five day breaks

[Linda51]

We are looking to take my mum who is 81 but aactive on a 5 day break, she has been to Cologne and France with sone relations but they aren't going this time and we wanted her to have a break. Has anyone any ideas where is interesting to do a Monday to Friday trip. Not bothered when but just not in school holidays. Thanks.

Also we are going to see our son who has moved to New Zealand Nov/Dec and would love her to come but she thinks its to far to travel. Does anyone think its wise to take her.

[coccinelle]

There are loads of places to see but if your Mum hasn't been to Switzerland the Bergen Oberland area is outstanding.
New Zealand is a very long way and you're looking at very long flights as you know. I'd go on what she says and feels rather than push her, she'd probably love to see her grandson but feels the effort is too much (people this age usually like their comforts). HTH

[auntiebertie]

Try a 5n cruise from Barcelona or Malaga on RCI - as relaxing or as active as you want to be, and the added benefit of seeing lots of different places.

[Buenchico]

You've not stated where you're starting from but you can now access Eurostar services from across wide areas of the country. (You can, for example, book through tickets from the north of England for only a little more than from London). Travelling with Eurostar would mean avoiding all of the hassle associated with airport check ins.

Eurostar tickets to Brussels include free onward travel to (or from) any other station in Belgium. Getting to Bruges is really easy. Simply take Eurostar to Brussels, stroll round to platform 15 and hop on a train to Bruges. (There are at least 2 trains per hour, with a journey time of around an hour).

Bruges is a beautiful city, which is compact enough to be easily explored by those of more advanced years. Further, it's also a superb base for stress-free touring of the area. (Ghent is a short way back along the rail line to Brussels. The coastal resort of Ostend is only about 15 minutes away from Bruges. There are several other seaside resorts which are under half an hour away).

Eurostar return fares, from London to Bruges, start from �59 but it's worth considering upgrading to Leisure Select (=First Class), especially if you'll be travelling in the evening when dinner is served. (Meals are included in the fare. Dinner is always very tasty and comes with plenty of free wine and champagne).
http://www.eurostar.com

http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/index.htm

http://www4.gent.be/gent/english/tourism/index .htm

http://www.toerisme-oostende.be/index.phtml?la nguageid=3

[Buenchico]

. . .continued:

http://www.visitflanders.co.uk/

With regard to NZ, remember that it takes about a week for a fit, young person to adjust to the effects of the jet lag. Your mother might feel like she was constantly being 'dragged around in the middle of the night' if you took her with you. (I'm not being ageist. I'm aware that some people in their 80s run marathons. I simply believe that your mother is the best judge of how she'd cope with such a trip).

Chris

[Dee Sa]

also at 81 you might have difficulty getting travel insurance for NZ., unless you make a stopover both ways, its going to be too much for her.
why not take her nearer home to Jersey or Guernsey, both are nice, not too noisy and not too far away,approx 1hr flight and hire a car from the airport.