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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

90 yr old mum/ mini break

31 replies

Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 08:58

Mum is pretty active for a 90 yr old so can walk a fair distance but needs to sit down periodically before setting off again.
I’d Like to treat her to a short break,UK or abroad.

She likes nice scenery with a small walk ( an hour max)cafes, beaches and a good hotel. She loves mountain views but not able to climb a whole mountain now but could manage a short climb on smooth ish terrain.
I had thought Madeira but I’m not sure if it’s too challenging as I’ve never been.

Any ideas or recommendations appreciated !

OP posts:
Forgottenmyphone · 14/10/2024 10:31

What time of year? And how is she with the heat?

Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 11:14

Forgottenmyphone · 14/10/2024 10:31

What time of year? And how is she with the heat?

She’ll be ok up to about 25 degrees.
Thinking between now and March.

OP posts:
helpfulperson · 14/10/2024 11:16

Madeira is probably perfect and very used to elderly British. Only issue possibly is 4 hour flight.

Forgottenmyphone · 14/10/2024 11:34

Considering the time of year, then yes Madeira would be your best option. It will be pleasant enough for walking and sitting outside cafes.

Opally · 14/10/2024 16:13

It's so great that Mum is active and willing to travel! Best wishes to your family!

IggyAce · 14/10/2024 16:21

Ive been to Madeira I early November and it was warm but not too hot. They are very used to the elderly wintering on the island.
We got a bus upto the botanical gardens which were beautiful, however it is a little cooler up there so take a jacket.

Bjorkdidit · 14/10/2024 16:22

Check how much travel insurance costs for a 90 YO.

The Isle of Man might suit as an alternative to 'abroad' or UK. You can go up the mountain on a train and on a clear day see as far as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There's also a few beaches, castles, a steam railway and scenic countryside (glens). There's a reciprocal health arrangement with the UK and you can travel by ferry as well as flying there.

BishyBarnyBee · 14/10/2024 16:23

Maybe not the right time of year for you, but I took a disabled friend for a couple of nights in Llandudno and we had an excellent time. Pottered about in the town, checked out the museum, did a bit of charity shopping, nice cafes, fish and chip tea. But the highlight was the cable car up the cliffs, which made it possible for her to walk in what felt like mountainous country for the first time in many years. It was totally lovely and very special.

sangriaandsunshine · 14/10/2024 18:36

Do you want to be based in a city and spend the whole time there or could you hire a car and take her on outings?
How long are you looking to go away for? Would you want to be "busy" the entire time or would she be happy to alternate active days with a day by the pool or on a sun terrace?
Does she like are galleries and museums or does she prefer to be outdoors?
How stable is she? Would lots of cobbled streets be a challenge?

Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 19:53

BishyBarnyBee · 14/10/2024 16:23

Maybe not the right time of year for you, but I took a disabled friend for a couple of nights in Llandudno and we had an excellent time. Pottered about in the town, checked out the museum, did a bit of charity shopping, nice cafes, fish and chip tea. But the highlight was the cable car up the cliffs, which made it possible for her to walk in what felt like mountainous country for the first time in many years. It was totally lovely and very special.

Thank you it sounds lovely
An option for summer perhaps !

OP posts:
menopausalmare · 14/10/2024 19:57

My parents loved Sinah Warren at Hayling Island.

Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 19:57

Bjorkdidit · 14/10/2024 16:22

Check how much travel insurance costs for a 90 YO.

The Isle of Man might suit as an alternative to 'abroad' or UK. You can go up the mountain on a train and on a clear day see as far as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There's also a few beaches, castles, a steam railway and scenic countryside (glens). There's a reciprocal health arrangement with the UK and you can travel by ferry as well as flying there.

That does sound lovely too
Maybe another one for summer though as we’re on west coast of Scotland and it rains a lot here.
Weve checked out insurance. We went to Greece earlier this year. Insurancewith was very reasonable and a third of the cost of other insurers. Just a heads up for anyone with medical conditions/ elderly !😊

OP posts:
Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 20:02

sangriaandsunshine · 14/10/2024 18:36

Do you want to be based in a city and spend the whole time there or could you hire a car and take her on outings?
How long are you looking to go away for? Would you want to be "busy" the entire time or would she be happy to alternate active days with a day by the pool or on a sun terrace?
Does she like are galleries and museums or does she prefer to be outdoors?
How stable is she? Would lots of cobbled streets be a challenge?

Not looking for a city break as such but a small town or not very touristy resort would be ok. Would consider hiring a car if I didn’t have to drive through a busy city. Would like to go for 5-7 days. Perhaps Airbnb.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 20:05

menopausalmare · 14/10/2024 19:57

My parents loved Sinah Warren at Hayling Island.

Thank you
worth considering as another uk option with no flights.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 20:06

Opally · 14/10/2024 16:13

It's so great that Mum is active and willing to travel! Best wishes to your family!

Thank you :)

OP posts:
InternationalWoman0fMystery · 14/10/2024 21:34

Well done to your mum for staying so fit, and to you for organising jaunts! Similar story with an elderly relative although we’ve avoided airports as they can involve an unexpected amount of hoofing and standing as well as uncomfortable waits if delayed. So, some UK options we’ve enjoyed:

  • Rugged Wales: staying in Llanberis for a Snowdon walk - took the train up then got off halfway down and walked the rest (with trekking poies) grabbing a taxi when we hit the road. Good easy strolls in the forest around Betws-y-Coed and shopping options there too.
  • Sandy Wales: stayed in Amroth which has a tidal sandy beach for great walks - at low tide you can walk 4 miles across to the next village (Saundersfoot) and taxi back, with nearby Tenby for shopping / dining.
  • The Welsh Llyn peninsula is stunning, we stayed in Abersoch, but it really needs short car journeys to get to the smoother spots (lots of small hills around) and some beaches like Hells Mouth / Porth Neigwl were hard going for older legs with larger stones at the start rather than sand. But the views across to Snowdonia from the coast across Cardigan Bay are special - looking at you Llanbedrog, especially with its great beach cafe.
  • Norfolk: stayed in Mundesley another great tidal sandy beach and lovely little town with good flat beach walks in neighbouring towns along the coast.
  • Search online too for 'miles without stiles' - some are quite long and in really beautiful places / National Parks minus the stress of finding poorly maintained stiles with SAS-level balancing challenges right at the end.

Oh and just in case walks run longer than expected, I always carry energy bars plus a v lightweight camping chair (Helinox) that folds up small and is easily slung in a bag and whipped out if no benches are around.

LadyLapsang · 14/10/2024 22:13

I recommend Quinta da Casa Branca in Funchal. Good food, absolutely beautiful gardens and well designed. There was a wheelchair user while we were there who was getting about easily. A friend took her terminally ill parent there and they hired a sports car for great drives with the wind in their hair. Also the opportunity to join sightseeing trips.

Rocknrollstar · 14/10/2024 22:40

Bjorkdidit · 14/10/2024 16:22

Check how much travel insurance costs for a 90 YO.

The Isle of Man might suit as an alternative to 'abroad' or UK. You can go up the mountain on a train and on a clear day see as far as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There's also a few beaches, castles, a steam railway and scenic countryside (glens). There's a reciprocal health arrangement with the UK and you can travel by ferry as well as flying there.

Please note you need travel insurance for the Isle of Man. I looked it up because we wanted to go and DH can’t get insurance.

MollyButton · 14/10/2024 22:43

My Mum's cousin is in Tanzania at present, she is 89.
Madeira is lovely btw. If you Mum is up for going then go.

Travellingraspberry · 14/10/2024 22:50

How about Gibraltar as another option? Very easy to get around by bus and taxi with a lot of it walkable. Some nice hotels or Airbnbs. You've got the rock and historic sites, beaches etc. Advantage of the airport being right there so no long transfers that end.

Original poster
Mookthecat · 14/10/2024 23:31

Thanks so much to you all for taking the time to reply. Some wonderful ideas and places you’ve all suggested. We want to try them all ! This will keep us going for some time. Great ideas for uk and abroad. Will have a think and decide for this winter.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mookthecat · 15/10/2024 09:51

LadyLapsang · 14/10/2024 22:13

I recommend Quinta da Casa Branca in Funchal. Good food, absolutely beautiful gardens and well designed. There was a wheelchair user while we were there who was getting about easily. A friend took her terminally ill parent there and they hired a sports car for great drives with the wind in their hair. Also the opportunity to join sightseeing trips.

This sounds amazing. Will probably do this including the sports car ! 😊

OP posts:
SingingSands · 15/10/2024 10:15

This might go down like a ton of bricks but hear me out: Benidorm.

It's not a long flight, easy airport transfers, lovely old town, fantastic flat prom to walk for literally miles and plenty of cafes to stop at.

We went last year for a weekend in November and I had to admit I had the wrong perception. Weather was lovely, it was fab to be walking about in T-shirts at the end of Nov. We stayed at a lovely hotel called H10 Porto Poniente right opposite the beach and next to the old town. We are going back again at the end of Nov this year.

Original poster
Mookthecat · 15/10/2024 11:59

SingingSands · 15/10/2024 10:15

This might go down like a ton of bricks but hear me out: Benidorm.

It's not a long flight, easy airport transfers, lovely old town, fantastic flat prom to walk for literally miles and plenty of cafes to stop at.

We went last year for a weekend in November and I had to admit I had the wrong perception. Weather was lovely, it was fab to be walking about in T-shirts at the end of Nov. We stayed at a lovely hotel called H10 Porto Poniente right opposite the beach and next to the old town. We are going back again at the end of Nov this year.

Thank you
No it won’t go down like a ton of bricks

Im grateful for people’s perceptions because we all too often are given the image of a tourist trap and there is always more to it for those who are willing to make the effort to experience the local
culture.

The short flight is definitely a plus with a 90 year old !
I’m still set on the sports car hire. Mum would love that.
It depends on the temp in Benidorm in December ( decided we’ll go early December) Il do a Google.

OP posts:
SingingSands · 15/10/2024 14:23

The sports car does sound fab 😃
You both need to get some silk scarves for your hair and a pair of oversized glamorous sunglasses and you'll look like movie stars!