Suggestions for traveler with limited walking ability
 

My husband is limited in the amount of walking he is able to do. We are looking for suggestions on trips anyone else has taken (other than a cruise) which would require only limited amount of walking. <BR>Don't know if anyone has any ideas, but I would appreciate any response. We are open to any destination. Thanks!

Patricia, <BR> <BR>I am still working on putting together a "less-ambulatory" trip for my grandmother (and maybe some of her friends). While she would probably go anywhere anytime, I am leaning towards England maybe with Ireland - - in April or May? <BR> <BR>I have pushed to the top some background questions I have asked here under the heading "Wheelchair - - rent or take?" <BR> <BR>Feel free to write me. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio

Patricia\ <BR>try some of these <BR> <BR>www.fhwa.dot.gov <BR>www.access-able.com <BR>www.jsrd.or.jp/dinf_us/disability_ <BR> resources/travel.htm <BR> <BR>www.everybody.co.uk <BR>www.accessibleitaly.com <BR>www.disabilitytravel.com <BR>www.flyingwheelstravel.com <BR>www.dales-discovery.co.uk <BR>

Hi. My wife and I have limitations walking too! But we work around it. <BR>Not knowing the precise extent of your husband's walking limit, I can offer a few suggestions for seeing the Swiss Alps. Around Grindelwald there are two gondola lifts that give the rider ample opportunity to see peaks like the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. <BR>These two are: the Firstbahn which goes from Grindelwald to a lift station named First, and the Männlichenbahn which goes to a flat area on top of the ridge that separates Grindelwald from Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. It is something like 6K long, so you have quite a few minutes to take in the beauty. <BR>Also, from Grindewald, the Wengeneralpbahn goes from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg, which is the jumpoff place for the train ride to the Jungfraujoch. <BR>The trip to the Jungfraujoch is expensive, but there is an enclosed obervation tower at the top. You ride up an elevator to the obserbation floor. <BR>From there you can see both sides of the Berner Oberland range. <BR>You can also approach Kleine Scheidegg from Lauterbrunnen by taking the train up to Wengen and then on the "gap". <BR>From Wengen you can enjoy a lovely view of the Berner Oberland as well. <BR>Around Luzern and Interlaken there are several lake cruises that are very nice. <BR>You are able to see a lot of grand scenery. <BR>Around Zermatt there are various cable lifts and the Gornergratbahn,. <BR>The trip to the Gornergrat leads to views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa and many other peaks around Zermatt. <BR>The only potential danger I see is getting on the gondola cars themselves. <BR>The cars slow way down and the entrance is about at ankle level. You ride seated and the cars have clear plastic panels all around for full viewing. <BR>If you go to Paris, a boat ride on the Seine would enable a passenger to view many of the monuments without having to walk. It is my understanding that some of the larger museums provide wheelchairs, but I have no direct knowledge of that service. <BR>If you don't become freightened by heights when driving, there are three spectacular mountain passes that can be driven in a day, assuming you start from near Interlaken. We did them last summer and enjoyed the ride. Fortunately my wife is a better than average driver, so I got to be the official viewer on that trip. <BR>Hope these ideas help! <BR>And oh yes, how about a Rhine River cruise? Or one on the Danube?? These are good ways to see the country side without walking. <BR>Then, too, I might suggest barge trips in both England and France. I am sure that many barge trips exist where you go along canals and can get on and off to walk short stretches if you desire.

I think the big cities really would entail a lot of walking, for us they do anyway even with public transportation (Metro, Underground, etc. require lots of walking & stairs) so I'd pretty much rule that out. You could rent a car and stay outside the cities and do the countryside. Not knowing your interests makes it hard to say what you might like the most but if you are up to driving on the left the British countryside is lovely and you can stop where you want to see what you want and be in charge of your own walking so to speak. You can do that easily in France too. Perhaps if a city does interest you it would be beneficial to stay in a large hotel that tour companies use for a pick up (i.e. some Thistle Hotels in London for example) and day some day trips and/or half day city trips. If you plan on London or Paris there are also river boat rides in both that allow you to sit and look at the scenery! Amsterdam has the canals as well. Perhaps if you let us know the amount of walking he is able to do you will get some better advice, also what your interests are. We've driven in the countryside in several countries and had marvelous times stopping at small (less well known) sights, etc.