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Top Wheelchair Accessible Travel Destinations

For travellers with a disability, finding a travel destination that’s accessible can be challenging. To help you find your next destination, we’ve compiled a list of locations around the world that are disabled friendly and accessible.

San Diego

Most parts of the USA are relatively accessible due to the disabilities act placed 30 years ago. However, our favourite destination is San Diego. Most of the infrastructure is accessible, and they also offer a fully accessible trolley system around the area. They have plenty of attractions that are wheelchair friendly, including their historic Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego Zoo. If you’re looking for a summer type of holiday, their beach area is ideal as it’s fully accessible, and they even offer motorised wheelchairs available for hire. 

Manchester

Most areas in the UK are disabled friendly. However, one of the most accessible cities in the UK is Manchester. The walking paths in the city were rebuilt back in the 90s; shops were built with step-less entrances with smooth pavements throughout. It’s perfect for anyone who requires mobility.

The public transport all around the UK and the city is fully accessible. If you prefer long walks and nature, you can visit the peak district national park. It’s an hour away from Manchester and offers accessible facilities. 

Melbourne

Melbourne has one of the best accessible public transport systems, making it one of the most accessible places in the world. Many of their attractions and necessities around the city are fully accessible, including their restaurants and accommodation. They are continuously building more attractions in the city with accessible facilities. 

Singapore

Travelling to Asia can be difficult for travellers with disabilities as many countries in Asia aren’t accessible yet. However, Singapore is currently the only country in Asia that’s fully accessible. Many of Singapore’s infrastructure and buildings are built with step-less access. More renovations and attractions in the city are currently being improved and built with accessibility in mind.

Travel Tips for Travellers with Disabilities

For any travellers, planning is an important part of travelling. If you’re someone with a disability, there are other factors you will need to consider to ensure your travel is hassle-free. Below are some of our tips on how to plan and make the most out of your travel.

Book in advanced

Booking in advance for your flight and hotel is one of the first things you need to do when travelling anywhere. Before you book, make sure to contact your travel agent and ask if they can accommodate your needs and requirements. For example, you may need to get a room on the ground floor or ask if they have a lift at your accommodation. 

Travel insurance

Before your travel, make sure you have travel insurance in place to cover you abroad in case of emergencies. Some travel insurance should cover your medical needs abroad. You can also look for insurance that will cover your belongings in case they get lost. 

Inform the airline

When travelling by plane, be sure to inform the airline and airport of your needs well in advance. On your arrival, head over to the helpdesk and make them aware of what your requirements are. In most airports, they can provide you with free mobility equipment. If you need someone to assist you around the airport, be sure to let them know beforehand.

Allow some extra time

If you’re a wheelchair user, you may need to allow yourself some extra time by arriving a few hours before your flight. The security and screenings throughout the airport may take longer than expected, so arrive early to prevent missing your flight. 

Learn the basic language

If you’re travelling somewhere where a foreign language is spoken, be sure to learn the basics. Being able to understand and speak the language is important when it comes to communicating your needs. Be sure to learn the words that you may need to use while you’re abroad. 

Bring extra medications and tools

For anyone with disabilities, be sure to pack extra medications while you’re abroad in case of emergencies. If you’re a wheelchair user, you should also look into bringing your tool kits and or extra batteries for electrical equipment.

Be prepared for emergencies

If you require medical attention while you’re abroad, it’s important to be prepared well ahead. For instance, you should write and prepare a list of all your medical information, including your emergency contact, insurance information, medications and other critical aspects of your disability. This information will be helpful in emergencies so that you can get the proper support that you require.

Research about your travel location

For some travellers with disabilities, you may be anxious about a new environment. To help you become familiar with the place you’re travelling to, you may want to research and learn as much as you can about the location beforehand. You can look at images or watch a video of someone else whose been there. 

You can also use an accessible app to find accessible revenues in the location you’re travelling to. You can plan an itinerary for the rest of your stay.

What to Take When Glamping in the UK

What to Take When Glamping in the UK

What Exactly is Glamping?

There is a good chance you may have heard of Glamping. Even if you are not too familiar with the concept, you might guess from the name that it is a mixture of camping and glamour. Your bedroom will become a tent, but in more luxurious settings then a normal camping session! Not only can you expect your bedroom surroundings to be more glamorous, the facilities will be too. Unlike the other style of camping, you will not just be in the middle of an average field, with a typical tent and very limited facilities. Glamping could suit, for example, those who want to take a trip somewhere and camp out, stay at one of the increasing amounts of beautiful glamping locations, and still have all their home comfort facilities to hand. You get to use the services of the campsite, but also provide for yourself using your own equipment, sort of halfway between camping and your home!

What do you Pack? Glamping The Essentials.

Okay, so some of the things you might like to pack for your glamping adventure may not be too dissimilar to a typical camping trip, but you also have other options.

Firstly, and perhaps most obvious you should take a good bag. One that is durable and can hold plenty is ideal but is not too heavy for you to carry, a rucksack type could be ideal. You might want a large one for the bulk, then a smaller one to carry with you during the day.

You might like to bring some extra smallish containers to keep safe any odds and ends. To keep drinks or certain cold foods cool, an ice chest is a great idea, and if you are glamping when the weather is very warm, you’ll be very thankful for it!

Now you need to consider what bedding to take, a tent cannot measure up exactly as a regular bedroom, but you can do your best! Pick a sleeping bag, pillows, duvet, etc. You might like to take an air mattress, it will be a good idea to take a repair kit though as they easily get punctures! You can take folding furniture if you have room for it (like everything on this list, do check what you glamping accommodation already provides first). Although you will want to recreate a bedroom that is as cosy as you can hope for, you are limited space-wise!

Take plenty of spare batteries for any electrical equipment you may want, such as torches or other lighting devices. Remember to take sufficient supplies of food and drink-items that are suitable for camping and will not go off, as well as cooking utensils, and items for cleaning. Bring a wash bag full of all your washing essentials and enough clothes to last for the duration. Think about what tools you might need, such as a swiss army knife, a compass, a fire extinguisher, watch/clock, a fishing rod for example. And finally, but also importantly, think of any entertainment to take like a good book, cards, crosswords, magazine, kindle, radio, football/cricket set to play, etc.

Unique and Underrated Tourist Destinations

Maybe you’re a fan of travelling and experiencing new things, but visiting famous cities and seeing iconic buildings isn’t that interesting to you. If you’d prefer to discover the unknown and see some spectacular sights that aren’t so overwhelmed with tourists, consider some of these unique options.

Pancake Rocks, New Zealand

New Zealand as a whole is a stunning yet underrated tourist destination, partly due to its distance from Europe. However, Pancake Rocks is a prime example of an incredible sight (millions of years in the making) that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Sichuan, China

Home of The Giant Buddha (a 233-foot statue carved into the side of a mountain over 1,200 years ago), Sichuan is one of China’s most impressive tourist destinations, but it isn’t one of the most mainstream. If you’re interested in Chinese history and culture, consider a trip here.

How To Get The Best From Your Camera While Travelling

The classic stereotypical is usually seen holding a camera and frantically taking snaps of everything they see. While there is a lot to be said for putting the lens down and taking in the experience while you’re actually present, it’s also highly recommended to keep some kind of photographic record of your trip when you travel to amazing places, perhaps for the only time in your life.

Having the right equipment will make a difference, but technique counts for more in the majority of cases. There’s no point having an expensive camera if you don’t make the best possible use of it while on your travels. Read on for some advice on this, and remember you can apply these tips to any type of camera and any type of holiday.

Take your camera everywhere

The biggest mistake people make when they own a good camera is to leave it behind when they’re exploring the world. You’re missing an opportunity to take some fantastic pictures! Maybe this is a good idea on certain dangerous trips, but in most cases you are better off having it with you. If you’re mostly using a smartphone this shouldn’t be a problem, and bear in mind that you can still improve your photos a lot by learning these tips.

Read the instructions first

Although you may know the basics of photography, most camera functions will be accessible in different ways on different makes and models. There is no substitute for reading the manual (unless you have a dedicated expert to teach you). Consider taking it with you on your trip, too! Many high-end camera manufacturers offer this in the form of an app, which is probably more convenient.

What Exactly Makes Luxury Accommodation So Luxurious?

Wherever in the world you choose to travel, doing it in style is always a great added bonus. Many people wouldn’t dream of travelling unless everything about their journey and destination is well and truly first-class.

The rest of us are more likely to only treat ourselves to upgrades on rare special occasions, such as for a wedding or a particularly exciting trip of a lifetime. But maybe we would be better off paying for the upgrade more often to get the most out of all of our holidays? Here we try to figure out what exactly makes a luxury destination so special.

Choosing an award-winning destination

A great way to select a destination that really outshines the competition is to find out which resorts and hotels have recently won awards or been rated among the best in their region by influential critics. By following the advice of people with the highest standards, you’ll be more likely to find something truly stunning.

This is a great strategy for any destination, whether it’s a private getaway, a holiday with your kids or a trip with friends. For example, if you’re looking for a Greek family holiday, you might consider staying at one of the fabulous villas in the resort of Porto Zante, which has featured on many lists of luxury hotels Greece has to offer.

Thinking Of Leaving The UK?

It’s one thing to travel the world and enjoy new experiences in different countries. Of course we highly encourage this and it’s often not as scary as people think when they haven’t had much (or any) experience travelling.

However, if you’re thinking of permanently leaving the UK, this is a whole new matter! That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be thinking of doing this, but it is a subject that deserves careful consideration before you make any firm commitments. When looking to move to another country on a full time basis, there will be many factors to consider.

Here are some of the most relevant stats regarding moving away from the UK.

Every year, roughly two million people in the UK will move to a new home.

Of these, around 15-20% will be emigrating to a different country.

More than half of people leaving the UK do so because of work, with other less common factors being education or joining someone else abroad

It’s understandable to consider moving away from home if you have a better job or other great opportunities waiting for you abroad. That said, many people also leave the country without much of a real plan, and although this is risky it can certainly work out well if you’re highly adaptable.

Some of the factors you really need to consider before actually going ahead include the following questions. You should make sure you have answers to all of these questions if you want to feel well-prepared.

Disabled-Friendly Holiday Destination Reviews

Travelling should be something everyone can experience and enjoy, although if you have a disability this can affect your ability to do what other people take for granted. That said, it’s still possible to come up with a realistic and practical plan to help you achieve your dreams and travel the world even in the face of such an obstacle.

1) Firstly, you should consider looking for disabled holiday reviews on sites like Guide to Access, and finding information that’s specific to travellers looking for accessible destinations. Reading reviews written by other disabled tourists will tell you all you need to know about whether or not your destination will be suitable.

2) Remember that you know your own needs and limits better than anyone else. If you are honest and realistic about what you’re looking for, you will be more comfortable and find it easier to do what you want to do when you’re away.

3) Don’t leave it until the last minute if you have specific needs. Book in advance to secure the accommodation and travel arrangements you need, and you can also save money.

4) Discuss any travel plans with your doctor to make sure you are prepared for any eventuality. You may need to carry extra medication with you, and possibly information about what medication you need to take on a regular basis so as to inform anyone who has to assist you.

5) Travelling by plane can be particularly difficult for people with limited mobility or any kind of disability. You need to ensure your airline is informed about your needs so they can make appropriate arrangements, possibly with airport staff too.

6) Make a personal checklist of all the essential items you will need for travelling and when you arrive at your destination. You can also let your hotel or other accommodation management staff know what you need them to provide, if anything, and check this is all prepared in advance.