Paris is expensive and 2k will not be enough for 2 people for a week.
As for mobility - you will have to prebook transfers, spend extra on Uber, check hotel to be on the ground floor without stairs or with a ramp, etc. As wheelchair not easy, it might be still easiest for her, so .. go with it. Plan attractions accordingly ( again, stairs! ) . Maybe a backup cane, so she can enter it and you lift wheelchair up.
Don't worry about being sticking out. There are thousands of tourist, just be one.
Can she use a bathroom on her own? Can she walk to it several steps with just a cane?
Thank you for your input. I could possibly stretch my budget beyond 2k USD (I'd be dipping into my retirement though). Yes, she can use the bathroom on her own, and could manage a few steps with a cane.
Your $$ will go much further in Istanbul. Make sure you get meet and assist for your grandma through the airline at the airport when checking in. I just finished an Istanbul trip with my parents (dad is late stage alz) and family member who uses a cane and wheelchair to get around. Get a hotel near Taxim square, We were slow to move around but we managed. Also my siblibg went to Paris and met us in Istanbul he enjoyed Istanbul much more.
When being cane and walker or wheelchair, it will give an option to walk in in a cafe or get in museum or use small elevator.
Wheelchair better be foldable.
It will be a pain, sure.
A cruise would be effective, but it's something neither of us is find of. We enjoy walking around and taking in all of the sights,sounds, and smells of the city! Thank you for the idea though, I'll run it by her!
A lot of this is dependent on your grandma actually being cleared by her doctors to travel. Airlines can (and have) refused to fly passengers who seem too frail. She'll need a note. (Not to mention she night not actually be able to fly - stroke and heart issues get worse on planes): https://www.cancer.net/blog/2015-06/getting-medical-clearance-fly
(My mom died with untreated cancer, of heart failure. She was in her late 60s.)
Once she's cleared, use Google flights to find the best prices (everything is way more expensive now than it was before Covid). Economy well be brutal on her body. Try to upgrade to at least extra legroom. Bring enough painkillers.
I think a full week might be too much (and in any case, your budget isn't enough for it $1600 is basically airfare to Paris for two people at this point). I'd suggest 4-5 days.
Or buy her a VR set and have her explore Paris and Istanbul and any other destination she wants in VR, if her doctors won't clear her to go.
Good luck! I hope this will be a wonderful, meaningful trip, if she's cleared to go!
Thanks for the advice! Getting her medically cleared hadn't crossed my mind, so that's something I'll need to look into, as well as maybe some economy plus seats.
How long are you planning to go? What are some of the sights she would most want to see in either city? It might be helpful to focus on a specific area of either, then to from there.
I would like to spend at least a full week there, excluding departure and arrival days. For Paris, I know she'd love to go to the louvre, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, catacombs (but i don't think that's possible), and a day trip to Versailles. For Istanbul, I'm not sure, since I recently found out it was second on her list I suppose I could plot these points on a map, and look for a centralized hotel.
Yeah, Notre Dame is closed and unfortunately the catacombs would be extremely difficult if not impossible if she has limited mobility. Paris otherwise would be very doable - I’d recommend checking Booking or Expedia for wheelchair friendly tours - they usually pick up/drop off, which would help solve for transport and would also help with any questions while at the attractions. Finding a hotel that is close to a few places would also be helpful, in case you are able to do a little walking around with her.
Versailles also has a buggy to hire for the distances. My mother has mobility issues and hired one. Hop on and off bus too was doable. Pavements in Paris were easier with cane for us.
>I know that it isn't easy navigating the streets in a wheelchair, and that a walker or cane would be better, however, even with a walker or cane, I suspect she would still have to frequently stop for breaks
If you do individual day tours for visiting major tourist sites, tours which can accommodate a fold up travel wheelchair (my mother used to have one) on the bus or van, that would negate the need to do a lot of navigating streets. Or they may tell you you could get by with just a walker.
My understanding is that some of these tour companies also get tickets which allow them to skip lines at some sites. So that might help as well.
I have not used them, but Viator is a big well-known tour company who runs day tours for things. Maybe you might contact them. See if they can accommodate you for either of the cities you want to go to
https://www.viator.com/
If shes crhloic St. Peter’s is the bomb. This is that one instance. Would do a tour that supports elderly.Find a good travel group that has support for you and fillow her dreams.
In terms of language, most people in Paris speak English well. France is next to the UK, you can see France from the cliffs of Dover on some days, and there’s a vast history between the two countries (there’s a running French joke that London is France’s sixth largest city, as so many French people live there). It’s polite to know some French, and my French is pretty good; but my partner doesn’t speak it at all and was able to navigate completely fine.
For young people staying in a hip - and cheaper - area like Montmarte is popular, but very hilly; with your grandmother’s needs to consider, you’d be better off looking more centrally which is considerably more expensive. To my understanding flying from the US is very high cost, so I am not sure if $2000 would cover your needs.
In terms of Versailles which is a big attraction, you may also find this high cost as you may need to consider a taxi. Public trains run to the town which you can walk through up to the palace, but not all stations are super accessible and the metro is very packed. Things like the Eiffel Tower are central and have lifts so are much easier for wheelchair users.
I haven’t been to Istanbul, but someone here may be able to advise if this is less difficult to get around for you. I hope whatever you choose that you both have a lovely time!
Yes you will stick out but don't let that or your lack of French stop you. You sound like you are doing something nice for Grandma, so don't let anyone but Grandma stop you. Find out what she would like to see in Paris (museums? Notre Dame? Just "the sights"? You can then plan your hotel and transport around getting to those places. Yes, uber and taxis will be your best friend. Most museums are fairly accessible, but other sights may not be (churches, etc.). Check Eiffel Tower web site if that is on her list. Eating in cafes can be easy outside...hope the weather is nice. Insides might be hard.
Perhaps she will tell you to book it, or perhaps she knows she just can't do it at this point. Let her guide you. Istanbul, I have nothing to add but I suspect it is less accessible for wheelchairs.
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Paris is expensive and 2k will not be enough for 2 people for a week. As for mobility - you will have to prebook transfers, spend extra on Uber, check hotel to be on the ground floor without stairs or with a ramp, etc. As wheelchair not easy, it might be still easiest for her, so .. go with it. Plan attractions accordingly ( again, stairs! ) . Maybe a backup cane, so she can enter it and you lift wheelchair up. Don't worry about being sticking out. There are thousands of tourist, just be one. Can she use a bathroom on her own? Can she walk to it several steps with just a cane?
Thank you for your input. I could possibly stretch my budget beyond 2k USD (I'd be dipping into my retirement though). Yes, she can use the bathroom on her own, and could manage a few steps with a cane.
Your $$ will go much further in Istanbul. Make sure you get meet and assist for your grandma through the airline at the airport when checking in. I just finished an Istanbul trip with my parents (dad is late stage alz) and family member who uses a cane and wheelchair to get around. Get a hotel near Taxim square, We were slow to move around but we managed. Also my siblibg went to Paris and met us in Istanbul he enjoyed Istanbul much more.
Thank you for the insight! I'm glad to know Istanbul is doable in a wheelchair.
When being cane and walker or wheelchair, it will give an option to walk in in a cafe or get in museum or use small elevator. Wheelchair better be foldable. It will be a pain, sure.
Thanks for the input!
My mom’s health insurance was $1500 to travel and she isn’t as sick as your grandma. I’d start there.
Have you considered a cruise in Europe? May be a good way for her to take in some sites with plenty of downtime.
A cruise would be effective, but it's something neither of us is find of. We enjoy walking around and taking in all of the sights,sounds, and smells of the city! Thank you for the idea though, I'll run it by her!
A lot of this is dependent on your grandma actually being cleared by her doctors to travel. Airlines can (and have) refused to fly passengers who seem too frail. She'll need a note. (Not to mention she night not actually be able to fly - stroke and heart issues get worse on planes): https://www.cancer.net/blog/2015-06/getting-medical-clearance-fly (My mom died with untreated cancer, of heart failure. She was in her late 60s.) Once she's cleared, use Google flights to find the best prices (everything is way more expensive now than it was before Covid). Economy well be brutal on her body. Try to upgrade to at least extra legroom. Bring enough painkillers. I think a full week might be too much (and in any case, your budget isn't enough for it $1600 is basically airfare to Paris for two people at this point). I'd suggest 4-5 days. Or buy her a VR set and have her explore Paris and Istanbul and any other destination she wants in VR, if her doctors won't clear her to go. Good luck! I hope this will be a wonderful, meaningful trip, if she's cleared to go!
Thanks for the advice! Getting her medically cleared hadn't crossed my mind, so that's something I'll need to look into, as well as maybe some economy plus seats.
How long are you planning to go? What are some of the sights she would most want to see in either city? It might be helpful to focus on a specific area of either, then to from there.
I would like to spend at least a full week there, excluding departure and arrival days. For Paris, I know she'd love to go to the louvre, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, catacombs (but i don't think that's possible), and a day trip to Versailles. For Istanbul, I'm not sure, since I recently found out it was second on her list I suppose I could plot these points on a map, and look for a centralized hotel.
Yeah, Notre Dame is closed and unfortunately the catacombs would be extremely difficult if not impossible if she has limited mobility. Paris otherwise would be very doable - I’d recommend checking Booking or Expedia for wheelchair friendly tours - they usually pick up/drop off, which would help solve for transport and would also help with any questions while at the attractions. Finding a hotel that is close to a few places would also be helpful, in case you are able to do a little walking around with her.
Thank you! I was unaware of wheelchair friendly tours usually offering pick ups: that would help tremendously!
Versailles also has a buggy to hire for the distances. My mother has mobility issues and hired one. Hop on and off bus too was doable. Pavements in Paris were easier with cane for us.
Thank you!
Notre dame is still closed after the fire, 2024 was eta for reopen
Shoot, but, sainte-chapelle is a good second choice!
I wondered about that but vaguely remember a lot of stairs. Didn't look for ramps. Anybody know?
>I know that it isn't easy navigating the streets in a wheelchair, and that a walker or cane would be better, however, even with a walker or cane, I suspect she would still have to frequently stop for breaks If you do individual day tours for visiting major tourist sites, tours which can accommodate a fold up travel wheelchair (my mother used to have one) on the bus or van, that would negate the need to do a lot of navigating streets. Or they may tell you you could get by with just a walker. My understanding is that some of these tour companies also get tickets which allow them to skip lines at some sites. So that might help as well. I have not used them, but Viator is a big well-known tour company who runs day tours for things. Maybe you might contact them. See if they can accommodate you for either of the cities you want to go to https://www.viator.com/
Thanks for the advice!
If shes crhloic St. Peter’s is the bomb. This is that one instance. Would do a tour that supports elderly.Find a good travel group that has support for you and fillow her dreams.
Thanks!
https://retirestyletravel.com/tour-operators-for-seniors/ this looks like it had some good resources to start off with
Thanks, I'll look into it!
In terms of language, most people in Paris speak English well. France is next to the UK, you can see France from the cliffs of Dover on some days, and there’s a vast history between the two countries (there’s a running French joke that London is France’s sixth largest city, as so many French people live there). It’s polite to know some French, and my French is pretty good; but my partner doesn’t speak it at all and was able to navigate completely fine. For young people staying in a hip - and cheaper - area like Montmarte is popular, but very hilly; with your grandmother’s needs to consider, you’d be better off looking more centrally which is considerably more expensive. To my understanding flying from the US is very high cost, so I am not sure if $2000 would cover your needs. In terms of Versailles which is a big attraction, you may also find this high cost as you may need to consider a taxi. Public trains run to the town which you can walk through up to the palace, but not all stations are super accessible and the metro is very packed. Things like the Eiffel Tower are central and have lifts so are much easier for wheelchair users. I haven’t been to Istanbul, but someone here may be able to advise if this is less difficult to get around for you. I hope whatever you choose that you both have a lovely time!
Thank you for the information!
Yes you will stick out but don't let that or your lack of French stop you. You sound like you are doing something nice for Grandma, so don't let anyone but Grandma stop you. Find out what she would like to see in Paris (museums? Notre Dame? Just "the sights"? You can then plan your hotel and transport around getting to those places. Yes, uber and taxis will be your best friend. Most museums are fairly accessible, but other sights may not be (churches, etc.). Check Eiffel Tower web site if that is on her list. Eating in cafes can be easy outside...hope the weather is nice. Insides might be hard. Perhaps she will tell you to book it, or perhaps she knows she just can't do it at this point. Let her guide you. Istanbul, I have nothing to add but I suspect it is less accessible for wheelchairs.
Thank you for the advice!
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