Wheelchair Accessible Athens, Greece, Acropolis, Crete, Canada, Hamburg, Germany, Florence, Italy, Amalfi Coast

GLOBAL ACCESS NEWS TRAVEL E-ZINE
VOLUME V, NUMBER 7, July 2004
Copyright © 2004, Global Access News
http://www.globalaccessnews.com/

Please note: Any Internet links mentioned in this E-Zine were verified as functioning as of the date on this E-Zine. Websites and e-mail addresses, however, change frequently, so changes may have occurred after that date.

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Welcome to the July 2004 issue of the Global Access News Travel E-Zine. If you’re heading for Greece or Italy, this issue is full of access information for those countries. Thanks to the influx of Olympic visitors, Greece is upgrading its facilities for disabled people, and their country will be more accessible than ever. Please keep your travel tips and insights coming in so we can share with other travelers.

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CONTENTS

1. ATHENS: ACROPOLIS ELEVATOR
2. GREECE: DISABLED SAILING HOLIDAYS
3. CRETE: VILLA CATANI
4. U.S. & CANADA: COTTAGE PORTALS
5. HAMBURG ACCESS
6. ITALY: FLORENCE & THE AMALFI COAST

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1. ATHENS: ACROPOLIS ELEVATOR PLANNED

For thousands of years, The Acropolis in Athens, Greece has remained inaccessible to disabled travelers, but that’s about to change. Just in time for the September 2004 Paralympics (September 17-28), a temporary elevator will be installed on the north side of the famous landmark, and a permanent elevator is also planned. Athens’ businesses and hotels are still in the process of access renovations, but their efforts will be greatly appreciated by the throngs of disabled people participating in the Paralympics, and future disabled visitors.

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2. GREECE: DISABLED SAILING HOLIDAYS

Sailing the Greek islands is now a reality for disabled people, thanks to the Herculean efforts of Disabled Sailing Holidays, located in Athens, Greece. Their specially designed boats provide many access and safety features that enable disabled guests to sleep aboard comfortably and experience the joys of sailing. Guests can use their own wheelchairs aboard and airplane aisle chairs provide access to the downstairs bathrooms and cabins.

Owner, Elisabeth Katsigiannis explains, “Our yachts are uniquely designed to allow open access to all living and sailing areas during the day. Access from the dock is easy as the saloon level is always at the level of the dock. While sailing our guests can enjoy the view in the comfort and protection of our unique saloon deckhouse. It shelters them from the heat, wind, rain or sea spray. Our all-inclusive sailing holidays, for able and disabled people, operate in the Saronic and Argolic islands where the weather conditions are ideal. We are choosing ports, islands, and visits to archaeological places and museums that disabled people can also enjoy.

Visit their web page at http://www.disabledsailingholidays.com/easy_access.htm
to view photos of their access features and discover more about their programs.

Write Elisabeth with any access questions at
dryachting@hotmail.com
Or write
Mangos Antonis,
19 Esperou str, 17561,Palaio
Phaliro, Athens, Greece,
http://www.disabledsailingholidays.com/home.htm

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3. CRETE: VILLA CATANI

Villa Catani set amidst the beauty of Chania, Crete, is now available for disabled visitors.

The villa, owned and operated by Katerina and Kostas, provides level entrances to the ground floor studio, west bedroom and games room. Entrance to the main floor is accessible from the parking area, as well as from the dinning terrace by the kitchen and by the open-air tower's deck. The upper floor is accessed only with the lift, which necessitates a step down and the use of a portable wooden ramp.

There are two accessible washrooms, which include a roll-in shower on the ground floor level and a bathroom on the main floor. Both have 45cm high toilettes (with 8 cm added lids), accessible washbasins, and gripping bars. The bath-lid is 53cm high. The small step at its entrance is accessed by a portable wooden ramp. The ground floor's newly installed roll-in shower room has a 90cm wide door that opens outwards and outside the washbasin.

The main floor's bedroom and bathroom, which were specially designed to facilitate the needs of the couple’s daughter, Stella, who has Cerebral Palsy, have doors that open outwards and are wider.

A lift provides access to all floors. It has 80cm X 110cm free space, but must be used only for guests with mobility problems and their assistants and at their own responsibility.

A curving, slopping path leads to the pool, but a pool-hoist has not yet been installed.

Write Katerina & Kostas to learn more about their villa and discover the accessible attractions of Crete.

To learn more about the Villa Catani, visit
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/greece/Gr7.htm

Or contact Katerina and Kostas at
kkoubiadis@dpem.tuc.gr

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4. HAMBURG ACCESS

If you’re visiting Hamburg, Germany, this comprehensive site provides disabled access information for the city, including accommodations (hotel, B&B, apartments, youth hostels) and visitor tips, transportation, dining and sightseeing. Don’t miss the downloadable brochures under “Tips” that provide an access guide to the city and a list of wheelchair accessible public bathrooms.http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/HH_for_Handicapped_P.1151+B6Jkw9MQ__.0.html

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5. U.S. & CANADA: COTTAGE PORTALS

If you’re seeking an accessible rental in the U.S. or Canada, consider filtering through the available cottages, condominiums, chalets, cottage resorts and vacation apartments listed on Cottage Portals. You can further filter among the disabled accommodations you've already found and search for other results based on price, size, lakefront access, pets, and children. http://www.cottageportal.com/

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6. ITALY: FLORENCE & THE AMALFI COAST

In 2001, Albert Elias and his friend, Susan, visited two of Italy's jewels: the Amalfi Coast and Florence before moving on to London, England. In Part I, come along as they navigate the scenic beauty and the often-inaccessible landmarks of Amalfi and Tuscany. Albert has Cerebral Palsy and used a manual wheelchair to enhance his travel mobility.
http://www.globalaccessnews.com/florenceamalfi04.htm

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Global Access News welcomes your travel reports, tips and comments at clearpath@cox.net Thanks for sharing!

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