Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[Ms Marple]

Hello all- any advice most welcome here. I am planning to take my parents (76 and 78)to Rome this summer. They have always wanted to go especially to the Vatican etc. My slight dilemma is that dad has two replacement knees and one replacement hip- hence is not very mobile- but is desperate to go to the Vatican. Mum is very mobile and can walk good distances. Dad has said he is happy to sit much of the time whilst OH and I take mum with us.

Questions:

Is Rome a viable proposition in the first place? My heart says yes but...

What sort of area is best placed for hotels within reach of the major sights? I have also considered hiring an apartment for a week but having never been have little idea of the scale of the city.

Has anybody tried any of the tours- other than the bus? Dad can walk but not too far at once and slowly - he is also not a wheelchair user.

Any other thoughts from those of you who have been? This is a new dimesion for me as OH and I always just go and do!! However I feel that I need to be very organised so that it is a pleasure for my parents rather than a stress and I am aware that already they are a bit apprehensive.

Many thanks

[Olly]

Sorry, it's years since I've been to Rome so I can't add much practical help. All I'd say is, despite your comment above, could you persuade your dad to at least take a wheelchair? Even if all he does is sit down in it sometimes. My mother could walk perfectly well but tired easily - once she'd accepted using the wheelchair even occasionally, it made life so much easier for everyone. And we could pile bags etc on the back or on her lap!

 

The other thing is, it got us to the front of the queue for flights, could you persuade your dad on this basis, that it would be for the benefit of the whole party if he 'just' used it for the airport? Do make sure you let the airline know if he needs help etc (e.g. he can't climb stairs) - we got fantastic treatment, and we were only flying Easyjet.

 

We took my parents (and just my mum in later years when dad found it too difficult) to the South of France several times, it was a bit stressful occasionally but so very rewarding, and has given me some lovely memories to recall now that they have both died. It will be very worthwhile, I'm sure someone else here has been to Rome recently and can probably offer more specific advice.

[emily95]

We went to Rome quite a while ago (I cant remember the year, but it was the year those PG Tipps monkeys were sold with PG tea. Anyway...) and we stayed here..... http://www.alimandi.com/dettaglio.php?id_lingua=3&id=9

It's literally just across the road from the entrance to the Vatican, which was fab. (The hotel were also able to book tickets for us to go into the Vatican on a tour, so that way we didn't have to queue up for hours!) Another point, it's very close to an underground station, that we used to get around and see other sights in Rome.

I've asked my dad to see if he can remember who we booked it with, because it was a good deal. Hopefully he'll be able to remember soon!

Hope that helps... x

[sage]

Hi

Went to Rome 4 years ago, I was 6 months pregnant but looked 9 months, we stayed near the Spanish steps. It’s very central and was easy to walk to most locations from there.

Think the Hotel was called The Panda. It was very small but most of the rooms are in the centre

The only place we got a bus to was the Vatican. Didn't pre book tickets and had to wait over 3 hour in a que to get in.

Some of the paths/squares can be very uneven like cobbled so somebody unsure on their feet may have a problem.

Sage

[Christian]

Got back from Rome this morning!

 

Anywhere near the Spanish steps is close. I stayed at the Hotel de la Minerve, which is next to the Pantheon. Anywhere central is quite pricey, but work pay Agree about the streets, lots of cobbles, maniacs on mopeds but easily doable. There is quite a steep road to the Vatican, but a taxi can take you most of the way (or go on one of the horse cart rides).

 

Loads to see and do, try the small restaurants down side streets for the best and inexpensive food. There are restaurants everywhere!

 

Any hotels near the Piazza Navona are central - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=hotel+de+la+minerve&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=hotel+de+la+minerve&cid=0,0,11937950288777085822&ei=hOo7T5WHIoqAOujr5N4C&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CCYQ_BI

 

 

Rome is a great city. I went with OH's Mum in November which is a good time as it is just cooling down but not cold. Avoid July/August/September as it is so hot and being a city gets really 'close'.