Tour of South Italy 13 days

You could start by looking at the South Italy scrapbooks.

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks/tour-alum-scrapbooks

On a 1 to 10? Probably a 9, or 8.5. It's a great tour, but be aware there are steep hills to climb in Vieste and Matera, lots of steps in Matera, and the streets in Matera and Alberobello can be slick. We had one person on our tour who had some mobility issues, and chose to opt out of some of the walks.

But... it's a great tour. I would do it again, but this time I would take grippier shoes!

Here's my trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/best-of-south-italy-may-23-june-4-2022-tour-report

Fred,

I thought the South Italy tour was absolutely fantastic, and very interesting to have a look at the south which is somewhat different than the north of the country. The lead guide was wonderful as were all the tours with local guides, and of course the food was incredible. As with most RS tours, there's a good balance of tour time and free time. I don't know if they still stop at Positano but during my free day there, I went to Capri to have a look.

I just completed this tour a few days ago. I will echo what Jane said.

My sister-in-law and I did the South of Italy tour in 2019. It was great! At the time I was 68, she was 71, both is fairly good shape. Here's Part 2 of my very long trip report. I'd say the activity level was 8.5 to 9. Stairs that year bothered an old injury to my knee. I have since done South of France in 2022 and Berlin, Prague & Vienna in this June without problems. Both of those trips included a couple weeks solo travel. I started walking and exercising more at home. (As if mucking stalls, handwalking a horse and riding isn't exercise. Just different. But no horse anymore.)

Fred, we are older than you and took that tour last year. I read Jane’s TR before the tour, so made sure I took shoes that would keep my feet stable on uneven cobblestoned streets, as well as slippery, smooth surfaces.
I took a pair of trail runners and hiking shoes that resembled athletic shoes rather than clunkier hiking shoes.
I did fine. I did not fall nor did my knees hurt, but I was extra careful and did not multi-task while walking. And I/we did not opt out of any group activity.
It’s a great tour because it includes places that require a little more effort to reach if traveling independently.
Go for it!

I took this tour in 2019. I am in my very early 50's and in pretty good shape. I would rename this tour the "Nothing but stairs and uphill walking tour". I had previously visited Italy from Rome all the way up north and found all the tours (not RS) very easy to complete. This was not one of those tours. I was able to participate in all activities but some people had a harder time.

I will add that my "Buddy" on this tour was on his 24th Rick Steves tour (late 60's/early 70's) and said by FAR this was the most strenous of any tour he had ever been on! So, there is another opinion.

That being said, I loved this tour and was very happy with my choice

I was about your age or maybe even a bit older when I took this tour. I didn’t have any issues nor did I opt out of anything. I am also in good shape AND I live in Colorado at 6300’ altitude. It’s amazing what many days of oxygen influx will do for me! It’s a wonderful tour and full of amazing experiences. Good, well-broken in shoes and pre tour preparation in the way of doing stairs and walking are musts. Do remember, if there is an activity you don’t feel comfortable doing, you are always welcome to opt out and do something else. Letting your buddy and/or your guide know not to expect you is a must. Also, please keep in mind when making your decision that everybody’s tour experience is going to be different.