Accessible Holidays

Don't let a disability stop you from travelling. The world can still be your oyster.

Access 2 Africa are a South African based Safari  Operator specializing in the mobility impaired in the region of Kwazulu Natal from Durban along the Elephant Coast to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the second largest big 5 game reserve in South Africa.
 
Their safaris and tours have been born from their own personal experiences and excellant understanding of the mobility impaired. 

"Access 2 Africa are proud to announce that we were recently selected as highly recommended in Disabled Drivers Magazine UK awards for accessible holidays as highly recommended."
 
Website http://www.access2africasafaris.co.za/

They also assist with travel tips and advice for disabled travellers who wish to visit our special slice of Africa and The Zulu Kingdom.

Stephen Pritchard is a T7 paraplegic with a brachial plexus right arm, also called tri-plegic, caused by a motorbike accident in '92 whilst serving in the Royal Air Force.

His life, clearly, changed very dramatically. He decided to go to university and achieved a number of academic qualifications becoming IT manager for one of the leading IT managed service companies in Europe.

In February '05 he decided to resign from this position in order to take accessatlast limited forward to achieve its true potential of becoming the preferred travel service for anyone requiring accessible information for any purpose whether it be business or pleasure.

Currently many accommodation service providers have an unrealistic or poorly advised interpretation of accessibility and the requirements of disabled people. They do not, generally, provide the facilities necessary to ensure a comfortable and stress free stay at their premises.

Stephen's vision is to help hoteliers see, understand and provide inclusive facilities that make it commercially beneficial for all concerned. Hotels that share this vision will be included on this site.

This is the place to look for accessible accommodation.

accessatlast – making life accessible.

Contact Details

Accessatlast Limited
18 Hazel Grove
Tarleton,
Lancashire,
PR4 6DQ

Telephone: 01772 814555

Fax: 0845 890 2119

Website: http://www.accessatlast.com/about_us.php

ACCESSIBLE PORTUGAL is a tourism company set up to offer innovative and quality tourism in Portugal, accessible to people with reduced mobility, or in wheelchairs.

We are experts in Disabled Holidays and Travel resources all around Portugal. We will take care of ALL your holiday arrangements.

You will go almost anywhere and do almost anything you want. We can take you from the busiest tourism resorts to the quietest back-blocks almost anywhere in Portugal.

Also our accessible tours are as adventurous or as quiet as you desire them to be.

We both know the difficulty in organising holidays with wheelchair access, which is why all your accessible holiday’s choices are carefully planned by our staff members.

Discover us at www.accessibleportugal.com

Email: info@accessibleportugal.com

ACCESSIBLE SPAIN

CORTIJO LA LOMA, GRANADA, ANDALUCIA
Privacy, rest and relaxation - Cortijo la Loma offers discerning guests the choice of two independent, rural holiday properties. Both Cortijo la Loma (Granero) and Cortijo la Loma (Villa) have been inspected, registered and approved by the Andalucian Office of Tourism (Category: Superior Rural Accommodation, Ref: CR/GR/00094).

CORTIJO LA LOMA (GRANERO)
An exclusive and wheelchair accessible barn conversion, for up to five guests, blends style and taste with quality and is complete with an accessible en-suite bathroom, accessible and private swimming pool, exclusive outdoor cinema and external sound system.

CORTIJO LA LOMA (VILLA)
This recently created wheelchair accessible rural retreat, for up to seven guests, combines accessibility with charm, modernism and quality and is complete with an accessible en-suite bathroom, an accessible and private swimming pool; outdoor cinema and external surround sound system.

ACCESSIBLE AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE
Guests may choose to commence their Andalucian holiday as soon as they arrive in Andalucia by reserving our Accessible Airport Transfer Service. We meet guests upon their arrival in Andalucia, assist with luggage; then transfer to the accommodation in our private, air conditioned and accessible vehicle before taking a trip to the local supermarket to stock up on provisions.

BESPOKE & ACCESSIBLE EXCURSIONS
At Cortijo la Loma, we respect the fact that this is your Andalucian holiday, therefore our bespoke excursion service in our exclusive and accessible, air conditioned vehicle offers guests the chance to determine:
• where they wish to visit – or dine out, • when they wish to visit their chosen destination(s) or restaurant • what time they wish to depart and return.

CONTACT DETAILS
Contact Name: Nigel Jackson

Telephone (Mobile): 00 34 645 620 701

Telephone (Fixed): 00 34 958 340 088

Website: http://www.accessiblespain.com

Our aim is to take care of ALL your holiday arrangements and special requirements - from door to door. We know how difficult organising holidays can be when wheelchair access and special needs are critical, which is why we make the process of booking your holiday as simple and enjoyable as possible. In fact, your most difficult task will be to decide just which one to choose.

Remember, our staff are here to help. If you have any queries about our accessible holidays, equipment hire, transport or need reassurance about travelling abroad with a wheelchair then please contact us on,

01452 729 739 or visit the website by clicking the link above.

Accessible Travel Netherlands offers consultancy on accessible travel in the Netherlands and organizes accessible accommodations, transport and tourist activities in our country for European and intercontinental travel agencies.

This service makes it much easier and cheaper for travel agencies across the world to organize holidays to the Netherlands for seniors and people with disabilities.

We can organize for example:
- accessible hotels in Amsterdam or Rotterdam,
- wheelchair accessible transfers from the airport,
- canal cruises accessible for all in Amsterdam,
- a walking through Amsterdam for a group of which some have a disability,
- a visit to the bulb-fields.

We can also offer you full a consultancy report on accessible tourism in the Amsterdam or another city. The costs will be determined according to your request.

For more information, have a look on our website www.accessibletravelnl.com or contact us by e-mailing to info@accessibletravelnl.com

You can visit Blagdon Farm's webite here

Can Be Done, which was set up by the late Jackie Scott in  1985, specialises in holidays for people with disabilities. Jackie  visited several countries and discovered many excellent accessible hotels. Jackie will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Can Be Done Ltd,
11 Woodcock Hill,
Harrow,
HA3 0XP
Tel: 020 8907 2400
E-mail: cbdtravel@aol.com
Website: www.canbedone.co.uk

You can also read on our site about Jackie's Adventures with the huskies in Norway.

 Care Free Spain

Hi after spending our second holiday in Spain I wonder if you could put it on you web site for the benefit of others.

We stayed at Las Golondrinas accessible holiday centre, which was wonderful not only for my wheelchair bound Wife but also for me as a full care package is also availble, along with the transport options this is a great place for a holiday.

Warm regards

Paul Freeman 

Care Free Spain.

Website: http://carefreespain.com/

Contact: http://carefreespain.com/#/reservations/4542046802

Owned by a paraplegic wheelchair user, the villa is fully accessible including large private pool and hoist, plus wheel-in shower. The landscaped gardens have been designed with the wheelchair user in mind and provide level or ramped access to all areas.

Casa de Sueño is a three bedroom, two bathroom (one en-suite) villa set among the pines above Javea on the lovely Costa Blanca in Spain. The self-catering accessible villa, which is totally wheelchair friendly, is situated on a large level gated plot with beautiful landscaped gardens and a magnificent 10m x 5m pool with pool hoist.

The gardens and pool are south facing making full benefit of the sunshine from early morning to late evening. Inside the villa is spacious and the accommodation caters for the disabled and able-bodied alike. The large master bedroom suite is ideal for the wheelchair user having an en suite bathroom with wheel-in shower and shower chair.

For full details visit the Casa de Suena website.

The holiday accommodation comprises of a large lounge/kitchen area and large bedroom with ensuite toilet/shower/wet room. The lounge is furnished with a large double sofa bed (which comfortably sits 4), satellite TV, and an entertainment unit equipped with music, DVDs, videos, books and games, for both children and adults.

The property is accessed via a ramp onto a level terrace, and the apartment is all on one level with no raised door frames. The doors are all widened to 94cm. The apartment is furnished with a fully hydraulic height adjustable bed with tempura mattress, hoist and shower chair and handrails at the toilet and shower.

For more details please visit the Casa Del Lago website.

Telephone: 00 34 952 495 234 or 00 34 658 973 414

Email: enquiries@casa-del-lago-holidays.com

Many people with disabilities find that cruising is one of the most convenient and enjoyable holidays they have ever taken with an outstanding choice of ships and itineraries available to choose from.

Cruising holidays are accessible to guests who are wheelchair dependent, blind or partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing, dialysis (including haemodialysis) or oxygen dependent and also guests who require special diets. Qualified nursing staff are available to travel with clients who do not have a companion and are unable to travel alone.

At Cruising Holidays we take care of all of the client's travel arrangements, completely free of charge, to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable and hassle free holiday.

Contact Details

Email: lisaparnell@cruisingholiday.co.uk 

Telephone: 0844 4842770 (Local Rate)

Website: http://www.cruisingholiday.co.uk/

Disability Now's Holiday accommodation section lists accessible hotels, cottages and B&Bs in the UK and abroad. Each listing contains contact details and often website links to the property.

Disabled Access Holidays have just launched a new site, in partnership with "Clydegrove Travel"  - Retail Agents for the Global Travel Group Plc, ATOL 3973 ATOL holders, which features holiday destinations that are suitable for disabled travellers in a number of different countries around the world.

Disabled Access Holidays provides self catering holiday accommodation to rent in Puerto Pollensa, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain that has been designed and adapted to meet the needs of the disabled traveller. We have two and three bedroom apartments available which have been built with extra wide doors and turning circles to allow easy access throughout for wheelchair users. We can provide hoists, shower chairs, bedsides, four wheel walkers, electric scooters and changing tables for users with more complex needs. All of our apartments have spacious bathrooms with grab rails and walk-in/wheel-in shower areas.

The Apartments are in the centre of Puerto Pollensa close to the town square. The central location means restaurants and shops are close by and are easily accessible by wheelchair, the beach and pine walk area are less than 50 metres away. A swimming pool which has a hoist is available for disabled swimmers.

The Apartments are air-conditioned and have fully equipped kitchens including washing machine, dish washer, fridge-freezer, oven/hob and utility area. The appropriate turning circles for wheeIchairs ensures the apartments are accessible for all our holiday guests. If you have any questions or wish to clarify your personal needs can be met, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact Details:

Disabled Access Holidays 9 Newton Place
Charing Cross
Glasgow
G3 7PR

Office Hours:
9am-5pm

Phone Numbers:
During Office Hours: 0141 270 7577
Outside Office Hours: 0141 563 9212
Mobile 07798 917405

Email: info@dah-europe.com

The DHD website is operated by Discover Holidays Ltd, a specialist travel agency based in Mossley near Manchester.

We understand both the difficulties that disabled holiday makers face and the worry that this causes. Our job is to take away that worry by providing you with all the support you need at every step including choosing, booking, preparing to go, travelling, holidaying and coming home.

Phone: Freephone Number: 0800 993 0796, if you are calling from overseas please dial 00441457837578.

Website: http://www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk/

The Disabled Holiday Info website and written guides provide free information to people with disabilities, primarily wheelchair users, about holiday destinations based on actual visits by their researchers.

Contact details:

Sue Napper (Secretary)
Disabled Holiday Information,
PO. Box 186,
Oswestry,
Shropshire
SY11 3HU.

Email: info@disabledholidayinfo.org.uk

Website: http://www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk/index.htm

Gerakina Beach - Sithonia Village Hotel & Bungalows Resort boasts 577 rooms, from which 12 Suites, 35 Family Rooms and 530 Standard Rooms located on the four floors of the main building and on the courtyard in bungalows.

A regular visitor to the hotel, who visits with his wife, who has MS said of the hotel....

"The area around the hotel is relatively flat, in fact one can walk 5K to the local village without encountering an incline. It is a quite spot, with just a few Tavernas and shops, all readily accessible.

It is not a 5 star hotel but I would recommend it. The rates are very attractive.

It is situated on northern mainland Greece approx. 60K from Thessalonniki.

In the past, we have tried other locations where the hotel is being advertised as wheelchair friendly, two recommended by an organisation that purports to check out hotels for people with a disability, but found serious differences between that advertised and the reality."

Contact Details

E-mail: info@gerakina-beach.gr

Website: www.gerakina-beach.gr 

Telephone: +30 23710 52346

At last, a travel agent who really understands!

For more than a decade Richard Thompson has been facilitating travel for disabled people to all corners of the globe. He has also been instrumental in the development of the Good Access Guide and designed unique disability awareness training programmes for the travel and tourism industry.

Richard is now a highly regarded member of the award winning travel company - Travel Counsellors, and with a level of expertise which is perhaps unique in this arena, you can be confident that he will understand your needs and provide a personal and specialist travel service that is second to none.

So, whatever your access and mobility needs - it is time to go travelling!

Website: http://www.goodaccessguide.co.uk/holidays-and-travel

A selection of holiday properties/services that have genuine wheelchair access ... I have had many holidays over the past few years in my wheelchair; sometimes the facilities are good, sometimes they are not. Many places boast that they are 'wheelchair friendly' but on arrival you find that there is a step up to the shower (which may as well be a wall), or that a large part of the property is inaccessible to a wheelchair. Sometimes the accommodation is great, but there is nowhere else to go for a fortnight!!

My aim is to put together a selection of properties that cater for someone who has the ability to transfer to a shower-chair/commode and a bed, but nothing else. I can recommend a couple of places myself, but welcome any information from people in a similar position.

I must stress that any reports are purely anecdotal and further advice should be taken before booking. Everyone has different needs, and sometimes the facilities within the property will change over time.

Email: mh22@talktalk.net

Website: http://www.holidaysinawheelchair.com/

Carl and Jacqui Alban welcome you to France and to 'I Need A Holiday Too', the new concept in accessible holidays for disabled people. Based on the banks of the River Jaudy in La Roche Derrien, the north coast of Brittany in France we offer the comfort of modern accessible living in a rural traditional setting, yet we are only ten minutes away from the beaches, several towns and all the other attractions you would expect on a holiday.

The Old Cotton Mill has been transformed during 2006 into six luxury apartments for the disabled and non disabled alike, which are all accessible for the disabled traveller. Purpose built within strict guidelines we have transformed the inside of the Mill. We decided quite early on in the project that there was such a great need for wheelchair accessible and disabled accessible accommodation in this area to install a passenger lift to ensure everyone can get to all the apartments. This allows us to accept group bookings and large family bookings without hesitation. Yet it maintains an air of independence, everyone has their own apartment with all the facilities and there are communal areas for socialising.

Apart from the accommodation, we have several other services on offer which can work alongside you. Support workers, accessible adapted transport and also a wide variety of equipment available.

Contact Details. Jacqui and Carl Alban

Freephone: 0800 949 6801
Telephone: 0033 296 91 55 97
Mobile: 0033 622 62 84 74

Email: info@ineedaholidaytoo.com

Note - We are currently (read:- always) experiencing problems with replying via email to ntlworldcustomers, please ensure you put a phone number on your email so that we can contact you if there is a problem. Thank you.

Website: http://www.ineedaholidaytoo.com/

Postal Address:
I Need A Holiday Too
21 Rue St Jean
22450
Brittany
France

La Rocco apartments sit back in a quiet setting offering panoramic views over the glorious five mile long St Ouens Bay one of Europe's finest surfing areas.. The apartments are open all year round. All apartments are centrally heated and are constantly refurbished and maintained to a high standard. La Rocco consists of two buildings.

Apartment types A, B, C, & D are in La Rocco 1 building La Rocco 2 has been built next to the main building where Type E & F apartments are located. Type E and F apartments are disabled friendly and are easily reached by a ramp from the main car park and are positioned on the ground or first floors with a lift to the 1st floor apartments.

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre in association with The Insurance Surgery, can provide those with MS with a range of insurance services, including Travel Insurance at very competitive rates.

For more details just click the logo above.

Orange Badge Machine S.L. has been established for over 11 years in Los Cristianos, Tenerife.

They hire and sell wheelchairs, electric scooters and other disability aids to both holidaymakers and residents of all nationalities here in South Tenerife.

Their 11 years experience allows them to know which of their wide range of equipment they can put into which hotels and resorts. Their recently reduced rental prices make them amongst the least expensive in Europe, and certainly the best value in Tenerife.

They are constantly being told by holidaymakers that they did not know it was possible to hire this sort of equipment.

Both Las Americas and Los Cristianos in particular are very wheelchair friendly and is now the premier European destination for those with walking difficulties or needing to use a wheelchair. They work very closely with the local authorities as well as local specialist hotels such as the Mar y Sol resorts.

They also offer specialist trips, airport transfers, meet and greet services with 24hour emergency phone, nursing services and adapted apartments for sale or rent here in Tenerife.

Website: http://www.orangebadge.com 

Telephone or Fax : 00 34 922 79 73 55.

SIRENS Resort offers five luxurious apartments, all fully accessible to the physically challenged, combining the cosy atmosphere and special comforts of your dream holiday!

Our apartments offer:

• Fully furnished bedroom, bathroom, living-room, kitchen and balcony
• Ramp entrances
• Wide door openings - No steps!
• Specially adapted bathrooms equipped with the essentials for disabled users (raised toilet seat, roll-in showers, holding bars, large space for easy movement of the wheelchair, shower seat)
• Beds and tables adjustable in height
• Large spaces, very convenient for wheelchair users
• Electric appliances: kitchen, oven, refrigerator, coffee machine, water boiler
• Air-conditioning
• Satellite TV
• Fireplace

For information and bookings, contact Ms Clio Psaraki, owner of SIRENS RESORT at: cpsaraki@otenet.gr

SIRENS RESORT
Skaloma
Loutraki
20300
Greece

Tel: +30 27410 91161

Fax: +30 27410 91308

Cell: +30 6948 489444

Website: http://www.disableds-resort.gr/

"The Eria Resort is specially designed with disabled people in mind.

The resort is located in the historic village of Maleme, of Crete, Greece, in an area of unique natural beauty.

The resort is surrounded by olive groves and offers an unobstructed view of the Cretan sea.

The fine architecture of the resort, apart from the functionality, safety and comfort, promotes the natural light in abundance.

The rooms built at ground level and first floor, encircle the pool and the communal areas while the balconies have a beautiful view of the Cretan sea and the boundless olive groves that surround our hotel.

All the hotel facilities are fully accessible to people with disabilities.

The resort provides a reception area, lounge, restaurant, main bar and lift. It also provides gym with separate physiotherapy area and jacuzzi. Furthermore, you can enjoy the pleasures of the big swimming pool and hydro massage with a ramp for easy descent and ascent."

Contact details:

Address : 73014 Maleme, Platanias - Chania Crete, Greece

Tel:    +30 28210 62790 
          +30 28210 62791
FAX: +30 28210 62754

e-mail: info@eria-resort.gr 

Website: http://www.eria-resort.gr/

The FHA is the only charity in the UK that specialises in helping provide holidays for families and children in need. Since its beginning in 1975, when the charity was set up by Joan and Pat Laurance, the FHA has helped over 100,000 parents, children and young people to have a holiday.

The work of the FHA includes providing grants to families towards the cost of their holiday; lobbying and campaigning for greater awareness and working with other like-minded organisations.

The Real Visitors Book is building what is hoped will become the largest searchable database of accommodation available to UK holidaymakers. It is aimed particuarly at those who have to determine the suitability of a potential holiday destination if they holiday with children, elderly, infirm or wheelchair bound friends or relatives, or their pets.

It hopes to be very useful for people to accurately ascertain the reality of the access available rather than the all encompassing 'wheelchair friendly' found in some brochures.

Contact Details:

Contact Person: Janet Hopkinson

Email: janethopkinson@tiscali.co.uk
Website: http://www.therealvisitorsbook.co.uk

Telephone: 01494 757059
Fax:           01494 757059

Via Post
The Real Visitors Book Limited
59 Woodside Road
AMERSHAM
HP6 6AA

The Voluntary Association of Surrey Disabled is a registered charity that strives to provide high quality services to physically disabled people and their families.
 
We have three fully adapted holiday homes in West Sussex (all with ceiling hoists) from a large bungalow that sleeps 8 (up to 5 wheelchair users) to a lovely 2 bed chalet on a quiet holiday village. Two are available throughout the whole year for family get to togethers.
 
Full details can be found at www.vasd.org.uk/holidays or contact us on 01306 741500 for more information.

Tourism for All UK is a national registered charity which provides:-

• information to people with disabilities and older people in relation to accessible accommodation and other tourism services.

• providing expertise and support to the tourism and hospitality sector to provide accessible services for all.

• a network for organisations and individuals who wish to support our objectives.

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you’re in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

Do you use a wheelchair and do you fancy a holiday in a caravan? Angie Gardiner whose19-year-old son, Richard, uses a wheelchair due to celebral palsy has set up a website to help! This webpage, to be found at  Caravanable lists wheelchair-friendly caravan sites in the UK.

 The sites listed have ramped access to toilets, basins and showers, which must be suitable for anybody with a disability. This website makes it easier to plan holidays.

Angie welcomes information from campers, caravan owners and site owners about caravan sites with easy access. She’s compiling a list of UK beaches with access for disabled people and if you’d like to help with information but don’t have internet access you can use the Internet at your local public library or write to: Angie Gardiner, 43 Playfield Road, Kennington, Oxford, OX1 5RS.