Yes, you can do it – you are not too old. Europeans travel all the time, and you would not discourage a 75 year old from visiting the USA.
The advice to make sure that you are completely recovered from the hip replacement is very sound – you need to have given that hip a good workout before you go.

Medical insurance is most important, and you need to shop around for that.

You listed a lot of different destinations, and renting an apartment for a few days can be a nice break from moving around. Gives time out, but more importantly, it gives you a chance to really get to know a place if you stay there for several days. Get a map of Europe and pin it to the wall at home, and then put pins into it at places that you want to visit. It’s a good way of firming up your plans.

The on-line booking sites – venere.com is a good one – will give you an idea of costs.

BeBe: If you are in need of a hip replacement I cannot see how pain meds will 'see you through'. By the week before my surgery i was taking percocet every six hours and could not walk 10 feet without serious pain and could not sleep at all. A month before it was much less bad, IMO you should do the surgery, recover and then go .

You may not be checking this still, with all the replies but YES you can do this trip at your age and with your budget. I cannot help so much with Italy, though I have been myself but I can say I think the Eurail pass is worthwhile but we prefer to drive NOT on the autobahn but on the B roads, going at our own pace. It's a nice way to see the country.
http://www.chateaux-france.com/ this is a great site for bed and breakfasts in France, by region. We've now slept in many castles across the country. We've used it three times with great success. Keep in mind the Euro, of course. When considering the French coast, it is very expensive. Might be worth driving in for the day instead of staying. But if you need to stay, there are a few good places that can be affordable depending on when you go: Hotel Splendid in Cannes, Le Meridian in Nice, Le Panoramic in Villefranche Sur Mer, but St. Tropez if expensive. You might try www.expedia.com or www.tripadvisor.com where you can read reviews of hotels to get a good idea about them. Austria is beautiful and you should be able to find good, clean accommodations without any problem. It's worth seeing. I'll plug the Loire valley as I think it's beautiful and better than the overdone Riviera but that's just me. Anyway, have a blast!

Wow - you certainly got a lot of replies.

Maybe my story will help. I started travelling at age 57 when I discovered I had interesting blood. That was 42 countries, 100+ flights (Australia is a long way from everywhere ) and countless ferries, trains, hotels and hostels ago. I'm now 63 and in the process of planning a trip to India and Europe next May. I'm way behind on the blog, but if you're interested in vicarious travel about half of it is described here: http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/

My wife has health problems too, so no longer travels with me, but she enjoyed our travels in '03 and '06 through Europe and the USA. On the other hand, I reckon the travel has extended my life. If not, it's certainly made it more interesting.

Go! Enjoy! Do what is necessary to look after your health, be careful on the cobblestones, but go!

I can help with lots of tips, but just one for the moment. I'm not sure of your nationality, but if you are not European or UK then check out the French lease-back system. If you enjoy the freedom of driving as little or as much as you like, staying in interesting places and moving on when you wish to, it is brilliant. I've used it twice, once for nine weeks and once for six; not only is it cheaper than a rental over long periods, it has full insurance with no excess for a brand new car.

I'm not a rep, just a satisfied customer. This is the Renault site but there are also Peugeot and Citroen versions: http://www.renault-eurodrive.com/

Driving isn't as much fun on your own so I'm studying Eurail passes and similar systems right now for next year's trip.

Cheers, Alan

lease back is a very good system. The idea of an appartment is sensible but don't ignore the idea of a gite for part of your visit. Maybe in a town or edge of a town for some relaxed stay. For instance you could stay very well close to Auxerre, visit it and the various monesteries and wine towns around, have a barbacue and generally get your brath back before the next surge of energy.

My parents (80+) used to go go to NZ for 3 months of the year and mixed, B&B, chafeured limo tours, bus tours and gites through out the period. It could work out very cheap if they booked ahead and since they did not want to travel in school holidays or when it was very hot they got the best rates.

As a general note it can get hot and humid in Southern europe in July /August and aircon is not every where.

If you think you are then you probably are. I am 68 and no where near too old.

Larry J

For Larry:

I don't think I am, that is why I was asking to see what others have experienced.

BeBeRose

I wouldn't recommend renting an apartment for this trip. At a hotel you have people who can help you if you need it.

As long as you are recovered from your surgery you should be OK. There is no age that is "too old for travel" in my opinion, only physical limitations that you need to take into consideration. I plan to travel until the day I die.

From Suze:<i>I plan to travel until the day I die.</i>

Suze...there's an old Yiddish expression of good wishes...<i>biz a hundert un tsvantsig </i> (until 120!!)

The onl y issue with appartments is that rentals under a week might be a bit harder to coordinate. I might consider an apt. in the big cities when you are staying for an extended stay, and hotels/gites/B&B/etc... otherwise.

Thanks tower. That's a very saying cool. I like that a lot! My (Italian) grandmother was a big traveler. As she got older if the family cautioned her about traveling, she said she was going to die anyways and might as well go while she was having some fun.

Hey Bebe, if you wait to go until Spring 2012, or after your first Europe tour, if you want something different wih history/culture/beauty & beaches on a budget -- you might consider coming along with me to Greece ... it's not a group tour, I just go every year for 2+ weeks in May-June (since 1999) to interesting places in Greece, and 3-4 travel pals come along ... not a hectic pace, a few islands for about 3-4 days each, and several nice places on the mainland; 2006 I had a travel companion wih a knee replacement; several others with some health challenges like diabetes, but we always have fun... check my website for how it works: http://www.techforecast.com/janet.htm -- best wishes on the replacement; my sister in law got 2 hip replacements and is still playing doubles, in her 80s. -- travelerjan

Bebe- see if u can do 5 or 6 trips before you are 70! not just one.

Tower, in Hebrew is something similar and nice:
Original expression "Ad mea esrim" ( Till 120!) is sometime replaced by "Ad mea che esrim" (Till 100, but feeling as at 20 !).

My wife and I are late 60's and have travelled a lot of the world. By far the best advice we could give you or anyone, is to travel light. Our last 3 trips we have taken only a carryon each. It may sound impossible but it's far easier than you think and it transforms your trip. No more luggage carousels,lost luggage, difficulty with heavy bags etc etc

Go to onebag.com - have a look and by all means you can travel on your own. Oh - and don't try to see too much in a short time.

My wife and I did 4 weeks in Europe last year. I am 76 and she is 70. She is a walker and I am also, but not as much as she. I thought this out a lot. I rented a car for thee whole time we were there. I also got a rail pass which I cancelled after giving it some thought. I picked my car up in Franfort, Germany. Drove to Heidelberg and stayed there the first night. When to Dachau, Munich on my way to Maria Alm, Austria stopping along the way. I stayed in Maria Alm as I hyad a time share there for two weeks. I used that place as a base for drives to Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, Insbruck, etc. I did take a train to the Czech Republic as we could not drive a rental into Eastern block countries. WHEN WE LEFT aUSTRIA WE DROVE TO Garmish Partenkirchen and then up the Romantic Road. Ended up in the Battle Fields of Belgium and Luxemburg. Plus much more.In my way the car is the only way. I had a neighbor who went on a 32 day trip just about the same timne I went. he went on a bus tour and complained about being tied to a bus for 31 days. Some people like bus tours. Everything is planned out. That is fine for them. I will rent a car. I am planning to go back and will rent a car. The roads are great and the drivers in Germany, Belgium and Austria are so courtious. Do not belive the horror stories you hear about the driver son the Autobahn run you off the road. Not true. They have some areas were there is no speed limit, but if someone is comming behind just move over. Other places have speed limits and no one goes over the speed limit. One problem is that when you get into a large city, do not expect to be driving around the city. Very hard. Park your car and find out about local transportation to go where you want to go. Local transportation is cheap. I you belong to AAA, there or just look on Fodor. Also look up on the PC where you are planning on going. Also you can take your lttle bus tours in different places. For example, we took a bus tour in Salzberg. It was the Sound of Music Bus tour. In Vienna we paid about twenty dollars apiece and that was good for any transportation, bus - train- or subway for two days. So you do not have to worry about driving the car in the big cities.Just park it. Two more things, I rented a stick shift because an automatic is about $300 more a week. But a stick you can use diesel gas which is a little cheaper. And another thing you would be surprised how many people ask me how did I like driving on the wrong side of the road and the steering wheel on the oposite side. Oh my, I was in Europe not the British Isles. So anyway, no one could convince me to take a bus tour for 32 days. I drove and decided when I wanted to get a room and eat. Another thing you want to go a little economic, in Germany, Austria and other places there are street Kiosk's all over the place. Sausage's you would not believe. There are bake shops on every corner with baked goods and freshly made sandwiches on fresh rolls. So a person does not have to go into a restaurant all the time. And galiano say travel light. Correcto. Buti need a little more than a carry on. I do not want to be looking for a launder mat every couple days. I went in September, as I always travel that month. Most summer people are gone. So good luck, and have a nice trip.

You certainly can do this on your own. The hip replacement recovery period is something to factor in and I can't comment on that. However, for the independent trip - yes!
However, do lots of research and planning (a great thing to do while you recuperate). I'm 75 and go to Europe on my own at least once (sometimes twice) a year. I especially love to go to France, where I train from Paris to other regions, then rent a car. I'm very comfortable driving in France, but I must admit, I'm not sure if I'd want to do that solo in other countries. I definitely would with another person, though. The trains in Europe are wonderful, though.
I took several organized tours to Europe when I was in my 50's, and enjoyed them. But I much prefer traveling independently. It's more relaxing for sure. But whatever you do, heed the advice of the other posters and travel LIGHT.

I agree with trav__eller: As long as you still have your faculties for safe driving, I would look into leasing a car from Renault (we love their Kangoo!) The min. lease is 21 days I believe, but you get a brand new car of your choosing with the features you requested (A/C, automatic/stick, etc). Be sure to get a car with enough trunk space where you can keep your luggage if you choose and just take an overnight pack up to your hotel room if you desire. Signing for the car and getting underway is much easier with the lease than a rental as all the paperwork has been done in advance and you just sign and go. We find this a very enjoyable way to discover a particular area of a country or countries - generally putting on about 3,000 km per trip. We do not enjoy driving in large cities,i.e Paris, however and will generally add these on at the beginning or end of a trip.

The other option of train travel is one we have been resorting to more recently (my husband is the "senior" of us at 67 and not particularly in shape) now that we live in Europe. We enjoy the no-hassle aspect of the train--one can just relax in transit and not worry about anything but making sure to not both fall asleep at the same time and miss the stop! We prefer this for point-to-point big city travel. As others have cited, most trains aren't level with the boarding quai so there is some mobility needed to get on/off and not all stations have an elevator for each pair of tracks so there are flights of stairs to be dealt with, but we find if we can tackle them at our own speed with a rest as needed we do fine and arrive at our destination no worse the wear.

Naps, apératif café stops and taxis are your best friends...don't neglect them

Bon voyage! Gute Reise! Happy travels!

We are in our mid-60's and just got back from Rome last night, so of course we encourage you to go. I'll write a fuller report but wanted to pop in here with a few comments if it isn't too late.

I would strongly second the idea of a "trial visit" before the big one. We went on a different kind of "tour" through a local travel club that might be perfect for you. For our money, we got airline tickets, airport transfers, a hotel room, breakfasts, and a two hour orientation tour. The rest of the time was on our own. The whole package was cheaper than we could find for round trip nonstop airline tickets on our own. If we had hated the hotel, we could have moved to another hotel and not been out anything. We didn't hate it. The other tourists were pleasant, though our interests differed, and we toured and ate meals on our own. This would be perfect for you to answer the question, "What is it like and how will we do it?" in a risk free way.

There are a lot of assumptions here.

1. The advice to pack light is great, but not everyone can use carryon baggage alone. I use a CPAP and could not possibly get more than two days of clothes into a carryon with the CPAP. I could do an overnight business trip back in the day, but not much more.

2. The advice to go off season is excellent, but the season is getting longer. Rome was still packed with tourists last week -- the first week in November. You could hardly get near places like the Trevi fountain, if that kind of thing is important to you. On the other hand, baroque churches were close to empty, but they are only open limited hours. Quite famous places close for a siesta, not just in Italy or Spain but in our experience in Belgium. Thus, you can't always see what you want to see when you want to see it. Neighborhood shops in cities generally close for a couple of hours every afternoon, and many small towns have days or at least afternoons when everything closes.

3. Watch alsofor different holidays abroad. Nov 1 was All Saints Day in Rome and while tourist sites were open, a lot of places (groceries, restaurants, shopping) were closed, and public transportation was limited. Nov 11 is a big deal in Paris but not in London. It affects what you can do.

4. Use public transportation whenever possible. This was only our second trip to Rome, but we have been to Paris many times, and to London even more often. A car gives you a lot of flexibility in the country but you do not want to have a car in any of the large European cities. Some countries also have age restrictions not just on who can rent a car but on who can drive it, so the 64 year old can't rent it and allow the 75 year old to drive. Thanks to the folks on this forum, we became familiar with restricted access zones. We weren't driving but we had read about them and saw how easy it would have been for someone to return home to a E250 traffic ticket.

There were a lot of senior citizens on our "tour", many of them a hell of a lot more vigorous than I am, but a pair of women stumbled on the cobblestones and fell together as one tried to help the other. The first one brought home a broken arm as a souvenir, the second two black eyes. Check your health coverage really carefully.

Finally, I would say that if you press your orthopedic surgeon, s/he will tell you that a six month recovery period is average, maybe even median: half of all people recover fully in six months or less, half take longer. Where will you fall on the bell-shaped curve?