Once upon a time, if your mobility was impaired, so were your options for a summer getaway. Thankfully, we live in a more enlightened age, and that’s no longer the case. But many people who live with lower levels of mobility are nonetheless wary of planning holidays – it only takes one or two unfortunate events to put you off for life. With that in mind, here’s our list of four top holiday-planning tips. These are sure to help you book a trip that lives up to expectations… whatever your mobility levels!
Step one: think about activities
Are you the type of traveller who would rather laze on the beach with a cocktail and a good book, or the type that’s out scuba diving? Whether you’re a museum-goer, an adrenaline junkie, or anything else, the first step in making sure your holiday lives up to expectations is to have a clear idea of what you want to be doing. Next, it’s time to do some research online – just google your desired activity alongside “accessible” and see what pops up… you might be surprised at the wide range of options available to you!
Step two: don’t leave packing until the last minute
Packing in advance makes good sense no matter who you are – but if you’re mobility-impaired, then it’s extra important to ensure you have everything you need for a great holiday. The reason for that is pretty obvious: forgetting things you need for safety or mobility can have an enormous negative impact on your trip. And specialist equipment may be difficult, or impossible, to replace at short notice. Oh, and if you plan on picking up any souvenirs, make sure to leave some empty space in your bag.
Step three: don’t forget your travel insurance
This is probably the most boring step to take. And it’s probably the one that really shouldn’t need to be said out loud. But it’s so important that we couldn’t curate this list and leave it out. Every traveller should have travel insurance – but that goes double if you’re older or living with a disability. If you need any kind of medical treatment during your trip, you’ll want cover. Thankfully, in the internet age, you should find it easier than ever to find a reputable provider that offers comprehensive cover.
Step four: pick a destination
Unlike the last step, this one is probably the MOST exciting step in planning your holiday: deciding where you want to go! You’ve already picked your list of activities, now you just need to figure out where you’d be happiest doing them. Barcelona, Berlin, Stockholm, Sydney, and New York all have great reputations as accessible cities. But you can also find low-mobility options in the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. The key here is to commit to your research: google holiday packages and companies and pick up the phone to see what they offer for low-mobility customers.
So, there it is – simple, once you know how. Think hard about what you want to do, plan ahead with plenty of time, and take research seriously, using the internet and contacting companies for more info. Of course, one final thing you’ll need to do is to make sure you have the equipment you need, and that it’s all ship-shape and working perfectly. That’s where we come in. If you’re hoping to get away this summer and need to purchase a new mobility aid, or have an existing one checked over, don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page.
