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Anyone travel to Europe after age 74 with mobility issues?

Posted by artmatters @artmatters, Sep 16, 2023

I’m finally expecting two great grandchildren by the end of this year. I would like to see them and the rest of the family sometime next year when I should be able to catch both babies in Spain. I’m 74 now and have mobility issues from a recent fall, which I haven’t mentioned to the European side of the family, not wanting to distract the two grandchildren who need to focus on parenting.
Does anyone have experience or tips on the best way to manage such a trip? Especially flights and connections.
I’m inclined to find a rural hotel that can sleep all of us as the twenty of us do in the United States. Opinions? My dear family will have plenty of them, so I’d like to start here!

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vic83 | @vic83 | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @artmatters "This is wonderful to know. I admire your courage. Thank you for including the significant details,..." + (show)
@artmatters

This is wonderful to know. I admire your courage. Thank you for including the significant details, especially the airport hotel. This was required several times when I was traveling with my husband, but he made everything easy, and we were both mobile.

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No courage involved. I never left airports and my friends picked me up at final destination. What is bad are the seats on airplanes!
I did purchase special health insurance for the trip since I do have health issues. I of course was fully vaccinated and kept my N95 mask on as much as possible - but then airplane food is so bad, one does not need to remove mask much to eat. I did not catch Covid on my 4-week trip. I did a PCR test when I got back and it was negative. And Italy had lower infection rate than the US anyway! It was the US domestic flights that worried me - they were packed.

REPLY
hvannort | @hvannort | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @bunnybear "I’m 83 and travel alone a good bit. I think all airlines now offer w/c assist...." + (show)
@bunnybear

I’m 83 and travel alone a good bit. I think all airlines now offer w/c assist. Even foreign ones (British Airways, Royal Jordanian). I feel a bit embarrassed asking for it since my conceit is that I “really don’t look my age”. But with back pain issues caused by arthritis I simply could not travel without it. I am going to Egypt for a trip down the Nile with friends this winter. I will meet two of my children after I arrive 2 days early. I felt I needed that to rest and acclimate before the cruise. But I will probably be alone during this time in a strange city. If anyone has traveled there, I would appreciate how to navigate instead of staying by myself in the hotel for 2 days.

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I am 75 and had my first experience with mobility issues last year. I agree with the others you should arrange with airlines for wheelchair transport. It is very easy. Egypt can be challenging on your own. I suggest you hire a car and driver/guide for the best and safest experience on the days you want to sightsee on your own. Most major hotels can recommend someone. For longer than a few day trips I have used Audley travel to make custom arrangements. They are flexible and have expert knowledge each country. I was once the solo adventure traveler but now it is time to take it a bit easier especially when traveling beyond the US and Europe. I don’t think age should restrict any of us from seeing the world. Obviously you are enjoying life. Have a wonderful trip!

REPLY
1 reply
jmb73 | @jmb73 | Sep 17, 2023

We are planning to go to Ireland (Dublin) and Italy (Milan) for my husbands 80th birthday in September. Have any of you stayed in Dublin? We will use the hotel you all recommended for Milan. I am disabled and need a wheelchair or a rollator to get around. Plus I have asthma, need a CPAP, and have hip problems. He has had open heart surgery. Any ideas on transportation? We want to tour Ireland as his mother was born there and Milan as his father was born there! We went to Italy 5 years ago and found the walking difficult. Any ideas?
Thank you for your help

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 17, 2023

I would like to point out that the old parts of many European cities, and many rural areas may not be comfortable for those with mobility issues. Sidewalks may be cobblestone, entryways are often step(s) up or down from the street level, elevators are lacking in many older buildings and for those totally wheelchair dependent, doorways may be too narrow. Also, not all trains, busses and trams can accommodate a wheel chair.

So, since you are planning well in advance, you have plenty of time to get the details you need about any place you would like to visit.
And, you have plenty of time to work on improving your mobility, so perhaps you will be able to use just a cane and/or walker at your destination, with wheelchair assist in airports and maybe train stations.

I would love to be planning such a trip! We are looking forward to 2025 or 2026 and a 3-generation trip to visit 3 generations of family in Southern Europe.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 17, 2023

@artmatters I’ve had many trips to Europe and Asia and airports have always been accommodating. But you may want to check out hotels, especially smaller hotels. Many don’t have elevators or porters to carry suitcases. It was tough even when younger. You also want to know about the places where your grandchildren live. Do they have stairs? You want a fun trip not an endurance trip!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @jmb73 "We are planning to go to Ireland (Dublin) and Italy (Milan) for my husbands 80th birthday..." + (show)
@jmb73

We are planning to go to Ireland (Dublin) and Italy (Milan) for my husbands 80th birthday in September. Have any of you stayed in Dublin? We will use the hotel you all recommended for Milan. I am disabled and need a wheelchair or a rollator to get around. Plus I have asthma, need a CPAP, and have hip problems. He has had open heart surgery. Any ideas on transportation? We want to tour Ireland as his mother was born there and Milan as his father was born there! We went to Italy 5 years ago and found the walking difficult. Any ideas?
Thank you for your help

Jump to this post

@jmb73 what a fun trip you have planned! We have been to both Dublin and Milan but I was younger then! You may want to check with the hotel in advance to see if they have tour guides with cars. Walking on crowded streets with cobblestones can be very difficult also ask about stairs. My observation of Europe was that there was no accommodation for the disabled. The cities are old and built before any modern conveniences. If the old parts of the cities were changed to today’s modern standards, they would lose their history and charm. I don’t want to discourage you, but you will need to do your homework!

REPLY
1 reply
artmatters | @artmatters | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @becsbuddy "@jmb73 what a fun trip you have planned! We have been to both Dublin and Milan..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@jmb73 what a fun trip you have planned! We have been to both Dublin and Milan but I was younger then! You may want to check with the hotel in advance to see if they have tour guides with cars. Walking on crowded streets with cobblestones can be very difficult also ask about stairs. My observation of Europe was that there was no accommodation for the disabled. The cities are old and built before any modern conveniences. If the old parts of the cities were changed to today’s modern standards, they would lose their history and charm. I don’t want to discourage you, but you will need to do your homework!

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Good points. Thanks

REPLY
artmatters | @artmatters | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @becsbuddy "@artmatters I’ve had many trips to Europe and Asia and airports have always been accommodating. But..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@artmatters I’ve had many trips to Europe and Asia and airports have always been accommodating. But you may want to check out hotels, especially smaller hotels. Many don’t have elevators or porters to carry suitcases. It was tough even when younger. You also want to know about the places where your grandchildren live. Do they have stairs? You want a fun trip not an endurance trip!

Jump to this post

Thanks. several more things to think about.

REPLY
artmatters | @artmatters | Sep 17, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "I would like to point out that the old parts of many European cities, and many..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I would like to point out that the old parts of many European cities, and many rural areas may not be comfortable for those with mobility issues. Sidewalks may be cobblestone, entryways are often step(s) up or down from the street level, elevators are lacking in many older buildings and for those totally wheelchair dependent, doorways may be too narrow. Also, not all trains, busses and trams can accommodate a wheel chair.

So, since you are planning well in advance, you have plenty of time to get the details you need about any place you would like to visit.
And, you have plenty of time to work on improving your mobility, so perhaps you will be able to use just a cane and/or walker at your destination, with wheelchair assist in airports and maybe train stations.

I would love to be planning such a trip! We are looking forward to 2025 or 2026 and a 3-generation trip to visit 3 generations of family in Southern Europe.
Sue

Jump to this post

Gosh! The word GENERATIONS hadn’t entered my mind yet. Thank you. My fondest hope is that I can get enough rooms at one of the places that I know from the many car trips my husband and I made. I know the layout and challenges I will be getting into.

REPLY
bunnybear | @bunnybear | Sep 18, 2023
In reply to @hvannort "I am 75 and had my first experience with mobility issues last year. I agree with..." + (show)
@hvannort

I am 75 and had my first experience with mobility issues last year. I agree with the others you should arrange with airlines for wheelchair transport. It is very easy. Egypt can be challenging on your own. I suggest you hire a car and driver/guide for the best and safest experience on the days you want to sightsee on your own. Most major hotels can recommend someone. For longer than a few day trips I have used Audley travel to make custom arrangements. They are flexible and have expert knowledge each country. I was once the solo adventure traveler but now it is time to take it a bit easier especially when traveling beyond the US and Europe. I don’t think age should restrict any of us from seeing the world. Obviously you are enjoying life. Have a wonderful trip!

Jump to this post

@hvannort Thank you for the very helpful information. I will use it!

REPLY
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