Vienna and Durnstein with a tubby American
Sep 10th, 2016, 01:32 AM
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Vienna and Durnstein with a tubby American
Im planning an autumn trip to Vienna (4-5 days) and with someone who can probably only walk/stand a maximum of 4 hours a day and probably not 4 hours in a row.
Not my first trip to Vienna but I never thought about it from this perspective.
Any thoughts suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I am thinking
1) We might have to skip Schoenbrunn Palace unless there is some way that avoids the rather long walk from the ubahn. Does anyone know if we could get relatively close in a taxi?
2) I am thinking we will need to hire a private tour guide and car--what should we see?
Obviously Opera and Ballet will be good evening options.
Will head to Durnstein for 4-5 days as well-having never been I'd love to hear from someone who has.
I thank you in advance.
Not my first trip to Vienna but I never thought about it from this perspective.
Any thoughts suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I am thinking
1) We might have to skip Schoenbrunn Palace unless there is some way that avoids the rather long walk from the ubahn. Does anyone know if we could get relatively close in a taxi?
2) I am thinking we will need to hire a private tour guide and car--what should we see?
Obviously Opera and Ballet will be good evening options.
Will head to Durnstein for 4-5 days as well-having never been I'd love to hear from someone who has.
I thank you in advance.
Sep 10th, 2016, 05:16 AM
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I think the time/distance at one time is what matters - not 4 hours in a single day (although of course that is a limiting factor). But if your companion can't do at least an hour walking at a reasonable speed that will make most sightseeing very difficult. If an hour's walking (needed to see many museums or palaces or whatever is not possible, then you have an issue that even a guided tour won;t solve, although taxis right to the door of the venue would help. Have you considered those fold up seats that look like a long umbrella and can be worn on the shoulder? When my SIL was recovering from hip replacement she used one of those and it worked very well until she was fully recovered.
Not sure what tubby has to do with it, a lot of people carrying extra weight still have reasonable stamina. Does this person have a month or so to start walking every day and upping their abilities or is this some sort of permanent disability? Perhaps this is one way to encourage this person to get in better shape.
I find that even though we walk a lot at home when we go to europe we definitely up our distance, usually doing at least 8 miles or so per day. But while we're fit we're also not 25 anymore and find that we usually take a break every 2 hours or so - sitting for a while having a coffee or drink in a cafe or just enjoying the view from a bench for 15-20 minutes.
Not sure what tubby has to do with it, a lot of people carrying extra weight still have reasonable stamina. Does this person have a month or so to start walking every day and upping their abilities or is this some sort of permanent disability? Perhaps this is one way to encourage this person to get in better shape.
I find that even though we walk a lot at home when we go to europe we definitely up our distance, usually doing at least 8 miles or so per day. But while we're fit we're also not 25 anymore and find that we usually take a break every 2 hours or so - sitting for a while having a coffee or drink in a cafe or just enjoying the view from a bench for 15-20 minutes.
Sep 10th, 2016, 06:13 AM
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I don't know if Vienna has them, but maybe you could make use of the hop on hop off bus tour? It gives you an overview of Vienna's main attractions, and you can stop wherever you want.
Less tiring than taking the metro (lots of steps and walking), and less expensive than the taxi.
Less tiring than taking the metro (lots of steps and walking), and less expensive than the taxi.
Sep 10th, 2016, 06:28 AM
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Schoenbrunn: A taxi will drop you right at the entrance. A little wheeled tourist train drives around the extensive park/grounds, you can get out at the gloriette and take a later train back.
What are your plans for Durnstein for 4-5 days? I spent a pleasant lunch and afternoon there. Are you planning to drive to vineyards and other villages? The area is quite hilly, for example the fortress at Durnstein sits high above the village.
You can also take really delightful boats through the Wachau Valley, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seats, bar and snack services. Melk Abbey is a stop for the steamers to and from Durnstein. There are taxis waiting at the pier as it's a hike up to the abbey. There may also be a shuttle bus. The Abbey is amazing, imo, lots of places to sit, nice café with outdoor seating.
On one visit to Vienna, very pressed for time, four of us hired a car and driver to take us to Melk, we then took the boat to Durnstein, he met us there to take us back to Vienna. We thought it was decent value for four.
As walking becomes more difficult for me I've decided where there's a will, there's a way. I don't need to rush from place to place, there's a lot to be said for stopping for a coffee and watching the world go by. And, actually, your companion is doing pretty well. I had a good friend visit us in France whose walking was very limited due to diabetic neuropathy. He was happy to sit in the sun with his Kindle while the rest of us explored and circled back to check in. You'll have a great trip.
What are your plans for Durnstein for 4-5 days? I spent a pleasant lunch and afternoon there. Are you planning to drive to vineyards and other villages? The area is quite hilly, for example the fortress at Durnstein sits high above the village.
You can also take really delightful boats through the Wachau Valley, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seats, bar and snack services. Melk Abbey is a stop for the steamers to and from Durnstein. There are taxis waiting at the pier as it's a hike up to the abbey. There may also be a shuttle bus. The Abbey is amazing, imo, lots of places to sit, nice café with outdoor seating.
On one visit to Vienna, very pressed for time, four of us hired a car and driver to take us to Melk, we then took the boat to Durnstein, he met us there to take us back to Vienna. We thought it was decent value for four.
As walking becomes more difficult for me I've decided where there's a will, there's a way. I don't need to rush from place to place, there's a lot to be said for stopping for a coffee and watching the world go by. And, actually, your companion is doing pretty well. I had a good friend visit us in France whose walking was very limited due to diabetic neuropathy. He was happy to sit in the sun with his Kindle while the rest of us explored and circled back to check in. You'll have a great trip.
Sep 10th, 2016, 07:25 AM
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The portable stool and more excercise ahead of time are good ideas.
Make sure they have good supportive walking shoes that they have worn enough to know will be comfortable. DH is not heavy, but had foot issues for over a year. It took several pairs of shoes and different orthotics to find something that worked over a whole day.
Make sure they stay hydrated, and even have snacks. That does make a real difference.
Make sure they have good supportive walking shoes that they have worn enough to know will be comfortable. DH is not heavy, but had foot issues for over a year. It took several pairs of shoes and different orthotics to find something that worked over a whole day.
Make sure they stay hydrated, and even have snacks. That does make a real difference.
Sep 10th, 2016, 10:49 AM
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Is the issue primarily weight or foot/knee/ hip problems? I am quite overweight and 67, and while I'm typically not very active, spend 3-4 months at the fitness center on the elliptical and working on leg muscles before a trip We typically walk 6-8 miles a day while traveling but have walked as many as 11. I recently developed knee pain (osteoarthritis and meniscus tears) and told the doctor that my quality of life would be very negatively affected if I couldn't walk these distances while traveling. I was amazed at the benefits of a few weeks of physical therapy and now I'm keeping up the exercise on my own. So don't give up on your companion being able to get in better shape before the trip.
You might also check into buying one of those folding walkers that has a seat; some also have back support and a place to store things. They are helpful in being able to walk farther, and when you get too tired to walk, you can sit and push yourself along with your feet or someone can push.
The hop on/hop off bus sounds like a good option for a drive by tout of sights, or, as you mentioned, hiring a private guide to tour the city. In Rome, we learned so much from our taxi driver just going from the train station to,out apartment. Check locations for elevators and ask to use them. When we were visiting the Arc de Triomphe last year, we were offered the opportunity to use the elevator and gladly accepted as we'd climbed several hundred steps on the Eiffel Tower and in Montmartre.
Where there's a will, there's a way!
You might also check into buying one of those folding walkers that has a seat; some also have back support and a place to store things. They are helpful in being able to walk farther, and when you get too tired to walk, you can sit and push yourself along with your feet or someone can push.
The hop on/hop off bus sounds like a good option for a drive by tout of sights, or, as you mentioned, hiring a private guide to tour the city. In Rome, we learned so much from our taxi driver just going from the train station to,out apartment. Check locations for elevators and ask to use them. When we were visiting the Arc de Triomphe last year, we were offered the opportunity to use the elevator and gladly accepted as we'd climbed several hundred steps on the Eiffel Tower and in Montmartre.
Where there's a will, there's a way!
