Italy with 78 year old w/ walking trouble

[Anonymous]

15:40 again. And even just the flight ... the flight might be miserable for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dh wants me to take his mom on a trip to Italy before the end of the year. I know it's late planning this but I always plan trips last minute and it always works out fine. I've never been to Italy (but I've traveled elsewhere in Europe) and she has never been out of the USA before. My husband has spent tons of time in Italy for work in the mid-2000s and would like to have his mom go to the main touristy sites of Rome, Venice, and maybe another city. She has knee problems and can't walk for long periods of time. He seems to think she can do this but I don't. I think of Rome or any european city and I immediately think "lots of walking!" I also worry about her tripping and falling on the cobblestones. She also doesn't like stairs. This just seems like it would be too much for her. He counters with, "well, how to all these other retirees get around Europe?" (River cruises or they're just in better shape, I say).

And I know y'all will ask - why isn't he going? He doesn't have any PTO left, and I have 3 weeks I need to burn by 12/31 or I lose it. I have one week accounted for, so this trip could be two weeks if needed. I've taken her on trips but it's always been usa road trips to national parks with the overlooks right in the parking lot, ya know?

Thoughts ? Or any other ideas on where I could take her? Like I mentioned, we've done all of the National Park stuff out west. I thought about Iceland as I've been there before and that's an easy road trip place, however, I went in summer. November or December weather there can be a beast.

I would not take her to Italy unless your dh was coming. Why do you have to take mil? I would go by myself!

[Anonymous]

Luxury river cruises cater to the elderly and have special activities for people with mobility issues. Or, if you have a lot of money, private drivers and golf cart tours allow you to see things without having to walk everywhere.

[Anonymous]

She will need to fly first class. It’s doubtful an elderly person who has never flown overnight can handle an economy seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She will need to fly first class. It’s doubtful an elderly person who has never flown overnight can handle an economy seat.

This. I would only do this trip if you can afford to spend a lot. Luxury river cruise will be perfect and a lot of people on her age group. If you are really set on Italy stay in hotels with elevators (which isn’t hard to find if you stick to chains). Also golf cart tours are a big thing now and will help with mobility issues. Lots of taxis/ubers. Pack your patience and throw money at the problem!

[Anonymous]

I think I would come down with a big project at work and be unable to get away.

[Anonymous]

what the actual f***?????

he wants YOU to take his mom on a trip WITHOUT him?

a really hard trip for an old person who has never travelled before???

just say no.

your instincts are spot on. I mean you could make it happen but why can't HE?

that said if you want to do it, research some sort of tour for old people maybe?

and be prepared to take cars and Ubers everywhere

there are likely more disabled accessible cities than Rome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Venice

Stay here. https://www.capisanihotel.it/it/

Both my parents had limited walking. My sister got married in Italy and wanted my parents to come.

This place is not on the water it is 1 block away. There are 2-3 steps to enter the hotel. The hotel has an elevator and also has good restaurant on site.

If your mother can walk 1/2 block to the vaporetto she can ride around on the vaporetto and take short stops off of the vaporetto. My parents rode all over Venice on the Vaporetto.

My parents were both happy they went.

+1. You just have to have realistic expectations about what you're going to do. This isn't going to be a "see everything in the guidebook" tour. I personally prefer trips where we soak up atmosphere more than running around on a timetable, myself. In fact, my college age DC, who has been all over the world, recently mentioned that our trip to Montreal last summer was his favorite trip because we just hung out and didn't try to see everything. I'm going to take that into consideration for my future trip planning. If you're both in the right spirit, it could be a lovely time hanging out in Venice and/or Rome with your MIL.

[Anonymous]

I was in Venice this year. I did not realize before going that it is really a series of islands, connected by small bridges. Must of those have 3-8 stairs up and 3-8 stairs down. I am in my 60’s and the many unexpected stairs put me off walking to my nearby hotel. (I am an active senior, who was touring Italy alone.)

She might enjoy a tour by gondola , but even that entails getting into a low, unstable boat.

I did run into a couple (somewhere else in Italy) who were doing a wine tasting tour BY GOLF CART! If you can find something like that…perhaps it would work for your mom.

Good luck (on the trip…and when you are old yourself. That husband sounds selfish and non-empathetic!)

[Anonymous]

I found these for La you (but can’t vouch for them):

https://www.eatingeurope.com/rome/night-tour-golf-cart-drinks-bites/

https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/VIP-Rome-Golf-Cart-Food-Tour/d511-5553P10Or

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187895-d7788081-r732345409-Best_Tuscany_Tours-Florence_Tuscany.html

https://www.getyourguide.com/s?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=6654173973&cq_con=76427540862&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=6654173973&adgroup_id=76427540862&target_id=dsa-84666501466&loc_physical_ms=9007781&match_type=&ad_id=707385046302&keyword=&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=m&partner_id=CD951&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmzJCNUsjj70T_b-_dnVsz1yB2jQ&q=Florence&et=48659

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in Venice this year. I did not realize before going that it is really a series of islands, connected by small bridges. Must of those have 3-8 stairs up and 3-8 stairs down. I am in my 60’s and the many unexpected stairs put me off walking to my nearby hotel. (I am an active senior, who was touring Italy alone.)

She might enjoy a tour by gondola , but even that entails getting into a low, unstable boat.

I did run into a couple (somewhere else in Italy) who were doing a wine tasting tour BY GOLF CART! If you can find something like that…perhaps it would work for your mom.

Good luck (on the trip…and when you are old yourself. That husband sounds selfish and non-empathetic!)

When I went to Italy in November twenty years ago, it was basically flooded and we had to walk around in boots on wooden planks. Venic in November is not a good idea for a knee pain ridden 78 year old.

[Anonymous]

She's never been out of the US before--does she even have a passport?

I agree that this sounds like a bad idea, OP. Are their national parks you and MIL have not been to yet, that would be accessible in November-December? Or places in Arizona or Southern California she wants to see? Maybe a relaxing hang out in the Florida Keys?

[Anonymous]

if she can't walk DO NOT DO VENICE! venice has A LOT of stairs! every time there is a "street" (a canal) you have to take steps to get over it. all their "streets" are canals!

[Anonymous]

We took an older relative with limited mobility to London. We did the hop on hop off tourist bus tour, and took cabs anywhere that didn't go. Very little walking required. The most walking we did was in museums.

[Anonymous]

I think of all the narrow stairs, uneven pavement or stones and tricky footing in Europe. There are some decent suggestions here but good luck. You are going to need it.