Invest The World -- International Travel and Investment

A trip with my parents

I've only taken one overseas trip with my (now 70-year-old) parents, and that was about four years ago. Although it started out a little rocky, as my dad had to make an adjustment to culture shock, it actually turned out rather well. In that trip, we took my parents to Belize, our perennial favorite, and so I was able to adequately play host over the course of a week.

My mother would like to take another trip and, while my father is not as excited to go as she is, he's indicated that if he is going to go somewhere, he'd like to try somewhere new. My parents actually have, in their retirement, a fairly busy domestic travel life, going often to the coast, and having also found a like minded group of three other couples of similar ages and background with whom they often take trips together.

I've suggested to my mother and my wife that we find at least a long weekend type of trip to go one, to get them somewhere different. I'm not sure where yet, but I figured I'd use this blog as sort of a sounding board to figure it out along the way. Here, then, are a few places I'd consider taking my parents for a long weekend.

1. Panama.
Pros:
--Very first world and would be within my parents' comfort zone;
--Not too far of a trip (usually a layover in Miami);
--My parents have wanted to see the Panama Canal.

Cons:
--My parents may have a culture shock since they don't speak Spanish;
--The trip, while not unduly long, is not a straight flight from Charlotte;
--It's hard to set up a trip for a long weekend--stay in one place or try a couple?

I know my parents would like to see the Panama Canal, and that all of my family would likely enjoy seeing Casco Viejo (the old quarter of the city). I'm not sure, however, what else about the city they'd enjoy--other than the shopping. The City itself is a really neat place, but I don't know that I'd want to stay there for the whole of our trip. But if we move about, we then eat up lots of time in transit. I've twice spent time out on Panama's Pacific Coast, and while it's nice, I don't know that my parents or my wife would find anything special about the resorts there.

I think all of my family would enjoy visiting the highlands of Panama, but that in itself is a long road trip or else a connecting flight. So my biggest hesitation about Panama is the same hesitation I have when I consider it as a week-long winter trip destination with my wife: a great place, with lots of great destinations, but I just can't conceive of how to fill up the time enjoyably with variety, while at the same time not running around too much.

2. Cartagena, Colombia:
Pros:
--Fairly close;
--The entire family would enjoy the colonial architecture;
--The city's sites would be the perfect fit for a long weekend trip.

Cons:
--Flights are sometimes expensive;
--Spanish-speaking (again);
--Flight costs are hit or miss (sometimes decent, sometimes expensive);
--Can be very hot.

I've only been to Cartagena once, but the most interesting part of the city (i.e., the walled historic district) was so manageable that I'd feel comfortable acting as a guide to my family. The food was great, the people were friendly, and I felt very safe. Three days would be plenty enough to see the the historic buildings, the shops, and to simply just enjoy our time. We could feel like we'd done all we'd wanted to do, yet not feel too rushed, but also not feel like we'd run out of things to do (like I did once on St. Kitts).

3. Montreal:
Pros:
--easy direct flight;
--low cost;
--exotic, yet not too much so

Cons:
--different language (though mitigated by the fact the country is bilingual;
--none of us have ever been (though fun for me, this also prevents me from being much of a guide).

I've for a long time wanted to travel up to Quebec, and to Montreal. It's been a long time since I've tried out my French language skills, and I've heard nothing but good things about Montreal and Quebec City. I don't know much about it, but that would give me a chance to bone up on the city while trying to prepare for a trip. As for costs, it would be one of the least costly in terms of airfare. Also, if we wanted to travel in, say, the summer or fall, the weather would be quite comfortable.

4. Ecuador
Pros:
--Exotic;
--Colonial architecture;
--Very inexpensive.

Cons:
--Long plane flights;
--Rough around the edges;
--Lots of driving involved.

I've wanted to visit the highland area of Ecuador, where I've never been, and I thought this, with its moderate temperatures and colonial cities, may be fun for my family. Unfortunately, they were a bit turned off by my previous stories about armed guards in Guayaquil, and I don't know that I can change their mind--though, to be fair, even my driver (who'd driven eight hours from Quito to be our guide for the week), was also very uncomfortable in Guayaquil. The flight last time was no piece of cake either, starting with a two hour trip to Miami, hours worth of delays (characteristic of both Miami and American Airlines), and then a four-hour trip to the equator, arriving at 2:00 a.m. Probably not the best long weekend to plan for my parents (or wife, for that matter).

Of the trips above, the most sensible ones would be to either Cartagena or Montreal. Montreal would be a very safe bet, and would offer temperate weather if we went in the summer. Flights are easy and inexpensive, and I'd get the experience of a new place. On the other hand, Cartagena would be a real treat for my family, I believe. I could show them around a bit, and they can say they've been to Colombia, which, for most Americans, still is off the beaten path.

Labels: Cartagena, Colombia, Ecuador, Montreal, Panama, Quito

posted by Wesley Deaton @ 8:30 PM