I am trying to plan a tour for my grandparents for their anniversary - ages late 70's. Any thoughts on best tour operators for this age? Self-guided is probably not an option. I have not been able to find a TA to give me much advice. Found Fly Away Holidays on the internet, but have not seen any comments on them, although it seems they include a lot in their tour. I would like them to see all 4 major islands. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

What about a tour company like Tauck or Trafalgar?

I agree with Sonya, a tour company would be best. Don't know why your travel agent didn't suggest it. It looks like Fly-Away just arranges for various tours and transportation. If you can afford it, Tauck your best bet. Travelled with them a couple of times and you're treated like royalty. Globus also runs a similar trip, with less features included. Used them too, and they're also a good company. Both have web sites and you can book with Tauck directly. There is a website cheapertravel.com which offers discounts on both. It will come up as Pavlus Travel. Haven't used them but I've heard good reports (via these boards) on them. Hope to get to Hawaii myself someday!

My parents, who are in their mid 60's, have taken several vacations with Elderhostel. They did a 17 day African Safari and a 33 day New Zealand & Austrialia trip, plus a few shorter US trips. I would guess that Elderhostel does a Hawaiian itinerary as well. The trips are educational, guided and well planned from start to finish. Most or all meals, lodging and activities are included. I think they have a web site.

Actually, the website Flyawayhawaii.com lists tour packages that make it sound like they are a tour company, like Globus and Tauck. I just have never heard anything about them, but it sounds like they include and see more on their tours than Globus, Collette, or Trafalgar for the same price. Tauck is probably going to be too expensive. I have heard & read good things about Globus, and will probably go with them, but wondered about other ideas. Thanks for the replies so far! I will look into those websites! Any other thoughts?

I've worked in the escorted tour operators market for the past 16 years. I thought maybe I could help you with this. Fly Away Holidays is a tour operator. They are what is know as a receptive tour operator. That means that they run a lot of tours in their own area and often sell these tours to operators such as Globus etc. Many of the tour operators that have been mentioned in this post have used receptive tour operators in different areas to put tours together for them. When looking for any tour operator make sure that they are a member of the National Tour Association. That way you know you will be dealing with a reputable company that offers consumer protection. Fly Away is a member in good standing with this group.

To help you put some perspective on the tour operators that have been mentioned you will find that Tauck is the king of domestic travel. They are deluxe, stay at excellent properties and included all meals. If that is important to you than they are very good to go with. Globus, Collette, Mayflower are on the next tier. All stay at good propreties, have some meals and most attractions included. Cosmos is a step below them as they use less desierable hotels and most attractions are optional. Look at what you get for your money to see what is best for you. Don't forget to look at companies that include a round trip transfer as part of the tour package. There is nothing more frustrating than getting to a strange airport and having to find your way to a hotel. Some companies like Mayflower include these in the tour cost. Other operators charge extra or don't include them.

Any one of these companies will provide a nice tour for your grandparents. I don't know the age demographics for Fly Away Holidays, but for the other companies your grandparents would probably find many new friends in their age group.

Thanks, curious, for the info. That helps a lot. It seems that most of the TA's I've found only use - and so only have knowledge about - one specific company each.

I'd still like to hear some personal experience with FlyAwayHawaii. Anyone out there?

ttt