Holiday with elderly parents

[AnotherSpare]

Looking for suggestions for where I can take my elderly parents on a holiday.

Duration around 1 week, March/April time, Europe.

They have some slight restrictions on mobility - both could walk for around 20 minutes then would need to sit and rest a while before carrying on again. But also both are keen to explore somewhere.

So we definitely don't want to sit around a pool doing nothing, but would like to be somewhere scenic with interesting sights/easy activities.

Any recommendations? Anyone taken a similar trip?

What about a river cruise on the Rhine or similar?

How about a city you can get to on the train? Eurostar to Paris or Brussels. Few days there; maybe add somewhere else too. Lille is very easy, or places like Bruges, or Amsterdam.

I went to Montpellier last year with my mother and that was good, but obviously a lot further & they may not want to go so far. Lovely weather though!

Cruise

Definitely a cruise. Lovely entertainment at night and don't bother with the organised trips. Do your own so you can do them at your own pace

I'd go for Italy, Florence, Rome, Naples ? Beautiful cities great food and fantastic coffee.

A cruise is a bit of a cliche but it really is perfect when mobility, energy and strength are limited but you still want to explore, be active and entertained.

The organised tours are great because you don’t have to worry about getting back on time, and they are used to catering for people with limited mobility.

Amsterdam or valencia

Non cruisers looking in will assume cruises are full of old people, well I believe Fred Olson are but they specifically cater for them.
We have taken the elderly inlays on many cruises, they can choose to stay on or get off, its never far to eat, drink, shows etc. The Good ones really do cater for everyone.

Madeira? Basically set up for the elderly. The towns are nice for a potter, weather is good, and there’s more adventurous stuff inland if you want a day by yourself.

My friend is taking her parents to Madeira in a few weeks as it came highly recommended by their friends.

I did a fabulous Fred Olsen cruise. No children and very informative. (I don't mind children on cruises but this one wasn't really suitable) I was 54 at the time and lots of other people in their 50s so NOT old 🤣. The drinks were quite cheap so much so that having bought a drinks package we had to drink quite a lot to make it worthwhile

Madeira suggestion from me too.
Just back from a week in Funchal and it was around 20-22 degrees so warm and lovely without being roasting.

Vast array of ages wandering around, from youngish families to the elderly with walking sticks.

Funchal is your best bet and it is quite hilly but you can avoid if you plan it and there's lot of other non hilly options to explore. The marina is flat for example.

Lots of beautiful parks to sit in with a coffee and cake and pavement cafes/restaurants to sit in with a drink.
If it makes a difference everyone we've come across speaks almost flawless English which helps (but makes me uncomfortable that my Portuguese so so bad!)

Italian Lakes or the Austrian alps perhaps. Somewhere where you can sit in lovely surroundings, have a coffee and watch the world go by?

River cruise.

Have booked to go to Madeira! Thanks for the tips everyone. Will keep the other suggestions in mind for future trips.

Great decision 😂
Which hotel/area did you pick?

Go for afternoon tea at Reids - it's where Churchill spent every winter.