My sister and I are planning to take our mother to Rome in March of next year. She has some mobility problems and can't walk very far. We would like to stay in the city center, but aren't sure what area might be best with her mobility issues. We do plan to take cabs to many sights, but having restuarants and some sights nearby would be a plus for us. We are also wondering how prevalent cobblestone streets are in the various inner city areas since she uses a cane at times.

Can anyone give us some guidance or advice as to what areas might be best to start looking at apartments for inner city Rome with the issues in mind?

Any other info you might have for traveling to Rome with seniors with mobility issues would be greatly appreciated, as well. Thanks!

Having done this myself, I can say that the Centro Storico was flat, manageable, and interesting. Lots of churches (my mom liked that) and the Campo was great for her to wander about and look at all the beautiful food and flowers for sale.

Staying anywhere near Largo Argentina, along Corso Emanuele II, is a good idea. This is a major transportation hub for taxis, buses and trams.

I'd say that it's the same as the best place to stay with a <i>junior</i>! Albergo del Senato, Hotel Cesari or Minerve - - all excellent.

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks so much for the replies. Since I'm looking for an apartment and have just started researching for this trip, can you tell me what major sight is near Largo Argentina, along Corso Emanuele II? I'm having trouble finding it on the few online maps I'm looking at.

Thanks.

Piazza Navona and the Pantheon are north, and the Campo is south.

Thanks!

Since you're looking for an apartment (my carelessness not to hone in on that detail, from your initial posting) - - take a look at www.slowtrav.com and be sure and ask for advice on their sister message board web site, slowtalk.com as well.

I think that Largo Argentina is vaguely near the Pantheon, but even if it's not, it's a good yardstcik to use with regard to proximity to places you can enjoy, nearby on foot.

Thanks for the further info, Rex. Actually, I've been checking apartments on slowtrav.com for the last couple of hours and found a few good possibilities.

Any further info on traveling with seniors in Rome from anyone else is also greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Dear Statia:

My sister and I took my mom to Italy in October 2002. She was 81 at the time and although she is in pretty good shape, she is slow and tires rather quickly. We were gone for 2 1/2 weeks: Venice, Florence, Paestum, Moliterno(grandparents hometown in Basilicata), Sorrento &amp; Rome.

It was good having my sister along. When mom got tired, sis and I took off for a few hours. Plus, my sister drove in Basilicata and I navigated. In planning, I tried to choose places near the historic center/sites and places with elevators. I spent a little more on hotels because of this, but felt it was worth it. I also used taxis quite a bit. In Rome we stayed near the Piazza Navona, which was ideal. I also got tickets to see the Pope and had a guided tour of the Vatican with Scala Reale(?). The tour was expensive, but well worth it. The guide was great with my mom.

We had the most wonderful trip and made such great memories. My mom is now 84, still going great, just renewed her passport and can't wait for her next trip.

Good luck,
MY

Thanks for the info, Michelle. Sounds like you all had a wonderful time.

Do you remember who you did the Vatican tour with? That is one thing that I definitely want to include in our itinerary....especially considering my mother is a former Catholic nun and it would mean a lot to her.

Statia,
I would either use Context Rome (I have toured the Vatican with them twice!) or Icon.

Your mom will love it!

Also, for apartments, try Sleep In Italy. You can contact them, explain that you need an elevator or ground floor apartment, (tell them why) and they will get back to you with suggestions.

Thanks for the info, faredolce. I will look into those tour companies.

I also have a few possibile apartments picked out with Sleep in Italy, although I haven't contacted them. Do you know how their service is? Have you used them?

Dear Statia:

We used Scala Reale, which I believe is now called Context Rome. Our guide's name was John Boyden. He is an American studying theology(?). He was very good with my mom: going slowly, knowing where the next best place to sit and take a break would be etc. He is also very knowledgable about the Church and its history. He hit the highlights of the Vatican so we were not burned out by the time we reached the Sistine Chapel. Well worth the $$$$.

Good luck,

MY

That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for, Michelle....someone with patience with the elderly for certain tours, although we don't expect to take tours for everything we want to see.

Thanks for the info. I've bookmarked them from both your and faredolce's comments.

Topping again.

Statia,

Location-wise, I have state at the Albergo Cesari (between the Pantheon &amp; the Trevi) and at an apartment, Palazzo-Olivia (between Campo Fiori &amp; Piazza Navona). I preferred the apartment's location.

We choose the apartment for this past May '05 trip with my eldery mom, niece, hubby &amp; I. I was concerned with my mom, as she is very asthmatic, carries a portable respirator and is recovering from cancer.

What I was not aware of until we arrived in Rome was her recent hip problems, which had an even greater impact on her ability to walk. My previous knowledge was that she walked slowly but well.

This area, although flat, if not covered in cobblestone, is not &quot;even&quot; for easy walking for my mom. Not necessarily noticable by you or I, but mom indicated that she had to watch her step. For example, the road may have been covered with blacktop in places, and chipped off in others. This is the unevenness I speak off. Once she realized she needed to be intentional in her walking, she did ok.

We took alot of cabs. However, it really did not cost that much over the week. Perhaps 100 euro. We cabbed it to and from the Vatican, we even cabbed it from St. Peters to the front of the Vatican Museum. This was done so mom did not have to walk unnecessarily as she would be walking ALOT in the museum.

If you've any questions, please ask. I hope this gives you a better picture of one experience.

Hi Statia,
I'm sorry it took me so long...
I actually did not wind up renting with Sleep In Italy, because the apartment I wanted from them was booked. But I was impressed with how quickly they got back to me and answered all of my questions. Since then, I have seen many positive reviews of their apartments and service. Next trip, I will plan ahead earlier and use them.

I also want to agree with delvino in terms of the cabs. My mom has a pin in her hip too, and she can walk fine, just slowly. When I wanted to get from one place to another fast, I cabbed it. It wasn't prohibitively expensive.

delvino and faredolce, thanks so much for the further info. Sounds like we will be in much of the same scenario so your tips are very helpful.

I'm glad to hear that taking cabs often doesn't necessarily break the bank since I'm used to walking everywhere in cities in Italy. Thanks!