trip ideas for our parents
 

We are looking for some ideas for trips for our parents. They are in their mid-50s, retired, and pretty much novices when it comes to traveling.

They have mentioned wanting to see California and Colorado, but they are not really sure where to start. Any state besides Florida would be an option (they lived there for many years). They aren't really in to beaches, and camping wouldn't be for them. Something that is romantic and relaxing but would still allow them to see a lot of different sights would be perfect. And they don't have passports, so they would have to stay within the US!

Any ideas??

I'd recommend a cruise to Alaska but on a small ship like those of Cruise West (there are other companies that offer a similar kind of experience). It's a great trip (my parents have done it and loved it). And then they can visit Denali and Fairbanks before heading home.

When? Budget? Where are they coming from? How long will they vacation? Will they be flying in [I assume they will] and are they willing to rent a car? Do they mind driving on roads that are curvy and have drop offs[ US 1 in CA and The Million Dollar/San Juan Highway in CO plus others.]

A bit more info from you will get you replies that might be more on target.

Off the top of my head, I will shout out SW Colorado. They can drive some, see some magnificent native american cliff dwellings and other wonders.

http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...umentid=249511

http://www.telluridevisitorguide.com.../day-trips.asp

A great B&B in Durango CO is the Apple Orchard Inn

http://www.appleorchardinn.com/

From an old thread on SW CO
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34920960

Deb

They will be coming from South Carolina, they will be flying if it is more than a couple of hours away, they don't mind driving on curvy roads, anytime of year would suffice as they don't work anymore, and they would most likely rent a car. Budget is pretty much up in the air. They aren't really the type to pay a ton of money for a super luxurious hotel, but they would potentially be willing to spend a good bit for a great vacation.

I would suggest the California wine country. They could fly into San Francisco, or Oakland. Rent a car and drive North for about 1.5 hrs to either Napa or Sonoma Counties. I personally would suggest Healdsburg, in Sonoma County..about 1.5 hrs N. of the Golden Gate bridge. Its easy to get to, there is lots to see, not just wine tasting..and its affordable. Check out www.sonomacountyvacations.com and see some different accomodations.
Second choice would be to tour the SouthWest..flying into New Mexico and touring the 4 corners area. The AAA has a great map called "Indian Country" and it has wonderful places to visit.

Have you thought about Yosemite National Park in California? My grandpa loved to go there a couple of times a year. I know Caravan does a tour there, and they are very good. Also there is a nice lodge there. With it being in Northern California, you are also close to "gold country" in the foot hills and wine country. Could be fun:)

Another nod for Cali. We did 11 days in San Fran., Napa, and Yosemite. Beautiful and a nice combo of romance, natural sceenery , hiking (heavy or light), great food, city and countryside sightseeing.

My parents loved San Fransico. They liked staying in the city and spent about 3 weeks there once. They were about your parent's ages. Some like the country, my parents enjoyed the city. They were both New Yorkers that raised us in the suburbs. SF was a very different city with lots to do.
They also went up to the wine country and enjoyed a couple of days there.
My bet would be California could offer the mix of a unique city (SF) with the right amount of country and picturesque driving down the coast. :)

Fly into San Francisco and tour there for a few days. Lots of info here you can search for. SF is a wonderful place to visit! Then rent a car, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and on into wine country for a couple of days, again you can do a lot of searching here on that area, and then one of my favorites, continue driving into Yosemite, even if they do not hike, the beauty of Yosemite is so worth seeing.

I have the perfect summer trip for them. Fly into Chicago (if they like baseball a Cubs game is a must), then drive up the west coast of Michigan. Saugatuck is beautiful. There are many nice b&b's to stay in. Head up to Traverse City (with a stop at Sleeping Bear Dunes), check out the Old Mission Peninsula for all the wineries, head over to Petoskey and Harbor Springs and then hit Mackinac Island and the upper peninsula to see the Pictured Rocks and Soo locks.

If they took their time and meandered, they would have a great time. They can even fly back to Chicago from Pellston if they don't want to drive back.

It is such an amazing area in the summer, but still not so crowded as California. The weather is wonderful and the scenery is gorgeous.

Oh, and they could drive over to Sault Ste. Marie Canada without a passport. I think the casino is on that side, but I could be wrong!

Totally agree with northern California for their first trip. They can fly into any of the San Francisco area airports or Sacramento and make a driving loop with the specific choices dependent on their preferences.

San Francisco--cable cars, Victorian architecture, ferry across the bay, visit to Muir Woods.

Then the choices of which segments to add based on preferences. South to Monterrey and the aquarium, the coastal drive to Big Sur.

Or east across the valley to Yosemite to see the waterfalls, the mountains, the giant sequoia trees.

Or east through gold mining towns to see Lake Tahoe.

Or north to the wine countries as mentioned by others.

This trip can be done almost yearround, though the high roads in the mountains are only open in the summer. If they particularly want to see grapes on the vines in the wine country or the harvest, then that would affect the timing.

I just think that area makes a great hub for a first big trip and they can travel back if they like to see the areas they miss the first time.

The second trip I'd suggest is the Southwest red rock country. A mix of Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. Once again the mix of city and drop dead gorgeous natural areas without having to camp. Fall and spring are best to avoid the heat of high summer and uncertain weather of winter.

Third is Yellowstone with the geysers plus the animals. Truly a one of a kind place, though less variety of sights. Again, late spring through early fall best, avoiding the fourth of July and other peak summer holiday times.

Fourth is Alaska, whether by land or ship. The glaciers, the mountains, the animals are great. Late spring/early summer can be a good time to get slightly ahead of the summer crowds and the mosquitos yet everything is open.