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Suggestions for a 13 day trip in September with an elderly mother with limited mobility?

Hello all,

I live in California, and was hoping to take my mother someplace nice for her 80th Birthday this September. We both love traveling, and immersing ourself in the local culture, history and especially cuisines. In the past we have typically focused on visiting Europe and Asia, unfortunately this year due to certain issues and events going on in the world that cant be discussed here, we felt it was probably better to avoid Europe just to be on the safe side.

With this in mind, we were looking at where else in the world might be good to visit in early September Preferably not insanely hot, or freezing and not soaking wet. My mother is in so-so shape. She can walk but, not super long distances before getting tired. Hiking elevated areas or stairs, can be difficult for her, although if not rushed she can do it.

I was thinking of the following possibilities;

  • Japan - I've been there recently, she was there in the 80's. They have a pretty disabled and elderly friendly infrastructure and the weather seems like it will be nice most places. Crowds may be an issue.
  • Hong Kong - Not so sure about weather, a bit on the long side for a flight from Los Angeles
  • South Korea - i have been, but only for business, and seems quite nice
  • Peru - Probably too harsh for my mother, with the mountainous terrain.
  • Turkey - Namely, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Etc.
  • Argentina/Chile? - I know it would be spring, so the weather may not be stable yet.

I didn't include Mexico ,because she is Mexican, and we visit Mexico regularly. Likewise neither of us are fans of domestic tourism- the US is boring to me and Her.

Any suggestions, or advice or other places would be welcomed.

Thank you!

Posted by
1708 posts

Take the train or fly to Vancouver, there is an Elevated Train from the Airport, and take one of the Excursion Trains across Canada. Or, if you want to stop, check to see if you can stay at the Historic Train Hotels (Lake Louise) or National Park Lodges in Canada. The Autumn Leaf show can be spectacular. Or, from Vancouver take a bus that goes on the Ferry to Vancouver Island to Victoria. Victoria is flat and easy to access Museums and Art Galleries, a Chinatown and many shops and cafes. In Victoria you can take a Whale Watch Boat ; we saw many Humpbacks just off Victoria last year. Which reminds me: fresh Seafood! I'm a vintage person also and I enjoy Road trips, because you can travel at your own speed. We actually enjoyed a trip to Spokane and Pan Handle Idaho in the Lakes Area last year. You can stay in Casinos Hotels in many places in PNW. We enjoy staying in Historic or Boutique B & Bs. We stayed in an Inn style Motel in Spokane that had hot Buffet Breakfast and a Historic Brick School House in Bonners Ferry (ask for elevator access). You can usually get a discount if you have an afilliated card such as A**. Bon Voyage!

Posted by
1641 posts

I agree that Canada is a good choice. British Columbia, especially. Both Vancouver and Victoria offer a lot to see and do, and 13 days is plenty of time to explore both, and your time won't be eaten up with travel to/from. As suggested, getting out on the water in both cities is easy and rewarding. And September is just about the perfect time to visit. The exchange rate is still quite favorable (for now).

Posted by
11384 posts

If your mother likes gardens, the Butchart Gardens just outside of Victoria are not to be missed and they are lovely in September. You can easily take a bus there from Central Victoria. I think we caught it at the harbor.

Posted by
2939 posts

Bob,
Okay, 82 year old here who is in good shape but not up for hilly walks and long staircases.....Suggestions based on where I have been and where I want to go and have done research on, and which would not be physically a problem for your me (and your mom, maybe).

Been to: Turkey...... We did an Insight tour which was fabulous (Treasures of Turkey) for 15 days. Check them out.
Chile......Arranged on our own, with 3 nights on Easter Island and a 3 day cruise in Tierra del Fuego. It was Santiago, Easter
Island, Santiago, Tierra del Fuego (Punta Arenas for the cruise), Santiago....all told 13 nights I think. The cruise excursions
involved might not work for your mom, but Chile offers the Atacama desert, the Andean foothills, wine tasting in

various valleys near Santiago, Valparaiso........
Egypt......Trafalgar tours "Wonders of Ancient Egypt. Super 12 day tour with a 7 day Nile cruise as part of it.
New York City. So, so much to see and do and lots of ways to celebrate the big day.

Not been yet but really want to go: Quebec City and Montreal......I would need 9-10 days for sure. Some hilly parts have funiculars
for ascent.

Have fun deciding! And may she have a great 80th!

Posted by
23 posts

Re above: Having recently been to both Quebec City and Montreal, walking around the old city parts can be a challenge for some due to the hills and cobblestone in some areas. However, Montreal has good, easy to use bus service to help getting around.

Posted by
1583 posts

As a fairly sedentary 60 year old, turkey (and Greece) kicked my butt. Istanbul is very crowded, and the out lying historical sites featured a lot of very slick well worn rocks, I ended up with horrible plantar fasicitus, my nikes and land end shoes were not sufficient. Ephesus was over run by cruise ship folk.... like,hip to hip crowd

Canada sounds lovely 😍

Posted by
1137 posts

Our trip to Nova Scotia last fall was very enjoyable. Beautiful coastline, the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton, Peggy's Cove; Bay of Fundy, the city of Halifax. We found terrific restaurants with various cuisines; fresh seafood etc. The Canadian people were warm and welcoming, and as a bonus to Americans, the exchange rate with CAD is in our favor. I would return to that area of Canada in a heartbeat!

Posted by
1835 posts

Likewise neither of us are fans of domestic tourism- the US is boring to me and Her.

I find this so terribly sad.

As an American there is a lot I could and do say about our country, but boring from a tourism point of view wouldn't be one of them.

Have you been to Alaska, Hawaii, Yellowstone, Utah's National Parks, the Boundary Waters, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cape Cod? I could go on...

I wish you the best!

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you all for your great info, and suggestions!

As for Canada, i probably should have mentioned, we're not really comfortable considering that as a destination, given recent developments. With out getting into detail, we simply would feel awkward to say the least, visiting Canada, as beautiful as the scenery is. Perhaps, and hopefully, another time, maybe about 3 years from now, God willing my mother is still alive. All of the suggested ideas there seem quite nice.

That said, Chile and Argentina seem like a good possibility. Unfortunately i tend to have bad luck with weather whenever i travel. Where ever i go, clouds and rain seems to follow... Lol

Posted by
2939 posts

Bob,
Just curious, what do you find boring about travel in the US? No judgment here, just curiosity. Where have you been in the US?

Posted by
6 posts

Just curious, what do you find boring about travel in the US? No judgment here, just curiosity

Mostly, there’s no history or cultural intrigue that piques my interest. In terms of natural beauty, the US has plenty I’ll admit. But culturally, we just don’t have that history. The oldest we get is 1500’s. Europe, and Asia have thousands of years of history, along with many ancient sites and structures still in relatively good shape that can be explored.

Costwise too, eating out in the US is ridiculous; in most of the world even in many parts of Europe eating and food is more fairly priced, than the rip off pricing we experience in the US. Not having to tip is a nice plus too.

I also love the ease and availability of mass transit in much of the world, and not having to drive. Mass transit in the US, is poor at best in most places, and walkability limited even in major cities. I personally hate driving on a vacation, lol.

I also enjoy learning about the cultural traditions of other nations, other than some regional variations in the US, it’s more or less all the same. There’s that exotic factor when traveling internationally, that I enjoy, you just don’t get in the US.

Not trying to down play the US. Just not quite what I’m
Looking for when traveling.

Posted by
9989 posts

If there is limited mobility, I would rule out Turkey. Much of the walking is not over smooth surfaces.

South Korea would be a great choice since you have been to Japan recently. Great public transportation and plenty of cultural heritage.

Another option might be to visit SE Asia in a different manner, such as a cruise. Rest times between ports and interesting excursions at ports.

Posted by
2939 posts

Bob,
Thank you for your detailed and considered answer. You have made some interesting points. Best of luck in deciding the location of your trip with your mother.

Posted by
25381 posts

You are worried about the weather in Argentina and Chilie? Early September or late September and then it can vary a lot from north to south and east and west and by elevation, coastal or inland. I mean the options are endless from pretty darn warm to freezing cold. Soaking wet to dry. But there are ways of checking that rather than guessing. Most information, for instance, says that September is an ideal time for Buenos Aires and gets better as the month advances.

My choice, but in 13 days you might make three stops.