My mother's 90th birthday is next year in April, and she want to travel, once again to Europe. 2 years ago I took her on a Trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam. I took along a 4 wheeled rollator, and with the cities we visited, all having cobblestone, it was an interesting trip. She enjoyed herself immensely, but said the rollator was not the most comfortable option. I am looking at three destinations: (1) Switzerland; (2) Northern Italy including Cinque Terre; and (3) Milan and Como Lake and other lakes in that region. 1) If you have been to any of these places, could you comment on the viability of taking someone in a TRANSPORT CHAIR (like a wheel chair, but with smaller back wheels)? 2) What do you suggest? Is the Northern Lake region of Italy that beautiful to see? We are looking at 7-10 days, including air travel. Any suggestions you could send my way would be wonderful... Ron
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2186 posts
The northern lake region of Italy IS that beautiful to see. Will you be driving or on public transportation? Italy is not known for being handicapped accessible.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
When it comes to handicap or disbility access, Italy and the U.S. are on different planets. For the CT, you have hills and places to stay on the 4th for 5th floor with no elevator. However, Monterosso is fairly flat and nice to walk around. They also have several larger places to stay with elevators. Note, however, that the train stations in the CT are often elevated. Stairs up and stairs down. There are elevators but I cannot attest to their working condition. In Switzerland, I would suggest either the Hotel Silberhorn in Lauterbrunnen or a nice hotel in Muerren. Yes, you do have to be able to get onto and off of the trains and gondolas. But, they are nicely accessible. For the Hotel Silberhorn, I especially like their very nice restaurant. Lots of senior people in their that return every year. About 500' from the train station (slightly uphill). Note that April is the time of year when many places in the Berner Oberland close to transition to summer from the ski season. Be sure to check with the hotels to make sure they are open.
Posted by
OP
Buffalo, New York, USA
14 posts
Janet.. We would be on a tour.. I would never drive in two places in Europe (Paris and all of Italy)... I was concerned about the hills in the Cinque Terre. Maybe Milan and the Lake Region of Northern Italy would be a more restful (for both of us, since I would be pushing the transport chair and taking pictures) than Switzerland... Your thoughts? Ron
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2186 posts
Larry has given a good response concerning Cinque Terre. I've spent much more time in Italy (which is more different from home) than in Switzerland. However, it sounds like you're looking at guided tours. In that case, it seems that the tour company would have the best information about which tour would be most appropriate. Much of the enjoyment of Lake Como (for me, at least) was visiting other towns around the lake. This means getting on and off of ferries; then it's uphill getting into some of the towns. The town of Como is flatter, I think.