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Deciding On A Vacation Location That Includes My In-Laws

Posted on 9/7/19 at 5:20 am
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 5:20 am
Planning to take my wife’s parents somewhere around Easter time next tear to celebrate my Father-in-law’s retirement and thank them for the endless amount of shite they have helped us with over the years. They’ve never left the country so would like to take them abroad somewhere. I’ve listed a few options below that we are considering but can’t seem to decide on one over another. Figured I’d come here for advise as to the pros and cons. Thanks.

-France
-England/Ireland/Scotland
-Norway/Denmark/Sweden
-Greece/Croatia
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45797 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 5:41 am to
How well do they get around? Are you thinking more along the lines of sitting and chilling or more tours and seeing the sights?
This post was edited on 9/7/19 at 5:44 am
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 6:34 am to
They get around just fine.

Little of both. Not the biggest fan of tours though. Enjoyed my tour of the Vatican and the wind tour but that’s about it.
Posted by skeeter531
Member since Jun 2014
2406 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 8:33 am to
Ireland!!!
Posted by GOP_Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2005
17788 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 12:33 pm to
You may want to keep prices in mind. Norway is spectacularly beautiful, but it's not in the Euro and the exchange rate will mean that you'll find hotels and food much more expensive.

Similarly, for the UK, you'll want to keep an eye on Brexit. The UK used to be more expensive, but the dollar is stronger against the pound now than it has been in the last ten years. But some of that is due to Brexit -- if that fails, then the pound will strengthen.

I honestly don't recommend France for someone's first trip abroad. It's so overtouristed, and the French reputation for rudeness has a real basis.

You really need to keep in mind that all the places you listed, with the exception of Greece, will be cold at that time of the year. Scandinavia will literally be freezing.
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 2:12 pm to
I hear you with Scandinavia.

France wasn’t all that bad when I went a couple years ago for work. I’m sure the Parisians are their typical dickhead selves but in my experience, the rest of France was great and very friendly. Especially in the Normandy area.
This post was edited on 9/8/19 at 1:01 am
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 5:18 pm to
Really starting to lean towards France.
Paris for a couple days just to see the sights and adjust sleep schedule.
Versailles
Marseilles
Normandy
Chateau Michelle
Posted by GOP_Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2005
17788 posts
Posted on 9/7/19 at 11:20 pm to
Consider the chateaux in the Loire Valley. I think you're right about the contrast between Paris and the rest of France.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20396 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 7:41 am to
quote:

Ireland!!!


If they never left the country and are looking to retire I think ireland is a great idea. Very very laid back both to visit and the people. Shortest flights to Europe, weather won’t be amazing but not bad, and it’s a smaller country so you can travel around easily. It’ll be a great taste of European culture but they speak English and everything is pretty tame as far as major lifestyle differences. Also one of the cheapest places.
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 8:57 am to
Ireland will still be pretty chilly and damp at Easter, but everyone expects it to be that way, so. Bonus is cheap flights to other places from Dublin, so if you want to hit up Scotland or spend a few days in London, it won’t be terribly expensive to get there.

Maybe fly into London, spend a few “city” days seeing the big sights, then fly into Shannon, do some of rural Ireland, Ring of Kerry, Galway, etc, ending up in Dublin for a flight home.

But you know the inlaws best: are they more interested in vineyards and Italian food, or Irish craic and pubs? Rural Ireland for a teetotaler who doesn’t want to visit the local pubs can be a bit boring in the evenings.
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 2:45 pm to
They like to explore and see the sights. Too much if you ask me. Not all the time but certainly on vacations to big cities. I’m gonna force a little more RnR on them with some sight seeing in between. Ima ha e the French wine. It better be as magical as Italian wine was...
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 4:43 pm to
If they like to explore and see sights, then Paris followed by a road trip into Normandy might be a great combo. The DDay Landing beaches and associated sites are moving, easily visited, and surrounded by delicious Normandy with its cheeses and cider.

Or, if London seems more their speed, you could side trip to Bath, Windsor, Oxford, and other smaller cities/towns.

But if you want a slower pace, Ireland could be ideal. The country has any number of great country house hotels where looking out at green hills while sipping an Irish coffee and watching the rain fall is a perfectly acceptable way to pass the afternoon. Ballymaloe House in Cork is one such spot, famous for its associated cooking school: LINK
Posted by lsunurse
Member since Dec 2005
128950 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 5:03 pm to
quote:

Drew Orleans



You are a better person than me. Thinking about any vacation, much less one overseas, with my in-laws is like thinking about what hell is like
Posted by NCTigerFan
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2007
354 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 5:38 pm to
Looking at your first 3 options brings to mind a cruise we did once -- flew into London, stayed a few days, then headed down to Dover to get on the ship. Went to Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Inverness, Edinburgh, Stevanger, and Le Havre. The ship continued back to Dover but we got off at Le Havre to do a deeper tour of Normandy. Took the train to Paris and spent a few days there before flying home. If you’re open to a cruise, definitely an option I'd consider if taking retirees on their first trip. They’d get to see a lot without having to move hotels a lot. (Not sure if they run those itineraries at Easter, though.)
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20396 posts
Posted on 9/8/19 at 8:35 pm to
Someone that has never been out of the country and retirement age, I just have a hard time picturing them doing some things especially involving possibly cold windy weather. I would have highly recommended Italy but I think you have been there. Greece and Croatia is not a bad bet. Paris without knowing them I’d worry about running into a rude local or immigrant thief or hustler and worrying/ ruining the trip early on. Outside of that it’s certainly a great trip. Also be mindful of some cold windy days. The French countryside with Chateaus, castles, and World War sites generally is a pleasure to all.

I’m picturing an easy trip with great food, tons of museums, as little public transit as possible, staying in a Hilton or Marriot, etc.
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/9/19 at 3:05 pm to
They’re a “young” lively retired couple. Not worried about stamina or desire to get out and about. Also, if you let rude people affect you to the point that it ruins your trip then that rude person isn’t the only one in need of an attitude overhaul.

We could honestly do any of the places listed and have a great time. Deciding on the best bang for the buck option is why I’m here.

Additionally, I have several free flights right now on top of just under 500,000 Hilton points so that will change our accommodations slightly.

I appreciate all the input.
Posted by MarinaTigerEsq
Member since Aug 2019
1330 posts
Posted on 9/10/19 at 7:10 pm to
quote:

Planning to take my wife’s parents somewhere around Easter time next tear to celebrate my Father-in-law’s retirement and thank them for the endless amount of shite they have helped us with over the years. They’ve never left the country so would like to take them abroad somewhere. I’ve listed a few options below that we are considering but can’t seem to decide on one over another. Figured I’d come here for advise as to the pros and cons. Thanks. -France -England/Ireland/Scotland -Norway/Denmark/Sweden -Greece/Croatia


All fine options. There’s a direct flight from New Orleans to London, so that may be something to consider. From London, you can fly anywhere in Europe dirt cheap. If you’re in Europe in late March/early April, try to fit in the Keukenhof Garden in Amsterdam- or any other garden with spectacular tulips.
This post was edited on 9/10/19 at 7:13 pm
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20396 posts
Posted on 9/11/19 at 9:18 am to
quote:

Also, if you let rude people affect you to the point that it ruins your trip then that rude person isn’t the only one in need of an attitude overhaul.


Certainly, I was picturing a guy like Red the dad from 70s show. Simply because you said it was their first time out of the country and they are retirement age.

I just didn't want them to risk a bad experience on their first trip is all. Given your new parameters, that opens a lot of things up. I'd definitely consider France then. May look into the Tulips in Holland too.
Posted by Golfer
Member since Nov 2005
75052 posts
Posted on 9/11/19 at 9:25 am to
quote:

Someone that has never been out of the country and retirement age, I just have a hard time picturing them doing some things especially involving possibly cold windy weather.


Eh. My parents went to Ireland last year. They've both been on driving trips to Canada and a cruise to the Bahamas some 20 years ago...but other than that haven't vacationed internationally.

They were fine on the trip and enjoyed every minute of it. They've just been busy raising kids and working for the last 30+ years to take the time/money to spend 10+ days in Europe like they did.
Posted by Drew Orleans
Member since Mar 2010
21577 posts
Posted on 9/11/19 at 2:23 pm to
Ha. No not at all.

They are still mid and late 50s and travel around a good bit but have stuck to the U.S.
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