Trip suggestions for someone who can't walk far?
Jan 2nd, 2009, 08:49 PM
#1
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Trip suggestions for someone who can't walk far?
My wife and I (we are in our 50s) are trying to figure out a trip for next winter that would work well for our extended family—my father-in-law (86), my wife and me, and our two twentysomething children.
My father-in-law is a great traveler, but he really can’t walk for more than 0.5-1 miles per day, preferably in relatively small increments. We just got back from the Celebrity XPedition Galapagos trip, which worked well because they have 2 or 3 levels of intensity for all of the excursions (he generally stayed on the Zodiacs, and was able to see quite a few animals from there).
He is fine not doing everything, but I would not want to pick a trip where you can’t see much without walking.
Any good ideas?
Thanks very much,
Len
My father-in-law is a great traveler, but he really can’t walk for more than 0.5-1 miles per day, preferably in relatively small increments. We just got back from the Celebrity XPedition Galapagos trip, which worked well because they have 2 or 3 levels of intensity for all of the excursions (he generally stayed on the Zodiacs, and was able to see quite a few animals from there).
He is fine not doing everything, but I would not want to pick a trip where you can’t see much without walking.
Any good ideas?
Thanks very much,
Len
Jan 2nd, 2009, 10:20 PM
#2
Len, Smart Travel Tips doesn't get many visitors. You'd get more responses if you posted in destination related forums. Your question is general and I can't tell you where exactly to post. You could try the Lounge as well. Good luck.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 05:57 AM
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Hello RCLCOLPB 
How about a trip to the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland?
The mountain areas of Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Schilthorn are packed with peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, etc. You can ride the gondola, tram, cable car, or train all day without much walking.
And then there are the beautiful lakes, such as in Brienz, Interlaken, or Luzern, where you can ride the paddlesteamer to your heart's content.
Perfect, IMO.
How about a trip to the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland?
The mountain areas of Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Schilthorn are packed with peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, etc. You can ride the gondola, tram, cable car, or train all day without much walking.
And then there are the beautiful lakes, such as in Brienz, Interlaken, or Luzern, where you can ride the paddlesteamer to your heart's content.
Perfect, IMO.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:09 AM
#4
Are you interested in beach destinations? I regularly go to Puerto Vallarta Mexico or Honolulu Hawaii, and those two places there is lots to see & do without having to walk far necessarily (using rental car, boat cruises, taxis, etc.)
Jan 4th, 2009, 10:29 AM
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Very interesting ideas--thanks!
As we are open to anywhere in the world, I was hesitant to post on the location boards, though I realize they get a lot more activity. But the Lounge is a good idea--I will try it.
My father-in-law, unfortunately, does not like to sit on beaches for very long, but I suppose that doesn't rule out beach areas with other available activities (although the rest of us would feel deprived if we went to Hawaii or Puerta Vallarta or didn't get to spend time on the beach...).
Thanks again,
Len
As we are open to anywhere in the world, I was hesitant to post on the location boards, though I realize they get a lot more activity. But the Lounge is a good idea--I will try it.
My father-in-law, unfortunately, does not like to sit on beaches for very long, but I suppose that doesn't rule out beach areas with other available activities (although the rest of us would feel deprived if we went to Hawaii or Puerta Vallarta or didn't get to spend time on the beach...).
Thanks again,
Len
Jan 4th, 2009, 10:53 AM
#7
Both Puerto Vallarta and Waikiki have lots of things to do besides sit on a beach. You could definitely plan daily itineraries that would have something special for everyone, and still allow those who were interested to get in some beach-time.
Jan 4th, 2009, 11:04 AM
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Yikes, I just re-read your original post, where you mention traveling "next winter." Missed that comment first time thru.
Forget my suggestion of Switzerland. If your FIL is anything like my father, traveling to the snowy regions in winter is definitely out. Blood is too thin to ever get warm enough.
The beach is sounding pretty good to me for your trip.
Happy travels!
Forget my suggestion of Switzerland. If your FIL is anything like my father, traveling to the snowy regions in winter is definitely out. Blood is too thin to ever get warm enough.
The beach is sounding pretty good to me for your trip.
Happy travels!
Jan 4th, 2009, 04:54 PM
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I was thinking an Alaskan cruise until swisshiker pointed out the winter part. That's probably not a good time to visit.
When we went to Hawaii one March we didn't spend hardly any time on the beach because the water was just too cold for us. And the daytime temps weren't that high either. But we sure did have a great trip! Lots of sightseeing to do!
Where are you coming from? Maybe make a post in the US forum but say your options aren't restricted to the US only. You're likely to get lots of responses there.
When we went to Hawaii one March we didn't spend hardly any time on the beach because the water was just too cold for us. And the daytime temps weren't that high either. But we sure did have a great trip! Lots of sightseeing to do!
Where are you coming from? Maybe make a post in the US forum but say your options aren't restricted to the US only. You're likely to get lots of responses there.
Jan 4th, 2009, 07:25 PM
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With your past trip being the Galapagos, I'm going to suggest the TundraBuggy polar bear tours. You can spend 2+ nights on a TundraBuggy traveling around Northern Canada (base is in Churchill, Manitoba) to see the polar bears. During the actual tour, you won't be walking much as you'll be on the buggies for safety sake.
Jan 5th, 2009, 05:20 PM
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Many hotels and resorts now have the motorized scooters available for rent for their guests with mobility problems.
I made this suggestion to a friend who was traveling to Atlantic city, she was convinced her traveling companion would be "too proud" to use a scooter. Boy was she wrong, her companion rented a scooter and traveled the length of the boardwalk for the first time in years, she said it was the best vacation, far better than she ever anticipated.
DF has now purchased a scooter to take on her various vacations.
I made this suggestion to a friend who was traveling to Atlantic city, she was convinced her traveling companion would be "too proud" to use a scooter. Boy was she wrong, her companion rented a scooter and traveled the length of the boardwalk for the first time in years, she said it was the best vacation, far better than she ever anticipated.
DF has now purchased a scooter to take on her various vacations.
