Ideas for parents in their 70s

[ClaireH123]

Hello, looking for some advice on what would be good trips for my parents - I’m trying to persuade them to go to some more adventurous places while they are still able to. They are in their mid 70s and reasonably fit and healthy (do their 10k steps every day).

It would need to be relatively non-scary (eg India /China, or anywhere with unpredictable toilets definitely out). My mum cant cope with a massive multi stay trips with all the packing / unpacking, but could do two locations with lots of day trip options. They could afford to go business class so long haul flights are ok. I would go with them to help and do all the planning and research. They’ve never ventured further than Western Europe or the east coast of the US, and they’ve not been on holiday for more than five days since pre covid so it feels quite a big deal to them. Zero interest in cruises because my mum would be so anxious about getting back on time that she would barely leave.

So far my thoughts are Canada (which feels quite safe), Mexico (which I’ve been to so have a good starting knowledge) or Japan (safe, clean etc but a bit more out there). Any suggestions for both countries, or which two locations in a country would be good to combine?

Canadian Rocky Mountaineer trip. There are agencies who will book bespoke packages for you. www.mycanadatrips.co.uk/holidays/canada-rail-holidays/rocky-mountaineer/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhKycBhAQEiwAgf19eqJzOt7Zuf7EkROA-gM18T6xNVJjzBAKRTZRVkx_likfAZTuxBVyCxoC_g8QAvD_BwE#modal-popup-subscribe for example, there are plenty of others.

If they like wildlife, then a posh safari in zambia:
www.expertafrica.com/zambia/safaris

Either a week in South Luangwa (two camps) or make it 10 to add on Victoria Falls or Lower Zambezi (so three camps).

It sounds adventurous but you are very well looked after. Collected from the airport and escorted to camps. No concerns about finding your way around as you are in camp and they arrange all transfers.

Absolutely no roughing it - substantial reed chalets with proper beds, proper loos and hot showers. Solar powered electric. Generallyno wifi or mobile signal. (Obvs,no loos during the actual game drives, you go behind a bush that guide checks for safety before you get out of the jeep.) Great food and service. Camps are small, 8-12 guests.

Great game viewing and guides are renowned for the quality of their training.

My Dad loved Canada and went just before the pandemic on his own so would have been 72. He did a train trip into the Rockies and said it was amazing! He's also done Singapore, Aus and NZ on his own and loved it all!

The scenery inWestern Canada is amazing,and the people are so lovely. I'm sure there are a lot of organised trips they can do - ideally starting in Vancouver then Rocky Mountaineer up to the Rockies and fly back from Calgary.

My parents are the same age and have enjoyed Thailand, Cuba and Sri Lanka. They also loved California, especially the Nappa region and Yellowstone. You said no to India, but they adore Goa.

Ooh how about something like this www.audleytravel.com/canada/tours/alaska-cruise-and-canadian-rockies-by-train

I know part of it is a cruise but it looks as if you see most of the highlights from the boat rather than excursions.

Travel insurance for sea cruises can be horrendous for seniors, but how about a river cruise?
No anxiety about missing the boat, as excursions are included & accompanied by staff. Only unpack once, but get to see a lot of places. Rooms are just like hotels, food is usually a mixture of international & local specialities.

We've done about a dozen, but for something beyond Europe there's the Nile (twice, we loved it so much), & the Mekong (planning for 2023).

How about a river cruise in Europe. I just did one from Lyon to Arles and loved it. Every day we moored in a different town and had a tour. The food was lovely and there was entertainment every evening. Some companies even chauffeur you to the airport - Saga and Titan for example.

My similar aged parents like a cruise. Highly recommend Alaska for instance. Big advantage is you stay in the same room each night

Do they actually want to?

You've got some great ideas.

I was going to suggest Japan - really beautiful, clean, safe, easy to get around. Canada is also beautiful, clean and safe with the added advantage of being English-speaking.
New Zealand and Australia maybe?

I've not been there, but I've heard good things about South Korea - inexpensive, interesting history, good food. It's high on my list of long-haul places.

Japan would be great as it’s so safe whilst feeling like a big adventure and it’s just an amazing place. Similarly Taiwan.

Plenty of places in Europe to consider too. Iceland? Very safe, easy to get around, could stay in Reykjavik and just do day trips or split between there and somewhere like Akureyri. It feels quite adventurous and different but isn’t that far away. Or somewhere like Tromso in Norway, or perhaps the Azores for the amazing scenery/volcanic activity and hot springs.

Depends what they like doing
Travel agent can arrange escorted tours for them if they don't want to travel independently

Egypt
Cairo new museum, pyramids
Nile cruise or fly to Luxor & valley of the kings

Marrakesh
Market & soukes
Second part of trip to the mountains

Walking holidays, where a van takes your bag from each place that you stay

Thailand
I love the temples, markets, street food

New Zealand, Iceland, Scotland
Road trip

@ClaireH123
We are younger than your parents, but not much! DH 70 next year.

Some suggestions you have are good but you can improve on a few. We like a bit of adventure but like a degree of comfort too.

We have not done the Rocky Mountaineer but have met quite a few Brits who have. None were really saying it was the best trip ever. It’s VERY static and unless you pay for the top category, it’s a scenic train ride with hundreds of people and a hotel stop. Driving is better. Take your time.

If they are interested in Western Canada (and wildlife) the best trip EVER is to go to the Great Bear Rainforest with Bluewater Adventures. They take 12 guests. No massive cruise ship. No other boats anywhere much. Just close up encounters with whales and bears. It’s magical. Look them up. We have also been with them to Alaska. It really is not the same on a giant cruise ship. It’s very different in terms of where you go and what you see.

Wildlife worldwide do great wildlife holidays. Lots of inspiring ideas. They might also like Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. All have super places to stay. South Africa has superb guest houses and it’s a very welcoming, diverse, country.

Japan is fantastic. We went with Audley Travel. Everything was taken care of. I believe Inside Japan is good too. We used trains a lot and it was easy to navigate. Audley can arrange experiences for you. We did cookery but there was a long list. We also saw a Geisha (Geiko/Maiko) show in Kyoto. It’s very different!

We also would recommend Argentina. We’ve just come back and it has a lot to offer. We actually went down to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic. Now that is adventurous but plenty were 70 plus!

I bought mine some nice tea, shortbread biscuits in a tin, PJs for mum and a set of argyle socks for dad.

Lol sorry just realised you were asking for trip ideas! They might like socks and biscuits too

Do they actually want to go though?

Do they actually want to be adventurous? Or would a gentle return to longer holidays in Europe actualy be their preference?

I wouldn't rule out a cruise, if they do the ship's own excursions it's guaranteed not to go without them.

Ships own excursions are expensive and just touch the surface. Just because a few of us are a bit older, we are not needing to be babied. One woman on our small boat trip to Alaska was 92!