I know August can be awful due to heat and crowds but its the only time we have off so we're booked to London RT. We've travelled together before and particularly loved Turkey...renting apartments typically as a home base for explorations. Suggestions for off beat multigenerational adventure?
Posted by
Manchester
495 posts
It's not entirely clear where you want to go? Are you staying in England or using London as gateway to elsewhere in Europe?
I'm sure you'll get more helpful suggestions if you narrow down what you want a bit more.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well teh obvious choice is London as your base and then explore the UK a bit, or perhaps a 2 or 3 day jaunt over on the Eurostar to Paris( its an easy trip, so not too tiring )..
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
Here is a link to an article I wrote for AAA Carolina's "Go" magazine a while back. It is about day trips out of London. Let me know if it is helpful or if you have other questions.
http://www.aaacarolinas.com/Magazine/2008/Jan-Feb/britain.htm?zip=28201&stateprov=nc&city=charlotte
Posted by
OP
Charlotte, NC, USZ
7 posts
London would be our gateway, with my goal being to plan for action/activities for 16 yr old daughter as well as memories for Mom (she's pretty well travelled) as it could be her last overseas trip. I've looked at cruises (Baltic), do it yourself riverboats for a week in France, the Irish coast by car, but keep thinking that there might be a less known trek (Basque country? Portugal? Adriatic Coast?) that could thrill each generation....
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
Well in the first place, you are making these plans at rather the last minute for the height of the summer season!!! Expect reservations to be tight and crowds in most places.
If you could still get on a Baltic cruise (might be last-minute deals!!), I would think that would suit both my Mother and your daughter as there are tons of things to do on a ship that would appeal to young people.
You also did not mention your Mother's physical state. I have travelled with my 85 year old Mother and she did tire easily, could not cope with heat or large crowds. We went on a Baltic cruise followed by time in London...toured Buckingham Palace, went to a performance at the Globe theatre, etc. She had been all over Europe many times.
I would think that a do it yourself canal cruise would be too strenuous. Given the amount of time you have to pursue this idea of yours, I think you will be limited in your choice of venues.
I think that Pat's idea of taking the Eurostar to Paris is a great one. Get a nice hotel with a lift!
Maybe you could take a van tour to Giverny if your Mom has never been there...visit the Rodin Museum which is not too large, gives you an chance to be in an actual building of the period and has the most wonderful garden, with lots of benches and a nice cafe to eat/snack at. Your daughter might find his sculpture amaing and she can wonder around freely.
I would stay in northern Europe (although they could have a heat wave) rather than the southern parts which will be the hottest and the busiest.
These are just my thoughts. Good luck in planning.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
75 posts
You sound like a sophsticated enough traveler that any of my "where" suggestions would probably be a repetition, but I do have a "what" suggestion. Take tons of pictures of the 3 of you (instead of focussing on sights exclusively), and put them in a book for your Mom, and consider a cheap Flip video camera to do same.
Happy travels.
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Suzanne. Travelling in August. Three people, including a person age 85. 15 days, including a flight to London. I think a good choice for you is to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Bergen, Norway, and travel in Norway and Sweden. Walking is not required there.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA, USA
32 posts
If you choose a second destination out of London, I'd suggest checking Easyjet's website. We just returned this week from a trip during which by flying,we were able to visit more places and spend more time in them than if we were traveling by train-at less than 20% of the cost.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
I'm biased, but I think the trip from say Salzburg to Venice is great - you can do the Salt Mines, drive through the Alps, hit the Eagle's Nest or Untersberg, then the beach and the caves in Slovenia along the way. And there are many cheap flights from London.
What I like most is there are a lot of "outdoorsy" activities, that an 86 year old could do, and a 16 year old would think "rocks". LOL.
But that's just me. :)
PS - I had great luck, Suzanne, calling places and asking them what tours/trails/etc were appropriate for traveling with an older person - got lots of great responses via email with suggestions, etc.
Hope you have fun!