Traveling with elderly in Bavaria and Austria
 

In early September, my wife and I are treating my elderly parents to a trip to Europe. My parents have not to Europe since we lived in Wurzburg, Germany in the early 1970s. My dad has a medical condition which causes his legs and feet to swell dramatically at times. Therefore, while he can walk, even stairs, the thought of having to walk very far concerns them. It seems their greatest concern is slowing us down. However, while we are in tow, this is their trip and I have no problem moving at their pace.

My plan is to take them back to Germany again, Bavaria, and also briefly into Austria. Our trip, home and back to home, will last about 18 days. However, to make the trip easier on them, we are first flying to Barcelona for a seven day Mediterranean cruise, followed by two days in Barcelona. We will then fly from Barcelona to Munich, arriving at 9:00 am on a Tuesday. We will fly home the following Monday, mid-day from Munich.

We are not the churching touring type. We want to experience the local cultures, eat local foods, enjoy the landscapes, and perhaps catch a castle along the way. My thought was to rent a car and immediately head south as soon as we landed. I did tell my parents, I would drive them on the Grossglockner Alpine Road in Austria at some point.

My wife and I have previously been to Salzburg and think that will be relevant for the trip but Germany will be the primary focus. I have seen some recommendations that folks should base in Berchtesgaden but I am still uncertain. I would not mind a few days at one base in Germany and another in Austria as we travel Grossglockner Alpine road; on the other hand, I don’t want to waste too time relocating with the limited remaining days. Good food, local folks, and cobblestone streets would probably bring back great memories for the parents.

Would I be foolish to also try to work in Innsbruck in the process? Would there be anything relevant to see there that we would not experience in Germany and Salzburg? Your suggested trips plans, for nature loving elderly folks would be appreciated.

I have no idea why the topic posted when I simply clicked on the preview mode. Sorry for the typos.

If it were me, with elderly parents where walking is difficult (coincidentally, it is) I would think of the following:

1) A car is mandatory;

2) The best thing to do with a car, is to stay in lovely little gasthoefe outside of any major centers; what I do is go to booking.com and enter dates and a city, but then use the map function to find places that are outside major centers - - could be small towns, could even be country gasthoefe; you can find top customer-rated places that are reasonably priced, and totally idyllic, and let you drive right up to the door for easy ins and outs (just look closely at the extent stairs need to be negotiated, if this is an issue);

3) I wouldn't go to Innsbruck necessarily - - maybe a smaller town like Bludenz; if you have a car and can find beautiful little places just about anywhere, then go for quality, comfort, simplicity, and beauty; Innsbruck as a city rates low across those dimensions.

4) Stay where it is comfortable, easy, and beautiful, and then swoop into major cities, parking in public garages, where you can determine that walks are minimal.

That's what I would do! Those country towns/gasthoefe have the real character and atmosphere that I think your folks will love. Urban is not that special - - and you have the flexibility to arrange day visits anywhere at your convenience.

definitely rent a car it will be a lot easier for all of you to get around and you are not tied into transit schedules.

it will be more restful and less stressful if you base yourself in one or two places. You only have 8 days or so post Barcelona, and will have to be in Munich the night before you fly home.

don't be surprised if your parents decide that there may be a day when they want to do essentially nothing. it takes a lot of energy to be on vacation

for your parents consider accommodations that have elevators or ground floor rooms. it also may be easier for them to have a stall shower rather than a tub/shower combo. Many bathtubs in Europe are higher and harder to get in and of

depending on where you stay or visit, you may be able to rent/borrow a wheelchair if needed and if your father would use one.

ask your parents what places they most want to see again or for the first time.

you may want to talk to your father and his doctor about any concerns either of you may have regarding his medical condition while on your trip.

The problem with the quaint and cosy country inns is that many are not equipped with modern-day ameneties like elevators or level-free showers etc.
The latter are much the norm is large, somewhat fake "Alpine resort" hotels. They often imitate the looks, but obviously do not have the charme of a medieval or 19th century inn.
But the mid-sized and larger hotels usually have a number of "barrier-free" rooms with easy or no-step access to showers, larger bathrooms. You do not have to be in a wheelchair to appreciate these little conveniences, I guess.
So it's a trade-off.

Regarding your routing, I think it is a great idea to drive the Grossglockner Alpine Road. (assuming that you go in summer or early fall, as it is closed from late fall to late spring). Innsbruck would be somewhat out of your way if you planned to drive the Grossglockner and were looking for a base for 2 nights or so to explore Tyrol.
If you took your time on the Alpine Rd, you could end that day in Lienz. More a small town than the already somewhat larger Innsbruck. And use Lienz as your base for 2 nights, with the Dolomites region an easy 1hr drive away on the next day.

Thank you for the responses thus far. It has been fun watching my parents try and practice the bits of German they knew back in 1973. I am trying to take my parents to places they want to see, but since they have not been to that general area, they don't know specifically what they want to see.

Dfourth, my parents are small town folks so your suggestions are right in line. However, as the others have mentioned, I have to balance that with structures having too many stairs or non senior friendly accomdations from a physical perspective. I spotted Bludenz on a map last night. I have to check driving distances and time. I would not be opposed to going to Austria first and driving the alpine highway the opposite direction.

My Dad has heard me in the past speak of eating from the vending truck in the Salzburg square, and it's approximately 12 different brats. He now wants to try that. My point is that their desires are simple ones, just to experience life in the Germany and Austrian small villages again.

Originally, my dad mentioned Berlin because that is one of the places they were stationed early in their marriage. However, when I reminded my dad that Berlin is a larger city since he was there in the 1950s, we have nixed that idea.

Cowboy, I will gladly drop Innsbruck. I was not wedded to that idea, I just want them to get as much exposure to the cultures again. I will have to educate myself on Lienz.

Why don't you invest in a portable wheelchair. They fold and are as easy as a stroller for a baby to take with you. They will check it as luggage normally for free. Hotels are much better for dealing with elderly and the chain hotels are more likely to have handicap facilities. I did two weeks in a boot in Germany and did ok.
Garmisch would be a great base to visit so many places and the train is right there.

My dad would have no interest in a wheelchair. As I indicated. They can both walk, including climbing stairs. Stamina is their concern if the need for a long walk arises as his swollen legs can become pretty heavy.

Thanks