Friday, December 9, 2022

Day trips from the UK, Film inspired holidays, UK airports Changing Places Toilets, and Accessible Wales - Altogether Travel

Altogether Travel logo - shape of lowercase letter a.
December 2022 Newsletter

Day trips from the UK, Film inspired holidays, UK airports Changing Places Toilets, Accessible Wales and much more 😊 our newsletter best bits - with travel tips, inspiration and giveaways. All you need to plan your next supported holiday or travel with the UK's number 1 company for all things care and accessible tourism.

Highlights: 

  • December dates for your diary
  • Visit Britain's top things to do while keeping warm
  • Day trips from the UK
  • London shows
  • Travel Tip: Our community shares...
  • Travel News
  • Our Recommendations: shows, blogs and more
  • Destination of the Month: Wales
  • Where will you go? Our November Holidays
  • Altogether Travel News
  • December Giveaway
  • Accessibility Feature: Simply Emma - Airports with Changing Places Toilets 

______________________________________________

December dates for your diary

Logo - International Day of People with Disabilties.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Sat 3 Dec

Since 1992, celebrating achievements around the world and promoting the rights of people with disabilities click here to find out more. 


Logo - #PurpleLightUp Day.

#PurpleLightUp Day – Sat 3rd Dec

Highlighting the economic contribution of the 386 million disabled employees around the world, with over 300 organisations taking part in 2021 click here for details. 


______________________________________________

Tropical greenhouse, river and plants covered by dome - Eden Project, Cornwall.

UK Attractions while Keeping Warm

Visit Britain has top things to do in the UK while keeping warm click here to check out where to stay warm in winter.

Person wearing backpack outdoors.

Day trips from the UK - maybe you’re feeling unsure about an overnight away from home and don’t mind some travel time, or are up for an adventure? With regular morning flights you can visit some places for the day and return home. Dublin, Brussels and Paris are among some day trips we’ve supported this year, but where will you go? Eurostar made Brussels and Paris possible without any airports, as direct trains depart from London. You could also visit a different part of the UK for the day 😊

Is there an attraction you want to visit? click here to tell us any ideas. 

Website - Cirque du Soleil and ABBA Voyage shows, London.

London shows - Cirque du Soleil's production Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities, is filled with daring acrobatics, clever contortion and breath-taking talent. Check out at the Royal Albert Hall with more performances added through to March 2023. Popular ABBA Voyage also continues in London to May 2023.

For more of what’s on in London click here, and to get your trip sorted click here.

______________________________________________

Travel Tip – Be organised with your packing

Person packing suitcase holding notepad, items on bed.

It can be helpful to make a list then tick off as you put things in your bag. This will also help to remember the important things like medication, and you can set everything out in piles or outfits per day to see what you’re taking.

Often people don’t wear a third of the clothes they take! So you might then leave a few things at home, but you don't want to get to your destination and realise you haven't packed your favourite sandals (they are still under your bed!) 😊

______________________________________________

Travel News

Electric ferry travelling, appears to be hovering above water slightly.

Stockholm’s new ‘flying ferries’ that run on electricity begin operating in 2023 as part of the public transport fleet click here to read on. 



Logo - UK Theme Park Awards 2022.

UK Theme Park Awards 2022 winners revealed – across 22 categories click here to find out more, including ‘Theme Park of the Year’ and ‘Best Value Theme Park’. Which will you visit in 2023? 



'Mendl’s Bakery' with detailed wall paintings, Dresden.

Best film and TV inspired holidays click here to check out from The Guardian. Including ‘No Time to Die - James Bond’ in Matera (Italy), ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’ in Dresden (Germany) and ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ in Almeria’s Tabernas Desert (Spain).



______________________________________________

Our Recommendations

Logo - CheethamsWithDreams, and person sitting on broomstick at Harry Potter experience.

CheethamsWithDreams – Hannah and Becky, also known as the Cheetham Sisters. Hannah has Cerebral Palsy and they are all about positivity and awareness, sharing their life and experiences with YouTube videos. Click here for their London trip with Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Strictly Live and Frozen 😊 or check out videos on Facebook. 


Podcast recording equipment, microphone and computer.


11 Disability Podcasts that give advice, support and humour click here from Disability Horizons, including lABLEd and How Do You Cope?



______________________________________________

Destination of the month: Wales

Wales has won a number of destination awards, highlighted again and again as one of the top places to visit. Swansea and Llandudno are among our customer favourites for holidays.

Beautiful Swansea Bay is Wales’ city beach, just minutes away from the heart of the city centre. Snowdon Mountain Railway has wheelchair accessible carriages for visitors to reach the Summit Visitor Centre (just yards from Wales’ highest peak). At Wrexham’s Alyn Waters (country park), Pedal Power hires out a variety of bicycles – including trikes, hand-cycles, wheelchair bikes and side-by-side bikes. 

Caernarfon Castle next to bay, North Wales.Group of people using beach wheelchairs on sand.Carriage on Snowdon Mountain Railway, Wales.Side-by-side bike with two seats, controls and sets of pedals. Bike frame has 2 wheels supporting back.

Discover accessible getaways from Visit Wales click here for helpful info, images and video. For accessibility reviews and 10 accessible things to do in Wales click here from Euan’s Guide. 

______________________________________________

Where will you go?

November has been another busy month, with a Canaries cruise, a relaxing spa break near Rutland Water, plus 2 concerts in Glasgow for music fans to hear Westlife and Status Quo live. Also a day trip to Amsterdam with flights to experience the top attractions. We returned to some holiday destination favourites with London for popular Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys shows, plus Blackpool. As well as enjoying Blackpool’s lights and attractions, the car hire made a day trip to Manchester simple for Coronation Street The Tour. We revisited Edinburgh to do more family history research since their previous trip in June. Finally, we supported a gentleman to Orlando for some winter sun at Vero Beach in Florida.

Two women standing next to cruise ship in sunshine.Two women trying on sunglasses in shop.Westlife concert in Glasgow.

Woman seated in theatre with a big smile.Man wearing Status Quo hat and denim jacket, in Glasgow.Man outside shop in Coronation Street The Tour, in Manchester.
______________________________________________

Altogether Travel News

Christmas decorations on tree with lights.

For the Christmas period, our office will close end of Thursday 22 December and we re-open again Wednesday 4 January 2023. We look forward to hearing from you soon.


We also welcome Lewis to the team 😊 
who will be working in our office. Great to have you join us in helping make people's holiday dreams happen. 


______________________________________________

December Giveaway

Afternoon Tea gift hamper, Christmas theme with biscuits.

Fancy a Festive Afternoon Tea Hamper from M&S? We’ll be giving this away to one of our lucky Newsletter readers 😊

You can also nominate someone click here to show your interest and we can arrange delivery before Christmas.

Why not follow us?

  • Facebook - @holidaycompanions
  • Twitter - @altogethertrav
  • Instagram altogether_travel

______________________________________________

Accessibility Feature

Logo - Simply Emma, and airport Changing Places Toilet.

Simply Emma highlights 20 UK Airports That Have Changing Places Toilets click here to find out more, including images of what you can expect and What is a Changing Places Toilet?

Make sure you check out the rest of the blog – focused on accessible travel and life experiences from a wheelchair user’s perspective.


______________________________________________

Thank you for staying connected with us and we would love to hear from you! Any ideas, questions or travel tips then click here to get in touch.

Take care,

Altogether Travel 

Website click here - Twitter click here - Facebook click here

Friday, November 11, 2022

Accessible York, and Sensory rooms at UK airports - Altogether Travel

 

Altogether Travel logo - shape of lowercase letter a.
November 2022 Newsletter

Accessible York, Sensory rooms at UK airports and much more 😊 our newsletter best bits - with travel tips, inspiration and giveaways. All you need to plan your next supported holiday or travel with the UK's number 1 company for all things care and accessible tourism.

Highlights:

  • November dates for your diary
  • Pantos this season
  • 20 Best free things to do in London
  • Travel Tip: Our community shares...
  • Travel News
  • Our Recommendations: shows, blogs and more
  • Destination of the Month: York
  • Where will you go? Our October Holidays
  • Altogether Travel News
  • November Giveaway
  • Accessibility Feature: Sensory rooms at UK airports

_____________________________________________________

November dates for your diary

Wesbite - NHS Exercise Self Care for Life. Self Care Forum.

Self Care Week: 14-20 Nov

Focusing on embedding support for self care across communities in the UK. This year’s theme is Exercise Self Care for Life click here for resources and to find out more. 


Logo - UK Disability History Month.

Disability History Month: Sun 16 Nov – Wed 16 Dec

With the theme of Disability, Health and Well Being – to raise awareness and support people with disabilities click here for details. 



_____________________________________________________

Inside theatre, stage with curtain and seating.

Pantos this season

We’ve supported many people for shows this year, even for the day or an overnight. For Top Panto News click hereor the Big Panto Guide 2022/23 click here to check out what’s on in theatres across the UK. Pantomime Awards 2021/22 season click here for ones you could check out this year – including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and more.

 

Marching guards at Buckingham Palace, London.

20 Best free things to do in London

Lonely Planet has released their top London freebies click here to read on, with attractions, market samples and of course the Changing of the Guard.

Do you fancy a trip to London, or seeing a panto? Click here to let us know.


_____________________________________________________

Travel Tip – Staying dry

Beads of water on top of material.

You know that shoe waterproofer you spray or sponge on? Not only handy for keeping your feet dry – you can spray bags or your suitcase with this stuff to help protect from any rain or winter weather. There are also wash-in products made for your jackets, but this can work for other material too.


_____________________________________________________

Travel News

Website - Marvel Avengers Campus. Characters in front of Disneyland Paris' castle.

Disneyland Paris’ new Avengers Campus – Travel Weekly highlights a first look around the new campus to show what’s it like to be a real-life superhero.

With one of the largest publicly viewable collections of Marvel art in the world, 50 are exclusive here. The impressive Avengers HQ is a central focal point click here to read on.

City of Athens, Greece.

Europe’s 20 cheapest city breaks revealed – for the first time in years Western European cities can offer better value than others to the East click here to find out more.

The top 5 include Athens, Lisbon, Krakow, Riga and Budapest.


Logo - Sea Sanctuary.

Set sail and boost mental health – click here to read on. Participants spend 4 days sailing the beautiful Cornish coast or river estuaries.

Sea Sanctuary is a charity with other services from anxiety management and mindfulness classes to art workshops and support click here to find out more. 


_____________________________________________________

Our Recommendations

Website - Channel 4, Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard.

Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard – comedian Rosie Jones takes celebrity friends on UK outings, learning local traditions and seeking excitement in unlikely places click here to catch up on Channel 4.

Series 2 begins with AJ Odudu climbing Carin Gorm, clay pigeon shooting and rowing across a loch.

Bowl of popcorn with remote pointed at tv.

Disability Horizons highlights 8 Netflix Original shows and films with disabled actors and characters click here to check out – including Atypical and Raising Dion.



_____________________________________________________

Destination of the month: York

With more attractions per square mile than any other UK city, York is well worth visiting. You can explore at your own pace, plus hop on/off bus tours and sightseeing cruises are handy for getting around while also discovering York’s history.

Some favourites of the many attractions include – Shambles (one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and inspiring Diagon Alley from Harry Potter), National Railway Museum, York Castle Museum, JORVIK Viking Centre, York’s Chocolate Story, Castle Howard, Eden Camp, Puttstars York (mini golf course, accessible throughout, including ramps on to the courses), plus theatre and shows click here to check out what’s on in York. 

Shambles, famous street in York, England.Train displayed in National Railway Museum, York.River cruise in York, England.Aircraft displayed at Eden Camp in York, England.

For lots of York accessibility reviews on Euan’s Guide click here to check out, and to get your York trip sorted click here to get in touch with us. 

_____________________________________________________

Where will you go?

In October we’ve explored up and down the UK, plus day trips to Brussels and Paris by Eurostar. Our UK holidays have included Margate with mysterious ‘Shell Grotto’ mosaic tunnel, and to enjoy the coast with car hire. London for top attractions including Madame Tussauds, Manchester visiting Coronation Street The Tour, Manchester City Stadium Tour and taking in the Jersey Boys show at the Opera House. A relaxing break in Stirling with a self-catering cottage, exploring highlights including the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, plus Edinburgh with attractions, local swimming pool and the cinema.

Two women taking selfie photo next to Eiffel Tower, Paris.Man using wheelchair by Star Wars characters with lightsabers in Madame Tussauds, London.Man using wheelchair with two Holiday Companions, by Royal Family in Madame Tussauds, London.Man outside Rovers Return Inn - Coronation Street The Tour, Manchester.

Man outside Manchester City Stadium Tour.Two men with mobility aid, by the Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland.Man next to cannon, Edinburgh castle.Man visiting HM Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh.

_____________________________________________________

Altogether Travel News

World map, Altogether Travel supported breaks.

We are delighted to welcome new Holiday Companions to our team – Fay, Gregory, Chloe and Abbi. They have years of experience supporting people and look forward to sharing lots of fun travel experiences and making memories with you 😊 Already supporting breaks soon due to demand, plus more holidays are being booked for 2023.

 

_____________________________________________________

November Giveaway

Two tickets on stage under spot light.

Up for a show this winter? This month we’ll be giving away 2 Panto tickets to one of our lucky Newsletter readers 😊

You can also nominate someone click here to show your interest and let us know which show you would like to see.

Why not follow us?

  • Facebook - @holidaycompanions
  • Twitter - @altogethertrav
  • Instagram - altogether_travel 

_____________________________________________________

Accessibility Feature - Sensory Rooms at UK Airports

Sensory items - pop tubes, push pop buttons.

Did you check out our recent Blog post? We decided to review 17 UK airports to find out which currently offer sensory rooms – so you don’t have to go looking for info.

To find out the results click here plus: What is a Sensory Room? Who can use a Sensory Room? With details if you are interested in a Sunflower Lanyard.

 

_____________________________________________________

Thank you for staying connected with us and we would love to hear from you! Any ideas, questions or travel tips then click here to get in touch.

Take care,

Altogether Travel 

Website click here - Twitter click here - Facebook click here

Did you know we have guides available to download from our website?

Many people are unsure at first where they could go and how everything works, so we hope this helps to inspire your next holiday with us – ‘...