Senior Citizen Rail Trip Suggestions

TM, It would help to have a bit of further information. For example, what is the time frame for this trip and what countries does the "Senior Citizen" want to see? There are LOTS of possibilities between Venice and London, so more information would help to narrow it down. Also, other than seeing Europe through a train window, is there anything specific the Senior might want to see? There are lots of historic sites besides Museums. Good luck with your planning!

He claims he doesnt care, it seems to be a bucket list type thing, he wants to "see" europe and thinks that Pompeii would be interesting, other then that he just wants trains and no museums. He has no interest in WWII sites, it just distresses him. we are planning two weeks and Venice to London were just randomly chosen for open jawed purposes.
I am thinking that Switzerland could be a nice focus for the rails and natural beauty. I am at a loss and any ideas are most appreciated.

There are plenty of mobility issues in Venice alone. Can you carry his and your luggage over all the canal bridges with stairs? Is he going to be able to walk on a vaparetto boat ramp that may be bouncing up and down in the water? How is his walking on cobblestones? Choose your hotel carefully and remember that Venice is a very confusing city--you're bound to get lost.

From Venice, is it preferable that you go up through Austria over through Germany and then onto Paris to get to London or is it preferable to go west from Venice, perhaps see a bit of Florence and then head up through France to Paris and then onto London. Or, Venice to the Berner Oberland (see the Alps) in Switzerland up to Lucerne, west to Geneva, on to Paris and then onto London. Many ways to go and you won't be able to do all of them. Expect several train changes along the way.

TM, Thanks for the additional info. Given the VERY short two-week time frame and your open-jaw cities, I'm not sure that Pompeii will be possible (unless it's really important). Although your friend isn't interested in Museums you'll need to do something to fill your days. Assuming you're starting in Venice, would this work.... > Day 1 - Flight to Venice > Day 2 - Arrive Venice; rest and recover from jet lag and maybe a brief "walkabout". > Day 3 - Venice, touring > Day 4 - Train to Lucerne (time ~6H:45M with 3 changes, depending on which train you choose) > Day 5 - Lucerne - he might enjoy the fantastic Museum of Transport - every type of conveyance you can imagine! > Day 6 - Lucerne, touring > Day 7 - Train to Interlaken Ost (time 2H:00M if direct train is used); travel to Lauterbrunnen via local train (~20M) > Day 8 - Tour area via Cable Car, Mountain Railway. Cable Car to Schilthorn, have a look at Mürren and enjoy the incredible scenery! > Day 9 - Have a look at Interlaken or perhaps Wengen and Grindelwald on the other side of the valley. > Day 10 - Train to Paris (time 5H:07M with 1 change - from Basel to Paris will be via TGV so your friend may find it interesting to travel at 300 kmH!) > Day 11 - Paris, touring (your friend may enjoy the Metro, although he won't be able to see much) > Day 12 - Paris, touring > Day 13 - EuroStar to London. That's a unique experience! Be sure to book early! > Day 14 - London, touring > Day 15 - flight home There are lots of ways this could be arranged. You could also include some time on one of the Swiss scenic rail lines. Have you booked flights yet? It would help to have a few more days to work with!
Cheers!

If he is paying your way and not interested in the planning why don't you pick out what you would like to see that is easy on your friend. Bet you will have fun. Sounds like you are dreading it....have fun instead!!!

Just a suggestion; we took my mother-in-law with same conditions, she was 86, and took a walker with seat, this helped stabilize her, and when she became tired, she could sit for a while. It also acted to gain some sympathy and got her into some select areas, others couldn't get to. We had no problems with airlines,rental cars, trains, etc.

You asked for suggestions so here are mine for an 80 year old male who wants to experience Europe. Venice Rome Milan (see the Last Supper) Zurich Munich Vienna Berlin Amsterdam Paris
London

yThanks so much for all of the suggestions!!!!
I am a bit apprehensive, being a have daypack will go type of traveller, and having to worry about making sure he enjoys himself is stressful. I have toured europe multiple times on my own, so I know what to expect(i.e. metro in paris, tube in london, not good since potential for lots of stairs) but never thought of these types of limitations when there, so now worried. Like Venice, I love to wander but with the walking and stairs I was thinking to make use of the vaporettes, didnt even occur to me to worry about the boat bouncing! my worry is the focus on trains!! He seems to think he can just experience europe from a train. any suggestions for scenic/ city view train rides most appreciated.

How wonderful that you are taking your friend (relative?) around Europe! What an amazing gift. As a general bit of advice, I would suggest resetting your expectations of what it means to travel. Assume that everything you do is going to take twice as long as it would if you were traveling solo. It will take longer for him to get around, figure out the details, use the restroom, etc. This is not a bad thing, just different than what you might be used to. We have experienced this both traveling with older parents and with very young children. The amazing thing is, you will find that going slower can be wonderfully rewarding. You will notice details in a way you may not have before. Take the time to savor, to take photos, write poetry, sketch buildings, whatever. If something goes smoothly and quickly, you will be pleasantly surprised. If things really do take twice as long, well, that was just what you were expecting so you won't be frustrated. Ken's ideas for trains are super. Having a few train buffs in our family, I know that lots of different kinds of trains is always considered a good thing. Switzerland is a must do, with many sorts of trains and spectacular scenery. You could spend several days in the Berner Oberland and not get bored, with nary a museum in sight. There is also a delighful transport museum in London.
Also highly recommend eating in the dining car, even if the food isn't great. My inlaws considered this the highlight of their train travel in Europe. Just the idea of it, I think!

Being a senior myself, I think these suggestions are a bit much for an 80yearold. How about starting in Vienna, train to Switzerland. Maybe partway by boat on the Danube, (covered by railpass); Paris, then Eurostar to London? He may need more days to rest. Keep it simple!! Less stressful for you. Venice is too difficult with all the stairs, bridges, uneven walkways for an older person, especially at the beginning of your tour, with jetlag.
Jana

What a wonderful thing you're doing. Having traveled with mobility challenged family members, I disagree with some eariler comment about Venice. I think it could be enjoyed, just downscale your goals/expectations. The vaporetto workers were good about helping older people on and off boats, and just riding the boats was a wonderful way to explore without lots of walking. And using the vaporetto to get from destination to destination, it was possible, with planning, to minimize bridges. Hitting the big cities might be the best way for him to feel he's "done" Europe, which seems to be the goal. Maybe a 3 days in Venice (which provides time to recover from jet lag); a couple of days for Pompeii at leisure, since it's important to him; 3 days in Rome; 3 in Paris; and 3 in London (recognizing that you'll be losing time in transit)... or maybe cut out Rome, since you'll have seen other parts of Italy. Booking local bus tours or hiring taxi for a few hours is a good way for someone to feel they've seen the locale. Also, be very clear about things like elevators in lodging; some hotels advertise elevators but they are in another part of a shared building or are only accessible after you've climbed a flight of stairs.

TM, I found that in Italy (and I'm sure other countries), ramps and elevators are more common at train stations, and the larger stations have offices to help people with mobility issues. Still, many trains have a rather high step for entering the carriage. Last year I saw more people than ever before using walkers (with seats) or carrying walking sticks that convert to a 3-legged seat.

I was in Venice in May, and I noticed that in Dorsoduro, they had lots of wheel chair ramps for the canal bridges in the area of Campo Santa Margherita.

thank you all for the suggestions, I think I just need to lower expectations and remember my first trip to europe when it was "pinch me im in europe" and assume he will feel the same way no matter what we do.