I've been to Italy twice in the past year - Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, and Positano. My 76-year-old mom was on the first trip and did well but she doesn't have the mobility issues OP describes.

Italy (and most of Europe) requires a lot of walking and many, many steps to see anything. Roads and sidewalks are uneven and can be crowded even in the off-season. Plus, as many PPs have noted, the flight is exhausting if you're not in first class/business class. If OP is wealthy, it might be possible to make this trip happen with private tours and such, but otherwise I would pass.

If you do go, OP, stick to Rome and maybe Florence.

Anonymous wrote:It's not doable at all. Venice has 0 cars you must walk on uneven roads everywhere. Rome has very little ability to take a car. Not to mention hotels with no elevators. I have parents with limited mobility and would never dream of taking them to Italy.

Took my 67-yo mom to Italy last year. She is not in good shape. I have the complete opposite take.

We took Uber all around Rome. Literally everywhere. Drivers were great. They knew the city like the back of their hands. Not afraid to wind down alleys or narrow streets. Got my mom to all of the sites comfortably. Sure, it is going to cost you. But we figured that in. When my mom retired early (most nights), that is when the rest of us went out and walked all over the city at night.

Venus is entirely paved and I would not call it bumpy. It’s pretty smooth actually. Yes, there are the little bridges everywhere. That would take maybe a little scouting on your part? But even those are only 3 or 4 steps. I think for a once in a lifetime trip for an older person, Venice is 100% doable if you tailor your schedule and slow down the pace.

Florence is another matter. Very hard to get a taxi. No Ubers are allowed in the city. Fewer elevators than Rome.
We ran into a few issues getting my mom places in Florence.

HTH

https://www.uniworld.com/us/river-cruise/italy/venice-and-the-jewels-of-veneto/2024-venice-to-venice

A cruise-tuber I follow recently did this one (I think). They have private access to all the touristy stuff. Seems really nice.

One or both of you will have a bad time! My husband who is 71 has a leg disability that is fine day to day but European cities have become a real challenge. Cobblestone roads and sidewalks, hills, stairs etc really wear him down. Our favorite trips now are having a car and touring the countryside such as Tuscany. We can stop and park in small villages and take short walks, rest in cafes and just take it slow. We take a nice easy pace and we have a great time. He enjoys driving and with GPS we can really get off the beaten path and make it an adventure. We’ve done these trips to Tuscany, Provence, New Zealand and Ireland. Next year, Switzerland. I do make sure the hotel bathrooms have a walk in shower along with an elevator. We tried a cruise once but we didn’t like it because being on a walking group excursion bored him and wore him out.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve found a tour that claims Venice, Mantua, Milan, and Lake Como.

Only Venice to Mantua is on a boat.

All of those cities require walking, though. All the cities around Lake Como, the streets usually slope up significantly as you move away from the water and many are cobbled.

It's not doable at all. Venice has 0 cars you must walk on uneven roads everywhere. Rome has very little ability to take a car. Not to mention hotels with no elevators. I have parents with limited mobility and would never dream of taking them to Italy.

I’ve found a tour that claims Venice, Mantua, Milan, and Lake Como.

Only Venice to Mantua is on a boat.

This is utterly bonkers. It's late to book all this, sending one person who's not immediate family with a 78 year old who might need some care. This sudden impulsive demand that you take a woman who's never been abroad before to Italy all by yourself? Does she even have a passport? Does she even want to go?

Bonkers.

Please help me to understand what River Cruise starts and ends in Venice.

I would recommend finding a tour company specializing in working with seniors with limited mobility.

Anonymous wrote:Off season is best. You and she will not need to negotiate the crowds.

Whoever you land, stay there a day or two to let her get adjusted. Probably Rome.

Plan on taxis. She might be most comfortable in “American” hotels such as Marriott’s properties.

Stay in the center of the town/city so that even if she isn’t up to lots of walking, there will be nearby restaurants/cafes where she can enjoy the people watching and the architecture.

Even in the northern cities, outdoor cafes operate in the winter.

Rome: stay between the Pantheon and Spanish Steps. Take a taxi/tour of Vatican and Coliseum.

Florence: Stay between Mercato Centrale and the Duomo.

Venice: this is the hard one. Stay near Piazza San Marco? From the train station take a water taxi to the hotel. Don’t plan on visiting a lot of sites.

To do more or to go into the countryside, get a driver or a tour guide.

There aren’t really river tours in Italy. Cruise ships visit the coast and then the bus trips are inland.

There’s a luxury river cruise that starts and ends in Venice.

Try a golf cart tour in Rome. I have a friend who did this and she said it worked out really well - they had the same guide for a few days. My friend said they took her anywhere they wanted to go. They might have them in other Italian cities too. Also I really like my MIL and would def go on a trip with her by myself.

*Wherever*

Off season is best. You and she will not need to negotiate the crowds.

Whoever you land, stay there a day or two to let her get adjusted. Probably Rome.

Plan on taxis. She might be most comfortable in “American” hotels such as Marriott’s properties.

Stay in the center of the town/city so that even if she isn’t up to lots of walking, there will be nearby restaurants/cafes where she can enjoy the people watching and the architecture.

Even in the northern cities, outdoor cafes operate in the winter.

Rome: stay between the Pantheon and Spanish Steps. Take a taxi/tour of Vatican and Coliseum.

Florence: Stay between Mercato Centrale and the Duomo.

Venice: this is the hard one. Stay near Piazza San Marco? From the train station take a water taxi to the hotel. Don’t plan on visiting a lot of sites.

To do more or to go into the countryside, get a driver or a tour guide.

There aren’t really river tours in Italy. Cruise ships visit the coast and then the bus trips are inland.

DH isn’t even going? lol - hard pass.