Travel advice requested ...

St. George is really nice. Very laid back. Isle of Palms is, too. And much more to see/do in the Charleston area.

 

Hahahah I actually had this talk with my mom yesterday regarding a "hypothetical" situation that never mentioned either of them. I acted really pissed and was like "You would think that if someone put in the time and effort to do something really nice for you, even if there might be one part that might not be your favorite thing, you would still appreciate what went into it, right???" And she's like "Most people would, yes. Some people wouldn't, like your dad." (there's some bitterness there, which I'm also hoping to heal by getting them away from their daily lives for a bit).

That's my big fear, that I'll do this hoping that by already paying for it and basically getting them to the airport without telling them where we're going or even that we're going to the airport, that he'll swallow his pride and go. But part of me knows he'll just bitch and moan and maybe take a cab back to his car and drive back to KY from GA and leave my mom there. My dad ... he's a party and a half.

 

PS the "one part that might not be your favorite thing" would be the flight. My mom and I flew to Chicago for a cousin's wedding once. My aunt paid for the flights. It was like an hour and a half flight. My mom was a freaked-out mess.

 

I can't recommend the Big Island of Hawaii enough. Spend a few days there, a few on Oahu, maybe a day or two on Maui or Kauai. You'll get great beaches, great shopping, you can see some amazing natural sights without having to do a lot of walking (hell, you can drive up and park at Kilauea). Oh, and it'll be 85 degrees with moderate humidity every day. It's perfect for what you want.

If you decide on Hawaii, hit me up for some tips.

 

Going to Puerto Rico maybe the best option here. There are other places than San Juan there and it's closer to the mainland than Hawaii. No passport needed. Plenty of beaches and/or resorts. I know you say they can take meds to get them to Hawaii, that's still a LONG flight. Flights are usually less expensive and if something should happen that you need to get home, there are more flights and options to get back.

That would be my vote.

 

I stand corrected.

So another suggestion: Catalina.

 

Almost 2 full pages, and no one has said Reno.

 

Or Tahoe.

 

Depending on how "late" we consider "late summer," places like Block Island, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard become options as well. "Shoulder" season (before Memorial Day; after Labor Day) is a great bargain, and in early/mid-September the water's still warm enough to swim. And fewer people.

You've got the beaches in North Carolina to consider, too, along with Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach.

What about a cruise?

 

It's really not off the mainland but Sanibel Island in Florida is amazing. Find a house or hotel/motel on the water on West Gulf Road. Water's warm, beach is great, enough places to eat to keep you busy for a week and if you really, really need major shopping Fort Myers is just across the causeway.

Been to Sanibel three times for family reunions and it gets better every time. Stayed at the West Winds Inn. Nice pool, small poolside bar, comfortable rooms with kitchens 50 yards from the water. It's not the Ritz or the Plaza but it worked just fine and it's very reasonably priced.

 

As far as cruises go (Azrael beat me to the punch), you could consider a Mississippi steamboat cruise, which would not require a passport. My dad wants to do that someday.