Elderly mom

What time of year? How many nights? What are her interests?

Orvieto springs to mind --- close to Rome and flat once you are on top and with a high concentration of museums, churches, restaurants, scenic walks, and views over the countryside.

I haven't been able to hoist my small suitcase onto a train for many years, so my husband does it by using a back pack for his own luggage.

A key to making this trip successful will be pacing and location of lodging. Thoughtful luggage planning will also help.

Find a hotel that is located not only near key sites, but also near key transportation links. If it isn’t the dead of winter, air conditioning is a must. Larger hotels will have more supportive infrastructure such as elevators.

Pacing. One major site in the morning then rest. One major site later in the day, then rest. If you find your mom is doing really well, you can always add in something else.

Luggage: When I know I am traveling by train, I pack a carryon size roller bag and one carryon size backpack style suitcase. One goes on my back and makes steps plus on and off trains more convenient. One I grab by the handle, and one hand is free for the handrail. You two sisters could each use this approach to carry your Mom’s bag for her. She can split her things between the two backpack style suitcases and you and your sister can each have a roller bag. Then Mom has both hands free for getting on and off trains.

High speed trains make it very easy to go between major cities in Italy.

Cities may be the easiest, mainly because of the ease of using a taxi from place to place if your Mum has limited mobility and/or endurance. Even in Florence (my choice for a second city) which has large pedestrianized zones, taxis can pick up and drop off within them. Plus many of the larger museums will likely have wheelchairs to lend or rent while inside. This allows Mum to enjoy as long as she likes without over tiring, as long as you are willing to push her. Siena, Pisa and Lucca could be done as day trips from Florence. Siena is actually easier by bus.

As much as I love Venice ( it's one of my favourite cities in the world), it is difficult for someone with limited mobility who tires easily. Its easy to get around for the able bodied, but there are no taxis or buses, just the vaporetti, and most of the canal bridges have steps that need negotiating.

Florence? It’s pretty flat and offers many sites.

I know you didn’t ask but 1. make sure the hotel room has a walk-in shower with a rubber shower mat/ grab bars and 2. make sure floors in the hotel room are even, not a step up to bathroom. Need to reduce chances of slipping/falling/tripping. Hope your mom has a great time!

Firstly, make sure you and your sister realize this trip will be based on what works for your Mother, not what you and your sister would normally do.

Secondly, check with her physician in terms of her fitness for travel. It’s not just the time in Italy, it’s the journey to and from an elderly person takes longer to recover from a long trans-Atlantic flight so you need to plan your itinerary for the first few days carefully to allow her time to recover. I always found that jet lag hit me a couple of days after arrival. (I speak as an 83 year old travelling from the West Coast).

Third, check her insurance coverage….can you get medical expenses and evacuation coverage?
Toilets - something you worry about a lot as you age, as you probably know they are not always easily accessible in restaurants etc.

Climate - what time of year are you likely to go? Europe is facing hotter summers so look at spring or fall. Think about less touristy areas, smaller towns which may be less crowded. Does she need walking aids? For example a walker or walking stick (I found walking poles were essential on cobbled streets and for exploring ruins - those darn ancients never put in hand rails!).

I would not do Siena. It's lovely but it has steep lanes to get to Piazza del Campo unless there is another way to get there from a different direction.

I'd also ask what is it specifically your mom wants to see/do in Italy? It seems that should guide the discussion about where/when/how. You mentioned Rome is a must, but it would help to know why (e.g., see the Vatican, eat real Italian food, or....?) I myself found Rome overwhelming, it would be even more so trying to navigate that city without a lot of walking. It's possible, just will take a lot of planning and as noted possibly renting a transport chair. You might consider renting a car to get outside of the big cities, that would help accommodate mobility challenges involved with train travel.

I would suggest taking a taxi or hired car as frequently as possible; save her energy for touring sites. I would definitely take taxis when traveling with luggage. In terms of travel between cities, look at the Italo and Trenitalia websites - they have resources for people with disabilities. This should help with (your mom’s) luggage as well - not sure if they will assist from curbside to loading on the train and vice versa, but it is worth investigating.

Of course set up for her to have wheelchair service in all airports; conserves energy and strength, and helps with luggage.

You did not reference her current level of mobility, but you might consider bringing a walker with wheels that has a seat. In museums this would help provide a radius around her and if she tires out, she immediately has a place to sit. I know, depending on where you are that may be more inconvenient than helpful…

‘Another idea is to stay a few days more than you normally would so that your mother has time to rest between excursions. I suggest not scheduling any sightseeing until your second full day in Italy. If she feels good on day one - great! Load up and tour something, but otherwise provide a full day for her to adjust.

My dear mother in law lived to be over 100 years old and was in incredible condition. While she did not travel internationally in her 90’s she still did a lot and had incredible stamina. She only started using the rolling walker when she was in her late 90s.

I hope you and your sister are able to figure out something that is enjoyable for all.

You may want to look into SalaBlu, that offers assistance to folks who need extra help using the trains. They assist with getting on and off trains and typically help with luggage.

I looked into this question a while ago, but never pulled the trigger. This site looked interesting to me, as I said, I never followed through.

Good luck, it is a wonderful thing that you are doing.

https://www.accessibleitaly.com/