Traveling around the world is one of those childhood dreams we never give up. Traveling around the world in a wheelchair requires a bit more planning, but it is definitely possible. Wheelchair friendly destinations are everywhere in the world, but which ones offer the best experience? The following nine destinations have received rave reviews from world travelers for their wheelchair friendly experience. Without further ado, and in no particular order:
Filled with history and steeped in beauty, Greece is a destination for those who want to truly get away from the world for a while. The country caters to those with disabilities by making almost all attractions easily accessible. Special attention is also paid to accommodations. Greece is home to the Eria Resort in Crete, which was one of the first resorts built with the needs of visitors with disabilities in mind.
One of the
gold standards of vacation destinations, Paris has long been friendly to those
in wheelchairs. Even the Eiffel Tower has an impressive number and quality of
lifts, and those with disabilities get special considerations. Almost every
attraction, including the Louvre and other must-see places, offer disabled
assistance that routinely earns good reviews from visitors. The only downside
might be the crowds – now that word is out about the wheelchair friendly
status, it’s a sure bet your wheelchair won’t be the only one waiting in line
to see the sights.
The vast majority of attractions in Barcelona are wheelchair friendly, and as a nice bonus, some of them charge a reduced fee to those with disabilities. The public transportation in Barcelona has been upgraded continuously over the last several years, and now the majority of it can accommodate those in wheelchairs. Barcelona has managed to blend handicap accessible ramps and other amenities with the traditional architecture and interesting history, providing a seamless experience in most areas.
Prague was not always wheelchair friendly. A push in recent years to make all historic attractions accessible to wheelchairs has caught on in the area. The project, called Disabled Access, has made the top tourist destinations in the city wheelchair friendly, and more areas are becoming accessible every year. The city is not fully there yet, however – so be warned that you might need to get creative with transportation.
Like Prague, Berlin was not always friendly to those in wheelchairs. However, a recent boom in global tourism has made Berlin a hot destination, and as a result, more hotels, historical sites and other attractions are making changes with the traveler with disabilities in mind. In fact, Berlin is a center of Europe’s Handicapped Traveler movement, which pushes for better accessibility. The changes also affect public transportation, but be forewarned that these methods of travel are not yet up to par with what many wheelchair users will consider the basic standard of accessibility. In other words, be prepared for plenty of detours to find wheelchair friendly transport.
Maybe the weather and the land are inhospitable, but cruises to Antarctica definitely offer the lap of luxury. Wheelchair friendly cruises are available through almost every cruise line that wanders into Antarctic waters. Though some cruises require the use of smaller wheelchairs and scooters in order to navigate the narrow hallways, rentals are readily available. All-inclusive cruises mean you can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
One of the most popular destinations in the world is the Great Pyramid. As a result, Egypt has made a point of creating wheelchair friendly areas that can accommodate all visitors. Almost all the pyramids, as well as museums and other areas of interest in the area, are open to wheelchair users. Alexandria and other nearby destinations have wide walkways that were built with wheelchair tourists in mind. There are also many excellent cruises of the nearby Nile that are wheelchair friendly.
If you have always wanted to enjoy the freedom and thrill of skiing, now is your chance. Sweden does its best to cater to those with disabilities, and that includes making provisions to include wheelchair users in the recreational activities that have made the area so famous. A top destination in the area is the village of Are, where you can find ski schools that are known for training everyone, including those with significant mobility issues. The downside is the same as the upside – the terrain. What is perfect for ski resorts can be a real test for your wheelchair or the person who is pushing it.
This jewel of Chile is known for being affordable, family-friendly and good to those in wheelchairs. Though most of the more modern buildings are accessible, there might be some older attractions that are not. However, you can still enjoy the vast majority of what this charming country has to offer. One word of caution: theft is a serious problem in Santiago, so watch your belongings carefully. In other words, don’t leave that scooter unattended when you enter a little shop. It might not be there when you are ready to leave!
When choosing a wheelchair friendly destination, keep in mind that while most places will make every reasonable effort to allow you to visit the things you want to see, some areas might not be accessible at all. This is especially true with ancient or historic places, where adding or modifying the area to make it accessible would destroy precious artifacts or damage buildings.
As you plan your trip, make sure everyone you are in contact with knows you are in a wheelchair. This includes airlines, hotels, tour guides, transportation specialists and the like. If you plan a wheelchair friendly holiday from the start, your experience is sure to be much smoother.
Finally, if your heart is truly set on a particular destination but you are having trouble finding handicap accessible areas, look for creative ideas that can make your trip happen anyway. For instance, public transportation might not be up to par for wheelchairs, so perhaps you could opt for private transportation while in the country.
Your wheelchair should not hold you back from the vacation of your dreams. It just takes a little extra care and planning to make it happen.
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