The wife deserves a vacation...

[rayinpenn]

The Mrs. has had to deal with helping me through my knee replacement. In the beginning I couldn't even get dressed without help. Guess what? My son was just diagnosed with mononucleosis and is understandably pretty miserable. The son was already going through a pretty cantankerous phase too. There will be a few more weeks of hell for her.

So we were thinking Rhine River cruise but my 16 and 21 y/olds will be bored to tears. We've done Hawaii, the Bahamas and Florida (share inherited family home). My wife's twin sister generally comes. Not sure I want to do the beach thing but if it is really special sure. The adults are pretty easy - sit by he pool read and see the sights types. There was some talk of Arizona last year but we couldn't put it together.

I've got the scratch and can afford to be a little extravagant.. I'd love to do something special for her and us. It is a big country I've seen so little of it. Any thoughts / suggestions?

Edit
I think we didn't do much the last 2 years because I couldn't walk without pain?


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[rodi]

What about a National Parks vacation. I loved the trip we did to Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton a few summers ago.

 

[rayinpenn]

What about a National Parks vacation. I loved the trip we did to Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton a few summers ago.

Rent a car and stay in hotels? RVs? Logistics?


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[splitwdw]

If it's the wife that's been taking care of everyone else and she needs a vacation. Send her to a spa, by herself, to be pampered.

 

[rayinpenn]

If it's the wife that's been taking care of everyone else and she needs a vacation. Send her to a spa, by herself, to be pampered.

Normally a great idea... But not DW's style.
Plus she mentioned she like a vacation this year.


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[DrRoy]

This year DW and I spent 5 weeks of vacation visiting national parks in Colorado and Arizona. If that is your preference I could give a lot more detailed suggestions. If you want to go bigger, there's Hawaii, Alaska cruise, or Europe.

Photos are Rocky Mountain National Park, and Grand Canyon - North Rim.

 

[rodi]

Rent a car and stay in hotels? RVs? Logistics?


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Yes - you'd need to rent a car. The nat'l parks I mentioned all have lodging in the park, and less expensive lodging outside the park. I strongly feel it's worth the extra $ to stay in the park so you aren't wasting time getting in/out of the park each day. We have a preference for cabins - so that's the type of accommodation we looked for...but there are swankier options available.

 

[Pbkmaine]

London. There's something for everyone.

 

[pb4uski]

How about Alaska? Or Italy? Or Australia/New Zealand?

Another idea: My aunt and uncle went on a train excursion across southern Canada and loved it.

 

[Sunset]

I would also vote for National Parks.
If you have not been to the Grand Canyon, it is amazing.
Also Bryce Canyon is fantastic and pretty, it is also fairly easy to walk, although that depends upon your knee.

 

[Ronstar]

Revisit the Arizona idea - but add the Enchantment resort in Sedona as well as the Grand Canyon. Set her up at the spa at Enchantment or the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale.

 

[Nemo2]

Me, I'd tell her to book something that she wants to do, and whatever it was I'd go along with it.

 

[rayinpenn]

Revisit the Arizona idea - but add the Enchantment resort in Sedona as well as the Grand Canyon. Set her up at the spa at Enchantment or the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale.

Just sent her and the SIL this 7 day Arizona itinerary that I found on frommers
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/arizona/668644

Knee is fine now 30 minute walks with the pooch ...no issue.



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[braumeister]

Me, I'd tell her to book something that she wants to do, and whatever it was I'd go along with it.

+1

Sounds like she's the one who wants, needs (and deserves) the vacation, so let her decide.

 

[Silver]

Does she like to shop?

One of my favorite vacations was to the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada.

The West Edmonton Mall is the Largest Mall in North America | Mental Floss

We stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel in one of their themed rooms, which was great fun. The mall has a large water park, amusement park with roller coasters, ice rink, miniature golf, boat rides, and of course tons of shops. There were lots of entertaining shows, live music concerts, and so many good restaurants. We were there for only five days, but it really was an experience. The hotels are attached to the mall, and we never left the building except for the cab ride to and from the airport.

 

[Ronstar]

Just sent her and the SIL this 7 day Arizona itinerary that I found on frommers
In One Week in Arizona | Frommer's

Knee is fine now 30 minute walks with the pooch ...no issue.

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Looks like a great itinerary.

And great news on your knee!

 

[MRG]

Just sent her and the SIL this 7 day Arizona itinerary that I found on frommers
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/arizona/668644

Knee is fine now 30 minute walks with the pooch ...no issue.

If you want to pamper her this is a very nice place. Bring your wallet! You mentioned she's not a spa person, if she changes her mind I'd recommend going to a private person in the area. The resort spas are full of more junior providers. Even if you don't stay there consider a meal. Food was fantastic and the settings unreal.

FYI we did a jeep tour with a small operation, well worth the time and $. The big a$$ 4 wheeler tours seemed more like an amusement ride. The jeep was very peaceful, guide broke their rules and shut the engine off. Wow, the desert is an eerie place.


http://m.lauberge.com/?url=http://www.lauberge.com/&utm_referrer=#2457

 

[DrRoy]

The nat'l parks I mentioned all have lodging in the park, and less expensive lodging outside the park. I strongly feel it's worth the extra $ to stay in the park so you aren't wasting time getting in/out of the park each day.

Yes, Yes, Yes. I am quite careful with my spending but I regularly pay more to stay in a park than save by being outside it. For example, at Yellowstone, it can take an hour or two to get to sites within the park from lodging outside it. I am there to experience as much of the park as possible, not to add to my many accumulated hours of driving time.

 

[Sarah in SC]

I would suggest you get her input in where and what to do, then make all of the arrangements if she's the on that usually does that. It will make it more of a treat if she doesn't have the logistical tasks on her plate.

 

[tinlizzy]

How about the spas in Sedona and the surrounding area? I know they have jeep tours that look fun on the old trails. The train to the Grand Canyon is nearby.


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[Urchina]

Are you going for spring break, or in the summer? Arizona in the summer is HOT. The higher elevations (Flagstaff, Sedona) aren't so bad, but still --

Spring break is another thing entirely. Perfectly fine weather that time of year.

I'd +1 on the London trip. I can also recommend Buenos Aires. That's an awesome city. It's a beast to get there, but once you're there you have all the liveliness of Latin America with the glamour of Paris, at discount prices.