florida4

Any recommendations on a reat mulit-generational trip for my dad's 70th birthday. We are looking for a June trip 2007. We always do a cruise for these occassions since it is easy in terms of planning, meals and activities. We are all pretty head strong so we would need some type of organized programming so we don't fight about what to do. Grandma is not an adventure traveler so no camping etc. They are very mobile however and in great shape and love to be outdoors. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!! We are from Florida but would go anywhere in US or an easy trip outside US. Looking for a trip that is minimum 1 week and maximum 12 days!!

MFNYC

If you like the ease of a cruise, I think you'd enjoy all-inclusive resorts. My favorite place for that is the Mayan Riviera (Playa Del Carmen area has many). You fly to Cancun and then drive (depending on the exact location) may be 30-40 minutes from the airport. There are many packages that include air, transfers and hotels. The AI resorts include almost everything (besides meals, also non-motorized water sports, tennis, activites and supervision for your kids, activites for adults, entertainment in the evenings, even bar drinks).

The beaches are great there. ALl these resorts purify water, so that's not a problem. There are also many side trips to ruins and other activities. Check the Latin American board for more info.

MBnancy

Fly to Reno, rent a van and drive the 30 minutes over the hill to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe (on the NV side). We stay at the Hyatt over July 4t week, where they have fireworks over the lake. The weather is great to be outdoors among the pine trees. We usually go the end of June.

So much to do around the lake. Boat trips, rafting, for the boys, bikes. Gambling and Spa treatments for the older ones..

The resort has lakefront condos or timeshares next to the resort.

http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

or

http://hyatthighsierralodge.hyatt.co...tels/index.jsp

gail

I love the way you put it "all pretty headstrong ... organized programming" - that is a really good way to describe what happens on our family vacations and had never thought to put it that way. This will now be our dinner-time discussion tonite!

Are there cruises from Florida to Bermuda? We did a Boston-Bermuda cruise 2 summers ago and it was the perfect combination of cruise and 4 days in Bermuda - enough structure and enough freedom.

Bermuda is so beautiful and the British-legacy formality really appeals to many, especially older people.

padams421

Alaska cruise
guest ranch
all inclusive resorts in Carribean or Mexico

kopp

florida,

I love multi-generational trips! Finding something to please everyone is not so difficult, especially with your parameters of "in great shape and love to be outdoors."

Cruising is fine, but you've done that. Time to "spread your wings" a bit.

When my children were about the age of yours, we went on a trip that started in Vegas (back when Excalibur was fun for the kids) for a night, one day toured Hoover Dam and environs, then drove in the rental car to Zion for a couple nights, then Bryce for a couple nights before coming back to Vegas and flying home. It was awesome!

The hiking is not particularly strenuous, lots of room to spread out and explore the outdoors, and grandma would not have to do camping. There are plenty of decent hotels to be had.

The scenery in Utah is spectacular, there is some wildlife to be seen, kids would love a horseback ride, and there are plenty of hotels to be had.

Since you've got up to 12 days, maybe even stick in a couple extra nights at Grand Canyon.

florida4

Thanks for all these great suggestions. Can't wait to chat with the grandparents (when they get back from yet another cruise!). They are awesomely generous and wonderful people!!!

utahtea

Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks.

Banff & Japer National Parks in Canada.

Las, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion have already been mentioned.

Utahtea

gail

I keep keying in on the point about liking trips where someone else organizes at least the basic format if not the details. Is that as important as I am presuming? If so, then you are limited to cruise, AI, or tour.

KathrynT

We have found multi-generational trips work best in our family when we visit a location with lots of different activities (Lake Tahoe, Carmel and a cruise are what we have done.) Once at the location we tend to meet for breakfast and dinner and then go our own ways during the day with some family members spontaneously joining in together and others choosing to do other activities. I like the fact that there is no pressure to do everything together and it is fun at the end of the day to share adventures.

Have you considered Hawaii?

gail

London? Tht counts as easy trip outside of US since once you don't have to deal with alnguage differences everything feels closer. While there, they may enjoy one of the hop=on/hop-off bus tours (few decisions) and there are a variety of day trips to castles, etc. outside of London itself that involve a bus - no car rental and driving on the wrong side of the street. Do some theatre in the evening. Enough big places (cathedrals, museums, Tower of London) to visit so entire group could arrive together and meet back hours later for a break from each other.

Regarding Grandma and camping - if anyone asks me to go camping when I am a grandmother, I will not be responsible for my actions!

Grcxx3

What about a dude ranch?

We did a multi-generation trip several years ago with my parents and our kids (they were about 6 and 8 at the time). We went to the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandara, TX. It was our 2nd trip, but the first with the grandparents.

It's a great family-run ranch, good food, fun entertainment, and lots/or nothing to do. We had a blast. In the summer they have lots of neat activities for kids - and even enough stuff for the grown-ups!

ajcolorado

We've done various multi-generational trips - several to your home state. We enjoy the Black Hills / Mt. Rushmore area because there is so much to do for everyone. Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park as three great driving loops - a wildlife loop, a needles (rock formations) loop, and a piggy-tail bridge loop. There are cavern tours, the Reptile Gardens, chuckwagon dinners, and a great new Mammouth Dig museum in Hot Springs. We're doing a big trip there this summer.

We also did a great trip to Seattle, WA; Vancouver, B.C., and Victoria. Check this and the Canada forum for lots of great tips for that region.

Two years ago, we did a great trip to Maui and Oahu. This had friends, and 3 generations of family including in-laws etc. We stayed in the Hale Kai near Lahaina. The condo had two bedrooms + loft and easily slept 6.

Niagara Falls is another great option - we stayed on the Canada side and bought the multi-venue passes (I forget what they're called). We also ate a meal at the Skylon tower and went to Marine Land. I wish we'd done the Maid-of-the-Mist but we ran out of time.

ajcolorado

I just read something that might work for your crew - from the website, it looks like there are trips to London & Paris, Costa Rica, Canadian Rockies, Italy, Wyoming, Oahu & Kauai, ane Oahu & Hawaii:

"In summer 2005, Disney quietly solicited participants for some experimental vacation packages to Hawaii and Yellowstone. They called the program "Adventures by Disney." A very limited number of participants had the opportunity to test out the concept, which was intended to bring Disney quality to non-Disney vacation destinations.

For 2006, Disney is expanding the number of destinations that will be offered for "Adventures by Disney" packages. You can read all about them at AdventuresbyDisney.com."

CAPH52

I see that ajcolorado recommended the Black Hills. That was going to be my recommendation as well. Particularly Custer State Park. Staying in the park is wonderful. The scenery is beautiful. And there's so much to do for every age. However, I would highly advise booking early, especially with a big group.

utahtea

This grandma loves camping and can't wait to go on more trips with her grandson as he gets older....now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Utahtea

Syl

How about a 3 hr flight north to Montreal, Canada where your dollar goes a long way ? Summer is a fantastic time because of world famous jazz & comedy festivals where major downtown streets are closed to traffic.From Montreal, go to Quebec City &/or Mont Tremblant, a resort town where Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones just purchased property.The boys will be kept busy by mountain luge rides & all sorts of activities to keep their interest. Only negative about Mt.Tremblant are the blackflies during the month of June.

florida4

I am excited to start looking into all of these great places. Some I have never heard of! Interesting about the Disney trips outside of Disney!

karens

Sorry, but I am still trying to figure out how Disney could improve a trip to Paris, or Yellowstone? I love places like Paris and Yellowstone b/c they are NOT Disney.

I just can't put the words "Disney-quality" and Hawaii together. Just my opinion - I know my opinion on Disney differs from that of many people.

The Atlantis in Bahamas may have something for everyone: water slides, nice beach, casino, etc.