Vacation For Seniors?
 

My inlaws want to take a warm weather vacation this winter and would like to stay in the country if possible. They really would like not to have to rent a car- driving is hard due to poor eyesight. They are fun loving and would like good restaurants and beautiful scenery. I'm stumped, the no driving thing is tough.Taxis and shuttles would work. They wouldn't mind walking short distances. Any places come to mind??

Where are they now, do they have any preferences? Wishes, dreams? Need more details please.

They live in the Northeast and would like an escape from the brutal winters. I think they would like the beach or anything warm. Their dates are open. Definitely no spring break crowds. They've asked me alot about Key West since I've been there. No car is needed there so that would work, but it may be a little "young" for them. A condo in Florida would be nice, but you definitely need a car. They would love a beautiful resort, but I think you would need a car to enjoy the area. They are not interested in a cruise. Help?

If they do not want to leave the country and want warm weather it would seem Florida would be the primary place of interest. There are many seniors there, and they have been spending winters in Florida for many years. I know Ft. Lauderdale is a busy place, and getting around via water taxi's is faily easy to acess restaurants etc. I would say it is a mixed crowd with the exception of spring breakers during the springtime. There are tours they can take from Ft. Lauderdale to even Miami via boats. Naples also comes to mind. Nice for strolling, good restaurants and a trolley around town for transportation.

Perhaps they could include an Elderhostel as part of the trip. A wonderful way to learn about the area.

Arizona is an alternative to Florida if they don't like humidity.

Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi is a great way to see Ft Laud. They would love seeing the homes of the local "rich and famous". They could take cabs to other destinations not accessed by the Water Taxi. I live in the Ft Laud area and can confirm the area has loads of seniors. They also have an IMAX theater and Museum of Discover & Science downtown. They'd probably like Las Olas Blvd, too. And the best thing is these are all on the Water Taxi route. If they don't want to stay right on the beach, get them a place in the area of the Embassy Suites on SE 17th Street. However, if they stay on the beach, they'd probably really like the Marriott Harbor Beach or Radisson Bahia Mar (they can walk to the beach via a walkway over the main roadway.) The south end of the beach is a very nice area and less congested.

They could also stay at several different locations in the area. The Radisson Bahia Mar usually have a buy one night get one free through VISA (you have to charge the room on your credit card). They could stay there a few days and then somewhere else the rest of the time. What do they like to do? Do they like outdoor activities or do they prefer more subdued activities? This might help people come up with ideas for a vacation area.

Would they like to take a tour? No driving, the tour guide takes care of everything. Or there are many programs, not just learning, at Elderhostel.

You didn't mention how long they would like to be gone, or what they might like to see and do. This past May we took a Grand Circle Tour to Northern Mexico and the Copper Canyon. GC did all the driving and all the planning. There very little strenuous walking. The tours left from Tucson and lasted 2 weeks. It was the first time we had done anything like this, and it was nice to not have to drive or plan. We will go somewhere with them again.

Grand Circle has some wonderful tours in various parts of the US and the rest of the world. Check out their website at http://www.gct.com/gct/general/

While I personally am not a cruise person perhaps a cruise is what would work for your in-laws. No car driving, no packing & unpacking either, and taxi's and tours for sightseeing at each port as well as plenty of people to socialize with (or not!) Since you don't say how long they want to be gone it's kind of hard, but there are a variety of cruises out there. They may enjoy a Panama Canal cruise, about 14 days, or a 10 day one as these are more "relaxed" then the 7 day ones. They also tend to attract an older crowd from what I've read because they are a little longer. A cruise would give them lots of food to sample, beautiful scenery plus they don't have to worry about driving anyplace, it's all right there!