In denial about limited mobility

Well you are not in denial. In fact you are being proactive by posting this. Get to a good DME (durable medical equipment) dealer who has seat canes. Best to try the various models rather than buying blindly on line. Much easier to carry around and use compared to a wheeled walker with a seat, but that is another option should the seat cane not work out for you.

You don't need to stand in lines. If you're going to Florence, skip the Uffizi and Accademia and enjoy the lineless Bargello, Medici Chapel, Museum of Precious stones, Galileo Science Museum, Santa Croce, etc.

I'll bet every one of your cities offers outstanding sites without the godawful lines at the major tourist attractions.

I read the title as "is dental about limited liability?"

Gotta fetch me reading specs.

I also can’t walk far or stand long. Having a cane with a seat is a great idea. I now travel with a wheelchair for distances. Luckily my husband is a great pusher! But I still climb a flight of stairs and walk shorter distances to go into cafes and stores.

This may not be an answer to every aspect of moving around on your 17 day trip, but my own experiences with double knee replacement, which thankfully did heal after a long, arduous physiotherapy regimen - although deep knee bends and some other activities will never be quite the same as before the knees wore out - is:

1) if the airport offers a wheelchair, use it. Our transfer thru Heathrow, connecting to our planes to and from London and Rome in 2012, with that free loaner wheelchair, was a Godsend

2) Stairs are pretty much a fact of life in Italy. Handrails, unfortunately, aren’t a given.

3) But if you take collapsible aluminum trekking poles, which won’t likely fit in a carry-on suitcase but will fit in a checked bag, they will give you more endurance and stability. It’s like being in 4-wheel drive. German-made Leki pokes are lightweight and can make a real difference, for as long as you’re upright.

4) Make use of benches and other places you can pull up a seat whenever possible. A well- timed stop at a cafe table for a snack or refreshment can give you a revitalizing break.

5) Having Titanium knees guarantees that you will never again get thru airport security without extra scrutiny, and a thorough pat-down, possibly verging on a violating groping. It’s just part of still getting to travel now, and I try not to let it be too upsetting, but it’s still very unpleasant almost every time

6) if things get too hard, you may need to take a day off. I have had to skip some much-anticipated activities, but that let me enjoy the other days on a trip. Taxis and buses can help. Knowing what a particular walking tour does or doesn’t involve, and what accommodations it offers for mobility assistance would help in picking a suitable tour. Some may be more accommodating than others.

7) Hope you’re able to find a workable way to enjoy every aspect of your time in Italy!

I finally admitted to myself that I have mobility issues after my last RS tour where I missed about a third of the activities simply because the thought of walking another step was impossible to face no matter how much I wanted to do that activity or how much pain meds I took. Since then I have had some corrective surgeries done, all have helped a bit, but I still have some work to do before I will tackle another group tour. The collapsible cane I now carry with me everywhere helps a lot as I can lean on it which helps my back pain. Thankfully no metal joints yet so I still get Pre Check at airports without the strip search.

I still travel, mostly for work, and am not afraid to allow myself to be pushed in a wheelchair in the airport. I don't like it because I am perfectly capable of walking the distance (eventually), but have faced the facts that I need this unless I want to start arriving at airports 5 hours before my flights so I can hobble to the gate in time with lots of stops along the way.

What I find most difficult is the lack of seating in museums or other places I still like to stop into. Never bothered me before my issues began, but now I hope desperately that there will be seats available somewhere along the way to give me a few seconds of rest to recover and continue. I can usually find something, even having the room guard let me use his chair for a minute or two in one museum.

Good luck on your trip. I hope the best for you. And please let us know how it went after you return so that all of us in the same situation can learn from your experiences.

This RS community is fantastic! Thanks, Alan, about the idea of a seat cane (didn't even know that was a thing!). FastEddie, thanks for the laugh. Becky, it sounds like you and I have similar issues. And Cyn, just wonderful advice all around (and I, too, get a full pat-down at the airport each and every time; you'd think that at the very least, one of those TSA guards would offer up a flower first.) Mark, I will indeed report back.
I'm heartened ... thank you all!

If you do get a pair of trekking poles, be sure to take extra rubber tips along with you! My dad found the poles to be a lifesaver during our travels last summer...but he found that the rubber tips tend to get stuck between cobblestones. Better yet, see if you can get rubber tips (usually anyplace that sells the poles) that are a bit larger in diameter so your poles don't get stuck :). Just take the trip at your pace, stop off at cafes for espresso or a Spritz, and enjoy!

No one in my traveling party has mobility issues, but we do have people with other medical limitations You need to be aware of your limits - sounds like you are! - and be patient with yourself. This may mean taking it slower - a city a 20 year old marathon traveler could see in 2 days might take you 4. That’s ok! Plenty of breaks and careful selection of hotels is important. Elevator, air conditioner, shower vs high bath to step into? Think of things you need and ask the hotel before you book. Also good location - you want to come back for breaks if needed.

We like to get up early and see things before they get crowded, then take a break in the hotel when it’s busier and hotter. That pattern may not work for you if it takes you longer to get ready in the AM but consider it. Less crowds means easier to get to the railing, less lines, and more free benches!

Also give yourself permission to skip things! Choose your priorities and after those just skip anything that is too much. Also, you can often buy tickets online to skip lines.

Kimberly,

Too begin with it would be a good idea to check with your doctor regarding the stress of travel with your particular injuries. H/she may prescribe pain or anti-inflammatory med's that will help the trip a bit easier. Also plan to take frequent rest breaks using whatever facilities are at hand.

You may also want to have a look at the devices on this website - https://www.magellans.com/ShopCategory.aspx?ID=119,3694

Kimberly, you may already know this, but in case you don't: the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has a small elevator for use of visitors who need it, just past the main ticket-taker in the front lobby. You will need to look around for it; it is in a small alcove. Don't start up the big staircase; turn around and look for the elevator. Once you've seen all of the rooms in the main, top floor, and enter the cafe at the end of the "U", there will be an exit off to your left, with another elevator that will take you down to the rooms on the ground floor. (The restrooms are also accessible by this elevator; they are on a "middle" floor between the two gallery floors.) There is also seating along the windows in the central gallery, all the way around the museum, and there are some benches in some of the rooms. The Good Friend that I traveled with last year, who uses a cane for walking, made Good Use of all of these.

We just got back from 3 weeks, most of it spent in Italy. My husband has traveled with a high quality seat cane since his knee replacement, although he really didn’t use it on this trip. I think part of that was because we adopted the Italian habit of stopping more often and getting a coffee, which gave us a chance to sit. However 3 weeks before we left I had a fall and my knee took the brunt of the impact. There was too much invested not to go, but I was pretty panicked before we left. I had advanced to the point where I could walk and go upstairs, but downstairs was still a struggle. I wore a compression sleeve,took a collapsible trekking pole and made sure I had really good traction on my shoes. We were on. RS tour during part of this, so we covered a lot of territory. Going downstairs meant one step at a time and searching for handrails. The only trouble I had in the 3 weeks was going down the Spanish steps. Find a way to see them from the bottom.

I was very apprehensive about making the trip, and was prepared to spend time in the hotel room while others participated in activities. However, I did manage to keep up and that included climbing on and off boats, trains and buses. I hope you come back and let us know how it went. Also, if you want to post where you plan to visit, some of us may be able to tell you where elevators, handrails, etc.. are to make it easier.

As long as we're talking about "denial", a thing that cannot be denied is that European trips are physically stressful even for someone who doesn't have mobility issues. Good luck on your endeavors.

How much of your trip is firmed up with reservations, etc.?

Perhaps you can redesign your trip taking into considerations your limitations. There's no reason you can't have a grand time, but it may not be a typical trip crammed with one site after another.

First of all, 5 cities in 17 days is ambitious even for someone with no limitations. You'll be expending a lot of your reserves just on the business of getting from one place to another. I'd whittle your list down to 3 cities.

I don't know where you plan to visit, but some cities will be easier to get around than others. Florence, being in a river valley, is more or less flat. Siena, on the other hand, is very hilly and would be more grueling to visit.

Pace yourself. With fewer cities on your agenda, you could do one site a day and spend time relaxing. There are plenty of places, such as the Piazza Navona in Rome or the Piazza della Signoria in Florence where you can just sit and people watch.

Finally, how will you handle luggage? It will be critical that you pack light, especially if you'll have to rely on your husband to help.

In addition to packing light, consider HOW your husband will carry the luggage. What works for us is that he (the B.O.B. or Beast of Burden) has his stuff in a backpack and a cross-body "purse" and mine is in a small wheelie bag that we attach my tote bag to. He says it's easier than two wheelie bags on cobbled streets or where there are stairs.

Yes, 5 cities is too many. What are they? Maybe people here can help you trim it down.

Thank you all for this amazing mountain of information! Including mentioning the secret small elevator in the Uffizi Gallery, and the Magellan travel aids site.

Since you’re all so knowledgeable, and are asking, here’s my planned itinerary:

Fly in to Venice, in the a.m.
- 3 nights Venice;
- 2 nights Cinque Terra (at the flatter Monterroso village, booked an apartment within steps of the beach);
- 3 nights Florence — Hotel Hermitage, downtown Florence, supposedly very close to Uffizi and Pitti Palace; I’d thought to day trip via train or private car to see other surrounding towns, staying away from the hilly ones!);
- 3 nights Capri (Capri acting as the home base so that we can day trip to different parts of the Amalfi Coast via ferry); and
- 4 nights Rome (staying at Hotel Campo de Fiori, which I understand is a good central location).
Fly out of Rome.

Train or driving?

Capri acting as the home base so that we can day trip to different
parts of the Amalfi Coast via ferry

Capri is lovely and worth an overnight stay, but it does not make a great base for seeing the Amalfi Coast because it's an island (islands rarely make good bases, no matter where). It's also very expensive, never mind the ferry cost to get to/from there. But it's a nice place to see for about 2 full days, although many of the hikes are quite hilly.

After a dozen trips to Italy over the years, I’ve found that finding a great seat in a park or a cafe in the piazza for a couple hours and just watching the world go by can be a rich and rewarding experience.

Kimberly,
The others who have already replied have given some very good advice/ideas, so the only thing I will add is:
Yes, opt for private cars sometimes instead of the train.
If taking the train, in certain stations there are concierges of sorts that can be hired to help get you to the right place (such as in Naples, which can be a real zoo of a train station); but that said, I have no idea how one arranges such a person (Tauck Tours hired one for a group tour we participated in that had a train from Naples to Rome).
Yes, as others have stated, arrange some after-hours tours with a guide. Also, private guides will often know the venues you are visiting and can minimize steps.
Remind yourself it is perfectly okay to enjoy a meal at your hotel instead of feeling you HAVE TO go out to dinner.
If you are physically exhausted after a day of touring, it is perfectly okay to change your plans and take a day off, just relaxing.
It is also good to just do half-days out and allow lots of open, unplanned time during the day.......you can always choose to fill it with more touring (if you feel like it), or just sit outside at a cafe watching the world (if you feel like doing that).
Be sure you have extra medical coverage on your travel insurance policy, just in case something happens.
Definitely use handrails or your fellow traveler for extra help.
Do not be afraid to offer a E5 bill to someone to help with luggage if there is no bellman available to assist (likely they would help you and turn down your money..as my husband would), and I would encourage staying in hotels that have luggage service available in addition to packing very light.....double think every single thing you pack and decide if you simply must have it in the luggage. Larger nicer hotels will also have staff available to call a safe taxi or advice if a golf-cart type vehicle might be available to take you from point a to point b in certain areas (like on Capri).
I think we can go without saying sensible shoes...you already know that...well broken in ones.
I would suggest skipping Capri for an overnight base. We stayed there, loved it, but it is hilly and although it has been a while, I recall an incline going to the hydrofoil. If you go there, though, arrange a convertible taxi tour of the island.........fabulous way to see the island and great memories. I would do just a day trip there (although we stayed overnight) and base in Sorrento instead, to allow more flexibility.
But, mostly GO EASY ON YOURSELF....allow yourself a comfortable pace and do not stress yourself trying to see too much too quickly.
I salute you for going forward and living every ounce of life. So many people let any kind of issue hold them back entirely, but you seem to be the type person who is going to go forward, but in a cautious, well-thought-out way and you are likely the kind of person people want to be around.
Wear a money belt and be careful with any other valuables, so you do not look like an easy mark.....but likely you already are aware to do that.
Safe travels, have great fun, and let us know how it goes.

You got this! When you think you can't, remind yourself that you are. Please, don't be scared. Change how you look at this - by moving slower, you'll see more than those going faster. You'll get to ask people for help. And trust me, the folks in Italy are friendly and will do their best to help out. Who knows what that will lead to!
(I recently did a long 4 day hike at high altitude. My 3 travel companions still look at my photos and can't believe we were on the same trail. I was much slower... and saw much more. Great life lesson.)
That said, I'd do fewer cities and give yourself more time in each one.
Take turns standing in line if there is one. Get a decent phone plan so you can text each other, or just agree in every 10 min. you'll swap places. Take as many cabs/Ubers as you can. In each city see if they have the peddle-cabs to get you around. Or hire a driver/tour guide one day in each city to help you get the most of your time.
(My dad couldn't walk much. He loved finding a great bench for an hour and we'd come back for him. He had an amazing experience soaking up the Italian culture. My dearest friend spent 10 days in Tuscany and she has MS and can't walk much. She met the nicest people who "adopted" her into their group and helped her get everywhere. She nearly cancelled her trip.)
Make it YOUR trip. You aren't challenged. You're differently abled. All will be well. You got this.

Italy is all about being there and the good food and wine, right? I think some of the best most memorable moments are the ones where we are just absorbing the culture. You and your hubs are going to have an amazing time and you have gotten some great tips!!!!

• 3 nights Capri (Capri acting as the home base so that we can day trip to different parts of the Amalfi Coast via ferry)

Kimberly, I'll agree with Agnes that Capri doesn't make for a good base for day-tripping the A.C. Go there if you want to stay there and explore the island itself but if you intend to spend the majority of your sightseeing time elsewhere on the coast, then I'd choose another location. Ferries are expensive and busy to/from. there, and the island has enough to offer to keep a visitor occupied. It also involves a LOT of walking as so much of it is pedestrianized.

Again, I am so very grateful for all these wonderful comments, ‘atta girls, and information!

On the choice of Capri as a home base: I was acting on a recommendation from very dear friends/seasoned travelers who had found it to be a brilliant way to visit the Amalfi Coast. But given that now three of you are suggesting this isn’t the best choice — and note that I won’t be able to visit Positano because of those darn hills! — what would you suggest? An extra day in Florence? Finding a place to stay in Sorrento instead?

I remain highly appreciative!

We thought Sorrento was lovely and, for the most part, flat. There is an elevator that for 1or 2€ takes you down to the ferry terminal. You can catch the ferry to other towns. The walk to the train station is on an incline, but not a steep one.