I understand there is lots of walking on tours. What about the elderly and people who are unable to climb many stairs or walk long distances.
Are there any tips?
Anyone experienced this?

I have seen some people who had a hard time walking just stay on the bus when the site was to far or just get off and walk where they could and just look until people got back. There is always a lot of walking on tours so it is better to go on one that looks easy for you.

I think it's a good thing to work up to a bus tour where you know there will be a lot of walking by "training" at home for several months before. If walking any distance or climbing stairs is beyond you, yes, you can always stay on the bus but then what would be the point? Caitie, among others, has also recommended trekking poles and I think they're an excellent idea for people.

I've seen TDs arrange cabs for places that are really steep such as in Assisi--don't know about other places or in other countries on bus tours. Another thing to consider are tours specifically designed for seniors (Trafalgar's are mainly mixed ages).

Brenda

I think it is also a good idea to check carefully the pace of your tour & do try to aim for a "Leisurely" paced one. Even then there will be stairs & walking & some you just may not be able to accomplish. We had an elderly lady on one tour who needed the assistance of two people to negotiate any stairs at all. She did spend a lot of time sitting things out. Having said that we do have a regular poster that uses a wheel chair & is a happy TTer.

Please do not think I am putting you off, not at all, & without knowing your limitations I can only advise on what I have experienced. Perhaps start off with a short tour to see how it suits.

Moggy91au: Age is not the problem; fitness is. I will be going on my 6th tour in two yrs next month and I will be 74 in a couple of months. The last tour I was on many of the younger folk (45-50yr olds)were constantly complaining of sore ft and tired bones. I suggest if you or someone in your party has a problem with walking at least an hour straight or climbing stairs that you pick a tour labeled "leisurley" and have at least 2 or 3 day stopovers so that if unable to do some of the more strengerous activities can relax at the hotel.May I suggest the next trip that I will be on next month "Prague, Vienna & Budapest". A walking stick or a cane is a great idea. In June of 2007 we had an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair who didn't miss a thing as most venues have ramps.Hope this is of some help to you. Purvis

Please may I add this to the above comments with regards to wheelchair and physical assistance.

If you have difficulties you need to take someone with you who is capable of helping you, and prepared to work with your limitations. Please do not 'expect' other travelers to assist you, although there may be helpful travelers who will happily offer from time to time.

There have been instances when travelers have expected to be helped by others on the tour.

It is not always possible to stay 'on' the bus as the driver sometimes needs to leave it and he is required to lock it etc. but a good TD will help you organise an alternative.

Do not let 'difficulties' stop you from traveling but be aware of your limitations and work 'with' them and everyone should have a great time.

By far the worst part is the coach stairs. The rise and go are very different to all other stairs you come across as the rise is quite high. They are much worse then commuter buses so if you can manage them unaided you should be OK.

Yes - all gr8 advice. The TTs do show a grading - which I feel is a bit OTT, but have been on tours where some cannot do it.

The "practice" before going is a gr8 idea - ie build up to maybe a few klms/mls a day before you go - and buy some good shoes and break them in. This may take anything from 3 to 6 months. It is also beneficial to your health anyway

Wheel chairs would be VERY hard IMO - not sure even if they are allowed - except for one kept under the Coach (ie where the person only used it once off the coach) ?

But we've been on TTs where some missed out on specific highlights because they had to walk. They tended to sit and wait - in the Coach and/or cafe. It might have been because of the "grade" or the distance, or just because it was walking.

BUT, they all seemed to have a gr8 time - regardless. Missing a few spots because of not walking will not spoil the trip.

So, do it

St. Mike: Have enjoyed your comments over the past several months. You're very right in suggesting that not being able to do all the things on a tour should not stop one who has a physical or age problem from going. I just returned from a trip in early June where a woman of 68 used a walker as she had undergone knee surgery a few month before. On another tour a gentleman used a wheelchair and on a third trip a gentleman was able to join the group once he optained a walking-stick. With the wheelchair and walker they were stored under the bus and retrieved once we reached our destination. I don't know if the persons involved tipped the driver extra to open and get out this equipment or not but this would be not a bad idea. Anyways in each case these folks had travel companions along with them to help when needed and they didn't expect or need any assistance from the rest of the tour group.

quote:

Originally posted by Cottontail:

If you have difficulties you need to take someone with you who is capable of helping you, and prepared to work with your limitations. Please do not 'expect' other travelers to assist you, although there may be helpful travelers who will happily offer from time to time.

There have been instances when travelers have expected to be helped by others on the tour.

Sound advice Bunny

My husband became the assistant for an elderly lady, for part of one of our TT's. She had great difficulty with stairs &, at 1st he was happy to help, until we realized how much it was slowing him down & how much he was missing out on seeing for himself. I might add the ladies husband was often not in sight when help was needed

"What about the elderly and people who are unable to climb many stairs or walk long distances."

Elderly or old people on tours seem to do great! Don't ask me why, but it seems so.

People who have problems with stairs and walking, should consider tours with less walking, and limited stair climbing. This is a tough one to figure out, but it may help to ask your travel agent before you book.

On a Trafalgar tour to Turkey we were on several years ago, one person on it comes to mind who was blind. He did great! Yes, he did great and he was blind!

Another thing to keep in mind about travelling in Europe is the cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces. For example, the Forum in Rome.

A was on a tour of Ireland with a family that included grandfather, son, son's wife and grandson. The grandfather had limited endurance so they rented a wheelchair to use for him, making sure with the tour company beforehand that it would fit under the coach. There were some places where the wheelchair wouldn't go but generally, they managed. And, since it was a family, there was always someone to push the senior family member when he needed to be in the chair.

P.S. Wheelchairs are wonderful at airports which can have even more walking than some day tours!

I would suggest to pick a Leisurly Tour, but then again as mentioned previously, there still will be walking and steps. All tours have it.
We had a lady on the last tour I did, who had great difficulty with the walking, steps and all. She sat out a lot of things and missed out a lot. She was travelling with her daughter and she did help her out. We all felt sorry for her and tried helping when we could. But she constantly kept complaining and by mid tour we were all over it and just kept our distance as it was dragging all of us down.
We also had a fellow traveller who broke his ankle a few days into the tour and the TD did organise crutches for him to use during the tour and also organised taxis along the way when he needed them.
I'm sure that all TD can and should organise assistance when a person needs it.
I personally think that everyone should as suggested above, start training a few months before starting a tour. Even if it is just walking, it helps a lot.

Can I add my `six cents `worth. How about offering to someone you know well, that you `help` with their costs, if they would be willing to be your companion and assist you on tour ?

Many thanks for all your replies with excellent advice.
I am sure my friend will be able to find a leisurely tour to suit her.