Your accessibility needs will depend on the type of disability that you have but here are some aspects you may want to consider and a good travel agent would mention:

• Accessible hotel room – Are there steps at the entrance?  How wide is the elevator?  How wide is the bathroom door?  Can a wheelchair be rolled into the shower and positioned next to the toilet?  Don’t trust a travel agent that only tells you they have arranged for an “accessible hotel”….if they can’t give you more details than that, you run the risk of arriving at a hotel that does not meet your needs!
• Getting to the hotel – Will you be taking a normal taxi?  A taxi with a wheelchair ramp?  An accessible bus?  An accessible train?
• Accessibility at the tourist sights – Which museums have steps to enter?  Which palaces have no elevator to get upstairs?  Which ancient ruins have uneven ground that is too difficult for people with wheelchairs or canes?  If the travel agency can not answer these questions for you, you might spend a lot of energy getting to a tourist attraction that you can’t actually visit.
• Getting around the city – How hilly is the city?  How prevalent are cobblestones?  Are they mild cobblestones or severe cobblestones?  How far are the tourist sights from each other? Which Metro stations have elevators?  Which bus routes have busses with wheelchair ramps?  Where can you find taxis with wheelchair ramps?

If a travel agent does not mention these details from the outset, you will probably encounter some difficulties on their trips.

Other disabled travel agents are very knowledgeable about planning accessible holidays, but may know very little about the destination you want to visit.  Consequently, they won’t be able to make helpful recommendations on what you should do while you’re there. Your best option for selecting a disabled travel agent is to find someone who understands the needs of disabled travelers, can customize the trip, and is knowledgeable about the destination.

If you are interested in traveling to Australia, consider using the Last Minute Flights.  Our agents have traveled extensively through Europe and understand the accessibility challenges you are likely to encounter.  We will customize your trip to take into account your particular interests, abilities, and energy level. You will see the sights that you want to see at the pace you want to move at.

Crime is a fact throughout the world. In most of the places, tourists are targeted for theft. To have a safe and pleasant vacation, it is a must to follow the safety travel tips. If you tend to over pack, then it becomes a problem from the very start itself. It is important to travel light in order to reduce hassle and stress. Traveling light helps you be free to move around without worrying about your baggage. It is smart to avoid wearing Expensive-looking jewelry. It is a wise idea to put your valuables in various places rather than all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Don’t use shortcuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. Never discuss your travel plan with strangers. Avoid wandering through unfamiliar areas alone, always remain alert.

It is important to stay healthy throughout your trip to make your trip more enjoyable. It is quiet common to fall sick when you are traveling to a new place. Traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body hasn’t been used to. Be aware of endemic diseases and have appropriate shots and pills with you. Before leaving, rest as much as possible to speed up the recovery period. In addition, try to have a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and stay well hydrated. It is better to drink bottled water, also avoid eatables from road side vendors.

Missing home and the various other things that were important to you before you left is normal and is part of the transition into a new country and new culture. It can be especially hard if the culture of the country you have moved to is really different to what you were used to.

In the first few months or even the first year, you may feel as if you have lost your identity. Having this state of mind can amplify the feelings of missing home. Back home, people knew you and knew your personality. It may feel like you have to rebuild your identity. In some respects you have to, but it is important to remember why you moved to a new country in the first place. Maybe you wanted a fresh start in life. Grasp the opportunity this fresh start has given you. You could even give your personality a makeover and be someone new.

Dealing with missing home, friends and family can be made that much easier, but it takes effort. One of the important aspects you can do is to plan. Plan to make calls to friends and loved ones. Plan not to be alone. Don’t let yourself be alone too much as this is not good for your morale. Invite the new friends you make to spend time with you. Arrange for your family and friends back home to come and visit as much as possible. By being proactive and planning, you will have something to look forward to and this helps with the thoughts of missing home.

In this modern age of communications, there are many ways to keep in touch. Telephone, email, Internet chat and even via web cam video. Grasp the technology and get it working in your favor. You may feel that you are missing out on things at home, but imagine what a video of your nieces birthday party would do for you. Sure it would probably make you miss home, but you would still feel very much a part of what is happening back home and have not been forgotten.

Learn to fit in with the new culture you have found yourself in. Forget that back home you would celebrate Christmas like this, or would eat this on a Sunday. You are not at home so learn to live like the locals. Once you accept that the world around you is different, maybe then you will learn to live with it and feel part of something again. Perhaps that is when you can start to deal with missing home.

Missing home is difficult to overcome, but with effort, friends, a social life and enthusiasm to fit into this new life, it can be easier to deal with.

1. Research on your destination.

Before making your bookings, don’t forget to make a research on your destination. Research on the tourist spots on your destination so that you can plan your itinerary beforehand. Also, research on your destination’s culture, food, dress code and gestures to avoid so that you won’t be out of place when you get there. Researching the weather and climate of your destination would also help you in what kind of clothes to pack.

2. Pack light.

Don’t bring your entire wardrobe on your destination. Try to pack light so that you’ll have enough space for souvenirs and other stuff. This is also to avoid extra charges in airports and other terminals.

3. Stack up on your medicines.

Don’t forget to pack your medicines and always place them on your hand carry luggage. Also, bring some motion sickness medicines to avoid getting dizzy and sick while traveling.

4. Exchange money with the currency of your destination.

Always have some local currency of your destination before traveling. This is for your cab fares, snacks, and other stuff that might come about while you’re traveling. Avoid carrying loads of cash though. Having an ATM card or a credit card would be better than carrying lots of cash on hand.

5. Confirm your bookings.

Before leaving, especially if you’re leaving for another country, don’t forget to confirm your hotel, flight details, car rentals, and other bookings. This is to avoid major problems on the day of your trip.

6. Keep track of your expenses.

While traveling, always keep track of your expenses. This is for your reference if ever you plan to return to the place again in the future. This way, you could have a good estimate of how much you it will cost you for such vacation.

7. Take lots of pictures.

Make your trip memorable by taking lots of pictures. This way, even if you’re back at home, you’ll still have lots of things to reminisce on your trip.

1 – Your Passport

Of course, but if you like to collect stamps in your passport, you’ll have to ask…

2 – A Little French

Yes, it is true that many Europeans speak English… But you’re in France, after all, and you’ll go a long way in avoiding the famed “snootiness” of the French if you learn -and use – some basic French phrases… They’ll love to help you as you stumble along in really bad French!

3 – A Map…

If nothing else, you can stand there, hopelessly lost on a Parisian street corner, and stare at your map… someone is sure to offer to help. Make sure you say “Bonjour and Merci…”

4 – An Umbrella…

“April in Paris” sounds romantic. It’s an American myth that April in Paris is the loveliest time to visit. May is better, but always expect some rain and always be prepared for changeable weather! The sun might be shining when you leave your Paris Hotels, but it might start raining any time!.

5 – Something besides jeans and sneakers...

That’s fine for walking around and seeing the sights of Paris. But when dining out, show respect for the dining experience that the French take so seriously. Dress for dinner, and you’re likely to get treated a lot better (remember those few French phrases you learned on the plane ride over…)

6 – Your Cigarettes…

Are you a smoker? Then you’ll love Paris! Smoking is allowed pretty much everywhere… If you’re not smoker, then you’ll just have to put up with the second hand smoke… Don’t even THINK of complaining about it!

7 – A Sense of Adventure…

Ahh… Paris, the City of Lights; the City of Love… All around are wonders of culture and history. Be a little curious and adventurous and you’ll find no lack of wonderful things to see, do, and enjoy. Paris is arguably the most beautiful city in Europe; enjoy its wonders with a sense of adventure…