margieop

I have a friend who is planning a trip to Rome. She is hesitant because she has a nerve problem in one foot because of past surgery. She is able to walk, but concentrating on using that foot causes extra fatigue. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get the most out of a visit to Rome with this handicap? Thanks.

historytraveler

My suggestion would be to take a number of breaks. Stop for a gelato, stop for an expresso,stop for a glass of wine and savor the moment, enjoy actually being in Rome. Many tourists are so intent on getting through their dozen or more must sees/do that they never really experience the place they're visiting.

One can also call a taxi when really fatigued or arrange for a driver for a day or half day, but the later is expensive and with the traffic in Rome not the most economical way to get around.

tarquin

If your friend stays in a central hotel (near Piazza Navona or Spanish steps), there are lots of things to see that are on the flat (one of my friends went in a wheelchair.) Also, the horsedrawn carriages and trams can be pleasant ways for people with walking problems to get around. Just don't try to do it all.

Zerlina

The buses go everywhere in Rome. With an inexpensive one- or three-day pass, she can take them as often as she needs to, even if it's only to go one or two stops. The small electric buses go closer to the principal points of interest than the regular buses can:
http://www.atac.roma.it/docunet/file.asp?mid=3&rid=9

Pegontheroad

I agree with the above posters that you shouldn't try to do it all.

I hate to rain on her parade, but Rome presents difficulties for the traveler who has trouble walking because of the cobblestones. I visited Rome when I had bad knees. (I've since had replacements in both knees.) I too became very tired because of the extra effort it took to walk on the cobblestones.

I'd look into a bus tour, the kind that makes just a couple of 15 minute stops at major attractions. It's easier to walk in places like St. Peters or the Vatican museum, but except where there were regular sidewalks, I had trouble.

tuscanlifeedit

I have arranged trips for a person that can't walk more than several yards, and also 3 trips to Rome for someone who can walk, but it is painful, tiring, and difficult for her.

There are a lot of options, but it will take some planning and a little more expense than your friend might encounter if she were fully mobile.

My disabled client used a driver for a day and a half, and we hired someone to wait in the line at the Vatican Museums, and then tour guide through the museums.

My other friend has used the hop on/hop off bus, and taxis.

Staying in the flat area of Rome is a strategy, I guess, if your friend is able to walk on cobblestones. I almost think I would rather stay in a less romantic neighborhood area, other than the Pantheon or Navona area: one with lots of busses or trams, perhaps not far from Largo Argentina. Using public transportation, the hop on/hop off bus, and taxis can probably help your friend.

I may be forgetting some other strategies and tricks we used, but I'll try to think of them. Our favorite, though, for my young disabled friend, was hiring the guide to wait in line.

kybourbon

She might find some useful information on this Slowtrav thread although it's a couple of years old.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/accessible/rome/index.htm

margieop

Thanks to each of you for your quick response. I forgot to mention that we are talking about a woman who is 72 years old. However, she still works full time, is bright and alert and mobile, except for having to pull one foot along.
Thanks again. margieop

artsnletters

I wonder if it would be possible to arrange for a wheelchair for the Vatican Museum? Obviously no cobbles, but it is a long haul and will take at least two hours for even a brief visit. I once broke my foot near Christmas time and needed to go Christmas shopping. I could get around on crutches, but it sure wore me out. We rented a wheelchair for a couple days for shopping, and it was really nice - I was 45 at the time, normally reasonable active and healthy, and it felt a little silly, but I can't imagine having done much shopping otherwise. Something like that would let your friend take her time and really enjoy the museum, since there are few place to rest and lots to see.

LJ

It is indeed possible to arrange a wheelchair at the Vatican. I did it for my 83-year-old Mum whot had two hip replacements-one of the uniformed docent did this for us.

We stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen (Via Firenze) because the area is flat, relatively free of cobblestones and has a lot of interesting small restuarants nearby and is safe (near police headquarters).They gave us a room off the lobby so no stairs.

Decent shopping nearby on Via Nazionale...this was more of a priority for Mum than scenic monuments.

Mum did very well with the hop-on, hop-off buses WHEN we knew the routes. Took a little practice.

Had a fabulous trip mostly due to my mother's terrific motivated attitude: that really is key...if you have to constantly talk your friend into being keen, then all the accomodation to her foot problems won't help.

JJ127

A 71 year old relative went with me in February to Rome and we had the same concerns, except her problem is with her knees. However, everything turned out fine. We had an apartment in Campo dei Fiori, and walked everywhere. We took our time, and stopped whenever she needed to - usually always finding something to sit on, and if not, just leaning against a building for a few minutes. We even walked to the Forum and to the Vatican with no problems - just walked slowly and stopped when necessary.