Tips and Tricks for Slow Walkers and Wheelchair-Users
Travel by its very nature requires a lot of planning and preparation, especially when it includes air travel. Factor a disability into that equation and the complexity increases. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but it does take more planning.
With that in mind — whether you just need an airport wheelchair to get to the gate, or you are a fulltime scooter or wheelchair-user — guest blogger Candy Harrington, the author of several best-selling guide books for disabled travelers, shares her expert tips to help you along in the planning process.
• Educate yourself about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), the US law that governs access on all flights to and from the US. Click here for the latest revisions of the ACAA.
• Choose US carriers for the best access, as some Asian, African and Caribbean carriers have been known to deny boarding to unaccompanied wheelchair-users. If you travel on a foreign carrier, learn the access laws of that country too.
• If you need a non-ticketed escort to accompany you to the gate, advise the airline of this when making your reservation. Your escort will be asked for photo identification and given a security checkpoint pass.
• Allow plenty of extra time to get through security, especially if you wear a prosthesis or use any type of assistive device. Slow walkers should request a wheelchair at check-in. Even if you can walk, it will cut down on the fatigue and standing time.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Ladies, grab your gal-pals, some good summer driving tunes, and prepare to hit the highway with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s new Girls Road Trip package.
resort lobbyValue priced to make it easy on the pocketbook, the package provides the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, relax and have some good old-fashioned fun while enjoying the best of Canada’s breathtaking west coast.
The Girls Road Trip package includes a two-night stay in a one or two-bedroom suite, a complimentary cocktail in the Float Lounge, and choice of Express manicure or pedicure at the newly opened Drift Spa. The package is available this summer from June 19 through September 20 and is priced at $306.00 USD per person in a one-bedroom suite, or $376.00 USD per person in a two-bedroom suite, based on double occupancy and a 1.08 exchange rate.
A road trip wouldn’t be complete without some fun and interesting stops along the way. The journey from Nanaimo to Ucluelet offers numerous opportunities to pull out the camera for some must-have road trip shots including:
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Aficionados of Scottish Whisky can spend their days visiting and touring several of Scotland’s most popular distilleries and themed events while enjoying their evenings (and off days) at one of Connoisseurs Scotland’s 23 distinctive upscale hotel properties. Three of Scotland’s most popular distillery attractions are conveniently located near one or more Connoisseur Scotland property, offering their own reasons to visit:• The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is located close to the Malt Whisky Trail — a 68-mile route through the picturesque glens of Speyside, connecting several of the country’s finest distilleries. The five-star country hotel is offering a “Partner Stay Free” package, allowing a second guest to stay for free when a single rate Executive or Deluxe room is booked Monday-Thursday; the offer includes a full Scottish breakfast and runs through the year. Amenities include world class salmon fishing, championship golf, nearby historic castles, chefs specializing in the best of Grampian produce and a selection of more than 400 wines and 100 malt whiskies.
• “Whisky Live” is a world-wide celebration taking place in cities from Glasgow to Tokyo, bringing together hundreds of different whiskies for tasting by both industry professionals and novices. Hotel du Vin (at One Devonshire Gardens) is the perfect host for those partaking, conveniently located in the fashionable West End of Glasgow. The boutique hotel has walled-in gardens, impeccable service and a new bistro and bar and is offering a free half or whole bottle of Macallan to those booking Standard/Club or Superior rooms, respectively, and a complimentary in-house whisky tasting to those booking suites.
• The Glasshouse, Edinburgh’s five-star boutique hotel - voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 50 hottest hotels - is ideal for those wishing to visit the popular Glenkinchie — the 19th-century distillery known for its highly regarded single malt whisky. The Glasshouse is currently offering three nights for the price of two, with regular prices starting at £185 ($250) per room per night. Built behind the facade of the 150-year-old Lady Glenorchy church, the hotel features a two-acre, lilac-scented roof garden, in-room massages and an impressive whisky selection. The special three-night offer, valid through July, includes full Scottish breakfast for two, a luxury fruit plate, noon checkout and VAT.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
A great guide can make a successful trip just as quickly as an average or sub-par guide can ruin one, says Dan Austin, co-founder and Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), a leading active tour company based in Billings, Montana.
With over 20 years in the business, Austin knows what he’s talking about. ALA was honored this year by the editors of National Geographic Adventure Magazine with its highest accolade as one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.”
Here are the top traits ALA looks for in selecting guides:
1. Focused with laser-like precision on making sure that guests feel like a V.I.P.
2. Naturally intuitive and has the innate ability to foretell what a guest is thinking or wanting.
3. Spontaneous and can seamlessly deal with the unexpected, both pleasant and potentially disastrous. This means having a Plan B ready in case of such things as sudden weather changes, lodging snafus and road delays.
4. Passionate and eager to share his / her knowledge about an unfamiliar destination.
5. Multi-tasks, switching from chauffeur, coach, and doctor, to teacher, culinary wizard, athlete, mechanic, social worker and psychologist, all in a heartbeat..
6. Has sense of humor and can loosen everyone up to break out of their shell, helping to create strong bonds between absolute strangers.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Enroll now for the SATW Digital Photography Institute July 9- 13TOP 10 TIPS FOR BETTER VACATION PHOTOS FROM TRAVEL WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” tips to help travelers take better vacation photos.
“With digital cameras, it has never been easier or cheaper to take top quality vacation photos,” states SATW president and broadcast travel journalist, Bea Broda. “However, there are still some things that travelers can do to help them come back with stunning images of their vacation,” she said.
Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers and photographers, the “Top 10” tips for better travel photos are:
1. Shoot photos early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the sun is overhead and the light is flat. Shooting in early morning and late afternoon will add more color and shadows to your photos, giving more definition to the subject.
“Although morning and late afternoon are considered the best light for making photographs, some exceptions apply. In the Caribbean, for instance, to capture the water at its most electric aquamarine, shoot the seascape from on high, preferably at noon.”— Patricia Borns, maritime and travel writer/photographer
2. Move in close to your subject for impact (too far back and your photo can be too busy). Get close, and then get closer! Fill the frame with your subject.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Win the vacation of a life time. A crewed-yacht charter from the Moorings and 4 round trip tickets to the British Virgin Islands.
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Source: Caribbean Travel + Life
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".