Friday, December 1, 2023

Lonely Planet's free Accessible Travel Online Resources (featuring Altogether Travel), Phrasebook, wheelchair accessible Vietnam and more - Altogether Travel

 

Altogether Travel logo - shape of lowercase letter a.

November 2023 Newsletter

Lonely Planet's free Accessible Travel Online Resources (featuring Altogether Travel), Phrasebook, plus wheelchair accessible Vietnam ðŸ˜Š our newsletter best bits - with travel tips, inspiration and so much more. 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: 

  • Street foods from around the world
  • Top 50 destinations for 2024
  • Travel Tip: Our community shares...
  • Travel News
  • Our Recommendations: shows, blogs and more
  • Destination of the Month: Nashville, USA
  • Where will you go? Our recent holidays
  • Altogether Travel News
  • Accessibility Feature: Blue Badge Access Awards 2023, and BBC Access All

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16 must-try street foods from around the world, including churros in Madrid and poutine in Montreal - click here to check out more.



River boat with trees along bank, Eiffel Tower in background - Paris.


Lonely Planet reveals top 50 destinations to visit in 2024 - including Montreal and Paris click here to read on.



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Travel Tip - Free Accessible Travel Resources

Lonely Planet guidebooks - Accessible Travel Online Resources, and Accessible Travel Phrasebook.

Lonely Planet offers free Accessible Travel Online Resources, which has almost doubled in extent compared with the last edition (updated annually) – just enter your details and a PDF download link will be emailed to you.

We are proud to be featured in this incredible resource (see page 153).

Also available for free is Accessible Travel Phrasebook, covering 35 languages - click here to check these out and more.

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Travel News

ESTA logo, with location pin symbol.

The ESTA Mobile App – making traveling to the USA easier. The app enables eligible travellers who plan on entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to now submit their ESTA request through the app on their smartphone, mobile device or tablet.


Departures board above airport check in desk area.


New ‘Smart Path’ system at Frankfurt airport – this could be the first to offer face-scanning technology for all passengers, to reduce queuing times at check-in click here for details. 


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Our Recommendations

Celebrities in Race Across the World, left hot climate, to right snowy landscape in background.


Catch up on the latest Celebrity Race Across the World click here for episodes on iPlayer. 24 countries from Africa to the Arctic, with no phones or flights allowed – including racing driver Billy Monger who is a double leg amputee.

 

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Destination of the Month: Nashville, USA

Music fan Jim had his dream holiday to Downtown Nashville. The guys enjoyed spending time in record stores, listening to live music and visited the famous Johnny Cash Museum. Some more top attractions are Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and popular Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Johnny Cash Museum, diner area.Grammy award statue at Musicians Hall of Fame.

What are your favourite interests? Click here to get in touch and let us know, to include these in your next holiday.

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Where will you go?

It’s been a busy time with recent holidays! Here are some highlights of firstly the UK breaks:

  • Margate - trips out including the Spitfire & Hurricane Museum.
  • York - local attractions such as the Viking Centre, York Museum gardens, a boat trip along the river and the Railway Museum.
  • Harrogate - a trip to RHS Gardens in Harrogate and Ripley Castle.
  • Blackpool - Madam Tussauds, Sea Life centre, tribute act and country music shows.
  • Glasgow - WWE Live, Sunshine on Leith at the theatre, a fantastic Daniel O’Donnell show and enjoying a concert with 80s music.
  • Dunfermline - for a Francis Rossi show.
  • Inverness - visiting Loch Ness plus a trip to Skye.
  • Edinburgh, Fife, Seton Sands and Perth for shops and much more.

Two men smiling outside castle, Scotland.Old style shopping street in York, England.Four people on beach, Perth Scotland.

Two men standing next to jet plane, Perth Scotland.Three friends at Scottish Deer Centre.Four people sitting on statue of crocodile for photo.

We’ve also had some further from home trips, including Venice with a boat taxi, markets, lots of sightseeing, and popular spots such as Lanzarote and Tenerife. Majorca was perfect for relaxing at the hotel and exploring the nearby beach and shops.

Also wheelchair accessible Vietnam with the support of Anne throughout, one of our wonderful Holiday Companions. This included highlights such as Hanoi, visits to a temple in the countryside, a stunning promenade among the lush rice paddies, from the vibrant capital city to authentic local areas, ancient architecture and plenty of shops.

Man at beach, standing knee-deep in sea Majorca.Two smiling women (one seated in wheelchair) with temple tower and flowering plants in Vietnam.Left photo – two women next to a domesticated water buffalo with flowers on its head. Right photo – woman in wheelchair next to river, local person carrying two baskets on rope, balanced with stick over shoulder.Two smiling women (one seated in wheelchair) with traditional wooden building in Vietnam.

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Altogether Travel News

Open book next to window during flight, Right photo - Merry Christmas on tree decoration.

Altogether Travel was delighted to be invited to Newcastle Airport for a tour of their accessible facilities. They have a dedicated accessible departure gate which covers all flights, 5 ambulifts and a new Thunder lift.  They also have a custom designed area available for departing passengers with hidden disabilities such as dementia and autism to use when the experience of travelling through the airport becomes overwhelming. This quiet departure lounge includes a sensory area.

The CCA also ranked Newcastle top in its recent accessibility audit. The airport is currently undergoing a makeover, when finished early next year will see a bright modern facility for passengers.

Why not plan your next flight from Newcastle to check out these facilities yourself? 😊

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We would also like to mention, the Altogether Travel office will be closed Friday 22 December, and reopening on Wednesday 03 January. Best wishes from the Team and have a lovely time over the festive break.

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Accessibility Feature

A vertically retracting set of stairs, creating a platform which can raise or lower from path to doorway.

Winners of the Blue Badge Access Awards 2023 announced click here to check out. These include Special Award for Outstanding Achievement in Accessibility, won by Charlie Lyons (Sesame Access Systems) inventor of the Sesame lift – with over 200 now installed worldwide.

This helps people in wheelchairs enter any building through the front door, especially listed buildings. Click here for a video showing how this works in Edinburgh, plus more details.


Also - BBC Access All: Disability News and Mental Health click here 
for the latest.

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Interested in booking accommodation or mobility equipment hire? With access to the biggest range of local suppliers for mobility equipment, and UK accessible accommodation - tell us what you're looking for and leave the rest to us 😊 for our helpful online forms:

[ Click here - Accommodation Request form ]

[ Click here - Equipment Request form ]

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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

Why not follow us?

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

Website click here - Twitter click here - Facebook click here

Friday, September 29, 2023

Beach wheelchairs, winter holidays, accessible Portugal and more - Altogether Travel

 

Altogether Travel logo - shape of lowercase letter a.
September 2023 Newsletter

Beach wheelchairs, winter holidays, and accessible Portugal 😊 our newsletter best bits - with travel tips, inspiration and so much more. 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:

  • September dates for your diary
  • Winter Holidays
  • Travel Tip: Our community shares...
  • Travel News
  • Our Recommendations
  • Destination of the Month: Porto, Portugal
  • Where will you go?
  • Altogether Travel News
  • Accessibility Feature: Manchester Piccadilly station’s new assisted travel lounge

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September Dates for your diary

Brain outline with ribbon. Text: Know dementia, know Alzheimer’s
World Alzheimer’s Month

To find support and more from Dementia UK click here, and can click here for practical tips. 


World flags in a circle, a dial turning for selection with lightbulb by each flag.

European Day of Languages – Tue 26th

You can pick up language books in charity shops, or online learning / apps can involve games to help learn and practise – click here to find out more.


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Tenerife beach.

Winter Holidays

Why not swap the UK for some warmth and sunshine? With the winter months approaching, it’s an ideal time to take a trip click here to read on, by The Independent. 


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Travel Tip – Guidebooks & Maps

Full bookshelves.

When you book your next trip, or are thinking where to go next – you can often find travel books in charity shops at low cost. Even if a few years old and some shops etc may have changed, the maps are handy as the main attractions / road layout will still be the same. This saves you looking for a free map at the hotel / station, or can help with planning where to visit. Libraries can also have ‘clearance sales’ where you can buy a book to keep at a discounted price.

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Travel News

Balloons in shape of number 50.


Lonely Planet reaches 50 Years – founded by Maureen and Tony Wheeler from Essex, inspiring millions click here to read more from The Times. 


Map with magnifying glass over Europe.

The best new European train routes launching in 2023 and 2024 – click here to check out. 



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Our Recommendations 

Beach wheelchairs by beach hut. The wheels are wider and inflated like thick rubber balloons.

Simply Emma is a leading travel and disability blog focused on accessible travel, with reviews, tips and more. Recent posts include - Scotland’s Accessible Beaches click here to check out. Converting her manual wheelchair into a beach wheelchair, with the WheelEEZ Beach wheelchair conversion kit click here for more info. There are many beach wheelchairs available around the UK for use, depending on where you visit. 

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Destination of the Month: Porto

Porto is a gateway for the natural and cultural diversity of northern Portugal, with direct flights from the UK around 2-3 hours.

It is known for the Port wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, and known for architecture (including winners of the Pritzker Prize), plus the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings.

Explore the mediaeval streets to Ribeira, with its café terraces and picturesque corners, then enjoy a cruise under Porto’s six bridges or take a local tram. From gardens to Casa da Música, on Rotunda da Boavista, also a popular shopping area. Take in the sights and delicious local foods.

Porto coast with ship in bay and terracota roofs across city.Old fashioned tram, and detailed pattern on building.

The city's buses, metros and trains have good access for navigating any sloped areas and cobbled streets. For 9 of the Flattest and Most Wheelchair Accessible Places in Portugal click here to read on, including Porto’s Matosinhos neighbourhood.

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Where will you go?

The holiday fun continues with our recent UK holidays, such as Newcastle, London, Liverpool, Eastbourne, Bristol, Fife, Callander, St Andrews, and Dundee. Taking in a Glasgow show, with A Country Night in Nashville. Also a family holiday with wedding in Dorset.

Some further from home trips have been to Copenhagen, Naples, Rome, and Milan.

We sorted tours with local guides to get the most out of visits, and enjoyed exploring top attractions.

Man sitting in porch, enjoying the sunshine.Two men standing by a low wall at the beach, one holds a walking frame.Man stands by golf grass in St Andrews, sunny day.City of Naples with mountain in the background and water.

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Altogether Travel News

Hot chocolate drinks with marshmallows near a cosy indoor wood fire.

Interested in a 2023 holiday? If an Autumn/Winter break is for you, please do get in touch click here and we can check out the details.

Indoor activities can include shows, shops and attractions, activities such as mini golf, board games or relaxing with a view in your cosy hotel. 


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Accessibility Feature

Entrance to Assisted Travel room at train station.

Manchester Piccadilly station’s new assisted travel lounge click here to read more by Independent Living. Some features include – Changing Places toilet facility, British Sign Language information screens, and a sensory space for people who find stations overwhelming.


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Interested in booking accommodation or mobility equipment hire? With access to the biggest range of local suppliers for mobility equipment, and UK accessible accommodation – tell us what you’re looking for and leave the rest to us 😊

[Accommodation Request Formclick here]

[Equipment Request Formclick here]

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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

Why not follow us?

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

Website click here - Twitter click here - Facebook click here

Friday, July 14, 2023

Wheelchair Seats on Flights, Accessible Berlin and more - Altogether Travel

 

Altogether Travel logo - shape of lowercase letter a.

July 2023 Newsletter

Wheelchair Seats on Flights, Accessible Berlin and more 😊 our newsletter best bits - with travel tips and inspiration. 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: 

  • July date for your diary
  • Top European holidays by train from London
  • Top Food Adventures in Scotland
  • Travel Tip: Our community shares...
  • Travel News
  • Our Recommendations
  • Destination of the Month: Berlin
  • Where will you go?
  • Altogether Travel News
  • Accessibility Feature: Aircrafts’ wheelchair friendly seat design

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July Date for your diary 

Website: Samaritans, The Big Listen


Monday 24th July is 24/7 Samaritans Awareness Day – The Big Listen 2023. ‘If you need someone to talk to, we listen.

Whatever you're going through, you can call us any time, from any phone for FREE’ click here for more information.


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Person on train station platfrom, checking their phone, wearing a backpack and hat.


Top European holidays by train from London click here to read on. 




Plate with Scotland flag design, cutlery to the right.


Visit Scotland’s Top 12 Food Adventures click here for ideas of where to try next to get a taste of Scotland, showcasing local produce.




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Travel Tip – spotting your suitcase

Rolls of duct tape hanging down at different lengths.

You can buy duct tape with bright and distinctive patterns – this can be an easy way to spot your suitcase when collecting at the airport.

As this is durable, it may be stronger than adding a ribbon for example to your handle, plus you can add a section of duct tape to different sides of your case.



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Travel News 

Cruise ship on water, mountains behind.


Hurtigruten introduces the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship click here to check out the development.



Award trophies with logos: Visit Britain and Visit England.


VisitEngland reveals Awards for Excellence 2023 winners click here to read on, including awards for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.




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Our Recommendations

Television across room, remote on table and small cactus in pot.


BBC Sounds, Access All on the new BBC One drama ‘Best Interestsclick here for more, with Bafta-winning writer and disability advocate Jack Thorne. To watch episodes on BBC iPlayer click here.



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Destination of the Month: Berlin

Richard set off on another trip with Holiday Companion Alan. The guys enjoyed a River boat trip, and made use of the handy hop on/off bus tour to get around the city to take in the top sights. Some include the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the famous Reichstag building with glass dome. Other days they visited the Spy museum – for a unique insight into the shadowy realm of espionage. Also the Museum for Communication Berlin – experiencing how it has developed and changed society.

Richard’s favourite visit was to Futurium – where everything revolves around the question ‘how do we want to live?’ and visitors can discover many possible futures.

Person standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.Person next to wall of sand bags at Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin.Person on river boat, sat at table with 4 chairs, curtains next to windows and flowers in vase.

Person outside Futurium attraction, Berlin.Person next to vintage car, Berlin.Man enjoying holiday in Berlin.

For Berlin accessibility details click here to find out more. 

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Where will you go?

Summer is well underway with our recent UK holidays, such as Scarborough and Exmouth – both for relaxation by the coast with car hire to explore, plus Glasgow visiting top attractions. Fife, Iona and Oban in Scotland were perfect for a quieter holiday away from the big cities. More holidays have visited London, York, Edinburgh to check out the castle, Belfast with the famous Titanic Belfast attraction, and Lancaster to spend time with family.

Some further from home trips were to Dublin, and a Jersey coach holiday, catching the ferry from Southampton. Day trips to both Geneva and Barcelona, to explore the local highlights and enjoy local foods with a spot of shopping. Other holidays have included Venice, Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon.

Woman in front of fountain on a pier, Geneva in Switzerland.Two women seated, smiling on holiday.Two people on holiday, La Rambla in Barcelona.Decorative boat in flower bed, coastal bay behind, Scarborough.

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Altogether Travel News

Suitcases in airport with hat and sunglasses on top, and plane taking off in background.

Congratulations Shirley! Another Holiday Companion who has reached their 50 holidays supported mark. We appreciate you being part of so many holiday memories.

To get your next supported holiday sorted, click here to get in touch with any ideas before Companion availability goes.


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Accessibility Feature

Wheelchair space on aircraft, new seat design.


New aircraft seat design will let people sit in their own wheelchairs on flights, introduced by Delta and created in partnership with Air4All click here to find out more from CNN Travel.



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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

Why not follow us?

  • Facebook - @holidaycompanions
  • Twitter - @altogethertrav
  • Instagram - 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 – ‘...