realtor7

We are thinking of a trip to Venice in the fall with friends who will have some business there. My husband is a diabetic [ 68 yo] with real foot issues,and I am concerned about the walking and the high tides.
While I can zip around in Wellies, his balance and the precarious state of his legs and feet make certain types of footgear difficult and he really must be [ and is ]careful.
So do u often end up with wet feet and is the walking fairly level etc.??
Also...how about in and out of gondolas. His balence is quite poor.
Thanks in advance
I want to go but want to be careful

ellenem

I think the high tides are the least of your worries, especially since you may even experience any--don't concentrate on something that might not happen.

It sounds like you husband will have real challenges walking not only in Venice, but in other cities in Italy where cobbled streets are prevalent and the pavement is often uneven on narrow side streets. In Venice there will be a lot of climbing up and down bridges, though there are routes and transportation that may lessen some of this.

ellenem

Actually, now that I think of it, the walkways in Venice are often flatter than many sidestreets in other cities. But the bridges and crowds may still pose a challenge to a person with poor balance.

JBX

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Is the walking fairly level?
Not really .... it's an old city, and you'll be walking up/over alot of foot bridges, and on cobblestones. I've not been in Venice during 'alta aqcua' (high tides), however it's my understanding that in low-lying areas around St. Mark's Square they erect platforms for people to walk along to avoid sloshing in the water.

Gondolas? You do realize that majority of people get around on motorized boats "vaparettos" which is the Venice version of a "bus" system. Certainly, you can take a ride in a gondola, but that's not the primary manner in which folks travel along the canals.

tower

I would say, avoid gondolas and especially traghettos. As JBX said, the vaps are easy on and off, no stairs. He should be OK otherwise/

seafox

The tides may not occur, but if the do the raised sidewalks will help in that they are falt. That said, the sidewalks are uneven but as mentioned beeter than most old cities in Italy. I think youare smart to assume and plan for the worst case. You should be able to avoid wet feet without a problem. I would bring the shoes that he is most comfrtable in and provide the best balance. The Vaporetti is a great mode of transportation - generally they are easy walk on walk off boats. just be sure to use the main lines, sme of the smaller ones may smaller boats that you to climb on and off, which may be a problem. Part of the beauty of teh city is the walking, so plan your steps to minimize that which he must do and try to stay away from the busier paths. Does he use a cane for balance - I would to be safe, one with the four little legs at the bottom. Good Luck

Rosie7235

My father is a type one diabetic and has all the same issues that you husband has, but also night blindness and a slightly weakened right side from strokes. Have you spoken to your husband's doctor about what footwear might be best? I know my father had custom sneakers made after one foot surgery for ulcers. I'm not sure how much these help because he wouldn't wear them on a regular basis because they were expensive and he didn't want to ruin them, even though insurance paid for them.

Also, my mom used to help guide him around as they were walking in difficult areas. She would just make sure that she was holding his hand or something in case he started to fall, she was right there to steady him. Would the couple you are going with be able to maybe get in the boat first to help him in and you can guide him from outside the boat? Would he be open to a walker or cane to steady himself?

I certainly wouldn't want him to miss the trip because of his feet. I would just keep a good eye on the condition of his feet before you leave and make sure you see the doctor if anything looks wrong and also check his feet everyday when you are there, so if something does start to develop, you can try and take it a bit easier.

At this point in time, my father has lost his leg and is in a wheelchair, so he will not be coming. It just would have been too difficult.

DonTopaz

The key point here is that walking in Venice is different from walking in other places because you are constantly going up and down steps as you pass over the canals that criss-cross the city. The bridges are typically 6 or 8 steps up and down, and almost all are in good condition and have some type of railing. A few bridges, such as the Rialto, are bigger/higher than the others. Other than these pedestrian bridges, the city is dead flat.

Jean

Choose your hotel carefully. You'll want one with an elevator and preferably a location close to as many things on your to-do/see list as possible. After you narrow your options, go to maps.google.com (map mode) to see how complicated it will be to get from each hotel to the nearest vaporetto stop, main sights on your list, etc., and how many bridges you'd be climbing up/down, etc.

Although the vaporetti are fairly easy to board, you're not guaranteed a seat, and there can be a lot of motion.

If I had poor balance, I wouldn't consider a gondola ride. Then again, I don't find the gondola rides all that enjoyable.

As others have said, don't worry about high water. It may not happen, and if it does it doesn't last long. You can always wait it out in your hotel or a restaurant. In any event, most of Venice is usually not affected.

hazel1

Given the lack of any sort of motorized means of ground transportation I would think that Venice is one city that would not be kind to someone with walking issues. Yes, there is the vaporetto, but my experience was that there was still a tremendous amount of walking required to get around. If you equate the vaporetto to a bus, there's only one bus route in town, going down the Grand Canal and then around the island. Sure, there are water taxis, but they are very expensive and certainly wouldn't be used like you'd hail a cab in Manhattan. And of course, as the others have noted, there are so many bridges (with steps) to cross all of the smaller canals criss-crossing Venice. I'd had have serious reservations about the suitability of Venice, given your husband's issues.

annhig

f you equate the vaporetto to a bus, there's only one bus route in town, going down the Grand Canal and then around the island>>

there are in fact several routes, all going to different places; IMHO the vaporetti are one thing that make Venice a good bet for someone with mobility problems, because you can see so much without having to walk an inch. but only you know if your DH could manage the getting on and off [not usually a problem but there can be a crush at busy time] and the bridges.

there are some websites which specifically address the needs of disabled tourists - here's one I found that looks quite informative:

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/...ble_venice.htm

good luck to you both!

JBX

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NYCFoodSnob

If by fall, you mean the middle of November, then chances are you'll experience a flood. If your trip is prior to November, I'd say your chances are pretty slim. I visit Venice in winter a lot. I don't think you need to worry about this. I think it's fairly easy to avoid the low-lying areas.

Getting in and out of a boat on water requires some balance ability, if you're entering a boat alone. If a man (or woman) really wants to do something that is not easy for him, all he has to do is request assistance. I'm sure you could find a <i>gondoliere</i> who would be happy to lift your husband into his boat for a 120 Euro ride.

Someone else's pain and discomfort is very difficult to feel yourself, which is why caregivers deserve their own support group. If your husband is gung-ho about giving Venice a try, being motivated solves the majority of most problems. There are plenty of crippled people walking the streets of Venice with smiles on their faces. They manage. Apart from the numerous small bridges, Venice sidewalks are very flat and many are quite wide. Leisure walking is quite common. Pick your pace and enjoy.

nytraveler

Venice is absolutely a walking city - there's no way around it. Plus there are bridges over every canal. And the sidewalks, bridges and docks often have uneven areas - as do many of the churches and museums etc.

You don;t travel by gondola - you do it by vaporetto - and that requires stepping from the dock over some space of water onto a boat that is bobbing up and down - something it sounds like he would have substantial trouble doing. Especially when there is a crowd of people trying to do it. Even if you were to spring for water taxis - big $ - you need to step down into the boat from steps that are often slippery (with water plants that grow as the tides rise up and down. I can;t imagine that someone unsteady on their feet could do this without 2 strong helpers at least.

I have to say it - but I think Venice is one of the worst possible choices for someone with gait issues. Other cities - where you can get taxis right to the door of wherver - mae a lot more sense.

LJ

I traveled to Italy with my elderly mother some time ago and I am going to sound an optimistic note here.

While Venice does have all the challenges that have been stated here, it is also a side-walk spectator's delight. If your husband is content to walk some small distance and then sit happily and soak up the atmosphere, then Venice is the perfect observer's destination.

Places that my mother (83 at the time, with 2 hip replacements) found interesting to people watch: Piazza San Marco, the statuary courtyard of the Guggenheim Museum, Gam Gam Restaurant in the Ghetto area (Cannaregio in general has, IMHO, fewer steep bridges and a lively student vibe as a university campus is near Tre Archi bridge). And then you can just get on one of those vaparettos with an interesting list of destinations and ride for a couple of hours of sight-seeing as they go up and down the Grand Canale and out to the islands dropping folks off. My mother had a marvelous time chatting with locals and tourists alike on her version of a city tour bus.

I suspect others will chime in with their knowledge of wonderfully interesting resting places for the less physically able where you can safely install yourselves (or he can enjoy himself while you wander).

Now this plan does require, as others have said, that you mean EARLY fall and not mid-November...I simply would not go then.

By all means, join the other couple and relish the wonders of this most amazing city.

tower

LJ
You're to be commended for adding such a positive note to this thread. I hope the OP follows your lead. I walk with a cane and found Venice to be fine for me. My only warning in my post above is that traghettos would not be sensible for the man. As you say, The vaps should be OK.
stu

elnap29

We were in Venice recently and I remarked to my husband, "My mom could never handle being here." She would have so much trouble with the uneven walking surfaces. However, this was primarily a problem in the San Marco area. I think LJ's comments are perfect. Once your husband gets to Venice, he will be able to decide how much walking he can manage (and the walking should be done very very slowly and carefully). Sitting, enjoying the unique sights and sounds of Venice, and the people-watching, interacting with locals and tourists alike --- all could be a great experience.
And yes, forget the traghetto.

nytraveler

It really depends on how uneven his gait is. The problem with the vaporetto is that the dock is solid (but uneven) but the boat is moving up and down. And the person boarding has to step across some distance of water (perhaps 6 inches but perhaps a foot) onto a moving surface.

Not something I would attempt if not completely steady on my feet.

I would discuss with your husband in advance - so he is prepared for the various situations.

LJ

Something stuck in my memory from my time in V with my somewhat unsteady Mum (a truly golden adventure!). There are some vaporetto stations where entrance and exit is 'disabled friendly'. Here is a link that explains how to get over that very real difficulty that nytraveler has indicated.
http://www.sagetraveling.com/Venice-Accessibility

ellenem

The vaporetto docks are not stationary. The landing docks float up and down with the tides so that they will remain relatively level with the arriving boats. The landing docks are very solid, though, so one doesn't sense much movement if any. Ramps with railings connect the landing docks to the ground. Depending on the time of day and the strength of the tide, these ramps might be flat or tilted down toward the landing dock.

The following video shows was taken by me on a recent trip. I'm waiting in the waiting area on the landing dock for the next vaporetto to arrive. Note how the vaporetto actually crashes into the dock to make sure it is close enough (the camera actually shakes) and ow the driver guns the motor to press the boat against the dock. You can also see the possible space riders might have to step across. People are very patient with those who need extra help getting on and off.

http://ellenem.shutterfly.com/621