Part 2 - Journeying with Care: Travel Tips for Health Conditions

I'm getting ready for a trip, and surprisingly, I'm already packed. I usually pack at the last minute because I'm always busy with something else. But I don't think that's the best approach since I'm often up late, leaving me tired before the trip even starts. I'm guessing that packing early will reduce jet lag.

By the way, jet lag has never really bothered me because I usually catch up on lost sleep during transit.

Example

But I'm curious.

If I learn anything, I'll share it, of course.

This is Part 2 of “Journeying with Care: Travel Tips for Health Conditions.” To read the first part, click here.

This guide is to help those with disabilities, or their loved ones, still enjoy travel. Here are my suggestions:

Visit this CDC website

Before traveling to your destination country, visit this CDC site to learn about the necessary health concerns and which vaccinations you may need before your trip. This will put you in the best position to be prepared if anything were to happen. Be sure to bookmark this site. Link

Airline travel

Traveling on airlines is often easier than other parts of your trip. When booking a ticket, there are usually several options to request a wheelchair or other forms of assistance. When you arrive at the airport, someone will accompany you and stay with you the entire time. Now that’s service!

Two is one and one is none

If you have any chargers or special equipment needed for things like mobility scooters, be sure to bring a second set. It's difficult to replace these items if they break or get lost during your trip.

Focus on single destination trips

I give this advice to all travelers. Traveling is like juggling; the more destinations you add, the harder it is to balance everything like accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing. Therefore, choose a single destination rather than multiple destinations.

Check your accommodation

Check to make sure your hotel has everything you need before booking. You’ll be surprised how many hotels are not accessible, especially in Europe. I would also check if the transportation has the proper equipment, too.

Traveling to Europe

I don’t care what people say, Europe is not the best at accessibility, especially compared to the United States. If you still want to visit Europe, check out this site that gives awards to the most accessible city. Use this site as a starting guide for European travel. Link

Wear a mask

This isn't about making a controversial point. Truth be told, if you're in a crowded airport and your immune system is compromised, you're at high risk of becoming seriously ill. Therefore, if you're in this group, I strongly advise to wear a mask in large crowds. The choice is yours.

Get a specialized tour

If all of this information is too overwhelming, there are tour companies tailored specifically for people with disabilities. I do not have experience with these companies personally so I recommend doing your own research to find the best fit.

• Wheel the World - https://wheeltheworld.com/
• Travel-For-All - https://travel-for-all.com/
• Seable Holidays - https://seable.co.uk/
• The Guided Tour - https://www.guidedtour.com/

I believe everyone should experience the joy of travel. So I hope this guide is helpful.

Keep traveling,

Andrew

What advice do you have for traveling with health conditions?

Cocktail of the Week

The Diplomat cocktail is a classic drink that originated in the United States during the early 20th century, known for its smooth and sophisticated taste.

Recipe:

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 dash orange bitters

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add the gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters.
3. Stir well until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry.

Random Travel Thought

Everyone thinks I have a noble reason for doing this. It’s actually an obsession disguised as a traveling.

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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