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Italy Trip v. Africa
Posted on 4/21/26 at 10:25 am
Posted on 4/21/26 at 10:25 am
My in laws want to go on one last big trip before grandkids. My in laws are both 65+, and FIL has some limitations when it comes to walking for long periods and with elevation (torn Achilles). They are pushing Italy, which sounds great to me, but I’m worried about them burning out. We went to Hawaii last year and we avoided hiking because of it. Biggest question I want answered is realistically how much walking would we be doing in Italy/significant elevation changes. We do not have a set itinerary but are planning to go for 2 weeks. None of us have ever been so we are planning to hit some of the big spots (Rome, Venice, Florence,etc.). Alternatively I brought up a Safari/ Africa trip and they seemed interested as well. My thoughts would be less walking on that trip. Any advice would be appreciated.
10
Posted on 4/21/26 at 11:14 am to LF7
Pick whichever location you would rather visit when it’s just you and your wife. Preserve that one.
Do the other one with the in-laws. If they are going to suck the joy out of a trip, save the fun one for later.
Do the other one with the in-laws. If they are going to suck the joy out of a trip, save the fun one for later.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 12:31 pm to LF7
Italy would be one of the worst countries in regards to walking. Its very rocky and hilly, most streets are bricks/ cobblestone.
Rome public transportation really isn't good, and then ubers would be slow.
Now, you could absolutely do Florence plus Tuscany.
Rome public transportation really isn't good, and then ubers would be slow.
Now, you could absolutely do Florence plus Tuscany.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 3:11 pm to Willie Stroker
quote:
Pick whichever location you would rather visit when it’s just you and your wife. Preserve that one.
I think this is the ultimate answer, though I hate to be cynical. We loved every aspect of the trip below, and other countries may have more accessible options. I just want to make sure you know the gates that might make Africa miserable if travel companions have physical issues.
Me and the wife did an African safari in Tanzania a couple of years ago and it was amazing. You can do the whole thing there with little walking at the destination, but getting there involved a lot.
Two long flights - US to Amsterdam, then the same 9 hour flight to Kilimanjaro. So 18 hours in the air + layover.
Then small a single prop plane with multiple stops before getting to our destination in the Serengeti.
Then a 2 hourish drive to the resort (we stayed at the 4 seasons) on rough roads. But this started an amazing experience taking in the wildlife.
Then 5 days of driving those rough roads to experience the wildlife. No walking necessary, but the roads bang you around. Again, if it is something you are into it is worth ever minute.
We closed out with a week on the beach in Zanzibar which was great once at the resort, but I would fly back to Europe and do a Mediterranean beach if I had to do it again.
Reverse everything to get home. Again, we loved it. If your whole group isn't committed it is a lot of extra to get there and less walking may not be the payoff you expect.
Posted on 4/21/26 at 6:11 pm to LF7
Africa
Not even a contest
Not even a contest
Posted on 4/21/26 at 6:34 pm to Lawyered
From a not walking perspective, Africa will be a breeze. If you do a safari you might take 500 steps on those days 
Posted on 4/21/26 at 9:15 pm to LF7
Going to Africa in July. Super pumped 
Posted on 4/22/26 at 9:57 am to LF7
Just my style and preference, but give me Italy.
But I have many friends who have been on African safaris, some with guns and some with cameras, and they rave about it.
But I have many friends who have been on African safaris, some with guns and some with cameras, and they rave about it.
Posted on 4/22/26 at 10:52 am to baldona
Agree that Italy would be tough, depending on city. A lot of difficult walks in pretty much all of the old cities, cinque Terre, como, and the Amalfi coast. Lot of elevation changes.
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:55 am to baldona
Venice is terrible for limited mobility, nothing but cobblestones, stairs and bridges.
Florence doesn’t have the stairs and bridges, but the crowds and vehicle traffic squeezes into each other make it worse than Venice.
Florence doesn’t have the stairs and bridges, but the crowds and vehicle traffic squeezes into each other make it worse than Venice.
Posted on 4/25/26 at 8:25 am to LF7
If you’re leaning toward the safari, maybe you could combine Victoria Falls with Chobe National Park in Botswana. Driving distance apart.
Amboseli in Kenya has great views of Kilimanjaro when the skies are clear. Great photo opportunities with elephants in the foreground.
Kruger in South Africa has the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, cape buffalo - and Cape Town and Johannesburg are Africa’s most developed cities. Table Mountain in CT is a cool natural landmark. You might could combine some of those things.
And then you have Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya) for the Great Migration.
Amboseli in Kenya has great views of Kilimanjaro when the skies are clear. Great photo opportunities with elephants in the foreground.
Kruger in South Africa has the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, cape buffalo - and Cape Town and Johannesburg are Africa’s most developed cities. Table Mountain in CT is a cool natural landmark. You might could combine some of those things.
And then you have Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya) for the Great Migration.
Posted on 4/25/26 at 9:08 am to Globetrotter747
quote:
Johannesburg were Africa’s most developed cities.
FIFY. Joburg is not safe, and the infrastructure has gone to shite. On the plus side, you're strongly advised never to walk anywhere for safety.
Posted on 4/25/26 at 9:19 am to LemmyLives
quote:
FIFY. Joburg is not safe, and the infrastructure has gone to shite. On the plus side, you're strongly advised never to walk anywhere for safety.
1. I was there a few weeks ago and loved it.
2. This is by Africa standards.
Posted on 4/25/26 at 12:05 pm to Globetrotter747
Glad you had a good time, I was in the city and never saw anything to love except the braai section of the grocery store and great, cheap steak in the restaurant.
The trip from JNB to the downtown Protea was surrounded by filth, groups of ten+ men just standing on corners near hovels and shacks. The hotel backed up to nice townhouses which were fenced off with razor wire and electrical fencing. This is right across from the stock exchange.
Why does every housing compound that isn't full of hovels surrounded by massive walls, with multiple rows of concertina wire, topped by usually 5' of electrical fence?
OT thread with a video about SA
The trip from JNB to the downtown Protea was surrounded by filth, groups of ten+ men just standing on corners near hovels and shacks. The hotel backed up to nice townhouses which were fenced off with razor wire and electrical fencing. This is right across from the stock exchange.
Why does every housing compound that isn't full of hovels surrounded by massive walls, with multiple rows of concertina wire, topped by usually 5' of electrical fence?
OT thread with a video about SA
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:50 pm to Globetrotter747
quote:
If you’re leaning toward the safari, maybe you could combine Victoria Falls with Chobe National Park in Botswana. Driving distance apart.
This is what our trip group did. Truly a highlight of my life was doing this. This was 2007 though
Aside from the brief moment I thought my friend and I were going to be potentially kidnapped at Victoria Falls long after the sun had gone down. , that I’ve posted about on here
This post was edited on 4/25/26 at 1:52 pm
Posted on 4/25/26 at 2:21 pm to LF7
I went to Namibia last year and enjoyed it, other than Windhoek.
Here’s the thing about Africa: It is incredibly enchanting and has a real mystique, but it can eat you if you aren’t careful…
…and I am planning my 3rd visit next year
Here’s the thing about Africa: It is incredibly enchanting and has a real mystique, but it can eat you if you aren’t careful…
…and I am planning my 3rd visit next year
This post was edited on 4/25/26 at 3:06 pm
Posted on 4/25/26 at 5:25 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
Glad you had a good time,
I did. It wasn’t a huge part of my trip, though.
I’m not saying Johannesburg is the Center of the Universe, but it and Cape Town are better than other cities I’ve been to in Africa.
Posted on 4/26/26 at 6:37 pm to LF7
Demographically speaking, they're about the same. But I would chose Italy. I'm 65 and if my kids/grandkids wanted to do something and I couldn't physically keep up, I'd find a nice little Cafe and let them do their thing.
This post was edited on 4/26/26 at 9:22 pm
Posted on 4/26/26 at 7:35 pm to Adajax
quote:
I couldn't physically keep up, I'd find a nice little Cafe and let them do their thing.
The problem has been pointed out. Roma Termini (or anywhere else in central Rome) to anywhere involves mobility challenged streets and sidewalks. If they're just going to sit in a cafe (which I have no problem with,) OP doesn't need to be scheduling international trips around them.
Posted on 4/26/26 at 9:33 pm to LemmyLives
OP said FIL had mobility problems on long walks. I'm also somewhat limited on long walks and elevated terrain (bad back and ankle). Yet I just finished a two week vacation to Ireland and Paris where we walked 6 to 10 miles a day. When I needed to sit for a few mins I did. When the wife and daughter wanted to do a walking food tour where the group pace was set by a guide, I stayed behind. To imply we shouldn't have gone because I'm not as spry as a 20 yr old is ridiculous.
FIL knows his limitations and wants to go. Why shouldn't he? No one is suggesting he spend his entire vacation at a Cafe. I was stationed in Italy for 3 yrs. There is plenty of accessible walking. The OPs family can have a great vacation at either destination.
FIL knows his limitations and wants to go. Why shouldn't he? No one is suggesting he spend his entire vacation at a Cafe. I was stationed in Italy for 3 yrs. There is plenty of accessible walking. The OPs family can have a great vacation at either destination.
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