to buy flights for my parents

[Smetana]

My parents have their 40th anniversary this year, they're 63 and 59, and I would like to get them flights somewhere (Sweden or Denmark, as they love Scandi-drama). The problem is they've never flown before, and only went abroad to visit me when I lived in France a few years ago, and would be very nervous about it. My brother has also never flown, thinks it's a bad idea.

A family trait we all share is that we're not very adventurous - however, I was the first in the family to go to university, and through that and my later work, I've been really lucky to travel. I worry that my parents are falling into retirement - they say they're not happy, and they don't have things to look forward to, but they're terrified (as is my brother) of doing nice things.

I think this would a really good opportunity to have a holiday, and give them a push to do something new. What would you do? I know I'm pushing my views onto them a little, but if they got to Sweden, they'd love it.

[Smetana]

That cruise sounds a good idea to be honest - I don't think I'm going to be able to encourage them to fly, which I think is a shame. Thank you

[Trills]

Cruise sounds like a very good idea - my aunt and uncle have done similar ones and enjoyed them a lot.

[WorriedTeenMum]

I actually think it is a good idea. How about looking at flights between smaller airports? Especially at the overseas end. Smaller airports can be a lot more manageable than larger airports. Not quite where you are aiming for but Rotterdam airport is tiny and very easy to manage.

[Smetana]

I'm keen to encourage them to fly, rather than to go to Scandinavia per se - I think Scandinavia is somewhere they'd like to go, and the flight would be short, people speak english, etc

[Arithmeticulous]

What about passports and travel insurance?

[Smetana]

They have passports - travel insurance would be an additional cost

[quoteunquote]

A flight to Dublin or somewhere english speaking, they will love it, I bet they get the bug and get adventurous.

[Iaintdunnuffink]

I would go with a tour or an organised package, just flights to somewhere cold be quite daunting.

I've been meaning to do one of the DFDS weekend breaks, they change them depending on time of year.
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/mini-cruise-breaks/esbjerg-mini-cruises/

[ThePinkOcelot]

My parents went on their first holiday in their early sixties, having never flown before. There was no stopping them after that.
My mum has just come back from a 3 month stay with my sister in Australia. Travelled herself from Perth, via Dubai to Newcastle and she is 84!
I think once they are over the initial worry of doing it, they would love it.

[honeytea]

My grandparents fly to stay with us from Bristol to Edinburgh or Amsterdam and then to Stockholm. They are both well traveled but much prefer the smaller airports.

When we're you thinking of booking the holiday? In Sweden the summer tends to peak sooner than the UK, June/July are lovely but August/September can be chilly/autumnal and the rest of the year is bloody cold, slippery and dark.

[BeeBopDingALing]

I would get them the flights but tell them that is what you want to do and ask them first.