Grandparents

Ckostecki

We are considering the Tauck Bridges Alpine Adventure next summer. I am trying to convince my mother in law to join us. She is hesitant because she has some significant lower back problems and has difficulty walking. Is Tauck able to accommodate her?

We have been on two Tauck Bridges in the past and loved them! Mystical Peru last year and Ireland Forever the year before. There were however certain activities that would have been difficult for my mother in law to have participated in. My children are now 12 and 16 and my hope is to share this next trip with all of the grandparents if possible.

I would appreciate any feedback with regard to this situation, thank you!

British

I think you need to read the information about the tour, it should give walking distances, elevation and fitness level for activities. Elevation alone could change how fit anyone feels in a location like this, or even jet lag if you do not arrive a few days ahead of the start of the tour. Then you can call Tauck and discuss with them. And then maybe your mother's doctor. You have to be realistic about her capabilities. Sometimes you have to accept that her not going might be the best for everyone. You can maybe help her 'Share' the adventure by doing a great day by day blog, taking pictures, video or even skyping her so that she feels she is 'With' you. I have a whole group of people who can't wait to read my blogs while I am on a Tauck adventure. Some of them would never dream of visiting such places, but they like to read what I get up to.
Finally, does your mother really want to go with you? Or is it what You want? She might not want to say what she really feels about going on a trip like this that she worries she might not be fully able to partake in. Maybe you can check that out to.

AlanS

I wholeheartedly agree with British.

We went on the Alps & Dolomites tour this year which has a few places in common with the Alpine Adventure- Bridges (Neuschwanstein, Innsbruck, etc.). While there will certainly be activities your mother-in-law will be able to handle, I don't think it is a trip for someone with "significant lower back problems and has difficulty walking." Many of the places and activities require a considerable amount of walking, some of it on rough or cobblestone streets, steep inclines and stairs. For example, while you ride a carriage to Neuschwanstein, the last 100m or so to the entrance requires walking up a steep incline and the tour of the castle itself involves climbing many stone steps and at least one narrow, steep, stone spiral staircase. At many mountaintops, the terrain can be very rough once you get just a few yards from the cog railway or gondola. Just getting on and off the bus at rest stops/photo ops may be difficult for her. She will most likely be spending her time sitting on a bench watching you and your children having a great time. Very few, if any, of the places you will visit will have physical accommodations, certainly nothing approaching what is found in the US- nothing equivalent to "ADA compliant." Should something happen it could ruin the trip for everyone or even cause you leave mid-tour to escort her home. Back problems are nothing to fool around with!

In addition carefully reading the day-to-day itinerary, please read the "Health and Activity" tab under the main "Before You Go" tab for this tour.

That section should give you all the info you need to make an informed decision. Important is this statement, "We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs."

Here are some samples of info you will find in this section:

"This journey . . . . is . . . an active and extensive tour. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Switzerland, Austria and Germany are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, many centuries old. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical limitations. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and some steep and winding staircases.

The walk across a paved surface to Neuschwanstein Castle on day 7 takes 20 minutes at a normal pace with a few stops to catch your breath as the walk is quite steep. Inside the castle, you will climb approximately 200 steps on a winding staircase with a guide stopping on three floors for commentary. Then you walk down by yourself aided by a handrail. Most guests find that the experience is well worth the effort!"

Maybe the real answer is to tell your MIL that you and your children would be thrilled if she joined you on this trip, but let her decide after she reads the itinerary and the Before You Go info and consults with her doctor.