Types of holidays you can expect to enjoy
Beach holidays
When it comes to suitable holidays abroad for wheelchair users, there are so many possibilities these days that the only problem will be in narrowing down your choices. On nearby foreign shores with beautiful weather and accessible friendly accommodation, the likes of Tenerife, Lanzarote, the Algarve and Mallorca all offer superb options for wheelchair users who want a change from the unreliable British climate. All accessible hotel options benefit from proximity to amenities and there is always a wide variety of eateries to choose from.
Cruises
Accessible foreign holidays are not restricted to resorts, however, there are other options. One such option is a cruise. There are cruises available that cover the Mediterranean from Eastern focussed cruises that take in the likes of Athens and Rome, to the Western Mediterranean trips that will allow you to absorb the unique atmosphere of Dubrovnik, Naples and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte in Ajaccio. There are accessible staterooms reserved for those who need them, including…
- Wider doors with automatic doors on ships
- No doorsill to get into stateroom
- Ramped bathroom thresholds
- Bathroom grab bars
- Lowered sink and stateroom vanity
- Roll-in showers with fold-down shower bench and hand-held showerheads
- Lowered closet rods
- Accessible balconies (selected staterooms)
Also, operators will offer assistance with any transfers.
City Breaks
The number of European city breaks that are open to wheelchair users has exploded as people become more aware of and accommodating towards the needs of accessible holidaymakers. Some of the most exciting options include:
Amsterdam – with its tulips, incredible museums, cafes and canals. There is never a shortage of ways to pass the time in this Dutch jewel of a city
Barcelona – from the charm of las Ramblas to the exhilarating architecture of Gaudi, the chance to visit the Camp Nou and fantastic shopping and food, the Catalan giant is not to be missed.
San Sebastián – Situated in Northern Spain on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián is a beautiful, intimate Basque coastal city with beautiful beaches and plenty of life.
Florence – A vibrant, compact and charming Italian city, Florence will provide a city break to remember, with great food, shopping and architecture.
Things to consider before travelling
Obviously, at the time of writing, the most important thing to consider is to check the government guidelines in both the UK and your chosen destination to check if a Covid test is necessary or if there are any quarantine restrictions.
In addition to this, you should ensure that you have the required travel insurance, especially in the light of the uncertainty as to the validity of EHIC cards after Brexit.
More general things to ensure include any necessary prescriptions and medical documents, luggage allowance and any extra charges for bulky items.
At the airport
When you book your flights make sure that you book ‘special assistance’ so that the airline is fully aware of any support you need at the airport and during your flight. You may be able to take advantage of pagers to let you know your boarding time and buggies or hover buses to help you across the airport to your gate.
