Help with the ‘perfect gift’

[AZPT]

Hi all,

While COVID has had an untimely negative impact on things, my wife and I are on the brink of finally purchasing a new home for our family.

Over the last few years and throughout this process both sets of our parents (who live nearby) have supported us in so many ways - from helping with our young kids to helping keep up our house when work took its toll, etc.

As such, my wife and I have made it a priority to set aside a decent amount of cash ($10-15k) that we want to earmark for an experience with our parents doing some sort of family trip. Not only do we think this would be a great treat for them and a way to say “thank you”, but it will also give us the opportunity to spend time with them in the here and now before life inevitably passes by.

We are having a hard time coming up with ideas on the type of trip that would be ideal for something like this, and I was curious if anyone here had any input or has done something similar.

Luckily, both sets of parents are active and healthy, and all in their mid/late 60s. Therefore we are open to many different options and experiences, but the main premise is that we want them to come on the trip and leave their wallets at home. It’s truly “on us”.

What do you think?

[CordMcNally]

Do they like wine? We went to Napa with my in-laws and did several days of guided wine tastings to smaller vineyards. They were all 100% private tastings and many of the tastings were in the owner’s houses (more like estates). The in-laws bought quite a bit of wine so maybe that’s why we were treated so well but to this day it’s been one of our best trips with memories for life.

[lost]

Where are you from, your trip plan depends upon that...unless you want to fly during this situation. Big RV trip?

[AZPT]

Where are you from, your trip plan depends upon that...unless you want to fly during this situation. Big RV trip?

good question. As my not-so-obvious username implies, we live in Arizona. Probably no RV but a road trip would be fine. Flying isn’t out of the question (we may not actually take the trip for 6-12 months depending on COVID), however we haven’t yet decided if we would leave the States.

[SLC OB]

We went to the Galapagos in August. It was amazing. We did a land based trip (not the expensive Yachts) where we got to know the locals, do beach, snorkeling, turtles (land and sea), hiking, etc. It was on the cheap... for the Galapagos. Family of 5 for 11 days was ~$12K. Hotels were about $20/per person/per night (for instance, we could get a family room with two queens and 3 singles for ~$100/night but noticed that one room with Queen in hotel as $40/night). Flights were about $1000/each... $600 to Ecuador and another $400 to island. Then between islands the boats were $25-35/each. $100/each when you land on island, entrance fee (just one time for all the islands). Taxi's are $1.5-2/ride to most places in town.
98% of locals, 12 and up, were vaccinated. Got sprayed with hand sanitizer on way in/out of shops, restaurants, etc. Felt safer (COVID-wise) than in our local Costco.
We much preferred the local food (small mom/pop shops) compared to the fancy (catering to Americans) places. Local food was ~$4-5/per person/meal! And it was huge portions... usually a meat (chicken, fish, beef), rice, beans, plantains, soup or salad, and french fries (kinda funny, I know!). We got a little sick of the "typical" meal but it was still tasty.
Return COVID tests on islands are free but on mainland they charge you $45/per person. So make sure you get tested before you fly back (we happened to, brought the cash to pay them and they never charged us! Found out later that the test is free on island).

[uksho]

Hawai?
alaska cruise( when Covid situation is better ?

[coastal]

Have done family trips a couple of times where we rented a large house on the Big Island and had folks converge. It's pretty great, something for everyone. Can do things together or go separate ways some days.

[lost]

good question. As my not-so-obvious username implies, we live in Arizona. Probably no RV but a road trip would be fine. Flying isn’t out of the question (we may not actually take the trip for 6-12 months depending on COVID), however we haven’t yet decided if we would leave the States.

6-12 months timeline is good. Thanks for the location. AZ rules out RVs, desserts, national parks, snowy places, etc. No plan for international. That leaves you with better focus. Few thoughts:

1) December to March- Vegas. Wynn villa with a private pool or Bellagio Twin Bedroom Tower Suite (if available) to enjoy the fountains. If you like snow, then there are so many places so I can't recommend one, but, if going international, I would go to Piz Gloria, Schilthorn, Switzerland....just for a hot chocolate.

2) April to June- Hawaii- The Kahala or Four Seasons. Avoid long weekends.

3) July to September- Niagara falls- Don't bother with the American side of the falls. Just go to the Canadian side. Room- First preference- The Casino hotel- top floor has a conical room with views of both American and Horseshoe falls. Second preference- The Embassy suites- Floors 37 to 42- one of the falls view rooms. Dining- If you like Indian food- The Guru. If you like desserts- A small Ice-Cream shop right across the road from The Embassy Suites. Fireworks on Friday or Saturday nights over the falls. Nightly light shows on the falls from 9 to midnight...get a cup of coffee/hot chocolate, sit next to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, open the window slit to listen to the falls, and sip... Wake up in the morning for the same but now with sunlight, once the clouds clear, the views are spectacular. You can take a stroll across the walkway near the falls and take a boat trip etc. The real Niagara Falls is enjoyed from one of the above rooms......been there 11 times and counting.
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and Newport Mansions- If staying overnight at Bar Harbor (you should), then book Room 323 or a higher number at The Bar Harbor Inn for harbor views & ultimate coziness.
4) September-October- Vermont or Connecticut for fall?

[Notsobad]

Cruise is a good choice. We did that with both sets of parents when the kids were young.
nowadays there are many places to rent a big house that is catered, in Mexico or the Caribbean.

[MPMD]

don't sleep on just going to a super nice resort that will be a one stop shop.

letting everyone have a nice room, coffee in lobby, nice restaurants, a nice bar, and golf/hiking/beach could be pretty awesome.

also gives the option for intense together time and equally intense alone time which can be a key measure of success for a trip like this.

[Tim]

Phoenix to Los Cabos is the most efficient for a beach type vacation. All inclusive and plenty of choices for activities off of the site as you choose.
Deep sea fishing, sports, and plenty of activities. Dinner cruise, camel riding are kind of different and fun.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g150773-o30-Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

And of course there are bars galore if you so choose. This is Mexico. You can find whatever size boat you wish for a charter. We caught a lot of fish and some huge ones. The one we brought in was too big for the boat and was tied on the outside. Other charters were circling as we came in to show there groups what was possible. The all inclusive has on site entertainment. Helps with a group. The desire to "join you later" was easy with the Whatsapp messenger. Get different rooms with different amenities so you have access the every type of experience.
You can reserve a cabana by the pool or participate in activities. Each can pick and choose what appeals to them.

[FIREshrink]

Hi all,

While COVID has had an untimely negative impact on things, my wife and I are on the brink of finally purchasing a new home for our family.

Over the last few years and throughout this process both sets of our parents (who live nearby) have supported us in so many ways - from helping with our young kids to helping keep up our house when work took its toll, etc.

As such, my wife and I have made it a priority to set aside a decent amount of cash ($10-15k) that we want to earmark for an experience with our parents doing some sort of family trip. Not only do we think this would be a great treat for them and a way to say “thank you”, but it will also give us the opportunity to spend time with them in the here and now before life inevitably passes by.

We are having a hard time coming up with ideas on the type of trip that would be ideal for something like this, and I was curious if anyone here had any input or has done something similar.

Luckily, both sets of parents are active and healthy, and all in their mid/late 60s. Therefore we are open to many different options and experiences, but the main premise is that we want them to come on the trip and leave their wallets at home. It’s truly “on us”.

What do you think?

Hard right now but if you can plan 1-2 years out a cruise is great. We took my parents on a cruise for their 40th anniversary. Something they never would have done on their own and we had a great, great time. We did an Alaska cruise so our activities were truly active: hiking, kayaking, etc. Cruises are nice because everyone can plan to eat dinner together but doesn't necessarily have to plan to spend every minute together.

My parents also told us they had no interest in cruising, they were too active, it wasn't for them, etc. They loved it.

We are also very active, and don't think a cruise was for us. We also loved it.

[VentAlarm]

With kids, I wouldn’t be willing to fly across an ocean. I’d probably do a beach resort or maybe a cruise. Hilton head is nice. Maybe the cape. We rented a house in the Dominican with a private beach that had a staff including chef - that was awesome for kids and grandparents. Napa/skiing/etc are all great, but probably not awesome for kids and grand parents.

[AZPT]

Awesome suggestions, everyone! I appreciate the thoughts... now time to get planning! I'll try to post an update of where we end up

[Tim]

Awesome suggestions, everyone! I appreciate the thoughts... now time to get planning! I'll try to post an update of where we end up

I tried to crowd source a trip to Italy for my wife. For some reason she has this fixation with visiting the Vatican. If you pick a specific locations, you will likely get specific recommendations. Everything detail you could imagine. Take xyz train/bus to where to eat dinner or lunch or side trips. Basically your plan will be simply picking choices from people that have been there. No guarantees, but the more specific you are, the better feed back. The only thing you do is make a calendar.
Extremely helpful about what to buy ahead and what to do on the fly.

With Italy, it was planned exactly as the world of travel was shut down. Extremely helpful. Gave me options for the wife to checkout. One example, for the Vatican use a tour and buy the tickets at a specific location. No lines and no waiting for what is a long wait in the general admission. Saves most of the day. Good luck.