The Italian State Tourist Office can supply you with detailed information about facilities and accommodation in Rome and Florence and a booklet in English, Servicing for Disabled People , published by the Italian State Railways, listing their services. Cooperativa Sociale has a useful Web site - www.coincociale.it - with some pages in English and a wealth of information, tips and links in Italian. If you do not use a wheelchair all the time but your walking capabilities are limited, remember that you are likely to need to cover greater distances while travelling (often over rougher terrain and in hotter temperatures) than you are used to. And if you use a wheelchair, have it serviced before you go and carry a repair kit.

Read your travel insurance small print carefully to check that pre-existing medical conditions are not excluded. And use your travel agent to make your journey simpler: airline or bus companies can cope better if they are expecting you, with a wheelchair provided at airports and staff primed to help. A medical certificate of your fitness to travel, provided by your doctor, is also extremely useful; some airlines or insurance companies may insist on it. Finally, don't forget any medication you may require - carried with you if you fly - and a prescription, including the generic name, in case of emergency.