Best itinerary for handicapped?
 

My husband and I are beginning our European trip in Portugal. We will be staying in Cascais and have a car. I'm partially handicapped as I can not stand or walk too long. I do have a travel scooter that folds up and can be pulled like a suitcase to navigate some stairs and escalators, etc. I'm one to push myself to the limits. We want to go to Lisbon and Fatima for sure. What type of itinerary would you suggest for a 6 day stay, Mar 29th. If you have restaurant suggestions...great! Really appreciate anything you can suggest to make our week a memorable one. Thanks

Perhaps you should go to Fatima first then perhaps you won't need any help?

PalenQ, your response was hurtful. I truly hope you never have to face being physically limited.

Hey, Pal..I admit it , I smiled reading your post (and yes, howdey, I'm handicapped ). But anyway, you shouldn't do such kind of comments to people who doesn't know you , it really sounded too acid...

Howdey, talking about Portugal..I love it but it has some "trouble" issues.
Lisbon is hilly, very hilly. I feared to go down the hill on a too quickly way in some occasions and not even the strong arm of my friend was enough (I have a balance problem also). As you may be thinking by now, it is "extra" tiring. Good news are taxis. They are very cheap, so don't be afraid to use them if you need them.
Don't forget to visit Gulbenkian Museum, it's not very big..but it's a great collection I visited everytime I've gone to Lisbon and I'm still not bored !

I, on reflection, do hereby apologize sincerely to Howdey - just seemed like a silly retort that i did not think you'd take personally

but i am seriously sorry

i was basically handicapped for two years after severe knee injuries and for six months basically not able to walk at all

I sincerely share you disgust at my remark, which i did not intend to be harmful and i'll try to be better.

Oh, I forgot..."Pastisseria do Belem" in Belem ...best Lisbon custard pastries (pasteis de nata) and cheap ! Don't miss them , they are out of this world, really !

PalenQ, I thank you for your apology and do accept it. Howdey

Thanks, Kenderina, I've written down your suggestions. I've heard about the hills...not very promising. I hope my little scooter can navigate them.

There is a very useful very tall elevator from the lower town to the Baixa (sp?) on the hill to the east where many hotels and sights are - very pleasant and fairly flat once up top if i remember correctly.

Thanks so much for the tip on the elevator, we will try to find it!

Are you able to walk with a cane? That may be your best bet for navigating, I really can't imagine being able to use a scooter or wheelchair in Lisbon. The hills are very steep and cobblestoned, and not many places are handicapped accessible.

As kenderina said, taxis are all over the place so you can always hail home if you get tired and there are many cafes to sit at.

Taxis are NOT abundant in the Alfama area or around the Castle though (from my experience). The tram will take you through the Alfama area.

Eat at pap'acorda in Lisbon.

Don't sweat it--you can always take a break when you need to and wine is cheap.

I can't speak for Fatima, never been there.

Howdey-Not meaning any disrespect at all (I too am walking/standing challenged due to severely arthritic knees) but I thought PalenQ's response was hilarious. However, I have an Irish "black" sense of humor, so forgive me, too. I'm a regular reader of Fodor's chats and find them informative, helpful, supportive and funny, not necessarily in that order.
The diverse personalities that contribute to this site comprise a "Fodor Family" that is a most interesting mixture of heterogeneous people from all walks of life around the globe. It's perks up my day to read the latest entries. I hope we can all appreciate each other and forgive any misdirected humor.
Eve

Great advice, cherrybomb! Especially the wine part! Yes, I have a cane that's a little tripod seat. After all that wine, I might need it!

Travelchat, guess my skin was a little thin this morning. I, too, am Irish. In fact, I just got my dual citizenship. I must have been wearing my American side today!

I think Howdey's response to my thoughtless (and that's what it was) chance to make a cheap crack to me is very understandable. And believe my spell bedridden and in a wheelchair made me all the more sympathetic to physical challenges

The amazing and hopeful thing to me is that folks like Howdey are not sitting home but traveling, in spite of the obvious hardships - that's the spirit to have.

Well, seems everybody has mentioned the very steep hills everywhere and the uneven cobblestones (very beautiful, though) - Also many trolley tracks in much of the downtown area that might cause you a bit of trouble.

Lisbon has 3 working street funiculars and one street elevator (The historic Elevador de Santa Justa also gives one access from Baixa to the Chiado district)which allow one to move to and from its hilly districts more easily.

The Glória Funicular (connecting Restauradores with the Bairro Alto.)
The Bica Funicular (Rua da Bica from the Rua S. Paulo, near Santos, to the Calhariz district.)
Boca do Vento (in Almada, across the river from Lisbon, not far upriver from the striking Cristo Rei statue, which itself can be ascended.)



(Pal...:) )

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.
Would hiring a private tour guide make it any easier(ie drive and let me off to see the sight and then to the next, etc.)? Or is driving downtown prohitive? Howdey

Driving around Lisbon to see the sights would not work very well. Despite the hills, everything is fairly compact.

Using the trams in combination with cabs/taxis is your best bet. Also, their are always cafes to sit in if you get tired and, if you can get by with the cane, I highly recommend that.

I have similar issues as far as not being able to stand/walk for super long periods and while I don't use a cane at home, I always bring a folding one on vacation just in case. I have only had to use it once and it was in Lisbon. It was a real help, especially with the hills--they are rather treacherous to walk down.

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