HELP ALL YOU SEASONED TRAVELERS NEED INFO FAST!!!!!

Never ever screw with your health. Limping throughout your trip is not the way to go. Sorry for the extra costs involved but there it is. All these places demand a lot of walking and standing to do properly. If you could do Paris first and work your way South the weather would be close to ideal. If not, I've been to all these places in Oct/Nov and while you can get rain and cold temps we're not talking North Dakota here. Dress in layers, have a wool cap and gloves, raincoat etc. October is my personal favorite for Italy.

I'm not sure what exactly your question is. Are you asking should you go with the foot possibly not completely healed and keep to the original schedule so as not to have to pay $900 in penalties?

If your foot isn't completely healed, you're not going to be able to enjoy your trip since you'll be walking all the time. October is a great time of year to visit Europe. As you say, it's less crowded and cooler making your visit more pleasant. The only negative I see is the additional expense but if you can afford it, I think delaying will only make your trip a better experience.

Hi I certainly wouldn't go if my foot isn't completely healed...but my question I suppose is weather. Is there that much difference between September and October? Having a foot issue has made me sit (no pun) and wonder if October wouldn't just be a better time to go...I guess it's expense, crowds, and weather. I think I lose all $ with Easy Jet, 275.00 for each ticket (2) British Air and maybe something with the Paris apartment. Say my foot was 100% what would you do? It feels better everyday but still not 100% and I've been off of it for several weeks. I'm pretty fir but not having walked could slow me down a bit. If I sound a little frazzled please bare with me. I've been planning this trip for months! (Leaving Sept 3)

Setting aside the health issue and addressing the question of time, I would suggest that the Oct would be potentially better than September. Our preference for travel is Oct. The weather is mild, evenings cool, and generally very dry. You can still get large crowds and hot weather in September. Not sure where all of the penalties are coming from as I think the only penalty would be airline tickets. Unless, of course, you are pre-paying hotels and trains which is something that we never do. This is a situation where travel insurance might have been helpful.

Coco, Several years ago I broke my foot the first day in London so you are getting first hand experience. While I managed to hobble through London, Paris, and places in Germany and Switzerland. It was a struggle, tiring, unpleasant. I have traveled in Italy the first 3 weeks in October and must say it was great. Actually made Venice, which can be humid, extremely pleasant. Use a cane no matter how healed you are as those cobbled streets are not easy with any wonkie foot.
Judy

We spent all of October in Italy last year and the weather was nice: never too hot, occasionally overcast, rained twice, and only once hard enough to drive us indoors. Delay your trip, heal, and have fun!

Wait,, before you go cancelling everything,, if you cancel your reservation in Paris you may be surprised to find it very difficult to rebook the room,, late Sept thru October can be very busy there, trade shows , fashion week etc... so rooms are harder to come by. I would contact hotel and ask if they have a room available for later dates,, and check to see if it works,, otherwise you will be scrambling.

Coco - I agree with the last poster about checking your accomodations... Check if you can change your reservations and exactly what it will cost before you start weighing your options. If you can change your hotel and air tickets then take into consideration how much do you think you can actually walk after being off your feet for several weeks... Hitting the ground running with a whirlwind trip is probably not ideal if you haven't been doing any walking for a couple of months. Have you discussed your trip with your doctor? I traveled with an injury before and worked with my doctor in making the decision to postpone or not. His opinion actually made me much more comfortable with my decision. That being said, easyJet's policy is a 35 pound fee plus any additional fare if the price is higher so you wouldn't lose everything unless you have a really cheap flight. Log on to your reservation on their website and there is an option to 'Transfer to another flight'. It's my experience that London and Paris are probably going to be getting cold and expect a little rain. I've been to both in at the end of September and the middle of October. It was quite chilly each time. Italy will be nice but chance of rain. Venice will probably be cooler than Florence and Rome. There will be less crowds in October and you will probably be feeling better. Best of luck!

Personally, I probably would not cancel if I can get around here at home, then I can in Europe. It looks like you have a little over three week of travel. Just take your time sightseeing - resting as you need to or spending time in pubs and cafes absorbing the culture and people watch. I have a hip problem, so I know what it is to slow down. It's amazing how much more you really see when you slow down.

I went to Europe with both feet broken - one I was able to tape up, and the other in a walking cast - and I was just fine. I rested when neccessary and wore comfortable clothes that allowed for the cast, but did everything I wanted to do and had a great time.

I have been to London, Venice, Florence, Paris is early/late October and into early November and the weather was fine. October is one of my favorite months for going to Europe. I wouldn't attempt Venice if you cannot walk well -- all you do is go up and down bridges over the canals - takes its toll on the most hearty walker. Lots of walking in the other cities as well.

I wouldn't go but that's me, evidently some people have with broken limbs. I guess the thing to ask yourself is how well you can tolerate pain/discomfort, and will you be ok if you can't do absolutely everything you planned on, or if you don't feel 100% when you do it. I will say it is tiring to walk in Venice with the cobblestones and bridges, but I love Venice so...!! The weather will be a little cooler, but I don't think enough to make a big difference, I love traveling in Europe in October-cheaper, less crowds, cooler. Whatever you decide to do, it sounds like you'll have a great trip!

I would emphasize that it may be hard to find lodgings, especially in Italy. Spend a couple of hours on-line and see if you can get new reservations for all your destinations at roughly the same prices. If so, could be worth it to postpone, and be more comfortable. Weather can be changeable in London and Paris in July and August too. Also, if you can change your route, London to Paris to Venice to Florence to Rome would be better weather-wise. You might get to see lovely fall colors in London and/or Paris. With a full week in London and another in Paris, you will probably have at least a few days of pleasant "outdoor" weather, and there are many sites to enjoy indoors if it's raining.

Coco, a few more weeks of rehab will definitely be to your advantage. We were in Italy, Austria and Germany last October and absolutely loved it. The weather in Italy was wonderful. We did get a few days of light rain in Austria and Germany. Towards the end of October, there was a threat of the first snow in the Bavaria region. If you are able to delay your trip a few weeks, I would. Not sure what your injury is, but would some sort of ankle brace help you to be more stable on your foot? Ask your PT for their thoughts. Good luck.

I had a similar incident a few years ago. I had booked the BIG ONE - a two week vacation for my family (including 4 teenagers) using frequent flyer miles and non-refundable hotel reservations. Wouldn't you know that approx. 2 months before we left I fractured my ankle and ripped all the ligaments. As it turned out, I was just getting out of a cast when we were scheduled to leave. I had to bring a 3 wheeled knee scooter and crutches with me because I could not yet be weight bearing. The trip was a little more difficult to get around and I tired a bit more quickly but we managed OK. It's hard to say how much more comfortable you will be after the additional 3 week period - could be minor or quite significant. Yes the weather will be a little cooler and the days a little shorter but you will also have fewer crowds. Is it worth an additional $800-$900 in penalties? - only you can be the judge of that.

Health wise make sure you check with your doctor. I'm not sure how far along the fracture is in the healing process, but if it's pretty recent you risk further health issues. So double check with your doctor. Walking is a big deal in Europe if you want to enjoy it regardless of the season your gonna want be able to see as much as you can and not be bummed out because your foot is hurt or risk causing more damage. I would wait personally just exchange some warmer weather clothing for colder weather clothing. Enjoy!!! It's gonna be a blast either way.