Rome

[Guest]

Hi

Anyone here have experience of visiting the Vatican in a wheelchair? Have read that it is better to book a tour but finding this very difficult. I have to be pushed in a manual chair for distances but can walk slowly when i need to, but steps are a bit dodgy! this is our first trip abroad since being diagnosed with mnd a year ago so am quite apprehensive anyway. will be going with three able bodied people but the only wheelchair friendly tour i can find online was around £460 !!!!

any advice appreciated

thank you

[Terry]

Hi Roxygirl and welcome to the forum;

I have no first hand knowledge of Rome but from what my wife told me it would be very hard in a wheelchair. There are many good points about Rome and if you have plenty of good strong help and can be pulled around it's worth a go.

Best wishes, Terry

[Bern]

Hi Roxygirl,

Welcome to the forum. We visited Rome about 5 years ago but I didn't have my disabled head on then! From what we remember the Vatican was pretty accessible. We'd paid for tickets to avoid queuing but decided it wasn't really worth it.
You're lucky to have three able bodied helpers - they can help with the wheelchair and you! I'm very like you in that I can walk very short distances but steps are very dodgy. We managed Verona and Lake Garda a few weeks ago.
Make sure you arrange assisted boarding at the airports!

Good luck and enjoy!

Bern x

[Barry52]

Hi Roxygirl,

A worthwhile website to look at is http://www.sagetraveling.com

I visited a few years ago when I was using my walker. If you have a letter from your doctor stating the disability you can get free access for a carer. From the Cistine chapel to the Vatican museum is quite a walk and the streets approaching are mostly cobbled.

Best wishes,
Barry

[roxygirl]

hi guys

thanks for all the advice ! i think we will wing it a bit and i will update my experience when we get home.

x

[Guest]

Hi roxygirl

How did you go in Rome we are going in August and I will be taking my walker

[Terry]

HI dkjc;

Don't think that roxygirl posts any more.

I have never been to Rome but from what my wife says, it's not disabled friendly.

Cobbled roads/paths, crazy traffic curbs etc. I would look into things well before going with a walker.

Sorry, love Terry

[Kayleigh]

Ciao dkjc!

As Terry says, the cobbled streets etc don't make Rome the most ideal place to use a walker, but if you still want to go, it appears from information on several websites that it can still be a viable option for us.

It was many many years ago when I had a holiday in Rome - but I still remember it being a wonderful place to visit - full of history and culture. Great food and wine as well!

Hopefully things have moved on recently with making Rome more accessible for disabled travellers. I don't think that they can get rid of the cobbles on the streets though!

It would be a shame for you to miss out on a trip to Rome, if you have got your heart set on going (especially if you have already booked/paid for it!).

Some of the information in these websites might be helpful:-

https://www.romewise.com/accessible-rome.html

https://www.romeanditaly.com/tourism-for-disabled/

http://disabilityhorizons.com/2015/0...vigating-rome/

https://www.sagetraveling.com/Rome-Disabled-Access

https://www.handiscover.com/content/...cessible-rome/

https://m.disabledholidays.com/#!/ab...led-tours.html

Arrivederci,
Kayleigh x

[Guest]

Hi Kayleigh thanks for the links yes we have already booked for our 27th Wedding Anniversary, a few cobbles won't stop me!

[Kayleigh]

Hi Mr and Mrs dkjc,

Its wonderful to hear that you will be going Rome to celebrate such a special occasion.

You will certainly be able to celebrate your wedding anniversary in style there! - when I was in Rome, in my younger years, I remember being spoilt for choice with a wealth of very impressive places and sites to see, and a wonderful selection of delicious food and drink to choose from.

I hope you both have a wonderful time celebrating your wedding annivesary in August......

"Buon anniversario de matrimonio Mr and Mrs dkjc"

Love and best wishes to you both,
Kayleigh x

P.S I love your non-defeatest attitude about the cobbles!

[miranda]

Hi Kayleigh thanks for the links yes we have already booked for our 27th Wedding Anniversary, a few cobbles won't stop me!

A couple of years ago I went to Portugal - there's lots of cobbled areas there too. It's ok unless you have a full bladder!!!!!

[Guest]

Hi Mr and Mrs dkjc,

Its wonderful to hear that you will be going Rome to celebrate such a special occasion.

You will certainly be able to celebrate your wedding anniversary in style there! - when I was in Rome, in my younger years, I remember being spoilt for choice with a wealth of very impressive places and sites to see, and a wonderful selection of delicious food and drink to choose from.

I hope you both have a wonderful time celebrating your wedding annivesary in August......

"Buon anniversario de matrimonio Mr and Mrs dkjc"

Love and best wishes to you both,
Kayleigh x

P.S I love your non-defeatest attitude about the cobbles!

Aww thank you so much Kayleigh we will definitely celebrate in style and the cobble will be another obstacle I will challenge myself to overcome

[Catsparkle]

I'm going to Rome in a couple of weeks, this is really helpful, thankyou!

[Kayleigh]

Hi Lisa (Catsparkle),

I hope you, and whoever you are going with, have a great time on holiday in Rome. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time there - it's such a beautiful and interesting place to visit!

Don't forget to book, in advance, any 'Special Assistance' you might need at the airports and/or during the flights.

Airline websites and airport websites should include details about the 'Special Assistance' they provide. There's also some information on the Civil Aviation Authority's website:-
https://www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/PRM...uced-mobility/

Love to you and your daughter,
Kayleigh x