Can a partially disabled person keep up with your tour?

Best for you to contact the tour office directly.

I second the other answer. Call the office for advice on which tours may require the least walking. While on the tour you are usually free to join, or not, some of the more strenuous group activities.

I would call the RS tour office. They do state in their Tour Conditions:

“Be comfortable on your feet with brisk two-hour walking tours, climbing lots of stairs, hopping on and off public transportation, plus standing and walking for up to four hours inside museums and outdoors in all weather conditions.”

They may be able to suggest a type of tour that would better fit your capabilities.

May I suggest considering a cruise instead? We've been on Rick Steves tours as well as cruises, and I think that would suit you and your wife better. As well as the information already noted about what tour members can expect, on a tour you will generally need to be up and going at a specific time, either for the day's touring (which you could skip if needed) or to get on the bus and go to the next place (which you could not skip.) On a cruise, your wife could more easily join a day tour, or find activities on the ship, while you could be as active or at leisure as your spine allows. The cruise line will also handle your luggage, whereas RS tours require you to handle your own. That could be a significant burden on you and your wife.

Road Scholar offers some tours that are geared to those with limited mobility. Intrepid Travel offers a variety of tours for a variety of disabilities. I've talked with them, but never used their services. On the phone, they were quite helpful. Sage Traveling is "recognized" (their words) by RS as "one of the experts in European travel for those with disabilities," although their website looks claims the 2015 issue of Europe Through the Back Door as the source of their recommendation. Cruises, as someone said earlier, might be a good option, although many port call excursion are not suitable for a person with disabilities, depending on the type of disability. I've never been on a cruise, though, where there wasn't at least one option per port. The down side of cruises, of course, is that you stick to the coast, and rarely have enough time in port to make a meaningful trip inland.

You might want to look at Road Scholar. They have some tours advertised as “at a slower pace.” I haven’t taken any of their tours yet (am signed up for one in May) but several people on this board have had positive experiences.

From first hand experience, a Rick Steves tour could be a challenge. I tore my meniscus during a Rick Steves tour last year and ended up on crutches. While I was able to continue the tour, I sat out many activities because I was not able to walk long distances and keep up with the group.

Also remember that Rick's tours sometimes stay in hotels without elevators, which is the deal-breaker for me.

Remember that it's not just the walking or standing for periods of time. We've had to carry or roll our bags for some fairly long distances often over cobblestone. There's plenty of climbing in some locations. You'll have to manage your belongings in sometimes difficult circumstances.

Another vote for Road Scholar from me. They have a number of tours that are at "A Slower Pace" which might be a good place to start.

I've done 13 Road Scholar tours and 12 Rick Steves tours plus some with a small group company.

What distance is comfortable for you to walk? I don't want to be discouraging but from the general things you describe I'd say that a regular Rick Steves tour would not be a good fit for you. For myself I try to be able to walk 4-5 miles at least once a week (with 3-4 miles on 2-3 other days) as my fitness for a Rick tour.

You might look at the My Way tours which have transportation and hotels provided but you are on your own for activities. The sticking point might be that you might have to porter your own bags. Would your wife be able to get your bags up a flight or 2 of stairs? For reference, I'm a 76-yr-old woman and I pack light enough that I can get my bag up/down stairs in hotels or train stations (not needed for most Rick tours although some of the Italy ones stay in Monterosso al Mare and that requires a short local train ride but you have steps up to the platform and back down.)

. Now I find that walking distances and long immobile standing can be difficult,. with good days and bad.

How far can you walk non-stop?
Usually 10-15 minutes is the longest 'point A to point B' walk a steady deliberate pace. . One day we had to cover a bit over mile 'expeditiously' due to a random bus strike
There will also be times when you will be standing in one place for 10-15 minutes while the guide explains/points out the significant features /history of the place.

Each tour has its unique features, so talking with the RS staff is the best way to find what fits for you. And they can explain what 'bailout' options might be available to you if you wear out mid way through that day's walking tour.

Thanks for the many suggestions. Sad but sounds like I would need to work on getting healed in order to join in the fun. I did ok in Spain and France a year ago. A lot of lugging stairs walkways and cobblestone with backpack suitcases. (Sucked it up). Sciatica can shut me down unfortunately. Have to find a way.
Thanks again.

We’ve been on 4 RS tours and keeping up is a big part of the tours. But if you reach out to the office as suggested, perhaps ask about the My Way tours. Those might be suited for you getting you from place to place but doing as you please.

And by the way....the forum is a peer to peer format with the RS office staff rarely chipping in. So, you've got opinions from a variety of travelers.

Look at Road Scholar. They have some tour with less walking.

Thanks for filling in that you have done some recent European travel so you have an idea of what’s out there. I would encourage you to consider the My Way tours. We’re doing our 3rd one this spring. My husband has an increasingly difficult time with the standing required of the formal guided tours. The things you probably need to consider are: how far can you walk with luggage, how many flights of stairs you can climb and how moving hotels every couple of days affects you.

Hi. I can totally relate to your description of your current abilities. Before my back/sciatica issues, my husband and I took four Rick Steve’s tours. I could not do the tours today with my slow walking, limited time standing and unpredictable pain level on any given day. Now I travel independently and it works much better. I can start and stop any activity when I need to and I enjoy the travel experience much more. My suggestion is to find a couple of places that interest you and rent apartments in each place for a week or so to limit moving between locations (such as one week Florence and one week Rome). Get apartments with washers so you can pack ultra light and be cognizant of what floor the apartment is on. Then take easy day trips from your base if you’d like such as a wine tour that does not require too much walking. I also bring a dual voltage heating pad that is really worth the packing space. You can do the travel very well but be careful of walking tours that require you to keep up with the group. Splurge on comfort such as Premium Economy seats and taxis.

ibhandyman, Don't give up!
I just saw CindyP's post with her relatable ideas. Travel independently. Here's a RS search link to travel with disabilities from the past two years:
https://search.ricksteves.com/button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&page=1&query=travel+with+disability&utf8=%E2%9C%93
David from Huntsville travels with his wife who uses a mobility scooter. If you PM him, he may have ideas for you.

Have you considered a city visit? London has lots to see, is flat and walkable. If you can't walk far or need to cut the day short, subways (aka Tube), buses and taxis can get you to where you need to go. You can choose a hotel that has an elevator and is close to sights and transportation. There are food tours, walking tours or just wander on your own. Lots of museums. You can take day trips out of town. Look at Rabbie's Tours. Last year I did their Oxford and Cambridge day tours. If you are having a bad day, give yourself permission to throw away the day's tickets and relax in your hotel, a pub or a park. Encourage your wife to see what she wants without either of you feeling guilty.

I don't have your problems, but am slowing down due to age, lack of agility and arthritis. Past years I have taken an RS tour sandwiched by independent travel. This year I am taking an independent, solo trip, no tour.

I hope you continue to travel.