Its a birthday trip not a honeymoon!

November 3, 2009 9:38 PM

I'm turning 30, my mom is turning 60 and retiring. We want to do something or go somewhere to mark the occasion but we don't have any really solid ideas. I also don't want to go any where "honeymoony." All my searches turn up "romantic getaways" which are not appropriate. Where should we go for about a week of mother-daughter fun?

Details: I live in Boulder CO and my mom lives in Columbus OH. We are both willing to travel any where. We have varied interests and are physically able to tackle outdoor adventures or walking for hours. We like trying new things and aren't intimidated by public transportation or language differences.

Places we have been: Italy (Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Naples) and pretty much everywhere in the US. Mom has not been to Hawaii. Neither of us has been to Alaska. We have seen "the sights" in the US (National Parks, major cities, historic sites, Disney). I'm not ruling out places we have already been if there is something really special about it.

Bonus: We went to John C Campbell Folk school several years ago and had a really good time. We are considering a return visit or going to a similar program elsewhere. Are there other art/craft schools where we could spend a week?

Imagine we have a week and unlimited money.

posted by rachums to travel & transportation (27 comments total)

I've been fascinated with the idea of the Orient Express (or one of their similar trains) but goodgoddamn is it expensive. I know you say unlimited money, but I wonder if yours isn't better spent elsewhere. On the other hand, yes, I think "romantic" when I think of it, but I also think "elegant", "unique", "classy", and ripe for storytelling. How many people get to say "whilst on the Orient Express, I once met the most captivating person..."?
posted by disillusioned at 10:43 PM on November 3

Vegas is always a good idea. Especially if you have unlimited money -- we'd be more than happy to unburden you of that. :)
posted by Jacqueline at 11:29 PM on November 3

Paris is jamming but you might think it's romantic and it probably is romantic but it's also supercool and tons to do and see etc and etc. But it's cold -- (I was there in November in my long-faded youth; I know whereof I speak). And maybe the cold would/will take the romantic piece out of it, right?

I'm sortof prejudiced toward Austin but I'm not sure you could pull a week here; part of that depends who's playing here or there and that sortof depends on when you come, right? The weather is absolutely perfect just now -- seventies in the day and sunny and crystal clear blue skies, nights in the low fifties. Obviously that can change day to day but hey, maybe you'll get lucky. Now and/or spring are the times to visit Austin, for sure, and we haven't but about fourteen minutes of winter in between them; we pretty much take a yankee fall and spring and jam them together, cut the heart right out of winter.

Little known True Fact: Texas has great art museums. No -- really. Sadly, we've not but a couple bitty collections exhibited here in town, but San Antone is not but an hour down the road, they've got two world-class collections, one of them in what is I think my all-time fave setting: an old beer distillery. It's just so cool. And Houston is but two hours and half, and if you've any interest in it at all I can damn sure go long on the art scene there. Dallas and Fort Worthless have sweet collections too but they're further up the road.

So -- maybe a Texas road week? There's a lot more here than rednecks. They are here, yes, but Texas has a pretty sweet soul that you don't often hear about, though you often hear it, if you listen to any American music.

I'm on fire with love for the bay area -- San Francisco of course but Berkeley, too, and most of the rest of it, too. Berkeley -- it's so hard for me to get get my head around the fact of people actually stopping for me and smiling politely when I'm in a crosswalk; here in Texas they aim for you. You could easy spend a week in California and have a hoot doing it. Probably you're all California'd out, probably you know way more about it than I do, probably you're sick of it. This is but A Public Service Announcement about how sweet it is, that's all, in case maybe you'd forgotten or something.

I love Tucson but I believe you'd be hard pressed to spend a week there -- I could, but I'm a desert rat, love to stomp around out there west of town. And Bisbee is a great day trip but what with all the border violence just now I'd not send you there, for sure...

Pretty much the rest of the places I really know much about are cold just now and I'd not send you there, and I can't really say much about anywhere else. Florida blows, IMO, it's warm but it's a yawner, take your mother there for her 60th and she'd be confronted with all these dying old people staggering around; not the trip I'd want for my 60th, for sure. Hawaii -- not for a week, unless you're real tired, and want to rest, and lay around on the beaches. That's about all that's there. Okay, okay, that's a lot of course, and there's mountains and whatnot, there's festive beauty abounding, but ? A week? On a special trip?

Okay, I'm running on, you set me to thinking about maybe a road trip to West Texas, out to Big Bend country, six or eight hours from here but so beautiful once you're there and this is the time of year to go -- it get's warm in the summer. The MacDonald Observatory is out there, The stars at night / are big and bright, etc and etc. I've a friend in Alpine who I've not seen in too long a time, never yet met her baby, and blah blah blah here I am going on again so I'll stop.

I hope have a great trip.
posted by dancestoblue at 1:33 AM on November 4

Well how about London, England? If you have a bit of money in your pocket it's super fun, for me anyway. It's a great place to explore and do things at random. If you wanna ask anything I'll do my best to answer.
posted by Not Supplied at 3:18 AM on November 4

While my only experience with it is honeymooning, have you considered a cruise? There were plenty of families vacationing on the Carnival cruise we took.

It gives you a number of options as far as where to go, and you'd get to see a couple of places and a lot of excursions in a week, especially if money is unlimited.

Early happy birthdays/retirement!
posted by irishkitten at 3:24 AM on November 4

A few people I have known have taken the trans-Siberian express from Beijing to Moscow (or reverse) on the occasion of their retirement or a significant 0 birthday (often a 40 rather than a 40, but should be great either way).

That's a memorable trip, and it can be as cheap or expensive as you want depending on if you go full escorted first class, or budget with stops along the way.
posted by wingless_angel at 3:55 AM on November 4

Even if you're biased against cruises, maybe consider an Alaskan cruise. Everybody I know who's gone on one has loved it, including several family groups. You would get to see places like Glacier Bay which are quite hard to visit any other way. I got to go there on a research trip a few years ago and it's a really amazing place, but very hard to get to. There would be lots of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, etc. But at the end of the day you'd get to relax and have fun together and not have to worry about travel logistics and things which can be less fun.
posted by hydropsyche at 4:00 AM on November 4 [1 favorite]

A friend of mine did the trans-Siberian train thing, and it looked like he had a great time. He was in his 20s and just went by himself and had a great time with the people he met on the trip. Also, I know several people who've been to Iceland, it looks like a really neat place to visit - lots of outdoor activities, also museums and a lot of history that most people aren't really familiar with.
posted by LolaGeek at 4:18 AM on November 4

Check out the offerings from Adventures in Good Company. They do active holidays - hiking, biking, etc. I've gone on one holiday with them and loved it - finances have kept me from going again.

Sorry for the lack of a link - I'm on the iPhone. Google finds it easily, though.
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 5:16 AM on November 4

Do you like to cook? If so, get thee to Villa Delia. The photos on the website don't do it justice. I previously suggested it on AskMe here, and here's the review from that Mefi member who ended up visiting (and also falling in love with the place).
posted by meerkatty at 5:42 AM on November 4

New York City. Even if you've been before it is doubtful you've covered everything that would interest the two of you and furthermore probably a lot has changed since you've last been.
posted by mmascolino at 5:44 AM on November 4

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I had not considered a cruise because we both get incredibly sea sick. I know it is different from sailing but still it seems like a risk. But an Alaskan cruise might still be fun. . .
posted by rachums at 5:50 AM on November 4

I went on a trip with Intrepid Travel , specifically because one of my coworkers recommended it. For me, it was a graduation gift to myself, and I was travelling alone, but she had done a trip with her dad, as father/daughter bonding time, and loved it. My group was about half 20-something single college students, myself and another couple of 30-somethings, and a recently-retired couple. I could see a mother/daughter pair fitting in very well.

They have tour options all over the world, not "adventure travel" but not posh for sure, involves some walking and basic hotels, but not hiking or bunk-bed hostels. Small-group tours of not just the major attractions of a region, but also getting together with contacts in a city to have a meal with a family or visit a community-action group or go to a campfire party in a small village.
posted by aimedwander at 6:05 AM on November 4

I went to Tokyo and Chiang Mai (Thailand) last summer and loved both of them. I'm not sure a week would really be enough time given the long flights and the jetlag issues, but it's doable if you limit yourself a bit. Lots of sight-seeing, amazing food, you can take cooking classes in Thailand...

When are you planning this trip for, is it this winter or next year? If you can wait till next year, you could take arts classes. There's Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, which does summer programs, and Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, which does classes in the spring, summer, and fall. I haven't gone to either but have heard that both are great.

I can highly recommend Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, if you want to do something different. It's a Zen monastery in California, in the middle of the Ventana wilderness. From May to September they offer lots of classes on cooking, Zen, yoga, nature, and other topics. There are also natural hot springs and a lot of hiking and the food is amazing. The 2010 schedule isn't up yet but you could call and ask when it will be. Tassajara is the most calming and one of the most beautiful places I've been in my life. You can memail me if you'd like more info. Plus, it would definitely not be romantic, since it's a monastery!
posted by min at 6:11 AM on November 4

I agree with the cruise suggestion. My mother took one a few years ago and loved it; incidentally she is also a big fan of the Campbell school and has been a few times, so she obviously shares some of the same interests. There are lots of native arts and crafts to be seen in Alaska. On a big ship seasickness is not usually a problem and in particular Alaskan cruises tend to stay close to shore where the water is calmer. If you are still concerned about seasickness you could always fly to Alaska.
posted by TedW at 6:29 AM on November 4

Why not a tour of the Scottish Highlands? It is just as beautiful in the winter as the summer, you can tour all of the islands via short ferry journeys, and just generally soak in all of the natural beauty. You can also tour all of the lovely whisky distilleries around the country!

Photos of Orkney, Colonsay, the Hebrides.

You could even stay in a castle for a long weekend - i've done this and it was so much fun.
posted by ukdanae at 6:53 AM on November 4 [1 favorite]

A week and unlimited money? Go on a short trip to Africa and go on safari.
posted by mckenney at 6:59 AM on November 4

consider the interior of mexico. it's much less touristy and much less "romantic getaway" then the beaches, plus it's relatively close.

mexico city itself is fascinating and there are many great (and, to foreigners, relatively unknown) places nearby like Cuernavaca and Tepoztlan and Teotihuacan. And, since you're going in the winter, you can even go see the monarch butterflies
posted by 256 at 7:04 AM on November 4

My parents have done quite a few tours through Country Walkers. They have some amazing locales that they go to and they provide local guides. They rave about them and it sounds as if the ages of the participants are nicely varied.
posted by Leezie at 7:17 AM on November 4

Along the lines of the art/craft schools you mentioned, I have always wanted to go to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico as it has a very vibrant art scene with art institutes open to travelers. Here's a little info:

http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Miguel_de_Allende
http://www.sanmiguelartists.com/

Have fun choosing a destination!
posted by fresh-rn at 8:15 AM on November 4

I have several friends who have recently been to India and absolutely loved it. They're very well traveled and thought it was great for something different.

Also, a good friend recommends a river cruise in Europe. Does not have the same scary sea sick issues. Consider the Danube.

Or, what about canadian cities? Montreal, maybe? Alaska?

(Me, if I had unlimited budget and a week, I'd go to fourseasons.com and pick an exotic location and stay in a hut over the ocean. OMG, BORA BORA. Romantic or not, how AWESOME.)
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:22 AM on November 4

I'm really really serious about this: you should go to Amsterdam.
posted by sickinthehead at 8:26 AM on November 4

I've always promised myself that if I ever am able to get to a point where I can save money, I'm going to save up and take my mom to Ireland. Maybe you could live out my dream :)
posted by Aleen at 8:30 AM on November 4

These suggestions are totally AWESOME! One detail: our time frame is some time in the next year. My birthday is in March, Mom's in December; we are being flexible.
posted by rachums at 8:49 AM on November 4

If you like crafty goodness, there are a lot of knitting cruises (both Caribbean and Alaskan), not to mention Tactile Travel!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:01 AM on November 4

In a similar situation I gave my mother a fancy picnic-in-a-backpack kit, with a prepared meal, and went out in a beautiful park. The hidden message is, "you're not too old to go out and have some fun.'
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:32 AM on November 4

Have you considered a cruise of South America?
posted by CrazyLemonade at 1:43 PM on November 4