Stairs
 

I can walk for 2 hours on flat ground without a rest, but stairs are getting harder each year for me.

I want to climb stairs in Europe before my legs give out. So far, I climbed Vor Frelser Kirke in Copenhagen, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Peter's church in Munich, Wentzel-Tower of St. Vitus in Prague.

Next year, I plan to climb the Duomo In Firenze and the tower in Pisa. Can you recommend others where I may enjoy grand views?

St. Paul's in London, but check first about renovations.

The towers in Siena and Bologna, the duomo is Milan.

St. Peter's in Rome. Sacre Coeur in Paris.

SaraLee- I noticed you didn't mention the ultimate man-made challenge - Tour Eifel. The Town Hall in Rothenburg is worth the effort ...

Hi SaraLee,

You might wish to try the Torre degli Asinelli is Bologna. It's about 300 feet high.

The whole village of Oia on the Greek Island of Santorini is built along a seemingly neverending maze of steps connecting all the houses that are built along the cliff's edge overlooking the caldera of an ancient volcano and some of the most spectacular vistas you could possible hope to see.

The queens bridge behind Neuschwanstein castle in Germany! Amazing view, glad I did it when my knees were better.

Sorry for my delay in response, I had to work a bit. I looked up your suggestions when I came home.

Anonymous: It may be too late for me to climb St. Paul's 627 steps!
Howard & Ira: I shall try to include Torre del Mangia (400 steps) and Torre degli Asinelli (498 steps) in upcoming Firenze trip. I can visit Duomo in Milano much later because I believe I can use an elevator.
Koshka: I plan to go to Rome next November. I definitely try San Pietro (300 steps after the elevator). I walked up to Sacre Coeur once, but I probably resort to the funiculaire. I am saving Paris until Orange museum reopens.
Brother: I haven't been to Greece. I am thinking of a cruise around Greek islands when I retire. Santorini looks so lovely in photographs.
Kenny: Did you climb Tour Eifel? I used elevators and I had enough energy left to walk about to enjoy panoramic views from the top. In Rothenburg I only climbed up the town wall. I enjoyed views of country side from the back of the town.
cd: My knees were fine physicaly, but I could not dare go on to the bridge.
Thank you everyone. I added your suggestions to my climb-list.

SaraLee, I would be way too nervous to climb any really high set of stairs that is outside, silly as that might sound. Do you ever get afraid on any of these stair-climbing expeditions?

Try Cordes in South West France- a bastide town on top of a mountain; or the Scott Monument in Edinburgh; or the Duomo in Milan

And then, when you return home, why not go out to Yosemite and climb the 700+ steps up to Vernal Fall?

The Nelson Monument on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Sara, you don't have to go all the way to the top of St. Paul's to have a great experience. Go as far as the Whispering Gallery, a VERY interesting phenomenon!

In Florence, you should also consider climbing the Campanile, next to the Duomo. The view is said to be better, partly because you can see the Duomo from there.

Monument in London is not too difficult.

I climbed the Eiffel Tower when I was 19 (didn't have the ff to take the elevator) and I can STILL feel the pain!

Not a terribly difficult walk, but great, great views, is the hike up to the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

Tintagel stairs are steep and many! But worth every step

WillTravel: The only time I felt a strange sensation was when I was climbing upper parts of Vor Frelser Kirke stairs. I suspect the metal sheets on steps caused that weird feeling. I am sure it was not the height.

Sheila, Laverendrye, & Jody: I shall study your suggestions.

Howard: I'd better find a helicopter because 700+ is beyond me.

Craycraft: Thank you, it's good to know. I may try the Whispering Galley
for its enchanting name. I wonder if I can enjoy similar views from London Eye.

Cleveland: If my legs tell me to choose one, I shall choose the Campanile.

Surfgirl: Wow! You DID climb the tower, I bow to you in respect. When I looked up the tower and long lines at the feet of the tower, an idea of using stairs flashed in my head, but my wise husband who knew my limits better suggested we use elevators. I will go to Boboli Gardens for sure.

I think my legs have a few good years left, yet. I am looking forward to climbing places you mentioned. Thank you, again.

SaraLee, if it's any consolation, we didn't know it was 700+ steps before we climbed to Vernal Fall. Had we known, we wouldn't have done it!
You didn't respond about the tower in Il Campo in Siena. Their literature says 500 steps, but I only counted 400 going up and coming down. You get a wonderful view of Il Campo and the entire city.

Howard: I understood that you meant Torre del Mangia in Siena as in my first response.

There are so many places around Firenze that I want to visit and I only have 8 days for my vacation at a time, I do Firenze and Pisa, possibly Lucca, this time; Siena, S. Gimignano, Arezzo next time; Bologna and Ravenna, San Marino another time.