60th Birthday Celebration Suggestions Needed
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Oct 19, 2012 6:58 AM Last Post By: 99dragons
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60th Birthday Celebration Suggestions Needed
Our youngest sister is turning sixty next year and we are trying to figure out a great birthday trip for the four sisters. We are all relatively healthy for "sixty somethings", although the "birthday girl" does have MS and walks with a cane. She manages quite well and can do most things that don't require a lot of stair or steep hill climbing. We have travelled extensively in the U.S. and Europe and enjoy visiting new places. We would like to do something for somewhere from 4 days to a week. She has been instrumental in planning all of the siblings "60th birthday surprises". Some past things have included trips to the Florida Keys, Las Vegas and for one borther who is a history buff a "brothers trip to Normandy". We are stumped for her because of her handicap - Europe seems to be out of the question because so many places aren't handicapped accessible - a cruise seems possible but she has done several along with trips to Mexico's resorts. Ideally, we would make the trip in late summer or early fall. Any suggestions would be appreciated.2
Greece and Spain are cheap right now. Closer to home: New Orleans? Quebec City, Canada? Costa Rica?3
Focus on what she enjoys -- food, history, art museums quilt-making, great park sights, ocean breezes, or even Disney, learning a new language or skill, horseback riding (which could make whole areas accessible if she is able to do that), motorcar racing.With less than a week for your get-together, it seems travel to Europe or Hawaii might be too much of a stretch -- you'd invest more than a day each way.
Scenic views by car with stops at scenic pull-outs - Explore Glacier National Park, Zion/Bryce/Arches or Yellowstone NP by car. Or the Black Hills & Badlands areas of South Dakota which was beautiful and much-enjoyed by my 84-year-old mother. Just be sure to use phone calls (not internet reservations) to confirm handicap-accessible rooms.
Museums - Washington, DC
Have you been to Montreal? Quite a European / French vibe with some amazing public buildings, yet close for travel-time.
4
Midwesterner has good ideas. Considering you plan to travel late summer or early fall:From my own experience, how about:
- Alaska: Cruise through Glacier Bay (perfect time to visit Alaska) checking out Juneau and the southeast archipeleago.
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: All inclusive deals (good weather then and fun).
- Provence, France: Avignon, Arles, etc, - Nice weather, medeiveal towns, the Mediterennean (and it is cooling off someawhat by then) and easy to access through Marseilles.
5
What are your experiences with National Parks? Obviously, you aren't going to be hiking and camping out, but some parks are surprisingly accessible.For example, Yosemite has a free shuttle that goes to the most popular sites. With a disabled placard, you can drive to areas that are usually off-limits to private cars. There are some paved trails that can accommodate wheelchairs, so she could ride instead of walk if she wants. The tram tours of the Giant Sequoias at Wawona are accessible--or you can follow the tram in your own car with a headset to hear the narration.
You could do a lot worse than to celebrate a birthday at the Ahwahnee Hotel restaurant, and staying at the hotel is pretty special. I celebrated a milestone birthday there and it was wonderful.
Accessible Yosemite
6
NoCal baby that I am I'd like to suggest a week in the Bay Area. San Francisco, with drive down Hwy 1 to the Monterey/Carmel area with stops in Half Moon bay and Capitola. Big city lights, theatre, shopping, good food, museums, redwoods, beaches, music, farmer's market (happy to suggest Cow Girl Creamery Cheeses and the oyster bar), etc. More than enough to do and see in 4 days or week's time. Love staying here because of the service and location. Hotel Vitale. BTW I too was born when Truman was in office.
