Help me plan a 1st visit to Paris for my mom's 80th

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rick Steves can be very helpful for budget Europe for older people. Free travel classes and videos on line and candid advice about what to see and skip.

I would focus a lot on the accommodations piece. Make sure there's an elevator, search reviews for keywords like "mattress" since a comfy bed is so important. I might send a few emails asking about grab bars etc. Once there, consider stopping at a drugstore for a cheap non-slip bathmat. Surprisingly missing from many European hotels.

I would agree with the bath mat thing. We stayed in a boutique hotel, which had a bathroom with slippery marble floors and a bath that you needed to be an Olympic hurdler to be able to throw your leg over to get into. You might want to look at international chain hotels that offer accessible rooms and proper elevators. (I took a bathmat from Walmart with me and left it there at the end of the trip - that will be easier than trying to find an expensive one when you get there). Strangely, many French showers do not have curtains or doors and water goes everywhere.

Some small Paris hotels have elevators big enough for only one person and a bag with those strange closing grid doors like the 1920s.

The metro is not very accessible either, so you may have to rely on taxis. It makes you realize how much the Americans with Disabilities act has brought to American cities.

There may be useful information at websites like this
https://wheeltheworld.com

The Paris Metro is great for point to point commuting. It is lousy for sightseeing. Taxis let you take a ground level tour in comfort.

[Anonymous]

Paris is April and May is spectacular weather-wise. Be mindful of the national/public holidays in May, like Labor Day, WW2 Victory Day, Ascension and I can't remember what else but there are a lot.

[Anonymous]

You can rent a golf cart at Versailles and drive your mom around.

[Anonymous]

I did a 4 week Euro trip with my grandmother in 2005 when she was 75. She was pretty spry and nearly 20 years, and many fabulous trips later, I still remember that trip as one of my very best, because of the time spent with her. I was worried that she would get tired all the time, but she surprised me with her energy, which I think was fueled by her excitement. Good luck in your planning OP. It will be a trip you will cherish forever.

[Anonymous]

I would splurge on a business class flight ticket for the 80-year-old. The flight discomfort is brutal on your body.

[Anonymous]

I would make sure your hotel has a normal sized elevator. Some do and some don't.

[Anonymous]

You need to rent or buy a wheelchair for this vacation. Even if she can walk, get the chair. It’s a lifesaver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to rent or buy a wheelchair for this vacation. Even if she can walk, get the chair. It’s a lifesaver.

Another alternative, if your mom is still fairly mobile, is to get one of those combination cane/seats. Portable, easy to walk with but opens up to a seat when needed.

Second option might be to get a rollader - which is also portable and provides a seat. It's a little more unwieldy but still collapsible. Also has a storage space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to rent or buy a wheelchair for this vacation. Even if she can walk, get the chair. It’s a lifesaver.

You're insane! Why not just buy her a coffin instead of a bed?

If she can walk, she should walk. It will preserve her mobility and keep her alive longer. Just go slow and take breaks whenever she wants.

[Anonymous]

She will have crippling jet lag and need to sleep for a few days. Your plan is nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bring your own bath mat. The Eiffel Tower took 3 hours with our tickets btw. You must book in advance. Get on a Facebook Paris group and they can tell you how. Tickets sell out in 5-7 minutes.

Use a tour group for ET— much easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can rent a golf cart at Versailles and drive your mom around.

If you get there early and wait in a long line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On 2 out of my 3 trips to Paris, we’ve eaten at Jules Verne, the fancy restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. It is good for a special occasion like this, and you get to skip the line.

This restaurant is $250-$300 per person. Did you catch that there are limited funds for this?

OP, the key here is going to be the planning. Figure out the must do sites for her and sketch out your days in advance. I think you should plan on Uber-ing door to door from your hotel to the attractions to save her energy for walking around the sites themselves. Note that Paris ubers don’t allow more than three passengers typically.

Instead of eating expensive meals, I’d put any extra money into tours. A driving tour of the city, a seine cruise—things where she can see a lot while not having to walk miles. You can also book tours from Paris to Normandy.

Also, is she picky/difficult about eating? It might be good to stay in a familiar chain hotel that serves a more “American style” breakfast and has a restaurant with familiar items for lunch and dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can rent a golf cart at Versailles and drive your mom around.

l was going to suggest this too. The grounds are the best part, it would be so fun in a golf cart - l want to do it with my tween.

Another great thing for people of all ages is a Seine River cruise at sunset. I thought it would be cheesy but the city lights on the water are so pretty at night.

OP you’re so great to do this for your mom!

[Anonymous]

I think she is too old for this, OP. Especially the part where she’s doing touristy stuff in Paris? I’m sorry. I think the only thing I would do is maybe one of those Seine river cruises where you chill on the cruise and have set stops. My parents are in their 80s and there is no way they could do what you propose. I would save some money for a cruise.

If you do go, I guess get a nice hotel in Paris and pre book a cruise that takes you around Paris at night. Then hang out in Paris for a few days, no walking. Just ambiance or car/boat tours

Sorry