Best of Italy - Trafalgar

Rhona - I haven't done that tour but I know there is at least one Travel Tale moved over to this board for the Best of Italy (by Saki). If you read that, you should get an idea as to how physically demanding it is.

For myself, I've been on very physically active tours with people using canes or who had very limited mobility. If an activity was too much for them, they would cut it short or stay on the bus. We had one woman on the Canyonlands tour who could barely walk ten steps. It was everything we could do just to get her off the bus and across a sidewalk so that she could see the Grand Canyon.

If you can't find the tale, let me know. I'll get the link for you.

Thanks Chech. I read all the Tales on the old site.  I know this trip is physically intensive...he is able to walk- just not sure how much!    I was just wondering if anyone could estimate about how much walking in between a rest time.  I know this is a pretty difficult question to answer.  Your comments about the other people on your trips was helpful.  We've been planning this trip since FEB!  

Thank you so much for replying- I miss the Trafalgar Community posts!  

Rhona, perhaps some of the aids available would be a good investment, I had a couple of them, walking poles, but better yet one of those canes that convert to a seat. I have problems with knees as well, and is the standing around more than the walking that bothered me the most.  Here are some samples:

www.allegromedical.com/browse/browseProducts.do?searchPhrase=Cane+With+Seat&kwid=929afe0340af4a0f80fa7d888fd9c822

Some great examples of what the TDs will do for those with mobility issues. In Jordan, it was a 2 km walk to Treasury and we had two women over 80. The TD arranged for a carriage for them and we met them inside.



They didn't get to go farther than the Treasury - total walking distance that day was 12 km, but they enjoyed what they saw immensely.



 

Sorry to hear about the recurrence of your husband's knee injury, Rhona. And just before leaving for a tour.

I think that this is sounding very much like it requires some serious adjustment to how you conduct this tour. I've been to several of the places your trip goes to, but as a self-tour. I agree with Ms Boop: Pompeii will present quite a few problems with cobblestones and uneven ground. The ancient roads of Pompeii were designed to carry water (and sludge of various content!) away, as well as provide pedestrian/cart traffic. Look at the following picture and you'll see what to expect:



Every so often, you'll encounter large, raised stones, three of which appear above. These comprised an elevated pathway for people to cross to the other side without stepping onto the occasionally wet, sludge-laden road and getting shoes and skirts fouled. The ruts in the road were the tracks which the wheels of carts followed (note how the stepping stones were laid clear of the ruts). The paths aside the roads are smoother for walking but you do have to watch your step.

It's a vast site that does involve a lot of walking, although you don't have to do all of it. I can't recall whether wheelchairs were available, although I suspect that they wouldn't be much use anyway. Much will depend on whether your group is using a local guide or your TD to discuss the site. If you have problems keeping up with the group, you can take your time and just wander around at your own pace. You might be able to ask a group member to record any narrations on their smart phone for you to watch/listen later.

By all means, discuss your options for Pompeii and everything else with your TD early on in the tour.

It sounds like he'll do fine. It's quite likely he won't be the only one on tour with problems with stairs. The TD will always find a way around it or arrange for them to wait somewhere for the group.

The nice part about Pompeii is that it's fairly flat. Lots of curbs and cobblestone but I don't remember many stairs.