MY WIFE & I ARE LEAVING MAY 3 FOR 4 DAYS IN PARIS 4DAYS IN ROME 2DAYS IN FLORENCE & 2 DAYS IN VENICE. I KNOW THE STAYS ARE SHORT, BUT I NEED HELP IN GETTING THE MOST OUT OF OUR TIME. MY WIFE IS UNABLE TO WALK LONG DISTANCES WHICH COMPLICATES MATTERS. TOURS? CAR SERVICES? ETC.

What have you done so far to prepare for this trip...in the way of research?

THE TRIP IS THRU AIR FRANCE HOLIDAYS. THE HOTELS SEEM TO BE 4 STAR AND REVIEWS SEEM TO BE GOOD. TRAVEL TO ALL CITIES IS CONFIRMED. RAIL BETWEEN ROME, FLORENCE, & VENICE ALL CONFIRMED.

OK two hopefully helpful suggestions.

first - Do not type in all-caps. it is considered the same as SHOUTING on the internet. Plus it makes your post harder to read.

second - you need to re-post with a better title. "HELP" does not tell anyone what info/help you are looking for. 99% of the threads on here are asking for "help" -- if you put "Paris" and "Italy" and maybe even "mobility problems" in the title you will get a lot of help . . . .

I realize that you are new here today (how do I know this? click on your own name - - this is a valuable tip that Fodor's fails to share with you when they send you the e-mail to confirm your registration).

but...

...here is a very helpful piece of advice for a novice: please re-post this message with a "header" that actually tells what info you are seeking. Not only are you much more likely to attract help from those who know about Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice. As it is now, your post is quite inconsiderate - - it requires anyone who wants to know what you're asking - - to click on your post just to find out.

That's what headers are supposed to do.

I don't entirely blame you. Fodors is also remiss in not seeing that new registrants like yourself get introduced to tbe basic info - - available if you click on those tiny little red letters "HELP" in the upper left hand corner. Among other items, you can read there - - at http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q6 for example - -

&quot;Finally, create a title - make sure it is concise and <b>clearly describes your message (and destination, if applicable)</b>

And my final advice: when you re-post, please do not type in ALL CAPS. It's considered the equivalent of shouting on the internet - - and WE DO NOT LIKE BEING YELLED AT. Plus, it's generally just harder to read.

Best wishes,

Rex

Excellent suggestions from Janis and Rex. Most people will pass by a thread with a general title, and nobody likes the caps. We don't mean to be critical, just helpful. Please try again using a more specific title and only capitalze as necessary.

Thanks for the advice. Yes i am new to this. I will change the title. Thanks again

Mike, other factors to consider even for walking short distances in any of the cities are the cobblestones and, in Venice, the bridges. These make walking even more difficult. Cobblestones are not good with sneakers or flimsy sandals. Make sure you and your wife have shoes with very sturdy soles.

In Venice, the only choice is to use the vaporetto. Buy a pass and just hop off and on to sightsee. In Florence, the sights are somewhat close together (most within a 20 minute walk max). With such a short amount of time, you may want to do a good guided tour of the city for the 2 of you - you probably can find a good guide who has a car to reach any further away sites you might want to see.

You may want to start new posts for specific info ... &quot;Guide recommendations for Florence and Rome&quot;, or some such title.

Hi mike,

This thread, and it's links, should answer many questions for you.

Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

Mike has reposted his question with a much clearer title.
Here's the new post:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34601284

Sounds like a nice trip. We have lived overseas, and usually get a car and drive around ourselves. However you will be mostly in cities, and won't need a car. I have a replaced knee and the other in bad need of replacing. I can walk well,but NOT terribly long, and do avoid steps at this time. We are leaving next week for Frankfurt, Salzburg, Venice, Lake Garda, Innsbruck, LakeKonstanz, Rhine River,,2 weeks with small towns in between....driving a car.
For YOU, it's always nice to take a complete city tour to get a good overview in EACH city. It's on and off the bus, but still beats lots of walking, and one does learn many of details of a city. or you could probably locate a private tour with a car and driver to take you around the city,,,,,then go back to things that might interest you more.
If funds are no problem, and even if weighed against the train cost....you might consider hiring a driver and private car from Rome to Florence, taking you through the beautiful Tuscany countryside.
Having difficulties in walking long distances shouldn't hinder you taking a trip...and I'm glad you are going....
&quot;I&quot; am! Other people in wheelchairs travel overseas and I admire them so much...
Tourists offices and/or your hotel can be helpful in arranging some city tours for you, as well as drivers. When we lived in W. Africa, my 78 yr. old aunt came to visit,,,detouring through Scotland and London. In London she found a brochure in the hotel Lobby telling of a college girl who takes people around the city in a car.....and she had a GREAT TIME.

My parents joined us for a trip to Paris, Switzerland, Venice, Florence and Rome over the Christmas holidays. My Mom has had both knees replaced a couple of years ago and cannot walk long distances without stopping to rest. My recommendation is this: 1. invest in some excellent walking shoes like Eccos. There's a long thread on this forum about the best walking shoes. 2. plan your day. decide what sites to see that are in proximity to each other, allowing for extra time to stop and rest and don't fret if you have to skip something. 3. enjoy the best of what Paris and Italy can offer..which is the ability to sit at a cafe and people watch or a slow stroll through a beautiful piazza or garden. 4. Take public transportation and cabs when you're tired. There's nothing wrong with that. At times, my husband and son would take off walking to a designated destination and I would hop in a cab with my parents because they weren't up to walking at that time. The bottom line is that if you plan ahead with what you want to see, allowing adequate time for walking then you'll be fine. Just take it slow.