Trip Report:Rome and Venice in a Wheelchair
 

After a year of researching routes,forseeing potential barriers,and preparing for all possible uncertaintees.I travelled to Rome and Venice for the fist time.
~Brief Biographical Note:I am a 39 yr old Professor of Art,and a painter.10 years ago however,I was amountain bike guide.Like Humpty Dumpty I had agreat fall.So now I experience travel in a manual wheelchair.
The trip begins a year (prior to our May 21 departure) with 2 semesters of Italian classes at the college where I teach.
My French is quite good so picking up Italian went really well.It has become a goal to speak the language of the country to which I am travelling(not just phrasebook interaction,but read,write and speak).
Its always a mystery whether your perception of a city and its reality will align in the end.I wanted to experience the full measure of these two great cities by seeing as much of the art&architecture as possible while revelling in the glory of Italy's food and wine at a wide variety of cafes and restaurants.
I have high esteem for living in the moment of the journey, but place even higher value on great photos of said journey.With that in mind,I took a 35mm camera,and 2 Holga medium format cameras with me(ended up snapping nearly 40 rolls-most was black and white)I leave the digital pursuit to my wife,film still rules!
Day1-Rome
We arrived at our Spanish Steps Apt.at noon.Internazionale Domus has several great apts.in the building looking out on the steps and Trinita dei Monti church.At 1st thought many might have potential issues with an abode in proximity to this frenetic location,but it proved to be an endless theater of curiousities.
As the shudders where flung open to meet this classic Roman view,the frequent phenomena of restoration was confronted upon the facade and obelisk of the church.Oh well you adapt.Everything is amusing with good wine.
Lunch and subsequent tooling around in the streets flanking via condotti.Dinner this night was at Enoteca Antica-superb roman specialties and wines with real people serving you.Across the street there is a trattoria to avoid (primarily becauase of the tired,surly,and tourist weary waiters)-just go to enoteca antico.
After dinner -Fontana Trevi,and its constant throngs-still a great baroque fountain,better early in the am.
Day 2-Up and out by myself to photo by 6:30am-head toward Piazza del Popolo.I think that this is a magical time to be out in the city.Locals walking to work,quiet streets,shop owners preparing to open,good light.Sleep in when your dead.
My morning ritual soon becomes get up early,take pics, grab a cafe lungo and cornetto crema and return to the apt. to check on the readiness of the preeeners and primpers(3 women,2 men)-usually out the door by 10 am-patience!
Once out on the streets and down the via corso,stopping at the colonna di marco aurelio,then on to il panteon,campo di fiori and piazza navona-all wonderful spaces(along the way-check out chiesa luigi dei franchesi -carravagio paintings-if you do this route)-continued

You don't mention any issues thus far with wheelchair access in the apts or restaurants...so I hope that menas that you found it accomodating. I'm just curious though on if you found certain attractions unaccessible?

oh boy, can't wait to see the photos!

Can't wait to hear your impressions of Venice. When I saw that all the bridges had steps, I thought to myself that if I was in a wheelchair, Venice would be one place I would just not be able to visit...I'm wondering if you've ever traveled in a more inaccessible place? I know that some of the bridges had some sort of a wheel chair ramp or device, but they were always at the top of the bridge, meaning that one in a wheelchair could not use the bridge independently. I'm sure you did your research and I admire you for being willing to tackle it...I think I would have grown very surly (or maybe you had some good wine?)

Hi sandi,Im working my way towards those topics,as I wrestle with the more salient moments, which I am recalling as I slowly peck at my keypad.I wasnt anticipating already running out of room for the initial post.Alas,this is my 1st trip report.

Well I'm stupid-I waisted time summarizing day2 of this trip and posted it incorrectly.Now I'm hungry and worn,more comments to come,ciao

Vin, why don't you copy and paste your next installment into this report to keep it all together.

I can tell by your installments so far that you are not one to complain...however, if (IF?!) there were areas where accessibility was a problem, I hope you'll post them for the benefit of others in like circumstances. We promise not to call you a whiner.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34832285

this is day 2 from vinrouge's other post.

Please click on your name, bring up this post and put the rest of the report on it..makes it easier to keep it all together.

Hi vinrouge,

I greatly enjoyed your Day 1 and 2 and look forward to the rest of your trip report. You have unique perspective and a gift for descriptions.

vin,

Great start - looking forward to more...

Fodors Quote of the Week:

"Everything is Amusing with Good Wine .."

Can't wait to hear more.

More?

The trick to bypass a venetian bridge is to get to the closest vaporetto (boat) stop and go to next stop beyond the bridge. Vaporettos n. 1 and 82 are accessible.