Where shall I take DM for a trip of lifetime

[dizzydizzydizzy]

So, in about a month I will have lots and lots of cash to spend. DM has just turned 80 but Is generally fit and well.

I'd love to take her to somewhere warm and sunny in January or February but would consider any time of year except school holidays.

Where shall we go? I want somewhere quiet and beautiful. We'll want to go on short walks and have good food. I don't need a 5* hotel (although that's not out of the question) but I do need a comfortable bed and a warm welcome. Happy to fly to a big city and stay overnight for a day or two if that is necessary. 2 weeks max, so not Australia.

I’d take her to Boston in the Fall, in the autumn.

What about a cruise? Loads of choice where to go and you can do as much or as little as you like.

How will she feel about flying long haul? Many older people won’t want to go too far due to the sitting in one place for too long (can be painful for bone issues etc). But totally depends how active the person is!

I would go for a luxury resort in Greece or Malta. Lovely cities / towns to look round and very beautiful touristy areas.

What does your mum enjoy doing? Is she adventurous? Does she like different cuisines? Does she have any interests that align with different places? (Art = France, Music, Wine and Cheese = Italy, etc…) Remember that you don’t want to be traveling to Australia, but the Southern Hemisphere/Equatorial region may be the warmest part of the planet at that time. Would your mum cope with going to Singapore? Lots to see/totally multicultural place. (All foods available and the more adventurous can be satisfied too. Also very safe.)

DM would be happy flying long haul.

She is very adventurous with food and likes art and nature. Although she is interning most things to be honest.

Most of all we want to avoid anywhere crowded. (Hence the comment about somewhere quiet)

That's where my mum went she still talks about it

New England in the autumn is outrageously beautiful.

Iceland? My friends stayed in an amazing spa hotel recently there.

For sheer wow this is an amazing country I'd say Costa Rica but that might not be her vibe!

I'd have a look at luxury trips online for some ideas. Then you could narrow it down to a trip that might suit your mother.

I took my mum to Lake Como and the Swiss Alps for her 75th birthday. She was ok healthwise but had some underlying conditions. We went for ten days escorted, 5 star hotels on the lake, train trip through the Alps to St. Moritz, and it was great. I relaxed too knowing we had our own guide who would look after everything in the event of a medical or other emergency.

Just a suggestion. I was not in UK at the time, so the travel company does not operate from UK, but I am sure there are many to choose from. Just a suggestion.

I think you have to ask her, otherwise it won't be her trip of a lifetime.

Costa Rica, Iceland and Boston are all interesting ideas.

I was also thinking of the Maldives or the Caribbean.

I would say no to a cruise - too cooped up with too many people. Unless it was some kind of specialist cruise with constant stops- eg a trip round Iceland.

Thanks all so far. Keep the ideas coming.

@alnawire I want to give her suggestions. I doubt she'll know. I kind of think she might prefer Costa Rica out of the ideas so far but who knows she might think Iceland is a better idea.

I am doing this in October!! So excited!!

South African safari

A safari is a great idea.
I'd avoid the Caribbean - it's v v humid and energy sapping.
I'd also avoid the Petrie dish of a cruise ship tbh.
What are her interests? Does she like visiting interesting historic sites etc - how about Jordan
Or culture -Vienna, Berlin,
Or sitting on a beach with a good book - Maldives, anywhere on the Med
Or "local vibes", street food, markets - Marakesh

Madeira is beautiful, quiet, some luxurious hotels

Oman! 7 hour direct flight to Muscat. City and beach with an amazing wadis/ opera house / souk / dolphins / might get some turtles hatching on the beach at that time of year if you stay at the shangri la / fantastic food / super hospitable

There's great itineraries for cruises to Iceland and Norway combined. The great thing is you can see a lot without walking then can take short walks or coach trips when ashore. My parents love them. Currently most are sailing not at full capacity. I've been with multiple lines and for serenity I would avoid royal Caribbean if you like serenity (was good just not quiet!)

Antigua is beautiful, love it there.

Check out The Inn at English Harbour hotel or Sugar Ridge Resort.

Have a lovely time wherever you go ☺️

A luxury safari if she has never done one? Most memorable holiday I have been on. We did Tanzania.

Japan? Brilliant transport, beautifully clean, nice and warm and super interesting.

The other amazing holiday I did was west coast of America and Canada but quite a bit of travel which may be no good for you - presumably you want one main location? My gran went to Canada and did some of the rockies when she was older and loved it.

Qeshm island, Iran.

New England in the fall is gorgeous, but it's absolutely NOT quiet - it's the busiest time of year.

OP if you want somewhere that is warm and sunny in Jan or Feb, the Caribbean or Central America would fit the bill, Mauritius, South Africa, Oman. Be aware though that even the most fit and lively 80-year-old may struggle with heat, humidity and lots of walking. Costa Rica is an active destination, so if you want to take her there I'd discuss options with a specialist travel agent or take a look at the itinerary with Saga

We just took 80-year-old MIL to Paris and she struggled with the travel, couldn't do escalators, found walking/standing for any length of time difficult, couldn't manage her luggage on her own, and so we spent a lot of time and money on taxis, finding lifts and managing the logistics of getting her from A to B, so be realistic about what your DM can manage make sure that wherever you take her is accessible is you're in any doubt about her physical capabilities.

Oman sounds interesting. Never would have thought of that.

African safari is also an amazing idea.

Japan is also a brilliant idea but we won't be going there because we have both been there in the last 5 years (one of my favourite destinations ever!)

What about Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a nice city and easy to get around then you could head to Penang, Sarawak (see the orangutans) or I think its Malakka we went with nice sandy beaches but I can't 100% remember. Also the Cameron Highlands are cooler if you want out of the heat. Great food and very welcoming.

I would say Shiraz/Esfahan + Qeshm but you would need a visa and a guided tour, plus you said quiet.