I’m looking to take my dad on a journey in about a week, but I’m struggling to decide on the destination. I’m thinking Japan, Morocco, or…? I’ll leave it to you all to tell me what you’d be most interested in reading!
In this post:
I’m hoping to embark on a weeklong adventure with my dad
I’ve always prioritized traveling with my parents whenever possible. For the last several years, I focused on trips with my mom, as she had terminal cancer, and I wanted to maximize our time together. With my mom having recently passed away, it’s time to shift my attention back to my dad, since we haven’t traveled much together lately, although we always have a great time when we go on adventures (including our trip to Europe last summer).
So anyway, I’m trying to determine the best place to take my dad in December for a week. Before I present some ideas I’m considering, I’d like to share some thoughts:
– My dad is super laid-back and is open to anything, so my aim is to review options that would be interesting for the OMAAT community, including flights, hotels, etc.; he enjoys fine dining, elegant hotels, new locations, and ideally somewhere with good cigar smoking options.
– Ideally, we’d like to go somewhere warm (or at least not too cold), as we’re both Floridians at heart in that sense (though the destinations I’m seriously contemplating aren’t actually warm); to clarify, we’re not exactly looking to visit European Christmas markets or similar experiences.
– My dad enjoys walking for hours each day (it’s basically his job), so anywhere with nice walking opportunities earns bonus points.
– My dad is in his — okay, I won’t disclose his age, as he wouldn’t appreciate that — but my point is that I’d like to keep travel logistics pretty simple, so we’re not looking at destinations like Antarctica or Patagonia.
With that said, let me share the top contenders I’m considering for this trip, and I would love to hear any other suggestions people might have, as I’m not committed to these ideas yet…
The trip to Morocco I’m contemplating
My dad has never traveled to North Africa, so when I mentioned the idea of going to Morocco, he was intrigued. Interestingly, what appeals to him most is visiting Rick’s Café in Casablanca, inspired by the 1942 movie sharing the city’s name.
Regarding flights, this would likely be the less “glamorous” journey. I might try to review Royal Air Maroc in one direction (there’s plenty of award availability in business class, though only for one traveler per flight… grrr), and then British Airways for the return, on a plane I haven’t flown on yet. At least that’s the most interesting itinerary I can devise while reviewing new experiences.
For accommodations, I’d like to combine luxury with reviewing points hotels, so:
– I assume we need to stop in Casablanca so he can visit Rick’s Cafe; should we just stay at the Marriott, or is it worth splurging on the Four Seasons?
– Marrakech is undoubtedly a must-see, and although the Park Hyatt isn’t ideally located, I believe we’d opt to stay there, as it appears to be fantastic overall.
– Should we explore Rabat, which is just a short train ride from Casablanca? There seems to be a new Ritz-Carlton that looks lovely; is Rabat a worthwhile stop in comparison to other destinations in Morocco?
– While I understand it won’t be beach weather in December, I find myself very curious about the St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Tamuda Bay, as it’s quite reasonably priced and I’ve heard good reviews; is it worth checking out, though?
Is the St. Regis Tamuda Bay worth exploring?
The trip to Japan I’m considering
I absolutely love Japan and can never get enough of it. My dad hasn’t been there in over ten years, so I’d be thrilled for him to experience it again. I admit December isn’t the best time to visit (especially for those averse to cold), but Japan is such an exciting destination in terms of food, culture, and people, so outdoor activities aren’t the only focus.
As for flights, I’m a bit scattered. Perhaps I’d like to try Aeromexico’s 787 business class one way. I actually secured tickets in Japan Airlines’ A350 first class for two. On one hand, that’s an amazing first-class experience I’d love to share with my dad. On the other hand,