Itinerary Help Traveling with Elderly Parents

It sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip. From my perspective (mid 70’s), it seems a bit challenging to do any realistic planning for 2029. Since your parents are currently experiencing balance/mobility challenges, it is conceivable that they will experience increasing difficulties. And the travel environment itself seems to change dramatically in a three year period. Is there any chance you can move up your target date? I would encourage you to take advantage of the chance to spend this special time with your family as soon as it is possible rather than waiting for anniversaries or birthdays.

I must admit I had the same reaction to planning a trip three years out with parents who are having some mobility issues already. My parents lived in their own home into their 90s but were no longer traveling internationally by 80. I know everyone is different but I know from experience how quickly things can change.

If at all possible, I would plan a trip for earlier.

I would be certain to have Med Jetinsrance for evacuation to home hospital.

I have heard that river cruises work well for older folks.

Consider a shorter time frame than two weeks.

And, yes, seize the day. Not 2029.

I don't want to be morbid, but a lot of bad things can happen in 3 years. My in-laws didn't get to celebrate their 60th anniversary together because on the day of their anniversary, she was in a rehab facility after a fall and my FIL passed away unexpectedly the next month after routine surgery. One of my colleagues at work was planning how they would celebrate their 50th anniversary when it was still 2 years away. A few months later, he was at work on a Friday and passed away late that afternoon. You need to make this happen sooner rather than later. To celebrate our 70th birthdays, my husband and I did a wonderful tour of New Zealand and Australia. It was so great, but the pace was such that I don't think I would be able to do that at 75.

You might look into a small ship cruise, something like this from GCT (there are several Italy ones). Solves all your transportation issues, as well as accommodations. They are generally rated a "level 2" so some walking, but tours tend to be in the mornings, vary in distance/stairs/terrain - and are optional. We've been on these types of cruises, and they are very accommodating - older/less mobile/tired/etc travellers could stay on the ship if they wanted to skip the offered tour. A conversation with the company and the trip leader ahead of time could result in some alternative arrangements - a cab to the top of a viewpoint, or an off-ship restaurant, etc. The small ship (55 passengers) could help contribute to the celebratory occasions with recognition, cake, etc. if you let your trip leader know.

Not in Italy, but you might also check river cruises, for all the same reasons.

From experience, I agree with the previous posters. While age alone isn't a factor, once balance and mobility issues start, things can quickly escalate.

If you don't want to move the timing up, I would look for a villa/house to rent that can potentially handle wheelchairs and walkers/rollators. I just googled "accessible vacation rentals Italy" and there are a number of companies offering accessible home that will give you an "under the Tuscan sun" feeling.

You could choose 1 or 2 locations for 2+ weeks, places where your parents can sit on the terrace and take in beautiful views, but near enough for day trips to several places.

Do some research and carefully vet the different companies before making any commitments.

Good luck on planning this special holiday!

I'm probably your parent's ages as I turn 77 this year (gasp!!!). I don't have mobility or balance challenges but I am traveling as much as I can right now because one never knows how long that ability will last.

I'm with the others in urging you to consider doing the Italy trip this year if possible and not deferring to 2029. IF they are still good in 2029 they can go back but if this is something they want to see, I'd encourage sooner than later.

Hello,
Thank you for everyone's suggestion of moving our trip to sooner, I understand and will take that into consideration. They did travel to Italy on a cruise a few years ago and they had mobility issues then.

For when we are able to go, does anyone have suggestions for mobility friendly itinerary places to visit in Italy?

Thank you.

You might check out some of the more specialized websites that discuss accessibility issues. This is an example https://www.sagetraveling.com/italy-accessible-travel Google "mobility friendly Italy" or "low barrier travel Italy" and you'll get a lot of suggestions. Best of luck to you, and what a nice gift to plan for your family.

You know where I would go that is flat and walkable, and also dense with great restaurants and wonderful things to see, but is not heavily touristed? Palermo. We spent 5 nights there last March and now wish we had spent at least a full week. Add more nights if you do day trips and tours.

There are all kinds of tours, including accessible tours and boat tours, to other parts of Sicily from Palermo. Day trips to Monreale, Cefalu, Mondello beach. You'd just have to be careful to avoid or take it easy in some of the very hilly towns. The first time we visited Sicily, in 2001 with my 78-year-old mother, we even got up Mount Etna on a bus. The Villa Romana is pretty flat except for some stairs up to the walkways (which have railings) --- I was quite aware of how easy or not it was to walk in Sicily because my first day in Palermo I tripped and badly banged up both knees.

Flat towns in Northern Italy just off the top of my head:

Bologna
Ravenna
Padua
Verona
Vicenza
Milan
Stresa
Lucca
Montecatini Terme
Pienza
Orvieto- mostly flat

All of the above are worth a visit.

If your parents use canes I would recommend using a base like this- much easier on cobblestones.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYSY6MDR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I have given up on canes- they are just too awkward for me- I use this and don’t care what anyone thinks. It is still not easy as you feel every little bump but without it I can’t go far at all! Super lightweight, folds up easily. So far has held up very well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT7NZDSZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Look at YouTube videos- walking tours of places you are interested and pay attention to the ground- cobblestones are hard to deal with. Look for smooth modern asphalt or the large flat stones rather than little cobbles.

Both Sorrento and Salerno are basically flat. Sorrento is so crowded though it is hard to maneuver. I would suggest staying in Salerno and using the ferry to view the AC towns if they want to return to that area.

Pompeii is very difficult walking even for those no mobility challenges. I understand Herculaneum might be a bit flatter/easier. I believe they have raised walkways for mobility impaired but haven’t been myself.

For cost estimates on private driver look at www.daytrip.com