If you’re keeping up with me on Instagram or Snapchat, you probably saw that last week I jetted off to Barcelona to meet my dad for an awesome 6-day Mediterranean cruise with Carnival.

My father totally loves going on cruises! Honestly, they’re not my favorite, but since she has a disability, cruises are a super fun way for her to get around and explore. This was her first cruise ever, and her first trip outside the US and Caribbean—how exciting! We were a bit bummed to find out that not many of the ship’s excursions were accessible for those with disabilities. I asked the excursions rep on board, and he totally pointed fingers at Italy/Europe. He mentioned that a lot of the trips were no-go due to the tough terrain, the absence of handicap-friendly options, and the transportation issues.

Even though I totally get that the age and historical vibe of places like Italy can make it tricky to put in handicap ramps and elevators, I’ve seen how Italians really go out of their way to help kids, the elderly, and those with disabilities whenever possible. I just couldn’t accept no as an answer. I was super excited to show my dad the amazing Amalfi Coast, and I knew exactly who to reach out to!

I met my friend Lila through some mutual pals in Rome. As I do, she travels back and forth between Italy and the United States. She’s taken her passion for Italy and turned it into an awesome travel company that focuses on unique local experiences and custom travel planning—Travel Italian Style. How cool is that? As soon as I shared my dilemma with her, she jumped right in, brainstorming all the fun ways my dad could check out and soak in this amazing part of Italy.

In just a couple of days, she worked her magic with local contacts to set us up with a private driver, Lorenzo. He picked us up right from the port in Naples, and she even made sure we had a van that could fit my dad’s wheelchair. Lorenzo was super helpful, lifting it in and out of the van all day with a smile! She put together a fun itinerary just for us, focusing on spots where I could easily wheel my father around or where Lorenzo could drop us off right at the entrance. It turned out to be an awesome day for everyone, whether they had a disability or not.

Lila thought it would be a great idea to kick off our day in Ravello, where we could wander around the flat pedestrian center and soak in the sights for most of the morning. She also mentioned checking out the Villa Rufolo. It took around an hour to cruise from Naples to Ravello. We got there, and Lorenzo let us out right in the heart of town. We snapped some pics (my dad totally rocks at blog photography), checked out the main square, the church, and Villa Rufolo together before I left her enjoying a cappuccino while I hiked up to Villa Cimbrone and the amazing Terrace of Infinity.

After we wrapped up our adventure in Ravello, we made our way down to Atrani, which was another awesome tip from Lila. Atrani isn’t one of the more well-known spots on the Amalfi Coast; honestly, I had never even been there before. It totally needs to be on more people’s radars! Check out those cute umbrellas and that amazing beach view! Atrani is super cute, and you can totally drive right into the town center! Lorenzo dropped us off at the main square, and we strolled over to a tasty seaside restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, Lila tossed out a few hotel ideas where we could catch some stunning views of the coast and the charming town of Amalfi. The restaurant furniture at the seaside spot we picked was comfortable and charming, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. I really thought this was a fantastic fix for my dad! If we couldn’t check out all the towns in a wheelchair, at least my dad could catch a glimpse of a bunch of them from up high.

We wrapped up the day at my absolute fave, Positano! I was totally set on taking my dad to Le Sirenuse for some drinks on the terrace. Even though Le Sirenuse is a super fancy 5-star hotel, it always feels so warm and inviting. When my father was trying to take her down merely two stairs, he had three men who were tripping over themselves to assist him. Lorenzo said he could take my dad deeper into town, but honestly, she was pretty worn out by then. After an awesome day of exploring, we jumped back in the van with Lorenzo, and he cruised us back to the port. My dad said it was one of the best days ever!

I’ve got to say, the way Italians support the handicapped and disabled is pretty impressive! My dad was totally living it up between the Amalfi Coast and Rome, feeling like a king! Everyone really stepped up to lend him a hand. Everyone was super helpful, and the guys (not surprising) really showered my father with attention. I lost track of how many hugs and kisses he got! He totally thinks this is normal in Italy and is ready to move like yesterday! If you or someone you care about has a disability, don’t let the cobblestone streets, stairs, and historic buildings of Italy hold you back from exploring this amazing place. I’m not saying it’s a walk in the park, but you’ll definitely have loads of support and help from the Italians as you go along!

I can’t thank Lila enough for putting together such an amazing day for my dad! If you’ve got any questions about traveling to Italy, need some tips on planning, or want her to whip up an itinerary that lets you soak up Italy like a local, just reach out to her! She also has amazing women-only trips to the Amalfi Coast and Puglia.