AdaptAbility and Sunset Travel have partnered

AdaptAbility and Sunset Travel are partnering together to bring our clients the best in Disabled Travel. Linda Reitzel has been in the travel business for fifteen years, specializing in travel for those with special needs. She survived a terrible car accident in 1990 which left her broken and brain-damaged. After 13 operations and countless hours of therapy, Linda bought the travel business to help other disabled clients see the World. In the coming months we will be featuring articles from Linda with helpful suggestions on travel for the disabled. Linda can be reached at: 707-542-6270 voice, 707-542-6274 fax, or visit www.sunset-cruises.com.

By Linda Reitzell

Words from Linda

Disabled travel is always a challenge for the traveler and the customer service representative from the travel companies. An exception is a company that specializes in accommodating wheelchairs, one at a time is their preference, but they can do a couple. What I like about them, is that they'll make it work in exotic places from the pyramids of Egypt to Madagascar. I just spoke to the owner this summer who was proud to say they now have a lift van in Costa Rica, to make that amazing area also accessible. They can accommodate the family, so the able-bodied members can accompany the family member or loved one who's confined to the chair and enjoy the scenery and experience the wonders all together.
 
Another company that is consistent is Disney, whether in Orlando or here in California. Obviously those who are wheelchair bound are not going on the rides, but the entertainment venues are accessible and some of the attractions are also. The Disneyland Hotel van is a lift-equipped courtesy van available to guests and also provides transport to the Disney's Vacationland Campground.
 
The hotel tram is available from the monorail station between the hotel and the main entrance. You need to be able to transfer to do this.
 
Those wanting to venture into Africa have several companies that are happy to work with you, accommodating chairs and the visually impaired. One company even has custom-made tents and shower facilities for a safari experience using lift-equipped game drive vehicles. There's a camp in the Luangwa Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Zambia and they offer white water rafting in Victoria Falls.

Special

"What's up with disabled accessible travel?"

Years ago I had the privilege of being visited by the owners of Alaska Welcomes You, a company that specializes in providing tours for disabled travelers to this gorgeous state. Another way to visit, rather than flying, is considering the trip out of San Francisco on the cruise ship Dawn Princess, as I'm currently holding staterooms for the May 21, 2007 trip. The staterooms available are not far from the elevators and a lot larger then the other inside staterooms. The ship also has a lot of public bathrooms that are wheelchair accessible. No flying needed and the views of the inside passage are as spectacular from a chair as they are standing. There is no tendering required so all ports are dockable. Sitka has two wheelchair accessible shore excursions, the Russian American History Tour and the Raptor Center Tour or the Russian American History Tour alone. Juneau has five shore excursions: Mendenhall Glacier and Salmon Hatchery Tour and the Delux Mendenhall Glacier and Salmon Hatchery Tour, Mount Roberts Tramway, Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest (motorcoach), where you're guaranteed to see a whale or a $100.00 refund. In the evening there is a Whale Quest and another excursions available from the Four Glacier Adventure by helicopter. In Skagway there is the White Pass Scenic Railway or travel down the street and see the various shops and sites. In Victoria there are Grand City Drive & Empress Tea, Butchart & Butterfly Gardens, Butchart Gardens, Wine & Chocolate, Dominion Observatory Experience, and City Lights. I'd love to book some of my fellow wheelchair users on this cruise, and would love to hear from anyone with an interest so I can send off a brochure. Right now this is one of the few itineraries out of San Francisco and very do-able for those of us in the No. Bay.
 
Happy trails!
 
Helping you find your favorite corners of the world. My number is 707-542-6270

Testimonials

Bill and I had the most fantastic time on our first coach tour last summer! Linda arranged a 20 day Brendan Tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and some of Wales. We loved traveling with Julian Cleary, the fantastic, "very British" tour director. He was a combination of interesting history teacher, comedian and organizer extraordinaire. Bill commented that our bus driver was the best he had ever seen. Everything flowed very smoothly from the hotels and luggage pickup in the mornings to the lovely dinners which were often included. There were 39 fellow travelers on our bus who enriched our experience. We learned so much from people from Australia, other countries, and the U.S. Often, it felt like we were on one long party bus for over 50's. People ask me what my favorite place was and I answer that every day was like Christmas with new presents. How can you say you preferred Buckingham Palace to Stonehenge or Edinburgh to the Highlands of Scotland? At the end, I was struck by the breadth of the cities and countryside we took in. See Linda to book your Brendan tour! 

Marlene

Please use this web page link with any suggestions or comments you may have as this travel page is for you! Also, let us know what articles you would like to see on Exploring the Bay Area. The e-mail address is info@adaptabilityca.com