Italy for Elders
May 23rd, 2006, 07:13 PM
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Italy for Elders
We are meeting some mid-70's folks in Italy this summer. 4 nights in Rome. 6 nights in Castellina in Chianti.
Some have limited ability to walk. Having been to these areas before (with a youngster recovering from knee surgery), I know the terrain is tough.
Can you make suggestions of things we could do that would appeal to ages 11 to 77? and that would not involve too much walking over difficult terrain?
Thanks!
Some have limited ability to walk. Having been to these areas before (with a youngster recovering from knee surgery), I know the terrain is tough.
Can you make suggestions of things we could do that would appeal to ages 11 to 77? and that would not involve too much walking over difficult terrain?
Thanks!
May 26th, 2006, 01:55 PM
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I've seen a couple of people hop around on crutches. They were fairly young but they were hopping on and off buses and braving the uneven cobble-stoned streets.
There are also plenty of seniors and overweight people going up uneven steps or moderately-steep grades.
But I went to a tour where there was an elderly couple. The woman carried with her a portable and foldable stool, using it to sit on whenever we stopped walking. Her husband had to implore the guide to slow down so she could keep up, because we were going up some slopes.
In Rome, you don't have to walk anywhere. You can sit at a cafe and absorb the atmosphere. Maybe spend money for a private car hire to drive you around and minimize walking.
If you want to go to the Vatican or the Vatican Museums, walking a lot is pretty unavoidable, unless you want to look at a couple of things and not spend more than an hour or two walking around.
One of the nice sights is of course the Spanish Steps. They can be admired without walking up them (which is not that easy for even younger people). But there is an elevator to the side.
Like all other big European cities, Rome seems geared for walking or taking public transit (as opposed to using a car). Of course taking public transit also involves a lot of walking too, including up and down metro stations. Private drivers are supposedly skilled in zipping in and out of the major sites. You still have to walk though to the piazzas and especially the Roman Forum, which is on several different levels.
Can't speak for Chianti but they're suppose to be hilly so at least in a place like San Gimignano, again there was a lot of climbing.
There are also plenty of seniors and overweight people going up uneven steps or moderately-steep grades.
But I went to a tour where there was an elderly couple. The woman carried with her a portable and foldable stool, using it to sit on whenever we stopped walking. Her husband had to implore the guide to slow down so she could keep up, because we were going up some slopes.
In Rome, you don't have to walk anywhere. You can sit at a cafe and absorb the atmosphere. Maybe spend money for a private car hire to drive you around and minimize walking.
If you want to go to the Vatican or the Vatican Museums, walking a lot is pretty unavoidable, unless you want to look at a couple of things and not spend more than an hour or two walking around.
One of the nice sights is of course the Spanish Steps. They can be admired without walking up them (which is not that easy for even younger people). But there is an elevator to the side.
Like all other big European cities, Rome seems geared for walking or taking public transit (as opposed to using a car). Of course taking public transit also involves a lot of walking too, including up and down metro stations. Private drivers are supposedly skilled in zipping in and out of the major sites. You still have to walk though to the piazzas and especially the Roman Forum, which is on several different levels.
Can't speak for Chianti but they're suppose to be hilly so at least in a place like San Gimignano, again there was a lot of climbing.
May 26th, 2006, 05:48 PM
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Hi Travelgirl,
Wow..that's a tough one. My initial response is that you have to be in fairly good shape to do anywhere in Europe, just because of the fact that there's so much walking involved, so many things to see & do.
I was in Castellina in October and like most towns, it's hilly and has cobblestones which could be a problem for people with limited ability to walk; not to mention the inherent danger of twisting an ankle on cobblestones or uneven pavement.
Which such a diverse age group I think you need to split up the group and allow extra time for the Oldies to catch up to the rest.
Let the younger ones go on ahead and just make arrangements to meet for lunch somewhere, allowing the Oldies to meander at their own pace without the pressure of keeping up with the rest of the group.
Hope this is helpful.
Melodie
Wow..that's a tough one. My initial response is that you have to be in fairly good shape to do anywhere in Europe, just because of the fact that there's so much walking involved, so many things to see & do.
I was in Castellina in October and like most towns, it's hilly and has cobblestones which could be a problem for people with limited ability to walk; not to mention the inherent danger of twisting an ankle on cobblestones or uneven pavement.
Which such a diverse age group I think you need to split up the group and allow extra time for the Oldies to catch up to the rest.
Let the younger ones go on ahead and just make arrangements to meet for lunch somewhere, allowing the Oldies to meander at their own pace without the pressure of keeping up with the rest of the group.
Hope this is helpful.
Melodie
May 28th, 2006, 04:44 AM
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Thanks for your replies. This is going to be a challenge, I know.
I was trying to remember if there are any towns near Castellina in Chianti where you can drive to the top of the town and park. (My recollection is that we always parked at the bottom and then walked up, when we travelling without the older folks.)
I was trying to remember if there are any towns near Castellina in Chianti where you can drive to the top of the town and park. (My recollection is that we always parked at the bottom and then walked up, when we travelling without the older folks.)
May 29th, 2006, 08:24 AM
#6
I think the idea of being willing to break up into smaller groups at some points is the trick. I know that's how it works when my family does reunion trips. Within cities, I would make liberal use of taxis.
May 29th, 2006, 08:39 AM
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You can do so to visit Monteriggioni -- or you can let them off at the gate and then park (that way you'll know if there are vacant parking spots near the top...many people just park at the first "P" they see and find themselves hiking past empty spaces when they reach the top of the very steep "hill"
The town itself is tiny but pretty much all on top of the hill so there aren't steep streets.
The town itself is tiny but pretty much all on top of the hill so there aren't steep streets.
May 29th, 2006, 08:59 AM
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Being mobility limited doesn't mean having to give up on the desire to be in places like Rome and Castellina. It does mean that those individuals will be enjoying it in a different way than some of the others in your group.
Your limited walkers will want to spend more time people watching and taking in the atmosphere from sidewalk cafes and piazzas. They may prefer to see a cathedral seated, while others walk around the inside of the church.
The advice that the group plan to split up often and reconnect from time to time is good. The walker that is converted to a little seat is also a great device for someone for whom walking is a challenge. If you're with someone like this, take every occasion possible to have them sit for a moment or two. Be vigilent about looking for places for them to sit and sit and chat with them. This will help them not feel like they are dragging you down.
Everyone doesn't have to have the exact same experience. It might be better to be in Rome, in a cafe sipping a cappuccino than missing out on the experience altogether. I'm sure that the older folks won't mind the younger ones going off on their own and enjoying Italy in their own pace and fashion.
Your limited walkers will want to spend more time people watching and taking in the atmosphere from sidewalk cafes and piazzas. They may prefer to see a cathedral seated, while others walk around the inside of the church.
The advice that the group plan to split up often and reconnect from time to time is good. The walker that is converted to a little seat is also a great device for someone for whom walking is a challenge. If you're with someone like this, take every occasion possible to have them sit for a moment or two. Be vigilent about looking for places for them to sit and sit and chat with them. This will help them not feel like they are dragging you down.
Everyone doesn't have to have the exact same experience. It might be better to be in Rome, in a cafe sipping a cappuccino than missing out on the experience altogether. I'm sure that the older folks won't mind the younger ones going off on their own and enjoying Italy in their own pace and fashion.
May 29th, 2006, 10:28 AM
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Hi travelgirl, just a thought I will pass on. Some family members (various ages from teens on up) took an older relative to Italy a few summers ago. Although he did a lot better with the walking then they anticipated there was from time to time a problem. The heat and humidity really got to him, especially in Florence and Rome, and it seems he would get dehyderated. So keep an eye on these seniors and make sure they get out of the sun if they are looking a bit peaked (actually before they do) and make sure they get plenty of liquids to drink. Perhaps see if you can get them to go back to their room during the hottest time of the day and relax etc. And have fun, I can only imagine how excited they must be about this trip!
May 29th, 2006, 11:58 AM
#10
The only suggestion I can make to ease things in Rome is the integrated travel card that allows unlimited trips within a given area on buses, metro, trains and trams. I used it a great deal during a week in Rome - We headed wherever we fancied, and just hopped on a bus heading that way. The Bus stops are quite clearly labelled and gave a list of the next few stops, so we knew roughly where we were all the time.
