Accessable Vacation Destinations Worldwide

[Cali Ventures]

Let's swap

Hey I have an idea. . .
Wouldn't it be nice to get away for a week (or more) from home & have FREE accomodations that are fully accessible? How many of us SCI's would be willing to swap homes (condo's house whatever) for a week? Each of us would get to hang out in different surroundings and it would only cost us transportation and spending money. Each of us could advise the other of the area attractions and so on. Of course exchange pix of accomodation and other such info would occur first. For instance, I am a gal w/T7 SCI. I have a 3 bdrm/2bth home in beautiful central NC. The master bdrm/bath is fully accessible, so is the kit,livrm, laundry, garage, deck, yard etc. It actually could get interesting to swap many different times with various destinations across the USA or even further, don't ya think?

[Mike C]

I know that swapping is common among the AB crowd, but amongst the non-AB crowd....sounds like a good idea.

[endrik]

I know that swapping is common among the AB crowd, but amongst the non-AB crowd....sounds like a good idea.

It's not a good idea, it's a GREAT idea. Only a pity that majority on this forum come from US and it's a bit expensive to fly over there


Still, there is a lot to be found any time at a place called http://www.intervac-online.com
It's a largest vacation house-swapping web (to my knowledge at least ) and quite a number of houses there are accessible and sometimes even equipped. And what's most important, the scheme really WORKS !

[MioaraD]

are there any possibilities out there for the low-budget traveller that are accessible???

Thailand ,Chiang Mai!

[Wheels1974]

Villa in Orlando Florida specifically designed for Wheelchair users (Must be seen)

The information and links on here are PRICELESS. While I have been doing endless hours of research on travelling, I stumbled across this lady (Judith) who is the owner of a beautiful Villa in Orlando Florida. It's a absolute palace, which has a lifting hoist and pool hoist. You can even take virtual tours on the website which literally shows everything as you direct the camera angle in 7 diffrent rooms. The site must be seen to be believed. For ANYONE who is a very high Quadriplegic such as myself or confined to a wheelchair wishing to visit Florida you must check this site out: http://www.blueskiesflorida.com/index.html


P.s. I have posted a thread under "Travel" as I am hoping to visit South of Spain or Panama (Central America) because I'm hoping to move countries in the future. Please check it out ANY help will be GREAT.

Regards
Dean

[ChopperChick]

Just wanted to bump this. Maybe there are some people who have more recommendations!

[ChantillylaceTX]

I threw the swap idea out there before but nothing came of it - South Texas 3bed 2 bath house - I'd love to swap

[J2Extreme]

i love the swap idea. does anyone have any info on accessible places in amsterdam? im thinking of going there this august.

[kevinpatrick]

Just back from Cozumel - got Scuba Certified

Thought I'd put in my two bits 'cause I'm exicted about my trip to Mexico.

Background: T12, travelling with 3 good friends.

Flew directly to Cozumel - piece of cake. No jetway at the airport, but the airport guys were very used to bumping the aisle chair down the stairway. Not my favorite way to go but it worked fine.

Cozumel was amazing. Stayed at Fiesta Americana which has accessible rooms and ramps everywhere (um... as long as you can do a 30 degree incline lol). Even a ramp to the pier and then a few stairs down into the ocean. I bumped down on my butt. Wore a full dive skin for protection and was very glad I had it.

I snorkeled and then took a SCUBA class right at the hotel and then went into the ocean. Great coral and fish 10 feet from the stairs!! Saw eels, 200 pound baracuda, and so many other things

Not all the restaurants bars and shops were accessible but enough were. I've been places (ahem NYC) where my friends spent the whole night carrying me up and down stairs (again, not my favorite way to travel, but better than missing out on a cool place). No need for that in Cozumel. And a big plus: every single street I saw had curb cuts.

We rented a Jeep, which made life easier, cooler, and cheaper than taking taxis everywhere. Avis had automatic transmission jeeps and I brought my portable hand controls.

All in all, highly recommended!

[Mike C]

Got any pics?

[Regine]

www.independentliving.org has an accessible vacation home exchange program. I think it works worldwide. I came across that when I was searching something else and thought it might be of interest here. They also have a program to find assistants worldwide.

[SCI-Nurse]

Just saw an ad in Paraplegia News for this place in Baja that would be especially attractive to those who want to do deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez. Check out the videos available on the site for more detail, and note that they will provide transportation from the Cabo San Lucas International Airport:

http://www.bajaenterprises.com/Access.html

They also offer special deals to disabled veterans and children.

(KLD)

[Moody]

I have been checking out rental homes on www.vrbo.com and am finding that alot of people consider "wheel chair accessible" to be a pull out couch on the first floor and a 1/2 bath. I want to rip each of them a new one. On the other hand, I have found some that are actually accessible (although this is for a manual chair). But if you keep looking, you are likely to find something.

[Moody]

And I know budget travel is an issue with accessibility, but family and luxury travel can also be quite an issue too.

[CowboyCrip]

Vancouver Canada is soooooooooo accessible and has beautiful summer

Totally Agree! I went 4 years ago with my (then g/f ) wife. Monkeygirl, Kiran and others offered up some great advice for our visit and we had a blast. Beautiful! If you are in Vancouver, you HAVE to make the trip to Victoria. Butchart gardens is worth the trip to Victoria a;lone.