Tag: tourism for disabled people

Is Venice accessible? Yes, more and more!

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We’re approaching the Carnival climax and, in Italy, “Carnival” means, first, Venice, with its masks wearing very elegant and refined costumes. Who wouldn’t like enjoying that show live, at least for once in his life? Not to mention the other thousands of reasons to visit one of the most fascinating cities in Italy and in the whole world, that yearly attracts tourists from all the continents.

Venice - Carnival

Yes, indeed: but Venice, with its streets, bridges, all that water, doesn’t exactly seem to be a synonym of accessibility, for people living with motoric or visual disabilities. This, at least, apparently. Actually, doing some search, I discovered that, in the last years, even the city immersed into the water is very committed to accessibility. Sure, we’re  still talking about a city with an ancient structure and, by its nature, fragile, so it’s impossible to make too drastic interventions to reduce architectonical barriers. But it doesn’t mean that no intervention is possible, as the city administration’ work shows.

Venice - gondalas on the sea

Today, thanks to the commitment towards public transport and minimization of the architectonical barriers that, until a few years ago, made it actually “off limits” for disabled people, about 70% of the old town centre of Venice is accessible to who has a motoric disability. The Città per Tutti Service and the EBA (Architectonical Barriers Removal) Office of the city have designed a map of accessible Venice, downloadable for free in PDF format from the Municipality website. This document summarizes useful info and practical tips enabling people with motoric disabilities to visit the city.

Venice - Rialto Bridge

The map highlights the accessibility of the isles which make up the city, based on the availability (or lack) of public transport lines, using different colours to mark the areas which are accessible by steamboat (in green), those accessible by motorboat or having an “assisted” bridge (in light green) and those that aren’t accessible by public transport vehicles (in white). But it isn’t all! On the map, you can also find info about:

Furthermore, on the Municipality website, you can also find accessible itineraries, with details about the accessibility of monuments, buildings and attractions, so that you can avoid unpleasant surprises once you’re there. Any doubt or question? You can send an e-mail to cittapertutti@comune.venezia.it or submit your request filling the online form.

Venice - gondolas

And there’s even more! If you don’t want to miss the chance to enjoy a romantic tour by gondola, you can benefit from the “Gondolas4All” service, a simple and, at the same time, smart way to remove an architectonical (and not just it) barrier between the disabled tourists and the chance to enjoy the beauty of Venice also from the sea.

 

Norway: nature, history and accessibility

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When we talk about accessibility, Northern Europe has nothing to learn. And Norway doesn’t except, luckily! Indeed, this fascinating country, rich in natural beauty and history, has always cared a lot about disabled people needs. Then, if you’re thinking about visiting it, please note that, apart from a little bit of caution linked to the climate (during winter, snow and ice are the standard and temperatures aren’t exactly mild), you can focus on holiday and leave worries at home! But let’s immediately start our “virtual tour”.

As always, my first advice, if you want to spend a holiday in Norway, is to plan it well in advance. The best time to fully enjoy the beauty of Norway goes from late spring to summer, when temperature is mild and, then, going about is more pleasant. Because there’s plenty of things to see in Norway!

Norway - The northern lights seen from the Lofoten islands

The northern lights seen from the Lofoten islands

The most comfortable and fast way to reach Norway from Italy, of course, is airplane: contact well in advance the airline you’ll choose to request the assistance you need and avoid unpleasant glitches during the flight. Once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll realize that, as in all the Northern Europe countries, also in Norway accessibility is very important, not only in Oslo and in the other main cities, but also in national parks and in the fjords region. Public transport and stops are, for the overwhelming majority, fully accessible to people with disability, not just with a motoric one.

Norway - The Royal Palace in Oslo

Oslo, the Royal Palace

Norway - Oslo, Vigeland Park

Oslo, Vigeland Park

And what about museums, monuments and public places? Norway has been very committed, throughout the years, to make its most important monuments and museums as accessible as possible, since they attract tourists from all around the world. In Oslo, for instance, the Royal Palace, built in the first half of the nineteenth century, today is one of the most accessible in the world. The same is valid for the most well-known museums in the city, from the Viking one to that devoted to the Peace Nobel Prize history, plus the magnificent Opera House and the National Theatre or the suggestive Vigeland Park (also known as “sculptures’ park”), devoted the works of the artist Gustav Vigeland. Shops and public places are, generally, accessible also to who uses a wheelchair: there are still some issues left for the oldest ones, that sometimes have stairs or narrow spaces in their interior parts.

Do you prefer the beauty of nature? Take the chance to do a cruise in the fjords region, in the South of Norway, or to enjoy the breath-taking landscapes of the Lofoten islands, very close to the Polar Arctic Circle. Everything will be fully accessible and safe, as you can see in this video about the fjords in the Rogaland area.

London: a “cool” and accessible city

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Are you thinking to spend the New Year’s Eve or one of the upcoming long weekends abroad, maybe in a European capital city? If you haven’t been there yet (but even if you want to get back there!), what about to pop over London, before you need a passport again to visit it, once Brexit will enter into force?

London - The Big Ben

The Big Ben

After all, there’s plenty of reasons to do that: should you be keen on music or arts, or interested in soccer, or in cultural tourism, or, again, you simply love shopping, London is the right place for you! The English capital city has a wide range of opportunities, attractions, itineraries, for all tastes, all ages and all budgets (even though it’s still one of the most expensive cities in the world). And, not a bad thing indeed, it’s increasingly accessible also for who has a reduced mobility.

London - Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

London - Harrods

Harrods

Attention to all travellers’ needs is clear from when you get at the most important airports and railway stations of the city, all equipped with ramps, elevators, bathrooms and areas reserved to disabled travellers. But even when we consider the city public transport -luckily- things are essentially the same. All the subway stations have entrances reserved to travellers on a wheelchair, many are even totally stairs-free (for instance, Kings Cross, Wembley Park, London Bridge). Also the legendary double-decker buses are equipped to host wheelchairs (that can hop on thanks to the ramps) and, in the overwhelming majority, have lowered access platforms for people with motoric issues. There’s an increasing number of subway stations equipped with tactile paths and stops, ticket offices, buses and cabs equipped with magnetic induction audio systems, for deaf people. Even the legendary cabs are equipped to host passengers on a wheelchair. Furthermore, there’s a very well curated website, where you can find constantly updated info about the accessibility of the city transport network, not just as regards the disabled people needs, but also for pregnant women or little children.

London - Madame Tussaud

Madame Tussaud

And what about touristic attractions? Even in this case, you’re spoilt for choice among so many accessible solutions: Buckingham Palace, the London Tower, the London Eye, the Aquarium, the Tate Modern Gallery, Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, and the list goes on. Do you want to play it safe and get rid of all doubts about the accessibility of the attractions you’re more interested in? If your English is quite good, on this website (and on the app) you’ll find detailed info about the accessibility of a lot of touristic attractions, hotels, museum, restaurants, shops, parks, etc. You’ll also have the chance to create your customized itinerary, searching for the destinations that fit best for your specific disability or need.

So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy your trip!