The Destination for all – Travelling with a Disability

Much of Europe has upped its game for travellers with limited mobility in recent years, which is great considering how many beautiful and culturally rich countries the region has to offer. But as with anyone planning a trip, the degree of a person’s disability also means where to go, where to stay and what to see needs careful thought and planning to fully enjoy your vacation. Which is why we’ve put together a list of 3 of the most important things to consider:

Book in advance

While many European hotels offer accessible rooms, the number is usually limited so make sure to book well in advance to be sure you get the best one that’s on offer. This means it’s likely you’ll need to make your reservation as early as December for the holiday you plan on taking in the summer.

Research the accessibility of the area

It’s not enough that your room fits your needs, you still need to venture out. Put together a list of questions and forward them to your hotel for feedback. Are there stairs you’ll need to tackle or hills that need climbing? Are there enough ramps for your wheelchair to get around? Are there restaurants nearby and are they easy to get to? Find out whatever you need to eliminate any unexcepted or unpleasant surprises.

Carefully plan your tours and excursions

It’s a given that you’ll want to experience as much of the destination that you’ll be going to. Just be sure to get all the information you can on the tourist attractions you want to visit so that you know what you’re getting into. Find out about bus routes, terrain, wheelchair ramps and pavement space. Establish how far your accommodation is from the attractions you want to get to. Scour online visitors guides and travel reviews of the places you’re eager to see to establish accessibility. You want your holiday to be a brilliant experience, this means planning ahead.

Visiting with no limits

Aphrodite Hills Hotel by Atlantica takes the needs of all its guests very seriously and accessibility is a top priority. All the public spaces within the hotel building are wheelchair accessible, as are the *elevators. There also 6 adapted *rooms that can accommodate persons using a wheelchair which include wide doors, low switches, low shelves and sink and a walk-in shower that has been specially designed for wheelchair access. These rooms fall into the double deluxe category with either garden or pool view. All outlets in the Village square and Resort (Golf, Tennis, and Holiday Residences buildings) are suitable/accessible for disabled use, and there are designated accessible parking spaces at the front of the hotel and around the Resort.

*Specific dimensions can be found on our website.

by Eleni Hoplaros