Independent travel for "older couple" viable?

It can be done....

You could do it by renting a car and staying in hotels with parking and bell service. This way you wouldn't have to lift your suitcase at all. The bellman would put it in and out of the car and deliver it to your room. They'll even put it on the luggage rack for you.

Of course, these are not the type of hotels you normally find in a RS guidebook.

You also said you'd like to plan it out yourself using things like train schedules--yet--your wife doesn't want to deal with luggage on trains. There are no porters on European trains except for the most expensive like the Orient Express.

Hi Chuck, Welcome to the forum. Yes— of course it’s possible to travel independently and visit either Portugal or Scandinavia for ten days or longer.
What interests you in Portugal and Scandinavia? What types of things do you want to see and do?

Hey! Who you callin' "old"...

We are your age and travel extensively and it can be done. Excellent advice so far. I would just add to have a talk with your wife about packing. We travel with a weekender bag a small duffle bag sort of like a back pack and a small under seat bag. that works for up to three weeks by packing light. it can be done very easily!! My husband carries the duffel bag and I carry the suitcase with the underseat bag hooked over the handles. The more I travel the more I have cut down on packing. She can read the section on this site about packing for great ideas. Please go for it you won't regret it.

There are plenty of people on this forum who are well into their 70s and do primarily independant travel. However, they have learned the wisdom of packing light, or at least lighter. For instance, they have learned that Europeans have washing machines and laundromats. And that there is no need for a huge suitcase, or multiple suitcases for a trip to Europe. You might point out to your wife that a trip that will require only using a car will severely restrict the number of places you will be able to visit within 10 days. If bell service is a necessity because she refuses to lift any of her suitcases, then you will likely be staying only in high end business hotels, so can forget any of the European charm of smaller local establishments. And that all of this is going to seriously increase the cost of the trip, compared to using public transportation, packing light, and being responsible for her own baggage on the days you move hotels.

TLDR? Sure it's possible to do it her way, but it's going to cost a lot more.

My DH just read this and suggested you leave her at home and go by yourself. I think that's just a wee bit harsh.

There are very few travel problems that can’t be solved by throwing money at them. Can’t carry your luggage? Stay at hotels and tip porters well. Can’t drive or take public transport, hire a driver. You get my drift..,

My wife doesn't pack lightly.

She can learn to. My wife did.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart

We (72 &71) just came back from 2 weeks of independent travel in Portugal. Rode the Flix buses and other local buses between Porto, Lisbon, and smaller towns like Obidos, Peniche... Took a train ride up the Douro River Valley from Porto as well.

My wife has some minor walking issues, and carrying extra weight makes walking worse for her, so I was careful to book rooms near the bus/train stops. This worked out quite well for us. Don't book places without hair dryers - that's weight you don't want to carry.

As to packing heavy or light, here's the thing......if you are traveling on your own who is going to see you more than once or twice? You can wear tops several times. You only need three pair of bottoms, one of which you wear on the plane. Wash underwear and socks in the hotel bathroom sink. I wouldn't dream of taking up to 10 pair in my suitcase.
Your wife should read multiple packing light tips on this forum. It would a shame not to travel as long as you are able.
Europe is such a wonderful place with so much to see.

Just to add to Elaine’s comment about clothing on a trip—- I’ve learned to book apartments with washing machines. Not only does the apartment mean I only need 4 days worth of clothes which get washed before moving on to the next town— they also have kitchens which saves a lot of time (and expense) because we don’t have to eat every meal at a restaurant.

Portugal

Perhaps have a home base and day trip. Lots of day trips via public transportation from Lisbon and Porto. In addition to public transportation Uber and Bolt are cheap. It would not be pleasant to drive in Lisbon or Porto.

Besides Rick Steves, take a look at Julie Dawn Fox blog for ideas on accommodations in Portugal and sites that are not necessarily covered by Rick that are worth seeing.

https://juliedawnfox.com/stay-portugal-guides-best-areas-hotels-accommodations/

Seat 61 - all things trains. It has pictures so you can take a look at the steps for the train between Lisbon and Porto (if you choose to take it). I've seen individuals moving multiple pieces of luggage before onto the train. So if you don't have too many bags, perhaps you can lift one at a time up the steps. Can you wife get on the train and then roll the bags you lift up?
Portuguese are nice, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone jumps in and helps, even though you should not expect it.

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/lisbon-to-porto-by-train.htm

We just got back from three weeks in Italy. I overpacked and still did carry on. We were on a RS Village Italy Tour for two weeks. And all the lovely people on the tour wore the same clothes multiple times. Nobody cares.

We have traveled on tours and independently. The packing tips on this website are amazing if you look at what the other “older” women can accomplish and I’m 73 and still amazed. She’s a tourist, nobody cares what she looks like.

I hope she can relax and feel comfortable going. Otherwise, go on your own.

Yes, there is a way to make this work, independent travel is easy in Scandinavia. But, if you're not able to carry your own suitcase that is going to be a problem.

For Scandinavia, you might look at a cruise. No luggage limits; bags are loaded on/off ship and transfer vehicles. For Portugal, I agree with the other comment that staying in one hotel in Lisbon and doing day trips is likely the best way to deal with the luggage issue.

The last suggestion of a cruise for Norway was good. I've done a Fjords cruise and a coastal cruise that went up to the North Cape. They were both good, but my favorite was coastal cruise up to North Cape.

Portugal and Scandinavia are both wonderful for independent travel. Good planning is the key so you are on the right track. We, similar in age to you, always rent a car. We enjoy the freedom of going wherever whenever we decide to get up and go. For cities, we scope out parking in advance and park the car until ready to move on. It is quite doable…and great fun. As for packing, a pair of pants or two, several comfy tops, one sweater and a pair of sneakers are all you need…easy-peasy. Happy travels!!

Wow, thank you, thank you, thank you for these fantastic ideas. I will pore through the websites/podcasts that were suggested. I love the idea of staying in an apartment(s) close to train stations and take day trips. And I am still able to get bags on and off of trains at this point. After I read more, perhaps I'll convince my wife to take a peek. By the way, we'll travel by buses, trains, Uber, etc. We won't be driving.
Again, thanks everyone, really appreciate all the wonderful ideas!!

What if you strain your back lifting her heavy bags on and off buses in trains? I think she has to pack light if she wants to take this trip. Her expectations are unreasonable for independent travel. FYI, I am 71 and last year sometimes had to carry my luggage down the steps when the plane didn't have a jetport. Maxlite 5 spinner and a backpack. She can do it-she just has to want to do it, which sounds like the problem.

You could easily do Norway with or without a cruise.

There is a Porter Service for the most popular train route in Norway between Oslo and Bergen.

We used this service in 2023 when traveling the Norway in a Nutshell route. Worked perfectly.

As everyone else has said, yes you can do it. I am 81 and have been traveling independently and solo for years. I love it that way. The question is should you. If your wife can be talked into packing lite and still enjoy her trip, it would be great. If she will be unhappy without people to help take/care of her, maybe a tour would be better. Everyone is different and your goal is a great trip - that means happy wife! Traveling is so much fun! Enjoy!! sue

My wife doesn't pack lightly and does not want to move/carry/lift her suitcase onto buses/trains, up stairs, etc.

That's what teenage grandkids are for. Bring one. :-)

I support joe32F's suggestion.

Though it takes me back to a number of Agatha Christie novels with US tourists in Europe and Egypt

We (70 & 72) used to pack light and do carry-on only, but now we can't. Don't really want to, although sometimes I look at my new "huge" TravelPro 25-inch suitcase and sigh. I can roll this roller bag but can't lift it. Packed, it weighs maybe 30 pounds (can't remember) on the way to Europe and is still not even close to overweight on the way back, filled with food and ceramics we bought. My husband, after disk surgery, minor heart surgery, and ankle fusion can lift it and carry it. And is happy to do it, thank goodness.

Here's what works for us. Yes, to 4 or 5 days worth of clothes and to apartments with washing machines. Yes, to home bases plus day trips. These days, yes to taking taxis sometimes. He carries a lightweight backpack with his clothes and stuff in it, and he can pretty easily get onto a train or bus wearing that and lifting my bag. Much easier than two roller bags, he says.

Make sure the suitcase itself is very lightweight. Don't insist on carry-on only or on sink-washing. Do not attempt to "help" her pack more lightly or comment on individual items, just figure out what weight to aim for. (That last advice is not from our marriage but from getting our 7-year-old granddaughter's stuff packed without tears and frustration.) Try each packing a bag and then you try managing both up some stairs --- you may be pleasantly surprised.