Surprising someone with a holiday - at the airport! What to remember?

[Goingonagondola]

For my Mum's 70th I'm taking her to Venice.

I've told her I'm taking her on a trip, and she's coming to mine the day before we fly. Then in the morning I'm telling her we are going to the station but instead will go to the airport and surprise her with tickets. But I'm worried I'll forget something that will mess it up, due to the surprise element. Here's what I've done or thought of so far - have I forgotten anything?

• I've got her passport (under false pretences)
• I'm applying for an EHIC card for her
• I'll get Euros for her and lend her the money
• I'll put roaming on on my phone and pinch hers the night before to activate it on hers (but it can take 24 hours apparently so might be a gap before she has use of it)
• Booked someone to look after her dogs (and told her)
• Obviously have either booked or planned flights, accommodation and transport to/from airports.
• Will get an adaptor plug
• Will get money belts for us both due to pickpocket issue in Venice
• Will tell her at the airport and get her to shuffle any liquids from bag into her suitcase and anything from suitcase she'll need on the way into her hand bag.
• Maybe pressure socks (necessary for a 2.5 hour flight?) She is obviously nearly 70 and overweight, and diabetic (not sure if relevant)

Filledsoda I'm 71 and an perfectly able to handle a surprise trip. I would love it.

If she has any health issues at all try 'Insurancewith' for travel insurance. They offer sensible prices.

@DelphiniumBlue Do you really think I should book special assistance even though we could manage without? It is tempting to get the help and avoid the queues but I feel a bit guilty.

@watcheait That's so good to hear! I can totally understand that it wouldn't be right for lots of people. But I am sure it's the right thing to do for mum as she's actively chosen a surprise, she's more of a pre-trip stresser than joyful anticipator and she'd definitely worry about me spending the money on her (no for any reason). And she'd be phoning me up saying 'Have you done this? What about that? What will we do about...?' when this way I can just have it all taken care of.

Thanks for the travel insurance tip, that's something I need to get sorted soon and am aware that with her T2 diabetes it might be trickier.

I found clambering in and out of the boats a bit harrowing and nothing like the ramp access I'm used to on the ferries in London. My knees did not enjoy it, there wasn't a hand rail and it was a bit wobbly. The tourist bus-boats are lovely though but I don't think they went to the airport. Possibly other non-water routes are available and it was just that going by water taxi was easier for the time we were arriving / leaving.

Jo

Phone: I'm on PAYG so as long as I have credit I can use my phone abroad. Might be different if you're on contract - might calls be included in your package or will you have to pay for usage? I don't bother with data when I'm abroad, I just use the hotel wifi.

I'm so over-invested in this trip. Please will you come and post an update after your holiday?!

Flat shoes (the most confortable) and a pocket umbrella!
A guidebook for the plane journey
Hope you have deep pockets: Venice can be very expensive and the exchange rate v euro will probably be worse close to brexit time. I’d be inclined to buy some euros in advance if you have the money to do so, as I think sterling will get (much) weaker.

You sound like a wonderful daughter! As a former travel agent though the flight prices tend to go up as the date approaches - get booking if I were you! Also - travel insurance to the hilt!

I think you've got it covered.

I did the same thing but from Canada with a slightly younger mother but much further distance and to Rome instead of Venice. Don't forget most things can be bought abroad so just cover the basics. Call whoever issues the EHIC card and ask if you're allowed to have it sent to another address. I can't see that being a massive issue honestly.

@Plexie That's so sweet of you. I'll definitely update. And probably be asking lots of annoying questions on here before I go as well...

I think that with the wifi I can do Facetime with my kids etc (which is all I really care about) but I'm not sure about calls. When I arrive at the airport I have to whatsapp the owners of the appartment so they start heading for the vaparetto stop to meet us so I need to make sure I am connected as soon as we land.

Umbrella, guidebook and getting Euros sooner than later are all great ideas! Thank you.

Thanks @InglouriousBasterd that's so nice of you. I love her to absolute bits and she deserves something very, very special for her big birthday.

@Rtmhwales Wow from Canada! True that we can buy stuff there. I slightly keep forgetting that we're hopping to a European country not some kind of alien planet! Did you surprise your mum at the aiport? How did you do it?

Waterproof trousers and wellies October-Jan is the high water season and venice often floods

When I arrive at the airport I have to whatsapp the owners of the appartment so they start heading for the vaparetto stop to meet us so I need to make sure I am connected as soon as we land.
Have some if the contact numbers, other information available as hard copy in case you have problems with your tech..

Definitely have travel insurance for you both tied down ASAP!

Have a great time!

Sorry but particularly given her age and medical history this is an APPALLING idea!

Surprising her with the news/tickets POSSIBLY if you KNOW she would like the surprise, and isn't likely to eg have a heart attack at the shock

But leaving it to the last bloody minute to tell her, leaving NO time for necessary medical preparation/to get accurate and adequate insurance (you can't possibly know her full medical history) is bloody irresponsible! It can be very hard to get good quality travel insurance for travellers of that age with chronic health conditions.

When is this trip booked for?!

"Letter for any medication she needs to carry through airport security?" Entirely possible and CANNOT be arranged on the day!

Seriously what were you thinking?!

"Tablets not injections so should be ok." But without knowing ALL the meds she may have with her including dosages you can't possibly be certain.

If she's a "flapper" that's another reason imo NOT to spring this on her! If she has a panic attack they may not admit her onto the flight!

I don’t check my liquids because due to some special circumstances, I can’t just replace at my destination if lost and I can’t use hotel provisions. So if I’m flying, everything has to be decanted into travel size containers. If I’m not flying I don’t always bother and take larger sizes because it’s less work.

I would expect a 70 year old might have more than one product they aren’t happy to risk checking.

Oh and something like my epipens or my steroid cream, going on a plane, I need the boxes with the labeling, but I don’t bring those with me on non-plane travel because they just get in the way and get damaged. And if I think I am staying domestic, my pills are likely in a travel container, not in original labeled bottles.

You sound lovely but...
... doing it as a full surprise is not a good idea. Your biggest hurdle will be travel insurance. You mentioned waiting to see if flight prices rise or fall - I’m sorry to say this but if your budget is that strained, then the travel insurance is likely to come as a shock. Yes, you’ll see ads for week-long cover for a few pounds, but I can guarantee you that cover for a person who is (1) classed as elderly and (2) has a chronic medical condition will not come cheap. I would also worry that any policy you take out on her behalf would be invalid - you usually need to click a box to confirm that “I have disclosed all medical conditions to the best of my knowledge etc”. The company will happily take the money even when purchased in your name but you risk running into difficulty if you need to make a claim.

Can you at least tell her it will be a flight abroad somewhere? Then she can make her own medical declaration with the insurers, bring the EHIC etc. if she’s a stressful person, airports are not stress-free places especially if she was expecting a train ride.

Depending on the complexity of her condition, you might only be able to get insurance with an exclusion for her existing health conditions. I wouldn’t risk going at all if that were the case, unless you have a large reserve of savings.

I hope it works out for you but do think about disclosing a little more information to her and getting her to complete the insurance medical history section herself. Don’t for a second even think about travelling without full insurance, including disclosing all conditions.

Also you mention October. Is the return flight before the date of possible no-deal Brexit on 31st?

Best of luck

Do you know all the details of her diabetes? They will probably ask you screener questions.

I agree with pp. Unless your mum is spontaneous and really loves surprises, I'd tell her a few hours before you go so she can pack accordingly.

What a lovely idea! Your mum will be so touched.

I agree about the travel insurance. Do you know the ins and outs of every medical condition she has or had in the past or any upcoming hospital investigations? All the medications she is on?

If she's a panic -er then this 'not telling her where we are going' will be making her panic even more. Just sit her down and talk to her about it so she can get used to the idea. Check she is happy before you book anything else. As people who panic aren't always happy in boats on water and there's a lot of water between the airport and the area of Venice that everyone visits and stays in !

I think you sound lovely but I agree about telling her that it is a flight, not a train journey. Re: the phone, as we are hopefully still going to be in the EU in October you should be alright as there are no extra roaming charges for travelling in EU countries. I also wouldn't bother with money belts.

In the time that it took me to write out and lose a message, I see that timeforakinderworld already pointed out that the EU stopped roaming charges a couple of years ago.

One thing to add - look for a translation app or Italian / English dictionary for your phone. I use Google translate and Linguee. Google translate can even translate text if you take a photo of something. Very useful!

Does she really need the EHIC card if you have travel insurance? I’ve never bothered to get one.

Sounds a lovely birthday present - have an amazing time. For those being negative, she’s 70 not 90. Most 70 year olds have only just retired and wouldn’t expect to need an airport assistance. My DM is 71 and thinks nothing of a 10 hour flight.