Have You Climbed Any Steps Lately?
A favorite pastime of hyperactive kids, like mine, is to chase up hundreds of steps on famous landmarks, with parents trailing breathlessly behind.
My husband and I always swear we should either bribe them not to do it or leave them to climb on their own but when the moment comes somehow we always end up relenting and joining in. As we stand breathless at the top, we are usually rewarded by a spectacular postcard like the view along with amusing family stories that we share at our holiday table.
In fact, just last month, we were reminiscing about our top five memorable step adventures, to date, and chose the following.
The Eiffel Tower, Paris.
The tower boasts over 1660 steps and is divided into several levels: so visitors can choose how far they wish to climb. The stairs can be used to reach all levels with the exception of the very top that is only accessible by elevator.
Autism Travel Tips
The lines to visit the Parisian icon can be disheartening at times with lines that can stretch several hours so ironically choosing the stairs might be the shorter way to go.Not to mention the benefits of exercising!
Tian-Tan-Po-Lin Buddha, Lantau Island.
One of the highlights of visiting the famous giant Buddha statue is climbing 268 steps and circling the platform where the Buddha sits.
Travelers with mobility challenges can get there by car as there is a narrow road that ends right at the Statue’s entrance.
Autism Travel Tips
The stairs are divided into sections, so they are comfortable to negotiate as long as they are dry (rain makes them slippery) and fun for kids to count as they climb them.
Grimaldi Royal Palace,Monaco.
Monaco’s tiny town of Monte Carlo is multi-leveled and built on top of uneven cliffs.So getting from the port to the Grimaldi Royal Palace used to be no easy feat back in the sixties when I was first there. The stairs leading to the palace were not contiguous and were somewhat difficult to find because of confusing signage.Nowadays, travelers can either spring for a cab or use a set of well-coordinated escalators to go all the way up to the top.
Autism Travel Tips
Finding the initial elevator location in the port is tricky so make sure you bookmark a map app on your phone.
Leaning Tower, Pisa.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa boasts approximately 295 steps with several ‘rest’ areas between the levels where visitors can catch their breath and take the views in. The tower doesn’t have an elevator option, and the old, narrow and somewhat windy stairs can be quite slippery so visitors should consider wearing anti-slip soled shoes and holding the handrail at most times.
Autism Travel Tips
Be aware there is a bag check before entering and a strict policy of not allowing bags to be carried while climbing.
Also, there is not a place to turn back at any point so if parents think their kids won’t be able to complete the climb that lasts, at least, an hour they might decide against visiting the landmark.
The Acropolis, Athens.
The approximately 150 steps separating travelers from the top are not too difficult to negotiate even for warm days. For most However, should visitors opt against navigating the ancient stairs, there is an alternative route via taxi and elevator at their disposal.
Autism Travel Tips
If your kid is temperature intolerant then climbing them in the summer heat is probably a good idea.Bear in mind the entire complex offers no shade so if you intend on visiting bring a hat, water bottle and mini fan to keep your kid comfortable.
Have you climbed any famous steps with your children?
What was your experience?
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