ACCESSIBLE CITY BREAKS
Your Award-Winning Accessible Travel Specialists
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ACCESSIBLE CITIES OF THE WORLD
NO CITY LIMITS There’s nothing quite like a city break for experiencing so many exciting things in just a few days (and nights). But what really makes a city break really great is getting to see as much as you can in the time that you’ve got. It’s therefore important to know that you can enjoy it comfortably, whether you’re a slow walker, wheelchairuser or just someone who would appreciate an easier way to get around. At Enable Holidays, we offer a wide range of accessible city breaks to suit every taste. A touch of culture… vibrant nightlife… magnificent museums… romantic restaurants…
The destinations we currently offer include:
NETHERLANDS Amsterdam Rotterdam
BELGIUM Bruges Brussels
GERMANY
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Berlin Frankfurt Erfurt Hamburg Hanover
CYPRUS
FRANCE
Larnaca
Paris Finistere
POLAND Krakow Warsaw
PORTUGAL
CZECH REPUBLIC
GIBRALTAR
Prague
HUNGARY Budapest
Lisbon
SINGAPORE ITALY Rome Florence Siena, Tuscany
SPAIN Madrid Barcelona Seville Alicante Palma, Mallorca Valencia Malaga San Sebastian
GREECE Athens
ICELAND Reykjavik
UNITED STATES New York Boston Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco Sacramento
OUR CITY BREAKS INCLUDE
irresistible shopping - plus a wide variety of live theatre shows. We also possess lots of knowledge and helpful tips to ensure your city break is everything you want it to be. You select from an excellent choice of audited accessible hotels – whether you’re looking for a small and friendly independent or a large well-known chain. As with all our hotels, you can expect a guaranteed adapted room and all the help you need for planning to see the sights and soak up the atmosphere. Join us now on a brief introduction to just some of the exciting city destinations we can take you to.
Exact facilities are subject to the city break selected, but a selection of the following will be included:
GUA R A NTEED A DA P TED R OOM in a choice of 3, 4 or 5 star hotels A DA P TED TA X I TR A NS FER between destination airport and hotel
Adapted transfers
Disabled parking
Wheel-in shower
Shower chair
Grab rails
FER RY A ND TR A I N travel options where available P R E-A R R A NGED accessible tours, if required
Bath with grab rails
Electric operated bed hire
Ramp into pool
Pool hoist
Romanstyle steps into the pool
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BARCELONA, C ATA L O N I A
T R U LY C A P T I VAT I N G Experiences without limits for disabled visitors is very much a focal point for the Catalonia tourist board. And Enable Holidays is proud to be an approved partner for organising memorable breaks to this outstanding city. Apart from offering an excellent range of accessible hotels, facilities and attractions, we can also arrange kayaking, cycling, hot air ballooning, boating and numerous other accessible experiences. For fans of the beautiful game, we can also arrange accessible tours of the Nou Camp Stadium, home of FC Barcelona – and this can even extend to wheelchairaccessible match tickets during the football season as part of your package.
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0871 222 4939 enableholidays.com C O A S T A N D C U LT U R E
SAN SEBASTIAN AND THE
BASQUE COUNTRY
San Sebastian is an attractive city shaped by a tourist trade dating back to the 19th century. The resort’s beachside setting, Michelin-star restaurants, and, best of all, a wide range of accessible holiday activities are just some of the appealing attractions. When our accessibility expert Annie visited San Sebastian, she was delighted by the wideranging opportunities available.
At the beach, you’ll find special beach wheelchairs and disabled-friendly surf lessons. And when venturing into the town, you can enjoy museums, a century-old aquarium featuring enormous sharks, together with a tank containing fish you can touch. Other activities include accessible golf taster lessons, a cooking school and a trip to an accessible vineyard, with wine tasting included. The city’s public transport system also offers good levels of accessibility for disabled travellers. WE ALSO OFFER SPANISH CITY BREAKS IN MADRID AND VALENCIA.
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PICTURE PERFECT One of the most unmistakable and unique cities of the world. Amsterdam is a city of beautiful canals, glorious architecture, liberal attitudes, museums, galleries and fantastic places to relax and play. There’s a lot to do in the city with a plethora of interesting museums, fantastic sightseeing along the canals and wonderful parks. Amsterdam also has many underrated treats such as its food and drink scene, which is very relaxed. So whilst there is plenty to see and do here – we’d also recommend Amsterdam to anyone who likes a nice relaxing city break where you can watch the world go by.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS FERRY SAILINGS AND TRAIN T R AV E L AVA I L A B L E I F Y O U ’ D L I K E T O A V O I D F LY I N G 8
From an accessible point of view, Amsterdam is one of the flattest cities in the world, which also has a lot of smooth pavements, and this makes the city a popular destination for wheelchair-users as it’s easy to get around with the majority of public transport being accessible with plenty of trams and buses available throughout. We are fortunate to offer a small number of accessible accommodations in Amsterdam, as the number of adapted rooms is limited. We can however offer you accessible tours during summer and winter months to enable you to enjoy Amsterdam in all its glory. WE ALSO OFFER CITY BREAKS IN BRUGES AND BRUSSELS. 9
CITY OF ROMANCE
PA R I S , F R A N C E E A S I LY R E A C H E D B Y E U R O S TA R I F Y O U ’ D L I K E T O A V O I D F LY I N G
Paris is famously viewed as one of the most romantic cities in the world, and after just one visit it is easy to see why it holds this unofficial accolade. An array of world-famous landmarks and views can be seen from all angles, and the scent of France’s exquisitely rich cuisine teases the senses whenever one passes a boulangerie, café or brasserie. Immerse yourself in Paris’s sophistication and glamour, sipping some of the most renowned wines and enjoying all the benefits of this beautiful, decadent metropolis. Shopping here is amongst the best in the world, and ranges from small boutiques and vintage shops, to the most famous global brands. There is also an extensive range of some of the best-loved museums in the world, showcasing Paris’s rich heritage of artistic virtuosity. Due to Paris being quite an old city as a whole, and with the tourist attractions being spaced out, wheelchair accessibility is definitely more of a challenge when compared to some other cities, but it’s well worth it. We recommend using the accessible bus to get around the city. Take the time to research the routes and plan your trip beforehand and then you’ll save yourself a lot of money rather than using accessible taxis. If you plan on doing the bus tour around the city, we recommend that you ride the tour all the way around as not every bus has wheelchair ramps.
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THERE’S A LOT GOING ON
BERLIN, GERMANY
The capital of Germany is a very modern city and is known for being one of the best accessible locations of anywhere in the world and we think that other cities should follow their footsteps! The whole of the city’s impressive transport system is wheelchair accessible, and hardly a week goes by without a festival, themed event or exhibition.
©TMGS, S. Dittrich
Berlin has a huge variety of cultural and historical attractions, greenery, iconic sights and chic restaurants which makes it hugely popular; however it also has a dark historical side to it too. The accessibility is great throughout the city with pavements that are easy for wheelchair-users to get around and public transport that is accessible. WE ALSO OFFER GERMAN CITY BREAKS IN FRANKFURT, ERFURT, HAMBURG AND HANOVER.
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T H E R E A L R O M A N H O L I D AY
R O M E , I TA LY
Ancient Roman ruins, beautiful renaissance art, Vatican City and a fantastic cuisine makes Rome one of the most popular city breaks in the world and it’s certainly worth the visit despite the challenges that wheelchair-users will face. If you are a manual wheelchair-user, we do advise you are accompanied by a companion who can help you to venture up the hills and across cobblestone roads. Limited accessible transportation options put disabled access in Rome behind other European cities – however, the Eternal City is changing all that and striving to ensure its many splendours can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone. The Roma Pass tourist card gives priority to disabled people in queues for monuments and museums, and you’ll also find specially adapted buses that stop as close as possible to places of interest, as well as special accessible itineraries and tourist guides in Braille. Accessible holidays are certainly possible and enjoyable in Rome. It just takes a bit more planning. So, if Rome is on your bucket list, the experts at Enable can make it happen. WE ALSO OFFER CITY BREAKS IN FLORENCE.
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PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Situated in the heart of Europe, the city of Prague has something to offer everyone – from its historical sites, a visit to the opera to the world-renowned local beer.
Quarter of Josefov, the Old Town Square - dominated by the Church of our Lady of Tyn and the Town Hall - and the lively New Town.
You’ll see where days of old merge into the 21st century, with rustic chapels sitting beside modern cafés, old-style bars next to 20th-century art galleries. Experience Prague Castle and Hradcany – the largest ancient castle in the world, dated from the 9th century, before venturing into the historical Lesser Town. Pass through the intriguing Jewish
Prague is a city of art and culture, as well as relaxed drinking and hearty gastronomy, elegance and exuberant architecture. As with many of Europe’s cities, accessibility in Prague is fairly good, with many buses, tramways and metros being wheelchair accessible.
Many places of interest and public buildings have been made accessible. And travelling around the city centre is improving all the time with a number of low-floor buses and trams being introduced. The new underground stations on the outskirts are also designed to be accessible, but only a select number of stations are equipped with a lift in the centre. Some parts of Prague are hilly – the castle, for example, is on quite a steep hill, but this is what makes the landscape so picturesque. You will also find cobbled streets, but wheelchair-friendly refurbishment of pavements is progressing in the centre. 16
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V A L L E T TA , M A LTA
Valletta – the smallest capital in Europe and one of the island’s three UNESCO world heritage sites - has been nominated one of the very best places to visit. And when casting your eyes upon it for the very first time, it’s easy to see why. With honey-coloured architecture, a cloudless bright blue sky, crystal clear sea and over 300 days of sunshine per year, it’s hardly surprising that its residents are such warm, friendly and happy people. From the harbour area, you can use the accessible lift to reach the magnificent Barrakka Gardens, where you will find exotic plants, flowers and trees – plus historic naval statues and monuments.
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Make sure you also find time to visit St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, where you can take a wheelchair accessible route to avoid steps around part of the building. And Master’s Palace should also be on your must-see list with its impressive collection of armoury and an accessible lift between floors. Travel even further back in time with a visit to the Tarxien Temples. These megalithic structures are older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge; and to ensure you get a closeup view, take advantage of the wheelchair accessible lift and step-free walkway. WE ALSO OFFER CITY BREAKS IN LARNACA, CYPRUS.
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C O M E A N D TA K E A B I T E
NEW YORK, USA
Accessibility is of a high standard in the Big Apple, and buses are equipped with lifts for people in wheelchairs, plus subway stations feature lifts and ramps throughout. New York is often seen as the very embodiment of American culture: big, impressive, and filled with opportunities. Whether you are indulging in an enormous meal at a New York restaurant, soaking up the views of the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, taking a stroll through Central Park or embracing the city’s all-engulfing display of culture, art and fashion, there is little chance that you will leave without the urge to return as soon as possible. Almost every form of art, gastronomy and entertainment is available in New York City, from big stage live music to atmospheric dives, from lavish Broadway shows to small experimental theatre, and from the world’s finest cuisine to the most satisfying but waist-increasing grills and junk food. We find that this is a popular location for the Christmas period but it can be extremely busy, so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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L E AV E Y O U R H E A R T H E R E
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
With a host of shopping choices, the Golden Gate bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39 and, of course, its famous sea lion population, the city by the bay never fails to impress. There are, surprisingly, lots of flat areas in San Francisco, including parks and a bay-long promenade to explore. This, coupled with the city’s wide choice of accessible public transport, makes getting around the city very easy for wheelchair-users. Drop curbs are found at the end of each street (which is the case for all major US cities) and hotels are held to a high level of accessibility under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The ferries can be accessed to venture to Sausalito or visit Alcatraz Island, which are both accessible. Please note, however, there are some steep inclines on Alcatraz. So, whether you want to visit the buffalo in Golden Gate Park, stroll around the lake at the Palace of Fine Arts, or walk the Golden Gate Bridge, there is so much to see and do in San Fran.
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0871 222 4939 enableholidays.com CITY OF ANGELS Lights, camera, action. Renowned for its celebrities, there is certainly no shortage of things to do in this sprawling city of over 1,300 square kilometres.
Pier, an icon from the small and big screen. There are many accessible museums and galleries around the city too, as well as three big park areas to explore.
Accessibility around the city sights is of a good standard, with Universal, Disney, Hollywood (including the Hollywood Bowl) and Rodeo Drive all being ADA compliant, but there is so much more to visiting Southern California. Located west of downtown LA, lies Santa Monica, with its 3.5km beach, long flat boardwalk and the world-famous Santa Monica
Getting around the city can be done in several ways. The Metro, which covers the buses and local train services are all accessible with ramps, whilst LA City Cab or Checker Cab offer sedans and wheelchair accessible vans for hire, just by simply calling for a wheelchair taxi.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 24
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0871 222 4939 enableholidays.com SIN CITY IS NOT A GAMBLE
LAS VEGAS, N E VA D A
Gambling, games, live shows or simply relaxation, Las Vegas has it all and is regarded as one of the most accessible cities in America. Each and every hotel and casino has accessibility at some level, and the same goes for tours such as the Grand Canyon Bus Tour. Whilst there is no train or subway service in Las Vegas, the public buses are wheelchair accessible and crisscross the city, including the Vegas Strip. These have lowered floors and ramp access. There are several accessible taxi companies whereby taxis can be ordered to arrive within 15-20 minutes, and the sidewalks are all accessible with drop curbs with visual and audio crossing alerts. The city is a must to visit – either as a stand-alone trip or part of a multi-centre adventure with Los Angeles and San Francisco. WE ALSO OFFER AMERICAN CITY BREAKS IN ORLANDO, BOSTON AND SACRAMENTO.
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1 0 R E A S O N S W H Y I T I S B E T T E R T O B O O K W I T H E N A B L E H O L I D AY S 1 Tailor-made holiday planning to meet specific requirements 2 Guaranteed adapted rooms upon confirmation of booking 3 Each property features a wheel-in shower with room to manoeuvre a wheelchair 4 Vast majority of properties have been personally audited by the Enable team 5 Assistance will be arranged at airports and on airlines 6 In-resort service is available in most destinations 7 Mobility aids and specialist equipment can be pre-booked 8 Specialist nursing care can be provided in a selection of resorts, if required 9 All prices include flights and adapted taxi transfers between the destination airport and accommodation 10 Book with confidence. Enable Holidays is a member of ABTA (W7335) and ATOL (6261) for your financial protection and peace of mind
Enable Holidays Limited Suite 108-109B The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham B18 6ND
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