Hello, I am traveling with my mom for a ten day trip to Germany. We are looking for a guide who can be sensitive to her pace (slow) and energy and limited walking. She can walk but needs to rest and we just have to take it slowly and take a mid-day break.
We are also looking for someone to help us book and plan itinerary who is not crazy expensive.
Thanks for any help!
Carol and mom Louise
Are you looking for a guide that will go with you the whole time or a bus tour that you two can go on? Your request is a little vague and I think that is why you haven't gotten any answers yet.
Germany is a decent sized country with many, many places of interest to visit. If you narrow it down a little, I think people will help you plan it. Otherwise, you will need to go to a travel agent who is going to want to get paid for their services and you still won't have a guide. A guide that will go with you the whole way will also cost you a certain amount.
For 10 days, you may want to pick out just 2 cities or 2 areas.
Carol, I think a bus tour would suit your needs. Look into tours of Germany on line. Your mother could relax on the bus between adventures, and opt out of any sight seeing you might consider too much for her. Worth considering.
I agree with picking just a few cities and spending longer in each than we might usually suggest. That's what my family has done with senior travelers, using Rick's Germany guidebook for all our planning. Local, guided bus tours will be options when you're there. In Munich, we stayed near the main train station, which is a hub for public transport. Or you could stay closer to the Marienplatz to feel that the sites are closer to your front door. If you're tired, don't hesitate to take a taxi instead of standing around waiting for a bus or tram, or finding the elevator into the U-Bahn station.
Congratulations on her being 85 and still doing international travel!
Is this a first trip to Germany?
(Assume she has medical insurance that will cover her over there, just in case, since most of the time Medicare doesn't cover over there?)
One thing to keep in mind is that some cities, for example, Berlin, have wonderful boat trips that go all through the city and into surrounding areas. Also just north of Berlin is the very beautiful and historic Spreewald. There are bus tours from Berlin that take you to the boarding areas for the canal boats. The rides last a couple hours, and it's like flowing through a rich, green paradise with beautiful old wooden houses.
I mention these, because I travel to Berlin every year, and when I get tired but don't want to stay in my apartment, I take a boat ride where I can relax and still see interesting parts of the city and learn more about it.
I hope you both have a great time.
One thing to keep in mind is that some cities, for example, Berlin, have wonderful boat trips that go all through the city and into surrounding areas. Also just north of Berlin is the very beautiful and historic Spreewald. There are bus tours from Berlin that take you to the boarding areas for the canal boats. The rides last a couple hours, and it's like flowing through a rich, green paradise with beautiful old wooden houses.
I mention these, because I travel to Berlin every year, and when I get tired but don't want to stay in my apartment, I take a boat ride where I can relax and still see interesting parts of the city and learn more about it.
I hope you both have a great time.
A lot of elderly Germans go here (Bodenmais): http://www.bodenmais.de/
This is in the Bavarian Forest, famous for it's forests, glass, art and Schnaps. Many old folks bus trips go here. Not too many American tourists and you would have to find the right venue for your Mom, but she would be with many her age (language does it matter?). Not on the American tourist path. Folks music, pork roast with kraut knödel, some singing and dancing, group participation etc...
It would be reasonably priced too.
