Broken Foot - should I cancel trip to Tuscany?

Sorry.....
both times I broke something I was also scheduled to travel... did not want to reschedule, so I just forged ahead.
With the broken ankle I was not on crutches and did have a cast that I could take on and off with Velcro (not sure if that is what you are talking about) I was also near the end of my 10 week recovery. I knew I would have to take it a little slower, but really I did not regret going. I just made sure to elevate my leg as often as possible, and when I think back on that trip I hardly remember that I had an injury. Same with the broken wrist on my right hand... what it did impact was my driving... I had to rent an automatic instead of a stick... but otherwise it is amazing how quickly you can adapt. I would rather go with a cast than stay home.

Sorry to hear of your broken foot a month before your Tuscany trip.
I suppose that it's just human nature that people here will be reluctant to tell you not to go.

However, did your doctor give any opinion on whether you should go now with the broken foot or wait until you are healed?

Possible things to consider:
1) Tuscany in general has lots of hills and stairs.
2) Obviously, you'll want to balance hobbling around on crutches now in hill conditions, versus the enjoyment of waiting a bit and going when you're healed?
3) Also whether canceling now will cost you significant money?
4) Another factor to consider is: whether your US health insurance will cover you in Italy, should there be complications while you're outside the US? If you fell and it led to complications, would you be covered? It could be expensive.

Michelle, so sorry to hear about this run of bad luck. I'm usually the perpetual "Go for it!" type but after hobbling around Germany on a broken ankle when I lived there, I have a different perspective. I think of myself as fairly agile, but in a cast and on crutches, EVERYTHING seemed to take twice the time and effort. Old European cities are not nearly as handicap accessible as American. The steps, the underground tunnels at train stations, the lack of parking and curb cut-outs, the cobblestones and hills, all can start to conspire against you! European women seem to be born with some gene for tripping effortlessly across cobblestones in stilettos, but the thought to pushing a knee walker uphill through rutted cobblestones sounds like a lot of hot work in July. And then there's the issue of a cramped international flight, unless you can fly business and keep your leg elevated.

I really hate to sound so negative, but if there's anyway you can delay this trip until you are back in good shape, I think you will get to see and do a lot more. Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

While you could go slowly on the scheduled trip and would find ways to relax and enjoy, I'm sure you won't accomplish half of what you originally planned if you are using crutches or a walker. It's pretty safe to assume that every single site will include stairs and/or cobblestones. In some older museum buildings, elevators are a far walk from the main entrance and require staff help to access. In many hotels, elevators start one floor up, not always on the ground. Train and metro stations may or may not have elevators and escalators, depending on location. In cities, taxis can be an easier option to get you door-to-door. If you plan to have a rental car, it can be an easier to travel in rural areas, but you'll have to be careful not to drive into ZTL/ limited traffic zones in historical town centers. (Rick's intros to many Italy chapters start with the advice to park on the edge of town.) Most hotel and car rental reservations can be cancelled, but most pre-paid flights and musuems can't be refunded.

Are you traveling alone or with someone?
If with someone get a rental car and let the other person drive. You can get to many places by car and for other areas you might want to use a taxi.

If you can get a 'disabled person' placard if you can. It's not officially valid for parking in Italy, but nobody will fine you. Still do not enter ZTL's guarded by cameras, as you would need a city issued transponder which is generally issued to those who are disabled (in Florence for example).

Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Pistoia are not on hills, therefore you could even use a wheel chair there. Montecatini Alto is on a hill, but drivable. Obviously you will be limited in certain situations where you have stairs and no elevators, but you can still visit a lot.

I don't know about other cities, but Florence has free wheel chairs for tourists. Go to:
-Arciconfraternita della Misericordia – Piazza Duomo, 19 -Firenze Tel +39 055212222 (It's across from the Giotto's Campanile on the southern side of Piazza Duomo). FREE RENTAL.
- Arciconfraternita Misericordia di Firenze – Viale dei Mille 32 – Tel +39 055 571190 (near the stadium, outside the ZTL and easily reached by car – FREE RENTAL
- Infopoint piazza Stazione n.4 (email: [email protected] or tel. 055212245) Security Deposit € 150,00 (cash or credit card) refunded when wheel chair is returned. The rental is free of charge but up to 2 days max.

These are other wheel chair rentals in Florence:
Dei Ortopedia - Via Pisana 71rosso – Tel +39 055 224090 – PRICES: – € 70 (up to 3 days), €90 (4 to 7 days). Can be delivered at hotel.
Galli Alessandro – Via Bronzino 157 – Tel +39 055 704149 – min 3 days: € 60, can be delivered at hotel.
Giglio Ortopedia – Via G. Milanesi 47/E – Tel +39 055 4620207 – €2.80/day –

Below are itineraries prepared by the City of Florence for disabled persons:
http://wwwext.comune.fi.it/viverefirenze/itinerari.html

About three weeks before I took my first trip to Italy, I broke my ankle. Pins, cast, crutches. I am a solo traveler, female.

I was pretty determined to go so I had to make some modifications to the trip. I changed my small rolling bag for a small backpack which I found I could manage with my crutches (talk about packing light). The airline put me at the bulkhead seat so I could keep my leg up. I changed up my expectations and did some things I didn't plan on originally - more time in smaller museums, perusing bookstores, houseware and fabric stores, enjoying sitting on piazzas and in parks, and visiting churches. I learned to take taxis. I learned to allow extra time for every adventure.

I cut back on my walking expectations; the list of things I had planned, but didn't do is very long (climbing the dome of St. Peter's, the dome of the Duomo in Florence, rural Tuscany, to name a few). I had to change my reservations at a few hotels, but found others with elevators from the ground floor. I found some museums have freight elevators and at times the staff would put me on those to get me up a floor.

It wasn't the trip I had planned on, but it was a wonderful trip nonetheless.

Oh, and one time I BROKE the top of my foot while in Rome! That, though, is an adventure story for another time.

FYi, when I had to cancel a trip at the last minute, delta was great about rescheduling my nonrefundable ticket since it was a medical emergency. I was amazed... it's worth exploring with your airline.

I agree with Kent and would also suggest that your first step should be to have a chat with your Physician, as he/she will be the best one go determine whether you're capable of travel and especially weight bearing on the injured foot. I believe there are different types of Lisfranc fractures, so the answer will probably depend on which type you suffered and also the severity.

Also, as someone else mentioned if you travel with a pre-existing condition, it could affect your travel insurance coverage should you have problems during the trip and have to seek medical attention.

If it's any consolation, the two easiest trails in the Cinque Terre are closed and not expected to re-open this year, so you wouldn't be able to hike them anyway. The other two are somewhat more challenging and I would NOT recommend trying to hike them with a foot injury.

Good luck!

I am sorry, Michelle. Should you make this trip you have been given some good suggestions. Best wishes! In July 2001 I broke my fibula 10 days before an intricately planned trip with family to the Iberian Peninsula. Starting with Madrid, ending with Lisbon, with lots of hill towns, cobblestones, and stairs in between. I am grateful to the orthopedic surgeon who saw me, who coincidentally had just returned from Spain and Portugal. He had good advice for a successful trip: requesting a bulkhead seat, a good hiking boot for my one good leg, taxis, elevate when possible, etc, I wore a velcro-to-the-knee-boot and used a cane. My injury was different from yours but for me, going was better than missing an unforgettable trip.

I am sorry, Michelle. Should you make this trip you have been given some good suggestions. Best wishes! In July 2001 I broke my fibula 10 days before an intricately planned trip with family to the Iberian Peninsula. Starting with Madrid, ending with Lisbon, with lots of hill towns, cobblestones, and stairs in between. I am grateful to the orthopedic surgeon who saw me, who coincidentally had just returned from Spain and Portugal. He had good advice for a successful trip: requesting a bulkhead seat, a good hiking boot for my one good leg, taxis, elevate when possible, etc. I wore a velcro-to-the-knee-boot and used a cane. My injury was different from yours but for me, going was better than missing an unforgettable trip.