GrootTravels

17/11/2022

04 accessible travel myths debunked!

1️⃣ People with disability don't want to travel or can't travel

Fun fact, people with disabilities take around 720 million trips in Europe. So that statement is obviously not true. It is more difficult to travel but that doesn’t stop most people from traveling.

2️⃣ Only people in wheelchairs need accessibility

Not only wheelchair users need accessibility.
Old people, blind, deaf, caregivers and able-bodies people can all benefit from accessibility.

3️⃣ People with disabilities can only stay in 'wheelchair accessible' rooms

They can stay in any type of room depending on the mobility of the person with the disability. This is why it is important to explain how accessible a hotel is because what is accessible for one can’t be accessible for another.

4️⃣ People with disabilities always need help or the caregiver is always there to help.

People with disabilities can be independent and don't always rely on help from surroundings or their caregiver. Accessibility is important because they want to keep their independence when they travel. Otherwise they would have to ask for help which can become frustrating.

Save this as a reminder!

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities. (link in bio)

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

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09/03/2022

Time for a game! Let’s play bingo!

How many of these boxes could you cross?

Swipe to see if we have a full bingo card 👀

Save this so you can play it later!

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities. (link in bio)

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

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14/02/2022

3 reasons why you need travel insurance!

1️⃣ To cover medical expenses

Getting sick is not on anyones to do list while traveling but unfortunately it happens.
From broken bones to attracting some virus, even a small visit to a local physician can become very expensive.
The travel insurance will cover either most of the extra cost or all the cost. This depends on which country you have the travel insurance, and how elaborate your insurance is. Make sure to check this before leaving your country.

2️⃣ You will get your money back..

Having your flight canceled or because of a delay you miss your connecting flight? the travel insurance makes sure that you are either compensated or they will get your money back.

3️⃣ Reimbursement of lost items

What if your phone or laptop get stolen? Choose in your travel insurance that you also want to be covered to a your chosen amount when items get stolen. This way you can get half or the full price back from your stolen item.

They also help you if important documents like your passport get stolen.

Conclusion!

Invest in some travel insurance to feel more secure while traveling!

NOTE: Some travel insurance to not cover covid cost in some countries. This is different per Insurance and from which country you are from. Always check if you are covered or not.

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

04/02/2022

The top 5 budget travel tips!

Book your stay on time:

Time is an important factor in budget traveling. All accommodations become more expensive when it is traveling season, but when you decide to travel outside the season it becomes very cheap.
Next to deciding when you travel it is also important that you book in time. Sometimes booking 2/3 months ahead can have a big difference in the price than if you book 2 weeks a head.

Stay outside the city centre, but close to public transportation

Location is the second important factor in budget traveling.
When visiting a city changes are that the accommodations in the centre are more expensive than the ones outside the centre.

1. How expensive is the public transportation? Sometimes it's cheaper to stay in the centre than traveling with public transportation to the centre.
2. Would it be cheaper to rent a car for longer period? Also calculate the fuel cost here.
3. With how many people are you going? Maybe the accommodation in the centre is more expensive but cheaper when you divide the price among the people that are going with you.

Book a apartment or hostel

Great way to safe money is by cooking at your own place. Try booking an apartment or a hostel where you have access to a kitchen so you can make your own meals.

Pack well

Paying extra at the airport for your luggage can really cut your budget.
Weigh your luggage before leaving to make sure you do not exceed the weight limit, and pay beforehand if you know you need more than the weight given to you.

Listen to the locals

Places that are known for being touristy will always price their services, food and products higher.

In Playa del Carmen you can easily pay €15,- for 5 taco's at fifth avenue but when you go to a local place you only pay €5,- for the same taco's, and maybe they even taste better than the more expensive ones.
Locals know these places very well because they eat there. Ask them where you should go and listen to them!

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

31/01/2022

Expectations VS Reality

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by trying to find a hotel room that fits your accessibility needs?

Other online travel agencies and hotels use the term 'wheelchair accessible' a lot. But I can tell you that the meaning of 'wheelchair accessible' is very different per company.

We notice when we do our accessibility scans that some hotels find their hotel wheelchair accessible when there is an elevator in the hotel and when the room is a bit bigger than the other rooms. The rules of accessibility that is mandatory is also different per country.

At GrootTravels we don't really believe in the term 'wheelchair accessible' anymore.

Instead of saying that hotels are wheelchair accessible we describe exactly what the accessibility amenities are in a hotel so that you can decide if it's accessible enough for you!

This means that your research time will be shorter and you don’t have to worry if the information is correct or not because we go to the hotel and see the accessibility for ourselves, we than take pictures and make a clear accessibility report which you can find on GrootTravels.com! These visits are called accessibility scans!

Did you know that you can help us and other travelers?
Keep an eye on our page because this week we will reveal how you can help us with your travel knowledge!

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

26/01/2022

Values of GrootTravels!

1. Fun
2. Honest communication
3. Diversity & inclusion
4. Trust
5. Impact

—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

21/01/2022

What you should look out for while traveling!

🌐 Using public wifi 
Most cities are offering free wifi in public areas now! This can be nice if you don't have data and you need to look up something, but did you also know that they can steal your data?
If you log in to any of your personal accounts while using the public wifi, they can see that and keep that information.
We recommend for you to use the public wifi only when it's absolutely necessary and don't log in to any personal accounts while using it.

💳 Creditcard or debit card
Always use a creditcard for booking airline tickets or a hotel room! This way you know that you will get your money back when the flight or hotel is being canceled!
Some creditcards also offer travel insurance. Basically you are more safe using your creditcard than using your debit card.
Your credit card will also be accepted in most countries.

❌ Potential scammers
Scamming can happen in different form.

The most common situations are:
A broken taxi meter, so they can ask for more money
Street vendors giving you 'free' products.
Someone helping you at the ATM.
Faking certain damage on a rental car or scooter.
People selling fake tickets.


💡 Solutions
- Only use public wifi to look up something on google or for GPS.
- Get a creditcard; Mastercard has many options for travelers.
- Book a taxi through a known platform. (again with a creditcard)
- If that is not possible book a taxi beforehand through a known company
- Don't buy anything from street vendors (this depends on which country)
- Have a good travel insurance that helps you when your belongings are stolen
- Buy tickets only through known companies, or online.
- Always take pictures of your rental car before use and after.
This way you always have proof.



—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

17/01/2022

How do caregivers experience traveling?

"Planning a vacation is just too much work for us, so we decided to only do day trips in our own country."

This is just one of many examples that happen more often than you think.
In Germany alone 37% of people with physical disabilities and their care givers decide not to travel because of accessibility amenities not being there or it being too hard to find.

" I am feeling extra cautious from the moment I leave my house to the hotel room. Just to make sure everything goes according to plan."

Stress is still a major factor even during the vacation.
Some people even experience it so much that they decide to return to the same vacation address every year because they just know for sure that they are at the right place and don't have to worry about anything.

“We don't want to go with one of those group vacations. We are a family with kids. We want to choose our own vacation, so that they can enjoy it as well.”

choosing a destination and hotel might be difficult sometimes, but it is what most families want. Not everyone wants to travel with a big group of people, but rather just want to spend time with their family alone.

These are some experiences we have heard of many times, so we wanted to highlight them. 


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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

14/01/2022

Get to know Barcelona!

🥉 Barcelona came in third for the 2022 Access Awards, not surprising because Barcelona is actually known for their accessibility!

🏛 Almost all museums and public areas have accessibility amenities so that you can explore it care-free.

♿️ It’s a great place to visit when you use a wheelchair and as caregiver!

—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

12/01/2022

What are you looking for?

Tours
Hotels
Activities

Do you like to book your own hotels or do you prefer a detailed travel itinerary already made for you?

Let us know in the comments!

—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

07/01/2022

Get to know Paris!

Paris is a beautiful city that has much to offer for every tourist!

Did you know that the Louvre (building on page 5)
offers assistance for people with physical disabilities, people with hearing/ visual impairments and people with development and learning issues?

Visitors with physical disabilities:

Wheelchairs, folding chairs and canes with rubber tips are lent free of charge. Enquire at the Help Desk beneath the Pyramid. Equipment is available in exchange for a piece of ID. Lent equipment must not leave the Louvre premises. Please note that canes with metal tips are not allowed in the museum.

Visitors with hearing/ visual impairments:

For visitors with assistive listening devices, hearing loops are installed beneath the Pyramid, at the Information Desk, automated ticketing machines, group reception area, the Help Desk, and in the Auditorium.

Visitors with developmental and learning disabilities:

Folding chairs and SensoryBags (kits containing material for people with sensory impairments: noise-cancelling headphones, eye bands, etc.) are available free of charge. Material is available in exchange for a piece of ID. Lent material must not leave the Louvre.

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☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

05/01/2022

Top 5 benefits of travelling !

1. It makes you happier.
2. Traveling exposes you to new things.
3. You make new friends.
4. It relaxes you.
5. Traveling can boost your creativity.

What do you like about travelling?
Let us know in the comments!

—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

29/12/2021

This or that!

Summer or winter?

Solo travel or group travel?

Let us know what you prefer!


—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

27/12/2021

Choose GrootTravels for a care-free booking experience!


—
☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

22/12/2021

You are the accessibility expert and the hotels need you!

Ever been to a hotel and thought to yourself that if they just changed a few small things, your stay would have been perfect? Or maybe thought to yourself that the hotel was nothing like you hoped and you wished a lot of things would change, for example an extra ramp at the door or a shower bench instead of a chair.

Don’t hold back and let us know in the comments what you would like to see different in hotels when it comes to accessibility!

Be as concrete as possible!

Do you like sharing your experience?

We are now building a Facebook community where you can share more of your experiences, and help other people that love to travel.

Click on the link in the bio and become part of this private facebook group!

☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new accessible travel opportunities.

💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

17/12/2021

4 questions and 4 answers

❔What should I look out for while searching for hotels?

We recommend to always check if there are reviews written about the hotel you want to stay at.

❔What are accessibility mistakes made by hotels?

At GrootTravels we believe that the biggest mistake made by hotels is that they don't put the right accessibility information on their website.

❔What does GrootTravels do to make the experience better?

GrootTravels describes the accessibility in hotels thoroughly by showing pictures, videos and measurements, in combination with well written reviews by our scouts.

❔How does GrootTravels know that hotels are adapted for wheelchairs?

All the verified hotels on GrootTravels.com have been visited by our scouts This way we make sure that the accessibility information is correct.

☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover the new travel opportunities.
💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

15/12/2021

Discover Porto without limits!

🚠 Teleférico de Gaia
A cable car ride from the Gaia riverside to the upper platform of the D. Luis bridge. A one way ticket is 6,- and retour is 9,- and they even give you a free port tasting voucher with every ticket. They can slow the car down or stop it completely so that your wheelchair can safely enter the car.

👩‍🦽Historic sight tour
Porto is full oh historic buildings; for example the Clerigos tower you see on the picture. Other impressive buildings around the city are the churches like chapel of souls or the Church of Carmelitas and Church of Carmo. ``````A walking tour through the city is highly recommended to get a feel of the city. Keep in mind that there are a lot of cobble stones in the city.

🌉 Visit the 6 famous bridges
The D. Luis bridge is a historic sight that you have to see! But there are 5 more famous award winning bridges in Porto. You can see all 5 in one go by doing the 6 bridge tour. Prices start at 15,- euros. For a wheelchair boat ride you have to book in advance and mention that you are in a wheelchair. Note some boats don’t allow electric wheelchairs on board.

🍽 Food tour through the city!
Have you ever heard of a Francesinha? It's a sandwich with different kinds of meat, covered with cheese with tomato or beer sauce. The locals love it! Don't overpay at the tourist places, but go to a local restaurant instead! You can get a full dinner for 5,- at Cafe Almada. Dietary is not een issue in Porto, there are even some spots that offer vegetarian or vegan options!

🍷 Port tasting on the Gaia riverside
The Gaia riverside is known for their Port storage. There are multiple places where you can go for a port tasting with a local dish next to it for a minimal price of 7 euros. You can sit inside or outside for the port tasting. Unfortunately most of the restaurants that offer the post tastings don’t have the right accessibility amenities, so we recommend to do the port tasting outside.

☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover the opportunities.
💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

10/12/2021

Discover Mexico City without limits!

These 5 popular hotspots are a must see when visiting Mexico City, but most important, these are also great for in a wheelchair!

1. The Zócalo is the second biggest plaza in the world and everyday they rise the national flag of Mexico. A must see and easy access for wheelchairs. The plaza is wide and flat and has drop-down curbs at crosswalks. Keep in mind that, because of earthquakes, you have to watch out while riding your wheelchair.

2. Palacio de Belles Artes is the cultural center of Mexico City. It has held important exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and photography. Aside that, the biggest attraction are the murals. The entrance is adapted for wheelchairs and elevators can take you to the third level.

3. While wandering along the Paseo de la Reforma, there is the indepence monument. Also known as the angel of indepence. It is the most significant symbol of Mexico city. Because it is along the Paseo de la Reforma , there are wide sidewalks so enough space for riding around in a wheelchair. Keep in mind that, because of earthquakes, you have to watch out while riding your wheelchair.

4. The Metropolitan Cathedral is located next to the Zócalo. It is one of the most important buildings in Mexico City's historical center. The cathedral was built on the remains of an Aztec temple. At the front of the cathedral there are 2 wheelchair adapted entries.

5. This skyscraper used to be the highest skyscraper in Mexico City. It is a must see if you want to have a terrific view of the city. An elevator can take you up to the 42nd floor, the 43th and the 44th floor are not adapted for wheelchairs.

☀️Choose GrootTravels.com and discover new travel opportunities.
💭Want to be in a like-minded community? Join our private Facebook group and share your experiences!

15/04/2021

In this episode of the BeBrave podcast, Grace talks with Sonia about how to contribute to a world that does not disable people with a disability.
👉🏾 Wednesday April 21, 2021 at 3pm (CET)

It appears as society still struggles with creating an inclusive world for people with disabilities, which makes it more difficult to do the same on an individual level.

Grace and Sonia will address the changes and the awareness made in the industry. In particular, Sonia will explain how her company GrootTravels empower people with physical disability to travel and explore the world more easily ☀️

16/06/2020

DNA van GrootTravels

INCLUSIVITEIT:
GrootTravels is een platform waar we naar volledige inclusiviteit werken.

ALTRUISME:
GrootTravels is er voor de mensen met een lichamelijke beperking!
Onze visie, Een wereld toegankelijk voor iedereen staat altijd voorop

EERLIJK:
We zetten de behoeftes van de reizigers voorop. Het advies dat wij geven is op maat gemaakt.

DUIDELIJKHEID:
Weg met de onduidelijke informatie die je overal en nergens kan vinden.
GrootTravels verwerkt alle informatie over jou reis op een duidelijke manier in een persoonlijke reisgids.

14/04/2020

Welke vakantie bestemmingen staan er bij jou op je lijst?

09/04/2020

En we zijn online!

GrootTravels helpt mensen met lichamelijke beperkingen de wereld verkennen.
We doen dit doormiddel van de juiste toegankelijkheid informatie aan te bieden op een reis platform.

[email protected]
Groottravels.com

27/03/2020

05/03/2020