Somewhere interesting but good for poor mobility

[Z0rr0]

We're looking at going on holiday next year with my kids (21 & 17) and parents (late 70s early 80s). My dad has some mobility issues. He can walk but is a little unsteady. He walks slowly and would struggle to do more than a mile. He is often in discomfort. So I'm looking for recommendations for somewhere we could go that will be interesting for all of us but is easy to get around.
He can drive, I can drive.
We don't do hotels (usually) or resorts. Prefer our own space, don't like loads of other tourists around us or organised 'fun'.
We like beaches but my parents and my younger daughter don't like very hot. Mid to high 20s would be enough.
We like nice food, pretty views, interesting buildings. Some of us enjoy museums and art galley type places. Dad not a fan, plus walking.
So I'm wondering if there's a place where we could stay in a villa but be close to some interesting towns which we could maybe drive to, do a little walking and then one of us can sit in a cafe with Dad while the rest check out the shops or the streets or a museum.
Does this sound like anywhere anyone has been and enjoyed? Would love your ideas and recommendations.
Would have to be in school holidays so Easter or mid July+.
Thank you!

try look in france and have a look to se if there are any mobility scooter rentals in the area your booking. Some will drop the scooter off and pick it up ,really helps the more elderly members of a family have a good time on holiday

france tends to be slighter warmer but not to warm depends the time of year and theres some lovely things to see

Begur. Nice hill top villas, the town itself is lovely with good restaurants. Small sandy coves nearby, plenty of beautiful days trips and the Dali museum in Figueres.

How about a cruise?

Thank you. But did you read the bit where we don't like hotels, organised fun or being around other tourists? Lol. Literally my worst idea of a holiday. Sorry. Also they are the least sustainable way to holiday for loads of reasons. climbs off high horse

Ooh! 👀
Thank you. Will have a look.

Okay, so at first you may think god no. Brits abroad. But I know that Benalmadena is very popular with older tourists due to the fact it is flat, and has a really good bus service if you wanna get out and about.

The old town looks beautiful. You can go on a boat trip perhaps? There is Colomares Castle.

You can visit Mijas. You can even do organised trips to Ronda or Gibraltar. Really reasonably priced. About £30 each.

Take a look. It may well be a good option for you.

Madeira is also very popular with older tourists.

We went last year with our kids though. And we enjoyed it. It's different. A bit more off the beaten track. Let me know if you want any more information about Madeira. It would suit your dislike for extreme temperature too.

It’s peak season so everywhere will be busy. Budget is key here. Remember you do not have to take part in organised fun when in hotels or on ships, when mobility is an issue cruises are particularly good that’s why it was suggested (flat and lots of lifts). Villas can be tricky for mobility issues and car rental is difficult over 75 my parents found. I’d suggest Normandy maybe and take your own car(s) on the overnight ferry. Lots of museum options, history, excellent food

Thanks! I'll check it out. We have stayed on the coast south of Seville before, not far from Cadiz and enjoyed it. Didn't much enjoy Gibraltar tbh but will def check out the area.

This is true. And yes, take the point re: hotels. None of us would enjoy a cruise I don't think. We're antisocial feckers.
Yes I think they have also had some car rental issues. Possibly we could manage with one car that I drive or like someone said buses or cabs. Recently we managed a holiday just with local drivers and it was fine and not expensive. Will have a look at Normandy and maybe some other coastal parts of France. Thank you!

Madeira is really steep and hilly, I don't think I'd recommend it for people with mobility problems!

Oh! Lol! Ok, maybe not then!

i tend to do this kind of holiday in the UK which means the weather is not guaranteed but…

we’ve been to Scotland (stayed in Callander and visited Stirling castle, (accesible in a wheelchair), walked to a Roman fort there, nice shops and cafes in Callander itself. I swam in a couple of lochs (water temp about 15).

have also done Alnwick - the gardens are VERY accessible and have a good cafe. The castle less so but bits of it still are. Alnwick itself has a good second hand bookshop. You’re also driving distance to Bamburgh castle, Washington wildlife and wetlands centre and Beamish open air museum plus plenty of beaches, also holy island.

our next venture is likely to be bath - not flat, but wheelchair will help and has Roman baths, Jane Austen museum, American museum. Also driving distance to Bristol with various things there and the Cotswolds.

I visit Kos once a year. I stay in Mastichari, a nice small and flat resort town that is very Greek but has "enough" tourism to provide for everything you could want from souvenirs to everyday shopping. It has a harbour with daily walk on ferries to Kalymnos (car ferry too) and a few day trips. There is a small local tour operator can arrange day trips both by sea and on land. Their bread baking day in a traditional oven is to die for! Car hire is reasonable and easy. The beach there is "managed" by local tavernas - for a nominal fee you can hire lovely luxury sun beds, you have waiter service, and for me the great advantage is that they have placed a lot of wooden walkways down for those of us who struggle with walking on sand.

I then also hire a mobility scooter on the island - there's a local company that provide them and deliver / pick up.

There's a little bit of everything for everyone on Kos. Probably give Kardamena a miss (it's my idea of hell, and it sounds like it might be yours too), but you have archaeology, natural parks (one has gorgeous wild peacocks that are so tame), vineyards (fantastic wine tasting), mountain villages, old churches.

If you are interestred I can send you lots of links about places that I go / use that are disabled friendly. If I can manage them (67 and disabled) then your dad will too.

Madeira is steep and hilly. But not in Funchal.

Madeira has “canals” along the hills with completely flat footpaths allowing walking with views for those who struggle with mobility

https://madeira.best/guide/activities/land/levada-walks-in-madeira-island

I'd look at Charente or Dordogne area of France. We holiday in that region a lot. Can fly to a few airports - Limoges, Bergerac, brive even Bordeaux etc. Or a fairly easy drive though could be broken up with a stop somewhere. Plenty of lakes and interesting towns. Green and lush countryside. Look at Sarlat, Rocamadour, Rochechouart, Anguloueme, Perigeux, Brantome. Could head o the coast - Dune Pila, Ile de re etc. Temps wise it did hit 40 this year but that's unusual - mid 20s - 30s are more usual.

I'd consider the Netherlands. Lots of interesting and pretty towns and cities, beaches, culture, and flat. Not too hot either. You can rent nice holiday homes there too.

Maybe Palma? Compact city with a beautiful cathedral, art galleries, great shopping, atmospheric old town, lots of squares with cafes for your Dad, plus a flat promenade for walks if he can manage it. Could stay in a villa just outside of the city and drive in. Would be hot in July, but gorgeous at Easter

Aww this sounds so lovely. I do love a Greek island. Thank you so much.

I did wonder about Palma. I love Mallorca. We've been there a few times but more to the Pollenca end. Thank you.

Have a look at Normandy. My DP is a good bit less mobile than me (we are older now) and he found that area fabulous. Not too hot (a bit of rain one day in fact but we coped!) that was in September last year.

Plenty of places to see and some lovely beaches including of course the Normandy Landings aspect which is just so interesting and moving. Very easy to get around and some absolutely gorgeous towns and villages (with cider tastings and lovely cheeses too!) Bayeux for the tapestry although I think that's in UK for a while at the moment).

You could take the ferry to Cherbourg like we did and drive around from there, or base yourself somewhere central (we stayed in a gorgeous seafront apartment in Grandcamp Maisy). In a week we went to Caen (and the Pegasus Bridge), the landing beaches, the cemeteries, Mont St. Michel, Bayeux, and Deauville. Great time had by all. Easy to get around mostly flat and when Mr. wuminty got tired he sat at one of the many cafes while I went off to do my thing.

Austrian lake, like Zell am See, from where you can take train to Salzburg or cablecars to restaurants, hikes etc but level accessible paths round the lake and waterbased activities.

The Madeira footpaths are not suitable for those with mobility issues. I am there at the moment with my son who uses a wheelchair. We have tried the “access to all” paths and while they were just about doable, they were very hard work. It’s also very hilly. So my very fit son can manage as he can assist wheeling up hills. My less fit but can walk a mile ish father would have no chance.