Canary Island trip - Elderly parents

[JudyP]

My elderly parents ( mid 80s) no longer feel confident to fly and travel by themselves so we are looking into booking a trip and I would travel with them. They want some winter sun and to avoid school holidays and mum has suggested the Canary Islands, but I have never been there and would love some advice, direct flights are a must as I know some of the islands would need a change, but not sure they would be up for extending their travel time.
We want somewhere not too large and hectic as this might stress them but want a few options for restaurants. I am happy to rent a car and drive, and would happily drive to and from a beach but it would need to be beach access that isn't too far or steep a walk from where I could park with them as they aren't too steady on their feet. I know a hotel might get better beach access if it was right on the beach but we thought renting a villa/ apartment might suit dad better for breakfast/lunch. But if anyone has great hotel recommendations I would love that also.
I think mum and I are imagining gentle walks and a few shops to nosey around in the day and meals out at night. Just a change of scene for them and a chance to spoil them, even if its just cooking for them in a nice villa
Thanks

There are daily direct flights to all the main Canary islands from pretty much every UK airport so not sure what you mean about changing? The Canaries also are small enough that transfers from the airports are relatively short.

Look at Playa Blanca in Lanzarote.

What about a package with Jet2 - either a villa or hotel? You can also book airport assistance for your parents if you feel they might need that.

What's your budget?
I second a package with Jet2.
Look at the Iberostar Lanzarote park. Fab hotel on the seafront opposite the beach. Food so good we never ate out. Lovely walks on the flat. An hour from the airport and you can fly any day of the week, about 4 hours.
https://www.iberostar.com/uk/hotels/lanzarote/iberostar-lanzarote-park/

Melanaries in Gran Canaria
lopesan is right on the front shirt walk to the beach . All very flat
25 min transfer time
grest restaurants , and some shops
day trip to Porto Mogan ? Fir the market
or to Las Palmas

I had looked at La Gomera and there were no direct flights from Belfast - should have mentioned it's from Belfast or Dublin as equidistant between those airports
Thanks! I'll look at your recommendation

That looks way too big - my dad has early Alzheimer's and I think we need small and not confusing but thanks!
Should have mentioned that in the op

• that's why I thought maybe a villa as he wouldn't have so much to navigate around or get confused- he gets distressed when he gets confused - it's very tricky - even a Buffett breakfast/ lunch at large hotel might confuse him - think small restaurant at night would be ok though I hope

Definitely lanzarote. Look at matagorda, it's a small resort just outside Puerto del Carmen and it's all very accessible, not at all noisy and hectic, nice bars, quite a few Irish bars too so your dad would possibly feel a lot more at home seeing familiar things. There are lots of nice small hotels and private villas in the area if you look on booking.com

Agree, this might be ideal. Really short transfer from the airport as well.

Something like this?

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g662290-d1922540-VillaAtlantico-PuertooDelCarmennTiasLanzaroteeCanaryIslands.html
Steps to access the pool. No need for a car, it's really easy to pick up a cab outside of the airport or book a transfer.
2 big supermarkets nearby, which you can easily get a cab to and from. We use the Lidls for a big shop.

Thanks! I will get mum and dad to look at Matagorda- beach looks lovely!

This looks lovely! Thanks so much for sharing!

Matagorda is a good shout, v near airport too. Hotel Beatrix Playa used to have a proper heated pool.

Or Playa Blanca - Princess Yaiza hotel. Playa Blanca is the most interesring if staying in resort. But furthest from airport.

Or Hotel San Antonio at Puerto del Carmen?
Puerto del Carmen is good for access if driving around visiting places. Less than 20mins from airport.

All of those in Lanzarote are big hotels right on the front.

Some self catering hotels can look like it us on the front but actual room further back up a hill.

We stay at the Royal Sun Resort in Los Gigantes, Tenerife each room has a huge balcony with fantastic views, every room has a kitchenette and a reasonably priced shop with fresh bread on site and larger supermarket close by, there are also two restaurants one fine dining and the other buffet. We go half board with TUI and then charge drinks, ice creams, lunch etc to our room and pay at the end so basically AI. The hotel is centred around the pools but generally the hotel had a quiet feel with lots of families clearly repeat customers.

The hotel has parking but is up the top of a step hill away from the noisier town but taxis run regularly up and down and are cheap.

There is a black sand beach with good snorkeling and a marina where lots of boats set of for excursions or there's paddle board and kayak hire.

There is a main bus terminal in town too if you decided not to drive that can take you all over the island, or TUI run excursions with pick up directly from the hotel

My parents love Playa Blanca Lanzarote. We have stayed in Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote and although it is a big resort it doesn't feel huge and has a lovely long, flat promenade along the beach. Be careful where you book as some hotels that aren't right on the beach are on a steep hill.
You might be better in a smaller hotel on the beachfront but in an apartment style room with a kitchenette and self catering so you can sort your own breakfast and lunch and then have plenty of restaurants in walking distance for dinner.
You will be able to book assistance through the airport and accessible transfers to the hotel if you go with jet2 or similar.

Don't forget about travel insurance op. It can be prohibitively expensive for the elderly, especially with pre-existing conditions, especially if you want them included.

Thanks all - great suggestions especially re travel insurance- not sure when they last travelled so insurance may be tricky

What about Madeira? Jet2 go there. It is a very popular island for elderly Britons so you find hotels are used to dealing with them.

If he can't cope with a breakfast buffet just explain to the hotel and I'm sure they will be happy to let you take a selection up to the room.

Canaries are just wonderful - only really started going there in the last 10 years Playa Blanca in Lanzarote is a good choice as is Puerto Mogan, Gran Canaria. Easy direct flights (lots of choice) and manageable transfers.
Also it's reassuring to know that they are really well geared up for older visitors and there's good healthcare. They should remember to bring their GHIC cards with them so that they can access free/low cost healthcare in resort in the unfortunate event that they need it.

I'm another suggesting Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen is way too busy for this oldie. I used to holiday there in the 80s but switched to Playa Blanca after a few years. We always rent a villa, of which there are hundreds to choose from on Airbnb or Booking.com, many have their own pool. There are also hotels right on the front which look very nice but I've never stayed in them.
Lovely walks along the prom, plenty of bars and some shops for mooching. The drive from the airport is very straightforward and parking in the resort is pretty easy.

Sorry reallywhywouldyou, no idea how the quote has appeared in my message above.

I recommend you price that up before you start and be sure to take out insurance as soon as you book. Mine covers multiple health conditions and cost me £450 for annual cover.

Just to give a very rough ballpark, we took my then 80+ year old dad with mixed dementia and multiple physical ailments to souther Europe for a week and were about £250 for insurance. We didn’t need to claim but it was worth every penny for what we all got out of the trip

I was going to suggest Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria, already mentioned. It’s lovely, very pretty, a beach, harbour and lots of little shops.

I'd suggest Puerto de Mogan or Costa teguise. Both smallish resorts and direct flights from Belfast.

Thanks all great suggestions