Off the wall question for choosing a vacation destination

You’ll find both cobblestone sidewalks and flat, paved sidewalks in most European countries. So, you probably need to look at specific cities and towns within Europe and find ones that work better than Rome did for you.

Actually, I think Rome - - much as I love it - - may have been the worst choice. Besides cobblestones, there are all those places where “temporary” repairs have been done with now decaying asphalt; and tree roots add additional hazards. As I recall, Scandinavia, especially Denmark, was very navigable for us oldsters. You may want, wherever you choose, to make ample use of private guides who provide transportation. Also, many cities have canals along which you can take terrific sightseeing excursions. I ‘m remembering Copenhagen, Berlin, and Strasbourg, for examples.

Vienna - one of the most-compact, easiest cities to navigate in Europe.

Markcw is correct.

Because some day, in not too many years. I will be in the same position, and because I believe in Karma, if you should decide to come this way it would be a pleasure to help you plan out a few days around his abilities and enjoyment. Feel free to call.

Thanks for your ideas. We were in Rome largely because our cruise left from there and my sister owns an apartment there that we use. When we get home, I’ll start working on these cities to see if any might pique his interest. We use a lot of Tours by Locals guides so I guess those with cars are a good plan. The ones I’ve priced were, in my opinion, overpriced. But, that could be because the cities were expensive to begin with. Once we decide on a place, I’ll go back to the drawing board on that option. .Mr. E, you’ll be hearing from me soon.

It will be a pleasure.

Hi!

A) That question is not crazy at all! Living in London, which is a tripping hazard all the time, I get it.

B) Kudos for not giving up on travel! :-)

C) Hope this is not an impertinent question, but have you considered mobility aids? My 84 year old aunt travels a lot in Europe and swears by her trekking poles. She’s in Sarlat-le-Caneda right now, getting up and down hills and steep medieval stairs like a champ. https://www.toprated5picks.com/pages/best-5-trekking-poles-of-2025-ultimate-stability-and-comfort-for-every-trail-adventure

Or perhaps an upright walker with a seat? My 91 year old Mama no longer travels abroad, but she swears by her new walker, which has given her a new lease on life. She’s able to get out of the house and walk downtown to the book store and coffee shop without always being afraid she’s going to fall. The upright positioning would make it ideal for sightseeing - your husband would be able to look around while navigating with more ease. Plus there’s a place to sit if he gets winded.

You can check the street surfaces by using Google Maps Street View. Just pick a destination, and "walk around" using Google Maps.

I would add the Netherlands and strike out parts of Switzerland which are not located in valleys when you search "flat, paved sidewalks".

Hi, Wanderlust68,

I was recently in Budapest and was pleasantly surprised at the nice paved sidewalks I was able to walk on. I don't even remember seeing cobblestones, although there may have been some, but not in the main touristed areas. I will say that the Buda side is very hilly, but there are always trams, buses, and the metro that goes up there, so there's no need to climb steps to get places.

And speaking of public transport, it's very easy to get around the city that way. Also, public transportation for anyone 65 and over is totally free, even if you are not a Hungarian resident. All you have to do is show your passport when asked, but I was never asked. I guess that says something for how old I look, though, lol!

And best of all, it's a wonderful city to travel to. I fell in love with it and hope to get back again in the future.

a thought - Venice.

I love Venice, and while there are a fair number of bridges many have bannisters or rails or buildings adjacent to push on, it is my memory that I found very few uneven pavers except in a few of the campos near trees. Pretty much all the passages have a slight camber so the rain can run to the sides, but eminently walkable.

So far as vision loss, I live a wife who suffers that - learning how to gauge step depth using a walking stick (she uses a white cane) is an easily learned knack and can stop any number of falls.

Good luck to him and you, and may you have many more years together and travelling together.

Mardee caught the bug and one of the symptoms is selective memory. I enjoy Mardee like few others, but I know what happened to her. Happened to me too.

I love the city of my extended holiday but there are accessibility issues which is why I offered to help. For context, solving accessibility issues was part of my career for 40+ years.

But with a little advance planning it could be seamless and enjoyable. Actually most any city could be, but you need the local contact to make it work.

That public transportation Mardee spoke of ... some have curb level doors, most not and some are 3 steps of nearly a foot each up. Some Metro stations have elevators, most dont. But I know the TukTuk guys :-) . This could be so much fun to put together.

I can personally attest to the firmness and iregularity of the granite cobblestones in Copenhagen. I tripped over a transition between a threshold and cobblestone and landed on my knee. I was very fortunate it was mostly just an embarrassing incident. Copenhagen uses imperfectly level and variable square cobbles. They are mostly well maintained but there are some spots where the mortar is eroding and the level is even more variable or loose. Frequently there is a narrow band of smoother paving which is easier to walk on, but it's not guaranteed. I spent a tremendous amount of time looking at cobblestones while walking in Denmark. They are particularly attractive, frequently including interesting veins or bands in a dark red. Nonetheless, I would have been a little happier if I hadn't needed to pay as close attention.
Disclaimer: a degree of my need to be excessively cautious was due to some issues with the shoes I brought that stretched more than I expected making them too loose. I finally changed the lacing and tightened things up, but by then I'd already tripped.

The cobblestones and many of the paving stones in Frankfurt are a danger. I have tripped a lot but fortunately not fallen, but have seen many others fall. They are uneven, missing, edges raised for various reasons.
Getting a rollator is the best idea here.

That said, I have found the cities in Spain to have smooth walk-ways. Smaller towns like Burgos, Santiago di Compostela, Leon, Astorga, or Lagrono.

It’s a great question and I appreciate the responses.

Webmaster, with so many of Rick's fans getting up in years, we really need a mobility category in the Tips section. Thanks for all you do for this forum.