feel about a half day saltwater charter fishing thing.
Nov 17th, 2012, 01:40 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, sending people in their 70's on a 9 hour drive is not a great idea.
Second, starting a thread in all UPPER CASE is often frowned upon and appears aggressive.
Third, I think Savannah or Charleston are great ideas.
Fourth, how nice to send your parents on a getaway and try to plan something special.
Second, starting a thread in all UPPER CASE is often frowned upon and appears aggressive.
Third, I think Savannah or Charleston are great ideas.
Fourth, how nice to send your parents on a getaway and try to plan something special.
Nov 17th, 2012, 02:20 PM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the Charleston and Savannah ideas. Might also throw in New Orleans and River Road Plantation Homes. What about Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg TN/Ashville NC/? I'm not sure of the distance to any of these.
Nov 18th, 2012, 07:48 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about the VILLAGES, Fl. Large retirement community 1 hour above Orlando.
It has shopping, picturesque village centers, live music every night in the town squares, tons of pools, activities, restaurants and lots of golf. You can easily rent a house with a golf cart for the week through the villages for a very reasonable price.
http://www.thevillages.com/comevisit/lpp.asp
There are some interesting daytrips around too. Micanopi Florida for a cute peek of "old florida" and antique shopping or Homosassa Springs for fishing.
My parents are in their 60s and while it seems strange to me sometimes, they LOVE it there.
Be careful, they may decide to move there after they visit.
It has shopping, picturesque village centers, live music every night in the town squares, tons of pools, activities, restaurants and lots of golf. You can easily rent a house with a golf cart for the week through the villages for a very reasonable price.
http://www.thevillages.com/comevisit/lpp.asp
There are some interesting daytrips around too. Micanopi Florida for a cute peek of "old florida" and antique shopping or Homosassa Springs for fishing.
My parents are in their 60s and while it seems strange to me sometimes, they LOVE it there.
Be careful, they may decide to move there after they visit.
Nov 18th, 2012, 09:59 AM
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Villages for a vacation? Don't do it! We've visited relatives there. It's a little like the Truman Show - in the shopping area, there are historical plaques on the buildings and the information on them is fictional!
Nov 19th, 2012, 04:41 PM
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think DAD should fly to somewhere, and do some fishing upon arrival, while one of the kids drives mom TO the same destination, albeit one more than "6 or 7 hours away".
That's the drag about Florida, you just don't have 360 degrees of options, so at times like this you have to make sacrifices, particularly so for the person who "won't fly".
Why not expand your horizons and see if you can create something that way.
Are there (grandchildren) who are old enough, and who would like to drive (grandma) to the eventual destination? (if none of the 'kids' want to do so)
Create something better given what you have.
That's the drag about Florida, you just don't have 360 degrees of options, so at times like this you have to make sacrifices, particularly so for the person who "won't fly".
Why not expand your horizons and see if you can create something that way.
Are there (grandchildren) who are old enough, and who would like to drive (grandma) to the eventual destination? (if none of the 'kids' want to do so)
Create something better given what you have.
