julies, Thank you for the reminder about weather! We went to Sicily in July in 2008 and nearly all died--and we were in (comparably) great health then! I'm off to read a little about the weather and options in Sweden--a place I hadn't considered. Is it bright all day in Sweden in July?

maragold..your question aroused my curiosity... found this chart re daylight in Sweden: http://www.stockholm.climatemps.com/sunlight.php
We were there once in Sept. and I don't remember the days being especially short.

(I gather you're in Oregon, so my idea of the QM2 wouldn't save much flying time -

maragold--You would probably be there in the time of extremely long days.

We haven't been to Sweden but visited Lithuania (similar latitude) around the 1st of July. It finally got really dark about midnight and then started to lighten up about 3:30 or 4:00.

I recently found this great weather site for planning trips. Play around with it; you'll get some great help.

http://www.whereandwhen.net/when/fra...deaux/october/

Anyplace in northern Europe (Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland, England) will have <u>extremely</u> long days in June/early July.

Gwendolynn, we'll actually be starting this trip in Cleveland, OR, where we'll be dropping my daughter off at Camp Grandma

Brittany is a great idea. It won't be too hot or crowded. It has beautiful coasts, and wonderful countryside inland, with plenty of interesting towns and villages to visit, as well all the prehistoric monuments. There are lots of bungalows in Brittany too.
A cruise of some sort would still be first choice, but I am a recent Brittany fan.

Most river boats have large, patio-style windows in the bedrooms, some with actual balconies. No problem with feeling claustrophobic. Lounges have walls of windows.

Sassafrass, no problemo.

I'm off to read a little about the weather and options in Sweden--a place I hadn't considered. Is it bright all day in Sweden in July?

Yes, certainly. Long evenings and Stockholm goes all Paris-like: people outside on terraces, summer restaurants at Skepsbronn, with a beautiful view. Usually it's sunny too with temperatures that aren't too different from those in London, say.

The point is: Sweden is one of the most forward thinking countries concerning rights for people with disabilities and this shows itself in everything. This makes it possible to "do" a city as a family and also have the daytrips you want (if only to visit Vaxholm by ferry: the new commuter ferries are wheelchair accessible)

this might be an idea too:

http://www.sagetraveling.com/highlig...uise-excursion

have fun planning!

Hi Mara,

>my husband is claustrophobic, and I'm not sure how successful I'll be at talking him into sleeping on a boat.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm. A riverboat is sort of largish.

I'm with K.

Here is a pic of our room on The Avalon Passion
http://www.avalonwaterways.com/River...valon-Passion/
Cat B, approx 200 sq ft.

The boat is about 400 ft long by 100 ft wide.

We just finished a 10-day Bucharest-Vienna voyage. They also do the entire Danube (Amsterdam to Bucharest).

The boat stops at many cities along the route. Those passengers interested in a shore excursion may walk as little or as much as they would like.

Nearly all river boats have a hot tub on the top deck.

As we made our way around Bordeaux today, I was reminded of your question. This is an extremely (handicapped) user-friendly city with great public transportation. There was a man in an electric wheelchair who was on his own and zipped on and off a tram we were on today. Streets are flat and very accessible for people in chairs, and we saw a number of people easily getting around since there are no curb bumps. There are river cruises, and the sea is less than an hour away. Even the rather small restroom in the café we stopped in for lunch was handicapped friendly with a door that could handle a wheelchair and a grab bar and lower sink. There are many references referring to Bordeaux as a mini Paris, and I'd agree. Just another thought for you.

julies, thank you for the information about Bordeaux!