Travel advice requested ...

[Songbird]

Hawaii seems effortful, but Kauai may be the most beautiful place on earth.

That said, places like Santa Barbara, San Diego or La Jolla in California might make more sense.

Easiest of all would be Florida. And with the same disclaimers about hurricanes, I'd consider the Florida Keys.

Has anybody asked why no passports? You'd open up Mexico then.

The sands on the beaches in La Jolla is the softest most beautiful sand I've ever been on.

He's correct again on Santa Barbara, and if you do go there take the hour drive to Santa Maria for tri-tip BBQ. Best meat I've ever eaten. Plus there are some cool sightseeing spots in that area -- butterfly grove in Pismo Beach to name one. http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/

 

[KJIM]

I'm not kidding: St. George Island, on the Florida Gulf Coast, southwest of Tallahassee and east of Destin. If all they want to do is relax -- and eat outstanding seafood on the Island or in nearby Apalachicola -- it's awesome. And dirt-cheap for nice condo rentals. It's old-school Florida, the way Key West and Lauderdale must have been 50 years agol.

Best place to check for rentals: http://www.resortvacationproperties.com/?ref=brand

Panhandle native here and I will happily second this.

Yes, there's a slim chance for a hurricane, but at least if you were on St. George, you could easily evacuate and head inland.

 

[YankeeFan]

Does it have to be "tropical"?

Plenty of gorgeous resorts, with big pools to lounge around in Arizona, or even Vegas.

 

[User 1019]

I second the Florida Gulf Coast. St. George is very nice and relaxing. Destin has tons of shopping and is cheap and generally teen free.

 

[imjustagirl]

1. Because we don't have passports and I can't have them get one without having to tell them why.

2. Because they've been to Florida and California.

3. Because they can get valium for a seven-hour flight.

4. I went to Jekyll Island in high school. The highlight of our trip was the Denny's attached to our hotel. I need say no more.


While I appreciate the replies, it appears very few people actually read the requirements/why I was asking.

 

[imjustagirl]

5. I forgot this part: My dad wouldn't go to Mexico. Ever. He's a crotchety old *******, but he's my dad.

 

[KJIM]

We must be sisters.

 

[imjustagirl]

We must be sisters.

Thank god. I've always wanted one.

 

[Boom_70]

I would 2nd Yank Fan's suggestion of Arizona then. Scottsdale area is great and you should get good value at that time of year at the major resorts. Caveat is that it's hot. You could also head up to the mountains of Sedona which is beautiful and cooler. Also the Grand Canyon which is an easy 2 hour drive from Scottsdale. I think everyone at some point in the life needs to see the Grand Canyon. Just a stunning place in person.

Florida is nice but with hurricane season you'll be watching the weather before you go and when you're there. It's a roll of the dice that could turn out great or turn into a delayed or shortened trip.

 

[Songbird]

Jamaica fits your requirements.

 

[cranberry]

Here's a place I'd like to go that should be beautiful that time of year: Isle of Palms, a barrier island 12 miles east of Charleston, SC, you get the "best of both worlds scenario" -- dining, shopping and stuff to do in Charleston plus lazy, uncrowded beaches. For a full week, the folks are going to need stuff to do, I think.

 

[imjustagirl]

Jamaica fits your requirements.

Except for that pesky passport thing. Unless something's changed.


cran, that might be a very strong option. I LOVE Charleston and I don't know that my folks have ever been. I just kind of wanted to do something for them they'd never do for themselves, you know? That's what led me to an island setting. Because they'll never have the money/inclination to go to San Juan or St. John or Hawaii. They haven't been on a vacation in decades, and my mom works two jobs. I just ... want to do something huge for them.

 

[cranberry]

I'm also pretty close to the right age demographic for your parents. It's not like they're ancient. They'll need some activity.

 

[imjustagirl]

They're not. But my dad's on 17 types of medication, has a lot of heart trouble and has recently had a VERY bad hip that 8 trips to the VA has not solved. So not a LOT of walking for him.

My mom and I can shop while my dad lies around and enjoys the weather. That's pretty much how it will go.

 

[cranberry]

There's something to be said for laying around.

 

[Dirk Legume]

Whatever you end up doing IJAG, this is a really, really nice thing that you are doing. I am guessing that they will tell you it isn't necessary...

Do it anyway*



*I am sure you will.

 

[Here me roar]

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

 

[imjustagirl]

Whatever you end up doing IJAG, this is a really, really nice thing that you are doing. I am guessing that they will tell you it isn't necessary...

Do it anyway*



*I am sure you will.

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 ***** 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.

 

[imjustagirl]

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.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Puerto Rico might be a cheaper option than Hawaii. And it can be pretty nice / different, depending on how you do it, and what you are interested in. There is a lot of history, which appeals to me. You can do some pretty cool walking tours around San Juan and Old San Juan and learn a lot.

One way to go might be a resort -- such as one of the ones in Luquillo, although you have many options closer to San Juan. I am not a resort type person, but I did that once. I actually ended up spending little time in the resort, because I find laying around boring, so in that regard it wasn't the best kind of vacation for me.

But a lot of people like those resorts a lot, and what Puerto Rico offers, if you take advantage of it, is that you can mix in time away from the resort and there are a lot of options to make the vacation fun. With a car, you can check out El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S. I am not sure how easy it would be for your parents based on your description, but it is not difficult hiking, and you can do it in a leisurely way, and you see wild vegetation and birds and animals you have never seen. And you can drive around the Island to Old San Juan, which I find an amazing place to spend time. Whether it is just finding a small bar to drink with locals or shopping or checking out El Morro or Calle del Cristo or Fort San Cristobal for a really good historical walking tour, it's hard to get bored there.