Senior Citizen Travel suggestions

My partner had severe issues (could not walk more than one block without pain) when we traveled to Sicily last spring, and to Valencia this past November. There were a few instances when he stayed behind in our hotel, but most of the time, he went along and we could usually find a bench for him to sit on when he felt pain. People were so kind; even in museums where no seat was visible, I would ask and somehow a chair would be produced out of a back room. Asking nicely can get you very far and I think Italians are extremely kind to people with visible mobility issues. We did take taxis to get from place to place--to sights and restaurants.
From city to city we hired a driver which, most of the time, was arranged by our hotel. That's expensive but it was either doing that or him not being able to join me so we splurged for example, from Trapani to AGrigento and from Agrigento to Licata, etc etc. We also took it very slow....never had one-night stays and always requested hotels with elevators or easy access. It worked out very well...

Pompeiii might present problems but you should be able to find out about disabled access to the site online.
Naples..you just have to take it slow and find benches. If there are no benches on the street, you can stop into a small shop and ask it you can trouble them to sit down for a moment. This strategy has worked well for us.
There's always a seat at a bar or cafe, where you can take a coffee or drink break. Turin is pretty flat, as I remember, and there are so many places to stop for a bicerin!!

I imagine that there are websites dedicated to this subject that you could easily find online. IF you cannot, I will try to find these for you, or someone else here will chime in with more info....

For example:

https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/blog/featured/ferry-italy-passengers-disabilities

https://roaminghistorian.com/2024/07/14/accessible-italy-tips-mobility-challenged-travelers/

Also, he now requests a wheelchair at airports and on trains in Italy and Spain. And it's possible to rent a scooter in cities, if you need one.

Thank you for your reply. It is encouraging to hear from those that have accomplished travel. I am considering using a walker that has the seat attached. My concern is that it would be difficult to maneuver in some locations.

You will be far from the only one with a walker. Imagine all of the elderly pilgrims who flock to Rome and other Italian cities!!! Can you use a walker that folds?? My partner has a cane and this was fine; he just had to move slowly on streets paved with cobbles or stones but most are flat.. I so hope you will not let this prevent you from taking this trip....

My advice is to become more physically fit.

Having severe scoliosis and being a senior citizen does not preclude improving your mobility with exercise. You can start small with whatever you can do, and gradually ramp up. Get a personal trainer and/or physical therapist to help you. Obviously, you're not going to become some amazing athlete, but if you're not already exercising, you could improve your mobility, endurance, and stamina with a smart exercise program.

I fractured my lower back two years ago and it has slowed me down but not stopped us. Upcoming our fourth international trip next month since that accident.. You can certainly do it. Always ask for a handicapped room if available. Also we took a traveling foldable light weight walker which did not have a seat I think that is why it is so light Also carried a foldable cane and the walker had a cloth bag on the front for my cane and water bottles. The walker we got on line and the cane from Wal-Mart pharmacy department. Also get airlines to provide wheelchair from the curb to the jet way..I think walker was about $100 and the cane about $25. Also try to get bulkhead seat on plane. Extra leg room helps. Two years before my back I broke my foot and used a boot and a walker still traveled. My experience sad to say was that we found the Europeans were much more accommodating than here in the US. Pompeii might be a challenge due to the uneven surfaces and stone paths. Anyway be positive and best of travels!!

This might sound simplistic (and perhaps not exactly compatible with your original destination considerations), but due to my husband's painfully bad knees I base our itineraries on as many ferry and boat tours as possible. We have also booked and taken private golf cart/tuktuk type tours. We had a fabulous private tour guide in Paris take us on the Seine in a sightseeing boat.

There is a travel blog, I guess you would call it, called Two Empty Passports. It is written for people who travel with disabilities. Perhaps you could reach out to her. Go for it!

I now travel with a Drive foldable walker/rollator. It has a seat, backrest stap and basket for carrying a sweater or coat and other needed items. The walker is easily folded narrower as needed to get through tight spots. Also it easily folds closed for taxi rides. Naples has good accessible metro and buses. Will you be traveling with anyone else?

Pompeii is surprisingly accessible. They have put in metal ramps and panels between the Roman pavements and stepping stones. There is an accessible path marked on the free map they give you. You might be able to check out the accessible route online. There are many ledges to sit on.

I hope you go and are able to stay as pain free as possible.

To add to the already excellent advice and suggestions, the other thing I would say is to embrace the Italian way of doing things, although this may be more commonplace in the countryside….

The last time we went to Italy (2023) my husband’s knee was emphasizing to him that it was time for a new one (which has successfully accomplished last year). We were walking with a mutual friend to lunch and as the walk was straight up and straight down, and then of course steps in the restaurant. My husband asked how the older people did this all the time, and our friend responded; just stop. Rest. Look at the gorgeous views. Talk to people (even if our Italian is not the best). Then, slowly continue on, but do so slowly. And rest when needed.

Sounds basic, but it’s pretty key and allows you to do and see a lot. Even though we have been retired a while, I think we have been driven to go, go, go. Slowing down helps us to go and see a lot.

I went to Italy on one trip with my older knee replacement collapsing on me.
I got an ortho appointment for when I returned and had it redone the follow year.

So, before I traveled, I got myself a really good knee brace, a folding cane and plenty of pain meds.
It was truly amazing how much totally unsolicited help I was given on the trip!

Waved to the front of the long line at Security at my home airport.
Priority loading on all four planes during the trip.
A wheelchair…suddenly manhandled into it on arrival in Rome and whisked to the front of border control!
Offered seats by lovely kind Italians in shops, museums etc.

It all worked so well.
I was thrilled at the kindness of people.