Guide Nancy: Your newest book, 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers, offers travelers many different kinds of trip ideas, ranging from relaxing on the beach to scuba diving. What kinds of trips are most popular with wheelers and slow walkers? What new travel opportunities did you discover while writing your book?
Candy Harrington: Well, the whole point of the book was to show folks that they had a lot of choices; that they aren't limited to a specific destination or vacation type just because they are disabled. But yes, there are some tried and true favorites. Cruises and road trips top the list, and Las Vegas consistently gets rave reviews as an accessible vacation destination. They are all covered in the book, but so are options like accessible campgrounds, beaches and even tidepools. My favorite thing though was to explore off the beaten path destinations and find accessible options there – places like Southern New Mexico or Northwest Alabama. And I found some great accessible lodging options too – from cabins and lodges to villas and even hostels. Something for just about everybody.
Guide Nancy: The international trips you suggest in 101 Accessible Vacations sound wonderful. What special concerns should wheelers and slow walkers consider when planning an international vacation?
Candy Harrington: Well, when you travel internationally, in most cases that means a long airplane trip, so you have to be prepared for that. Most wide body jets have larger "accessible" restrooms and they do carry an aisle chair to get you to the restroom, but they won't provide assistance in the restroom. Additionally the accessible restrooms on airplanes are generally a lot smaller than those on land. Some folks have to make alternative arrangements (like wearing a catheter) if they can't use the on-board restroom. And although that a personal choice, it's something that needs to be thought out well in advance.
You also have to realize that access varies around the world. For example, if you travel to a third world country, be prepared to accept physical help, as you won't always find ramps, curb-cuts and accessible vehicles in these places. And even in Europe, access standards are different. For example if you need room with a roll-in shower in Continental Europe you need to ask for an adapted room, rather than an accessible room as you would in the states. In Europe an accessible room only has wide doorways, but lacks bathroom adaptations. Terminology varies around the world.
Guide Nancy: I have to ask. Please tell me more about the section called "Candy and the Volcano."
Candy Harrington: It's not quite as dangerous as it sounds! It's a chapter in the "Candy's Picks" section of 101 Accessible Vacations. That's the section that included some of my favorite finds (including the aforementioned tidepools, some accessible caves, and a great train trip); and "Candy and the Volcano" was all about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the big island of Hawaii. It's a beautiful place and they have some very nice trails and overlooks where you can actually look down into the caldera of the volcano. Now some of the trails are not accessible at all, but many are. I also found a nice little guest house near the park that had an accessible suite. I had a great time there. It's a place where you can see the real natural beauty of Hawaii. I highly recommend it -- especially for Valentine's Day! It's a great romantic escape.
