When the activity level is too high

I agree with those saying that you should stick to your ability level for your own sake and out of consideration for others. We generally look for Moderately Challenging trips, and it is not fun to have someone always holding up the group. We're in a window right now where we're both fit and healthy with no imminent family issues and want to get in as many active trips as we can, while we can!

In reply to sheilarjhnstn011732:

I'm also attending the Independent Paris trip in July and I've been doing just that: increasing my activity level. I'm looking forward to it!

In reply to steelmag9011042:

You will love it!

I'm in my fifties, and a young grandma to my now 13 year old, and so far have been much younger than others on our inter generational trips. On our first, I was the only one able to handle ocean waves and holding onto other kids in the program (didn't mind); one grandpa tried but was bowled over. We went to NYC last year, after I had just been diagnosed with RA. I managed all the walking with prednisone and topical cream. However, there were a couple of older women who could not keep up with the Central Park walking activity, and proceeded to yell at everyone to slow down. Asking kids to slow down after being given a map of things to locate in the park is unrealistic. Thankfully, they dropped out and let us watch their grandchildren, much to everyone else's relief. My granddaughter still talks about that. I would say pay attention to the activity level. If you can't handle it, be quiet and don't make a scene that ruins it for others. With intergenerational trips I have no problem helping kids participate if their grandparents can't keep up.

In reply to sheilarjhnstn011732:

I agree on the training aspect. Several of us trained for the RS photography program in Costa Rica. Better to be in good condition to really enjoy the experience.

RS usually informs in the program the type activity. Note that a activity level can become difficult when whether conditions are factored in. Hot and humid can be "difficult" on level ground if long distances and sunshine are involved. Hydration and electrolytes are important factors. Deserts and humid rain forests can be challenging even when you feel reasonably fit from a temperate climate. I like to check the average temperature and rainfall, high and low temp. for the areas the program will be visiting.

In reply to GerryL:

I just did this Dordogne trip. It was great. There was not 9 miles of walking at any time. Maybe one mile on flat land. Some flights of stairs in churches or hill towns. I live in flat Florida. This was an easy trip.

In reply to doctorjudy795012843:

I guess since there are a lot of folks who need the less active trips, maybe more less active trips could be created. I would not think it would be that difficult to do.

In reply to GerryL:

Check to see if the miles are broken up into several shorter walks and/or hikes. I have found there are often as many as three stops and four destinations each with short walking. I also have found that if you are able to get to the place that the group will hike to by some other means, or if the hike starts and ends at the same place you might enjoy the place where you find yourself and just meet up with the group at the next meetup point. The leaders should tell you where the rendevous (my attempt at French) will be!

I've only done 2 RS trips. One was listed as challenging and the hikes offered were less than what was described. The other was perfectly described. Each subcontractor writes their itineraries and sets the levels, so there really isn't a strict standard among all of the trips. However, you don't want to negatively impact the other participants, so I would not try to overachieve. You may hurt yourself and make it difficult for the group.

In reply to hike917081139:

I have had two RS trips totally ruined by the inability of the participants to meet the requirements -- and the trips were "only" Active (now "Keep the Pace.") If you can't walk up and down 300 uneven stone steps with no hand railings over the course of a whole hour, don't spoil it for those of us who read the descriptions and honestly evaluated our capabilities! Unlike several comments above, our local guides did not make alternate arrangements for those who did not meet the physical requirements, instead they dumbed-down the whole program to meet the lowest ability. I did not get the programs as described and that I paid for.

In reply to ssiehr011236:

Yes, we will be doing a "keep the pace" program this Spring and we will be on riverboat...2 to 3 miles per day and some steps thru Verona and Venice..I have walked on cobblestone streets before...Is keep the pace like an average day of sightseeing? We will have the riverboat to our rescue.

In reply to jtiedemann011211:

May I ask which trip you took?

In reply to jtiedemann011211:

My spouse and I and four friends had a similar experience on the "Best of Iceland" trip in October. The trip was described as Moderate activity level. There were 30 persons on the bus, about half of whom were very capable of moderate activites or more. The other half included several persons who could not walk more than 1-2 blocks or stand for more than a few minutes, and who had significant difficulty getting on and off the bus. Consequently our departure times were delayed every day due to time spent loading/offloading at each stop. Some activities were curtailed as several people waited on the bus, while the rest of us were disappointed at being rushed through important sites where we wanted to spend more time. All six of us have contacted RS, who said they would get back to us (still waiting). There has been no effort on the part of RS to provide compensation in any way for failing to deliver the trip as described.

In reply to GerryL:

Then this trip is not for you.