River Cruising Series - Accessibility

It was a huge gift from my father, a river cruise for my sister and I to take on my 50th birthday! As our departure day drew closer, the tibial tendinitis in my foot was not improving and I started to become concerned. All that I'd heard about river cruising was how busy the walking tours are. They get you off the ship and into the local area nice and early and keep you walking through the day. How on earth was I going to do all of that with a medical boot?

Fortunately, I have a natural desire to stray from the norm, so it didn't take me long to start looking into alternative ways to enjoy France. I was able to drive much further than I could walk, so much to my sister's chagrin I decided we could drive through the countryside instead. We rented local cars through Turo and plotted some destinations where I could use a travel wheelchair, if needed.

Having my sister there to advocate for me when the foot pain got the best of me was also very helpful. The kindness that was shown to me from airport personnel and Viking staff to fellow passengers and locals at each stop showed me that we can also count on the kindness of humanity to ease the path. I ended up having some very funny conversations with our French speaking car lenders, as well, and my sister was able to enjoy the ride, most of the time. We stopped off in both a lavender and a sunflower field for spontaneous photo shoots, thanks to the freedom that the car afforded us.

For those of you who may looking for an accessible way to enjoy a region, I'd like to suggest giving river cruising a try. Being able to slip off and on the small ship to directly access these communities is such a gift! The sailing days are incredibly beautiful, as well. The winding path before you can open up to all sorts of surprise landscapes, castles and towns. I loved sitting on the outdoor terrace for hours, chatting with other cruisers and taking in the beauty while resting my foot. If you want to experience this for yourself, let's talk and find ways to make your river cruise just right for you!

Enjoying Pont du Gard

Our surprise sunflower field stop!