maragold

My father and I have been traveling together essentially my entire life. We've been to a dozen countries and dozens of US states and territories together. It's breathtaking, the list of experiences we have had together: the Alps, Poland, Paris, Prague, Tuscany, Vienna, Sicily... I'm a lucky person.

My father is getting older and has agreed to my pleas for one last European hurrah together next summer (along with my mother and my husband). I'm thrilled, but I want to be realistic when planning. I just don't have any idea what his health will be like 8 months for now. Climbing stairs is already very difficult for him. The idea of trekking up the hill of Montmartre to get my portrait drawn by a random street artist (one of my past favorite experiences in all of Europe) no longer sounds sublime--it sounds like torture, physically and emotionally.

In the past, we would plan insane itineraries down to the wire. There was so much to pack in! But, the reality is that we've done so, so many of the "classic" experiences already. Checked off my list: Big Ben, London Bridge, Stratford upon Avon, the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, Tuscany, Florence, the Vatican... I could go on.

For this trip, I'm not looking to see the sights. I'm looking to spend time my father. I want to soak it all in, savor it, just sit in a square with a cup of coffee and not rush and enjoy how good it all feels.

With all of this said, what are your favorite European experiences with less walking involved? Country drives? Cities where public transportation is better than walking? Art museums where wheelchair access is easy instead of being on your feet/walking for hours and hours? Other ideas I haven't thought of?

My father is scuba certified and finds swimming easier than walking--it provides a certain freedom. I have always loved being on boats of any kind and am particularly interested in your best experiences in terms of dinner cruises/river cruises/fishing/time on private boats!

The trip is totally nebulous at this point. If someone suggests a fantastic idea, I'd be willing to plan the whole trip around it. But, if not, we're thinking of Belgium, a place I've never been to before, and France, a language we both speak without too much extra studying needed.

Thank you in advance for any ideas! I just know the Fodors Family will help me point me in the direction of something magical.

Kathie

How about a river cruise? He could watch the countryside and cities go by, and could choose which towns to get off the ship, which to stay on. This would give him and all of you flexibility to adapt each day to what he can cannot do.

maragold

Hi Kathie! Unfortunately I guess I failed to mention that my husband is claustrophobic, and I'm not sure how successful I'll be at talking him into sleeping on a boat. I'm more so looking for single-event boat cruises, like a dinner cruise or something similar as opposed to a multi-night boat cruise.

WoinParis

A city where I have seen a lot of wheelchairs is Amsterdam. It is flat and well organized for it.

Belgium as a whole is not that wheelchair friendly. I would recommend somewhere close to the seaside or a lake and resonably flat.

This being said, we made a fantastic trip in Rome with someone in a wheelchair. Not easy and I got my muscles beefed up pushing it but worth it...

And I'm sorry I can't help about cruises of any kind, not my cup of tea, so no experience there.

janisj

I'd consider a countryside based stay -- just one example: Rent a cottage in the Cotswolds in a market town or large village -- lots of space in a house, stuff to see/do in the village (pubs, ancient church, local museum, shops) and then all kinds of day tours by car.

Say you based in someplace like Chipping Campden or Burford -- you could visit Hidecote, Snowshill, Minster Lovell, Bourton-on-the-Water, the Mount Inn in Stanton, Bibury, etc etc etc . . .

If your dad was under the weather/too tired one day -- he'd have a nice cottage and garden to relax in while others toured around. Other days he could ride in the car w/ you.

The same sort of plan could work in Provence, or the Loire, or Tuscany or other places.

janisj

cont. I really wouldn't do a city-based trip. While it might seem easier, it can be very stressful/tiring dealing w/ the public transport and long walks.

In the countryside -- you'd have a car.

menachem

A city where I have seen a lot of wheelchairs is Amsterdam. It is flat and well organized for it.

Belgium as a whole is not that wheelchair friendly. I would recommend somewhere close to the seaside or a lake and resonably flat.

This being said, we made a fantastic trip in Rome with someone in a wheelchair. Not easy and I got my muscles beefed up pushing it but worth it...

And I'm sorry I can't help about cruises of any kind, not my cup of tea, so no experience there.

---------

Having used a wheelchair extensively in Amsterdam, I can say: not so well organized.

Although museums are fully accessible, restaurants, cafes etc usually are not. And even if they are, using toilets there is a hit and miss affair. Public transport (trams) are semi - accessible, depending on the tramline and the trams used. GVB have now switched entirely to trams with a mid section that has a lowered floor and (in theory) a level entrance, but it depends on the tramshop whether one will be able to get on in a wheelchair. The alternative is faffing about with standing, folding the thing, getting in, getting the wheelchair in, fighting for a seat.

I'm sorry I can't be more optimistic.

One city that is very well adapted to wheelchair users, because it has very extensive laws in that area is Stockholm. Metro, buses, fully accessible.

Also, Stockholm has a beautiful Archipelago: ideal for daytrips. Modern ferries are accessible too.

http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/sp...ibletravel.htm

janisj

>>A city where I have seen a lot of wheelchairs is Amsterdam. It is flat and well organized for it. <<

I'd have to agree w/ menachem. I'd think Amsterdam would be difficult. It is flat and the museums are fine access-wise. But w/ all the bridges and tram tracks and thousands of bikes whizzing by it would be stressful if I was in a wheelchair

Sassafrass

This seems completely opposite from what you are looking at, but is not opposite from what you are wanting - a Caribbean cruise, which goes not to beaches, but to islands for sightseeing. Actually, except for being in Europe, it could do exactly everything you are asking for.

Don't dismiss a boat or ship out of hand. If you did a cruise on a larger ship, and got a balcony cabin, one wall would be glass with the ocean right outside, very open feeling, so husband should be OK.

Pick the itinerary carefully, so you go to islands that are interesting to visit, but with good tourist support. On many of the islands, you can get tours that drive you all around the islands for sight seeing. A taxi can meet you right at the port or dock.

Some islands are fabulous for taking a helicopter ride - St Lucia and St Kitts are two that come to mind. That is exciting and requires no real walking.

There are many ports with interesting outdoor cafes where you could sit and enjoy ocean breezes.

You could also make sure the itinerary includes places with great diving and book a couple of dives for your Father.

If you decide to consider it, RoamsAround on the Caribbean Forum is an expert on the islands and others in the Cruise Forum could recommend ships.

Nonconformist

I think I'd suggest a hotel with lift rather than a cottage (as he has difficulty with stairs), and also more likely to have accessible bathrooms, and as he enjoys swimming one with a pool.

What about one of the Italian lakes? Nice towns with cafes to sit and watch the world go by, pretty scenery, boat trips (though better check on accessibility), sightseeing if wanted.

Gwendolynn

The Stockholm idea is a good one... and the archipelago is beautiful. Also, everyone speaks English.

Have you ever considered a crossing on the QM2? A very comfortable way to travel. And the ship is so large I doubt it would bother a claustrophobic... especially if you have a cabin with a balcony.

Underhill

Take a European river cruise. Very relaxing, the crews speak English, and just sitting and watching the scenery is a treat.

janisj

>>I think I'd suggest a hotel with lift rather than a cottage (as he has difficulty with stairs)<<

I've only ever stayed in two cottages that didn't have at least some bedrooms on the ground floor. And it is easy enough to search for places w/ accessible baths - or ground floor accommodations - or walk out gardens - or whatever.

There are hundreds of self catering cottages in the Cotswolds (and in places like Cornwall or Yorkshire or wherever). Of course many are old two up/two downs w/ steep narrow stairs and the only loo upstairs. . . but just as many are refurbished/modernized/purpose built with accessible accommodation. Lots of single floor bungalows . . .

Tabernash2

I think I agree with the idea of a cruise, if you can find accommodations that your DH will like.

Or a Caribbean yacht? Depending on how wheelchair bound your Dad is. But he could sit and swim easily.

One place not to go: Santorini or Athens. We were just there, and I wondered how anyone in a wheelchair could get anyplace there.

Good luck. Sounds like a wonderful idea.

hetismij2

A river cruise, perhaps the Douro in Portugal, or or even a trip on Hurtigruten. You spend most of your day away from your cabin, on deck or in a viewing lounge, or on an excursion.
I am claustrophbic too but I coped with an outside cabin on Hurtigruten. The first time in a tiny cabin alone the other two times with my DH is a larger cabin.
Every trip I made there was a least one person confined to a wheel chair - so not able to walk at all. The newer ships would be better suited for you, but try not to go for the really big ones - you would lose some of what makes Hurtigruten so special imho.

If you could find a cottage/gite that was suitable then that would be a great way to spend your time too.

Sassafrass

Tavernash, exactly.
I tried to think of any way to do a Med cruise that would work, but so many interesting or beautiful places just are not wheelchair friendly. They could get taxi tours on some Greek islands, but would not be able to visit any great archeological sites I could think of.

If they choose a nice ship, and her Father isn't up to doing much, they would still have nice views and breezes all day, in the Caribbean, plus some interesting activities onboard the ship. They could rent a car and explore at leisure themselves. They could also easily get a day tour by boat almost every day from any island. Maybe the OP has "been there, done that" in the Caribbean. If not, it could be a really unique experience for them. Several good dive spots. Friends with us did dives in Belize. Beach days at places with lovely pools are great in Cosumel. We did a helicopter ride last time in St Kitts. It was such fun, I want to do one on St Lucia. Lunch at Ottley's Plantation, St Kitts, would be lovely. So many good choices.

Even better, they would not have to wait for Summer. Winter is great in the Caribbean.

janisj

I'd think a cruise would be best as well -- but the OP seems to have put the kibosh on that idea early on.

julies

Have you thought about a place like Brittany where there are tons of interesting old small towns you could visit by car? You're close to the sea for perhaps some boat trips. There are tons of rental gites some of which should certainly suit you. It was just a thought.

Another thought is perhaps Germany somewhere along the rivers (Passau just cam to mind because it is at the confluence of three rivers). You could take a nice day or afternoon cruise and also get so see some lovely towns if you had a rental place.

Another thing I would take into account when planning is the weather. Some places in Europe can be very hot even in early summer, and the heat can really drain an elderly person who already is short on energy. Counting back I'm guessing you are planning to go in June or so.

julies

Another thing. I think the people who are suggesting river cruises are right on. Right now in our lives this wouldn't really be our thing, so we always tell ourselves we'll save some of these types of trips for later when we are less able to get around on our own. The other advantage to a trip of this type or a stay in a house or apartment is that the hassle of packing and unpacking all of the time is eliminated. That can take a lot out of a person too.

Sassafrass

Tabernash2, so sorry about the misspelling. It kept autocorrecting and I thought I finally forced it to be correct. Then it came up wrong - again!