Traveling with a slow/short-distance walker to Naples-Rome-Florence areas

There are some forum members who travel with collapsible mobility scooters and have found them effective in many situations. Hopefully, they will chime in here soon.

I think the biggest challenge you may find is that some roads and or sidewalks can be quite rough and I am unsure how a scooter does on those. I really notice the difference in pavement types while pulling my roller bag.

You might find some useful tips here https://www.accessibleitaly.com/home_standard.htm

And taxis are definitely your friend in Rome and Florence. They can get you close to sites and museums.

My oh uses a folding mobility scooter which we take with us. Technically Florence and Rome would be ok, but the crowds would make it impossible. They are largely flat, though.
Foreign disabled parking signs don't generally work in Europe, Google rules for each country/city.
Rental ebikes and scooters are increasingly being banned in city centres.
Again, if you Google ,on scooter or wheelchair rental Italy, loads of options pop up.

My almost 90 mom and I are going to Scotland in October. We just bought her some Merrill low hiking shoes. They offer a lot of stability. She typically does not use a cane, but I'm having her do some practicing. I'm thinking a cane will be helpful on cobblestones or uneven surfaces. A cane is also a signal to those around to be careful around that person.

This type of stool was recommended by forum folks:

https://www.amazon.com/JAEMEYEM-Collapsible-Lightweight-Adjustable-Gardening/dp/B0CN4Q511T/ref=sr_1_10?crid=1ZQ47BZNRN4W2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SegKC3Y27fEa1n1RRWtgDrXSlLiKRTFfIgkJV0j-UKwVfnofGoIvo8OHYYzxrKIOeVS47WeK9dTwJnrXMIfGstRzcUuI_dx5-JkqTUHzyVp7PoBxNd47blxbnlUsGh6KNc4YZ1Kv0aBCUUOkPZql2S257DvD6eu6jEvarKZdzB3gNRXJ8c59IcD03hm3Nwd8GiGJtTI55cGk97Jm19Z-aNdKzofaYi2zbUnLG3vgxzOvzVljdHA_hx1JyzrWtyTKGxHskpjdrXtO_5t1G-exs-sHCj8ogchlZR5G0bZ6050.-p919I50T6YXvvWR4i-3coh8MQFcuRsEkThKpCWsU0A&dib_tag=se&keywords=pop%2Bup%2Bstool&qid=1779806245&sprefix=pop%2Bup%2Bstool%2B%2Caps%2C568&sr=8-10&th=1

I am glad you will have a "reconnaissance mission" next month to get the lay of land prior to your trip with your father.

I cannot offer any specific scooter or wheelchair advice, but we have e-bikes at home and rent e-bikes when we are in Rome so here are some thoughts/suggestions/considerations specifically related to e-bikes.

• Lime Bikes. Pro- flexibility. Find a bike with adequate charge and rent it; then park it when you arrive at your destination. Cons - gets expensive quick, the bikes frequently have issues (think brakes and inconsistent speeds) and they are heavy. Also, you have to find a bike when you need it.
• Renting a bike - we use Easy Bike Rent Rome which is by the Circus Maximus. We will rent the bikes for the duration of our trip, but you need to make sure your hotel/B&B, etc. can accommodate the storage and securing of your rental bikes. When we rent the bikes, they come with a basket, security chain and lock. They will also provide a back up battery or you can just go by during your trip and they will change them out for you.
• Pedestrian Areas. When we encounter a pedestrian area, if we are going to do something in that area, we just secure the bikes and go do what we want do. If we are "going through" the area, we get off the bike and walk it through. This is where the rental bike instead of the Lime bike is preferable - Lime bikes are heavy.
• Getting around with an e-bike. Between our 2023 and 2025 trips to Rome, the City installed many bike lanes so using a mapping app you can navigate a lot of Rome via bike lanes. There is a bike/pedestrian path along the Tiber that we use a LOT to go north/south, but you will have to confirm where the ramps are to get down from the street to the path (and back up of course). Biking in traffic without a bike lane requires some intestinal fortitude. Most of our friends would never consider biking in traffic in Rome. I am in my late 50's and my husband will be 70 in a few days and we are in good health. Frankly I feel safer biking in traffic in Rome than I do biking on Main Street in my home town of 32,000 because Roman drivers are accustomed to watching for scooters in traffic; not so much here at home.
  

We have been to Florence twice. To me, Florence is more compact and not as hilly as Rome until you cross the Arno to Oltrarno; so you may be able to walk some and then use taxis or public transport to cross the river.

My husband's grandmother is from Oliveto Citra - North of Potenza. Oliveto is NOT flat and our first and second trips to Oliveto were prior to my husband's knee replacement. It went against our American "GO GO GO" tendencies but we took the advice of local friends and just walked slow and stopped a lot. That is why there are benches and piazzas everywhere and there is so much to see if you just stop and look. You will also notice that is what a lot of the older Italians are doing... I will also say that in rural southern Italy you will be able to park much closer to the things you want to see.

One last thing, weather in September, especially early September can be quite hot; so consider early morning and late afternoon activities. There is a reason the siesta is still observed in Southern Italy. I hope you are able to obtain the information you need and have a wonderful trip.

Thank you to all for your helpful insights!!!