zatrams999

Hello,

I was thinking of taking my parents for a short vacation this winter, somewhere within the US. Relatively warm weather would be good, and the vacation will be a short one, 5-7 days. I live in California.

I was thinking of some possibilities: Florida (few days in Miami), Big Island-Hawaii (fly into Kona) or Hawaii-main island(flying into HNL).

Wondering if you'll have any suggestions for me. The only restriction I have to take into account is that my parents (in their 60s) get tired if there is a lot of walking involved, but other than that, they are very enthusiastic about travel in general.

Appreciate the help, thanks.

Ackislander

You don't say where they are coming from, but if it is the midwest or east coast, I like both Naples, FL and Miami/Miami Beacg a lot.

Naples is upscale, relaxed, beautiful. It has good cultural activities and access to nature as well as beautiful beaches and good restaurants. Flying through RSW (Ft Myers) is pretty hassle-free. The weather is excellent.

Miami has great weather, lots of multicultural interest, interesting upscale neighborhoods like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, all in addition to the action of Miami Beach and the very upscale Key Biscayne. The Everglades are not far away. Great restaurants. MIA is not my favorite place to fly, but it is better as a destination than as a transfer point.

Neither has long lists of gotta-do-before-you-die stuff, so both very relaxing.

tomfuller

Which part of California do you live in? Which parts of California have they not seen? Which state do they live in?
If they have seen all of California that they care to, Hawaii would be my choice.
I think I've seen enough of Florida to last a lifetime.

zatrams999

Thanks for the input. We are all from the LA area.

Yes, I love the Miami area as well. A few years back we took a road trip together, covered a lot of Florida (Everglades, South Beach, Key West, Datona Beach, Orlando). I think we briefly stopped at Naples too. But would love to go visit again though, especially South Beach.

We have taken some lovely road trips together within California, so seen most of it.
For Hawaii, I've been to Oahu and Maui myself, but they haven't so it'll be new to them.

What do you guys think about Puerto Rico? I speak very little Spanish - will it be difficult to get by with English only?

Bryce Canyon will probably be too cold, right?

ChiSue

My DH and I have chosen Maui for many a winter, but if your parents haven't visited Hawaii at all, they would probably enjoy Oahu as a first island. Stay Waikiki in winter. Easy to get around on foot, by taxi, by bus.

We often took trips or cruises to the Caribbean *before* we discovered Hawaii. Florida isn't a sure thing for warmth in the dead of winter. Since you are west coast, you can be in Honolulu in five hours and home in four.

easytraveler

I second Hawaii, especially since your parents have never been.

dbdurand

I recommend you find out where your parents would like to go, amongst the choices available, and take them there. It's that simple.

Tomsd

Since you are in LA - consider Costa Rica - which is very beautiful, safe and fairly easy to get around.

We love Hawaii - but Costa Rica offers you a bit of a different experience and you don't have to worry about not speaking Spanish. Do however learn your exchange rate and carefully count your Change/Cambio - as they have been known to make mistakes when helping Touristas.

1JAR

TomSD...did you notice the OP request for US?

Or do you think Costa Rico is part of the US?

Another off the mark post...

Choosing to stay in US and US Territories (Puerto Rico) for elderly is a wise option due to access for healthcare/Medicare benefits.

Hawaii would be a good choice & I have seen some great airfares on Alaska.

Puerto Rico is ok. You don't need to s/Spanish and there are several US hotels that offer familiarity. The flight though is very long most w/redeye routes, long layovers and timezone changes.

sf7307

69...elderly??? Methinks not. (although I do agree the post didn't respond to the OP's request)

1JAR

SF307...soxially I don't think of 69 as elderly. Howeever from the POV of healthcare & Medicare, 69 is considered appropriately elderly.

Tomsd

Holy nit pickers. So IJAR - are you an accountant or some such? I suggested a nice alternative and fyi - they have good medical care in Costa Rica if needed. My sister lived there for 4 years and it's a great place to visit. As easy to get to from LA as is flying to Hawaii, and they have a real, booming volcano - Arenal - vis the more placid, lava flowing one on Big Island, although we also love Hawaii.

zatrams999

Thanks everyone for all the great input, appreciate it.

At this point, I think Oahu would be a good choice. I'll get a plan together for the 6 days or so, and shall post again on here for some more feedback.

One thing I need input on for now is this: would it be better to rent a car for the days we are there, or just cab it to/from the hotel and take the island tours that are available at the hotel? Thinking about just getting a car so there's more flexibility, but would be good to get some input. Thanks.

easytraveler

Car.

You'll see a lot more and be more in control of your own hours and schedules.

There are some things that you might want to do - luau, hula dancing, - that would need a "program" - but check with your hotel first and see if they offer anything close to what you like. There's also that ghastly Mormon-run "Cultural" Center. Heard from my relatives that it's improved "somewhat". Don't know what "somewhat" really means.

Good choice! Enjoy your trip!

Dave_Ohio

Hawaii! Great rates from the west coast; good weather more likely there than Florida; the parents have never been.

Rent a car! Lots to see on Oahu besides Honolulu. The North Shore is beautiful.

You may want to consider three or four nights Honolulu and the remaining nights on another island.

Have a wonderful trip!

(1JAR: I beg your pardon! I don't think of persons in their sixties as elderly, if they are in good health otherwise.)

Marginal

You'd better get working on plane, hotel, and car reservations NOW if you want to go to Hawaii.

"Winter" is a peak season and the week before and after President's Day in February is a particularly busy time. All the rates are high for that time period and people are reporting having trouble reserving rental cars. I would avoid the time between Feb 9 and Feb 24 if you can.

Tomsd

You could also spend 3 or so nights up on the North Shore of Oahu - which is like going to an outer island.

Check VRBO - and around Haleiwa and Waimea Bay - and the Turtle Bay Resort also.

zatrams999

Hello, and thanks so much for all the great input, appreciate it.

Debating a couple of options, thought I'd get some input:

Option 1: Waikiki 3 days + North shore 3 days

Vs.

Option 2: Waikiki 5 days + another island 4 or 5 days ( only I've been to Maui, Oahu - parents have not)

Leaning more towards option 1 at this point: easier to plan ( for me), less strenuous for parents.

My questions are:

1. For another island (if we were to pick option 2), what would be a reasonable choice?

2. For North Shore, Oahu, am I better off going for an apartment rental or hotel? Any hotels/apartments you recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Tomsd

Am a big fan of Kauai - and it's only a 20 minute flight from Oahu. If you parents can ride in an auto for an hour or so - it's the most beauitful of the islands with - at least - IMO - the most to see in the shortest distance.

The North Shore is especially beautiful/lush - even for the "Garden Isle" - and Waimea Canyon was called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific by Mark Twain - with good reason.

For some ideas - see: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/kauaiac...o-on-kauai.htm

Tomsd

And there are other posts in here - under Hawaii - on/about the various islands. If you go to Kauai during the "winter" - staying mid-island - or down at Poipu would be the best this time of year - but do get up to the North Shore.

Ask your parents if they ever saw the classic WWII musicle/love story by Rogers and Hammerstein - South Pacific.

It shows the North Shore in all of it's Bali Hai splendor, and the pier in Hanalei Bay is still there. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/