Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Info for trips outside of Italy-:Amsterdam, Netherlands - Part 1 for disabled / handicapped - Part 1 for disabled / handicapped travelers

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 DECEMBER 2015)


Here are some links for trips outside of Italy - Amsterdam, Netherlands  - Part 1 for disabled / handicapped travelers:

   PERSONAL COMMENT ABOUT THIS BLOG ENTRY
 
I am an individual who has Parkinson's Disease, I use a walker and a wheel chair to get around. I will be traveling to Amsterdam in December, 2015 with my wife, Martha AKA Missy.  For the trip to Amsterdam, I will have my wheel chair and a mobility scooter that I will be renting while I am in this city. 

I will be updating this blog entry regularly with the information that I found on the web and with personal comments / observations about some of the web sites mentioned below and on my own experiences that I find as I explore this city.  These  personal comments will be identified as "PC" and will be marked in "red".

I challenge the readers of this blog entry to make it better by adding their comments as a handicapped / disabled individual about their respective visits to Amsterdam or on their living experiences about this city. I wish to thank all those individuals in advance for your assistance, comments and cooperation  in this matter.

************ END OF PERSONAL COMMENT ********

INFORMATION: AMSTERDAM
  • AccessibleAmsterdam (website) – "" – Source: web site  – "" – In Dutch, English
  • Disabled Holidays in Amsterdam – "Amsterdam is a fantastic city to explore - by bicycle in particular, if you are able. The walkways are wide and straight, the bridges over the canals are gentle slopes, the squares are bustling and the gardens are peaceful havens. It’s a great place to people watch, to buy gifts, to watch street entertainers or to absorb some culture. There’s over fifty museums in Amsterdam to visit, the weather is mild, the Dutch are mild mannered and the transport is accessible. If you’re thinking of booking a disabled friendly Amsterdam holiday, there’s no need for Dutch courage: just contact us and discuss your requirements!" – "About Us" – Source: DiscoverHolidays.com – " travel without limits"
  • I amsterdam – "Explore Amsterdam | Things to do  | What's on | I amsterdam City Card |
    Plan your trip" – "About" – Source: web site – "Your guide to visit, enjoy, live, work & invest in Amsterdam." – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish  
    • Disabled travellers – "Amsterdam is a hospitable city and the accessibility of public buildings, public transport and parking facilities for visitors with various forms of disability is taken very seriously." – "" –
  • NETHERLANDS – "ADVENTURES" – by Nancy and Nate Berger – Source: The Disabled Travelers Guide to the World – "DISABLED? WANT TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE THE WORLD? HERE'S HOW" 
  • Notes for the Disabled in the Netherlands – "Overview of the facilities, organisations and support available for people with mobility, sight or hearing impairments in Holland..." – "There are many reasons why people move away from their home country: career opportunities, temporary expat job assignments, study, retirement, an improved quality of life, family commitments, second-home ownership or permanent emigration. Whatever the reason for moving, life in a new place can be unusual, complicated or just difficult. Whether you have been living abroad for ten years or you are just thinking about moving, AngloINFO is here to give you dependable support - whenever and wherever you need it." – Source: Angloinfo® – "the global expat network" – Amsterdam – "Everything you need for life in Amsterdam - local information you can trust"
INFORMATION: FOR DISABLED / HANDICAPPED TRAVELERS
    • Disabled Travel – "Travel by people with disabilities, also known as "disabled travel" or "accessible travel," is on the rise. The travel industry is waking up to disabled travelers' special needs by providing more services and greater accommodation. Meanwhile, the sheer abundance of information on accessible travel is astounding -- much of it generated by disabled travelers themselves." – "About Us" – Source: Found in the Senior Travel subsection within the Travel Tips section on the IndependentTraveler.com® – "Travel Tips, Trip Planning and Discount Travel"
    • The Disabled Travelers Guide to the World – ". . . The Guide shows you how to plan successful trips, avoiding so many of the obstacles you would otherwise have to face. It offers tips on how to upgrade hotel rooms; how to bargain like a native at the souks, bazaars and street markets. How to hire the best guides for the least money, and so much more. You will love it!" – by Nancy and Nate Berger – Source: web site – ""
      • Plans & Tips for Disabled Travelers – "To build anything, you need a foundation. For the foundation of your trip, you must consider these important things:"
        • Disabled Travel Tips for Airlines – "Airlines Travel Tips" – "It is so important that we want to repeat what we suggested in the first section of this site: Whatever else you take, when you travel with disabilities, have documents that verify you are "special needs". Get a letter on a doctor's letterhead stationery stating you are disabled, need to have an electric scooter, require disposable paper goods- whatever. Get it certified or authenticated- and don't try to cheat or use forgeries."
        • Disabled Travel Tips for Cruises – "Cruises Travel Tips" – ". . . All cruises are not the same. And paying more money for a "luxury cruise" is not necessarily a guaranteed solution for the problems of traveling disabled. The pleasure you will obtain, the memories you will experience, the frustration you will endure, the mistakes you will avoid- all these are in direct proportion to the effort, energy, and attention to detail YOU make in pre-planning. . ."
        • Hotel, Taxi, and Tour Travel Tips  – "Point is: If you have a problem, talk to someone with the authority to do what you need to have done. In most situations, the front desk clerk does not have the power to bring about changes." 
        • Items to Take – "Items for Disabled Travelers to Take When Traveling"
      •  CHAPTERS
        • Forward – "The World famous Taj Mahal in all its splendor, is visited yearly by millions of people from around the globe. There is no reason you should not be one of those visitors!. . ."
        • Chapter 1 – "The Story of  Nancy"
        • Chapter 2 – "Snowflakes"
        • Chapter 3 – "The Spirit of Cooperation"
        • Chapter 4 – "Attitude"
        • Chapter 5 – "Just Say "NO"
        • Chapter 6  – "About Wheelchairs" – "Did you notice Nancy's wheelchair in the picture of the two of us at the Taj Mahal? . . ."
        • Chapter 7 – "Breaking The Ice"
        • Chapter 8  – "About Tour Guides" – "How to get 50 times more out of your trip"
        • Chapter 9 – "Stairways To Paradise"
        • Chapter 10  – "Secrets To Upgrades" – "How we pre-paid $175/night in Tokyo, and up in the Imperial Suite- at no extra charge."
        • Chapter 11  – "From First Floor to Penthouse and Other Screw-ups"
        • Chapter 12  – "About Bargaining and Negotiating" – "My wife LOVES to shop. . ."
        • Chapter 13 – "About Cameras" – "I am not a professional photographer but I do have an "eye for good shots. . ."
        • Chapter 14 – "Some of Our Most Outstanding Memories" – "It’s funny, but when we travel, people will come over to chat with us, and when they learn we are Americans, they will straighten themselves up a little then declare, "Oh, yes, we have been in America. . ."
        • Chapter 15 – "INSPIRATIONS"
        • Chapter 16 – "Some Final Words"
    • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
    ARTICLES
    • Accessible Travel to Amsterdam – ""  –  "About us" – Source: Sage Traveling – "The European Disabled Travel Experts"
      • Amsterdam Disabled Access Review – "Disabled access in Amsterdam is better than other bridged cities like Venice, but still presents accessibility challenges like the sometimes inaccessible trams.  Cobblestones and stairs to enter restaurants or reach bathrooms will also present challenges for disabled visitors." – By John Sage 
      • 12 Amsterdam Wheelchair Accessible Travel Tips  – "What is the most accessible public transportation method for getting around town? . . ."
      • Accessible Guided Tours in Amsterdam  – "No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a professionally-certified knowledgeable guide to reveal the hidden history behind the sites you will visit. . ."
      • Amsterdam Wheelchair Rental & Mobility Scooters  – "Rather than bringing mobility equipment from home, many disabled travelers choose to have rental equipment waiting for them at their hotel. . ."
      • Accessible Hotels in Amsterdam – "By personally inspecting the accessibility of 14 wheelchair accessible Amsterdam hotels as wells as the accessibility of the neighborhoods surrounding them, we are able to give you an informed recommendation.  We will pair you with a place to stay that meets your accessibility needs and falls within your budget.  Whether you are looking for a convenient location near an accessible tram line or a convenient location within walking/rolling distance of all the major tourist sights, we’ll be able to provide you with multiple options.  You can have confidence that you are staying in a truly accessible hotel. " – "" – Source: Found in the Accessible Travel to Amsterdam – "
      • Amsterdam Accessibility Guide by John Sage – "After years of traveling in Europe in my wheelchair, I’ve learned a lot about how to get the most out of an accessible vacation." 
      • Amsterdam Accessible Travel Packages – "We know that traveling to a new destination with a disability can be challenging, and we're here to make it easy for you. . ." 
    • Amsterdam is Accessible! – "Europe is full of wonderful destinations but you will find no other city quite like Amsterdam. It is a city (and country) where the mix of cultures has created a people that are especially tolerant, warm and welcoming to outsiders. The capital and the largest city in The Netherlands, Amsterdam can boast that it has more canals than Venice, more bridges than Paris and shopping to rival London and Milan - while catering to a wider range of pocketbooks!"  – "" – by: Debbie Fogle – Source: Access-Able Travel Source – "Welcome to the premier Website for access information and resources for mature and travelers with special needs since 1996."
    • Amsterdam: Disabled Access and Travel – "Amsterdam is a premier destination for culture and nightlife and sees an influx of thousands of tourists each year. A number of these tourists are handicapped in one way or another, but manage to make their way around the city and enjoy themselves to boot! " – by Pablova Symonds – "About SATH" – Source: Found in the Destinations section on SATH AKA Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality – "founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission"
      • Amsterdam for the Disabled Traveler – "Our trip to the Netherlands coincided with my recovery from a very bad sciatica attack. I was still having trouble walking even a short distance when we got on the plane." – June 14, 2015 – Rabbi Ruth Adar, the Coffee Shop Rabbi. – Source: Coffee Shop Rabbi – "Basic Judaism spoken here."
      • Wheelchair Accessible Travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands  – "Mark & Margaret Edwards, of the United Kingdom. generously shared a host of European reports that detail the access that wheelchair users can expect to encounter. Mark is able-bodied and Margaret, who can walk a little with a cane, uses a traditional folding wheelchair to facilitate traveling. " – "" – by Mark & Margaret Edwards © 2007 – Source: ? – ""
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      FORUMS / DISCUSSIONS TOPICS
      HOTELS (ACCOMMODATIONS)
      •  69 hotels in Amsterdam - search results on Travelocity using the following criteria for "Accessibility" for the dates of 4 - 10 December 2015 which I will be staying in Amsterdam. The criteria used was the following: Accessible bathroom, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility and Roll-in shower. Please note: I did not select the following for my search: Accessibility equipment for the deaf (10), Braille or raised signage  (5) and Handicapped parking (31). – "About Travelocity" – Source: Found in Hotels on Travelocity – "Vacation Packages | Hotels | Cars |  Flights | Cruises | Things to Do | Travel Deals | Get Inspired | Mobile"
        • Accommodation Type included Hotels (55), apartments (13) and Hostel/Backpacker accommodation (1)
        • The rates listed were from $62.00 up to $583.00 per night per room for 2 adults plus city taxes less any special promotions or early booking rates which may be available at time of booking the room..
        • To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the “Special or Accessibility Requests" section of “Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
      • Disabled-friendly hotels in Amsterdam – ". . .Trying to make things a bit easier (when it comes to booking a hotel), we have gathered here the top hotels in Amsterdam which are suitable for people with impaired mobility. We chose Amsterdam because of the morphology of the city. Most of the buildings in the city centre are narrow and not easily accessible for people with impaired mobility, so we decided to pick some of our favorite hotels, visit them and take some pictures to show how accessible and welcoming they truly are! . . ." – – "About us" – Source: Found in the Easytobook Blog on Easytobook.com – "Hotels | Luxury & Budget Hotels | Cheap & Discount Hotels"
      • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Centraal Station – X – X –  Source: web site – PC – "My wife and I stayed at this DoubleTree. The room was more than adequate. It contained a queen size bed. There was a desk in this room and it contained a 23" desktop iMac along with (2) 220V power connections and wireless access connectivity. It's my personal opinion that it didn't have enough electrical receptacles that could easily be reached by a person confined to a wheel chair. The bathroom was ideal. It had  both a shower with a build in seat along with a bath tub and the toilet had two hand rails. However and this is my personal observation, I believed there could of been more hand rails especially by the sink and the shower." 
      • Showing 30 Hotels in Amsterdam with Disabled Facilities on Wed 2nd September 2015 for 1 night – "NOTE: Please change date for your arrival, number of nights & preference on "Filters" and "Facilities" – "About Us " – Source: LateRooms.com – "Cheap Hotels, Discount Hotels & Last Minute Hotel Deals. " – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
      • Stay in Amsterdam 4-star hotel – "Hotels in Amsterdam that offer good facilities for people with limited mobility and wheelchair accessible hotels. " – "Frequently Asked Questions" – "About" – Source: Accessible Travel Netherlands – "specialized in holidays for people with access needs." – In Dutch, English
      • Wheelchair accesible hotels in Amsterdam – "The following hotels provide accessibility services for disabled travelers:" – "About" – Source: Amsterdam.info – "Tourist information, travel guide" – In multiple languages
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      MAPS
      MARKETS
      • NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS
      • SPECIFIC MARKETS
        • The Albert Cuyp Market – "There's no place like the Albert Cuyp street market to find your typical Amsterdam sense of humour and laid back atmosphere. Your day out in Amsterdam won't be complete without a visit to Holland's most popular street market. Since 1905 the "Cuyp" fascinates Amsterdam's inhabitants as well as culinary amateurs, passers-by or people looking for a bargain, making a day trip or tourists... anyone, for that matter." – "Hours: 9:00 - 17.00 (5:00 PM), Monday till Saturday" – Source: web site – "Largest street market in the Netherlands" – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian. 
        • Noordermarkt on Saturday – "The Noordermarkt op Zaterdag (Northern Market on Saturday) is one of the most attractive in town. . ." – "Hours: Open 7.30am  - 1pm " – Source: web site – In Dutch, English, French, German
        • Waterlooplein Flea Market – "" – "About" – Source: Found in the Local Markets  portion    within the I am visiting section on I amsterdam – "Your guide to visit, enjoy, live, work & invest in Amsterdam." – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
        • WM WATERLOOPLEINMARKT  – "" – Source: web site – " the fleamarket of  Amsterdam " – In Dutch Only
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      MUSEUMS
      ORGANIZATIONS
      • Open Doors Organization (ODO) – "a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois was founded in 2000 for the purpose of creating a society in which all persons with disabilities have the same consumer opportunities as everyone else. We aspire to teach businesses how to succeed in the disability market, while simultaneously empowering the disability community." – "About Us" – Source: web site – "Opening doors for people with disabilities in travel and tourism"  
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      • SATH AKA Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality – ""  – "" – "" – Source: web site – "founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission;"
        • NEED TO KNOW FACTS – "There are 17 facts."
        • Information for Travel Agents – "There are 6 articles."  
        • Destinations – "There are 25 articles."  
        • Our Members' Blogs – "The thoughts and opinions expressed here are purely that of the bloggers.  SATH cannot be held accountable for anything you might find objectionable in their contents."
          • Easy Access Travel– "MEETING THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF DISABLED & MATURE TRAVELERS" – "About Us" – Debra Kerper
          • See and Be Safe® – "About Us" – Karen Korman
          • AccessAnything.net – "Go Anywhere Do Anything ™" – "Adventure Travel for People with Disabilities" – "About Us" – Craig & Andy Kennedy
            • Access Anything – "Adaptive adventure travel consultants, educators, speakers and writers share their advice, travel tips, and expertise to readers with disabilities throughout the globe." – "blog" 
        • ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES – "There are more than 10 listed.""  
        • Travel Tips and Access Information – "There are 24 travel tips."
        • OPEN WORLD – "OPEN WORLD magazine was the official publication of SATH, Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality until 2003. In this digital age we are now online, instead of in print. From time to time new articles will be posted here. If you are interested in having an article about your travels posted, contact Jnayar@sath dot org  or call 212-447-7284."    
      • TASC  (Travel Access Services Corporation) – "a people service whose genesis comes from the very real life experiences of its founders who are disabled persons. Additional disables persons have been interviewed to gather the most comprehensive list of access questions compiled into a sophisticated interactive database known as ASIST (Access Services Involving Special Travelers)." – "TASC?" – Source: web site – "Travel Access Services Corporation is an organization dedicated to providing an effective resource for obtaining critical and detailed accessibility information when planning travel."  
      • LISTS
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""  
      RELATED
      RENTAL OF MOBILITY  SCOOTERS, WHEELCHAIRS, ETC.
      RESTAURANTS
      SHOPPING
      • 10 of the best places to shop for bargains in Amsterdam – "Arun Sood of Amsterdam Magazine selects 10 of the best places to shop for bargains, whether you are looking for vintage clothes, books, music or even a recycled bike" – Wednesday 22 June 2011 10.00 BST – Arun Sood – "About us"  – Source: Found in the travel section of theguardian – "Latest news, sport and comment from the Guardian" – "News | Sport | Comment | Culture |  Business | Money | Life & style |Travel | Environment | Tech | TV | Video | Dating | Offers | Jobs"
      • Amsterdam's best shops and markets – "Designer clothes, antiques and vintage finds" – "" – Source: TimeOut Amsterdam – "Your ultimate guide to Amsterdam" 
      • Amsterdam Shopping – "Most Viewed Shopping in Amsterdam" – "About VirtualTourist" – Source: VirtualTourist – "The People Behind the Places™" 
      • Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet – "Plan your visit" – "About" – Source: web site – "Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet, a unique shopping experience with more than a 100 beautiful stores, relaxed café’s and lovely restaurants, now with our special Shopping Shuttle from Amsterdam Centre. The Shopping Shuttle is a direct, fast and comfortable way of travelling to Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet. Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet offers you international brands, from Benetton to Hugo Boss, from Nike to Michael Kors and from Le Creuset to Tommy Hilfiger, always with 30-70% savings." – In Dutch, English. German
      • Best Places to Shop in Amsterdam, from Malls to Markets – "In Amsterdam you can shop till you drop at one of the many shopping malls and shopping centers. This city offers something for everyone. From classic clothing stores to trendy high street. The best places to shop for upscale luxury and classic brands are the famous department stores the Bijenkorf and Maison de Bonneterie. . ." – "By Anne de Buck, Amsterdam Local Expert" – "About Us" – Source: 10BEST – "Trusted Travel & Lifestyle Advice"
      • MAGNA PLAZA – Please click on "our shops" – Please click om the "the HISTORY" – Source: web site – "the beauty of shopping" – In Dutch, English
      • Shopping – "Amsterdam is among other things city of antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities. In general, Amsterdam shopping opening hours are 1-6pm on Mondays and 9/10am-6pm Tuesday to Friday. Most have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm, and close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm. Some supermarkets, like Albert Heijn stay open until 8 or 10 pm. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk." – "About" – Source: Amsterdam.info – "Tourist information, travel guide" – In multiple languages
        • Department stores and shopping centres in Amsterdam – "The Dutch being the nation of merchants and travelers, until very recently were shy when shopping was concerned. It is only during the last 15 years, that the consumer society ideas, took in the Netherlands over the Calvinist mentality of a simple, modest life and self-limitation. Today, Amsterdam is a great place for shopping, because it has imports from all over the world. Along with the world’s top brands, you will find here products from many small and underdeveloped countries. Additionally Amsterdam department stores often organize weeks of Asian or African countries."
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      TICKETING INFO AND  TOURIST CARDS / PASS
      • INFORMATION
      • AMSTERDAM TICKET
      •  CARDS / PASS
        • I amsterdam City Card – "Enjoy free, unlimited public transport, free entry to Amsterdam's best museums and attractions, and lots of great discounts and offers with the I amsterdam City Card." – "Explore Amsterdam | Things to do  | What's on | I amsterdam City Card | Plan your trip" – "About" – Source: I amsterdam – "Your guide to visit, enjoy, live, work & invest in Amsterdam." – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
          • What's included ? – "The I amsterdam City Card is your exclusive pass to an action-packed, affordable trip to Amsterdam." – ""
          • How does it work? – "Go anywhere, see everything, and save money with the I amsterdam City Card!" – ""
          • Order your card – "Get your trip off to a smooth start by purchasing your I amsterdam City Card in advance." – "Simply choose from a 24, 48 or 72-hour card, and book it online before you go."
        • AMSTERDAM HOLLANDPASS – "Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and more"– "Sightseeing has never been so much fun!" – "Visit TOP attractions with the Holland Pass" – Source: web site – "This all-in-one pass offers the best benefits and savings on Sightseeing in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and other major sights of interest. Check out the extensive selection of top museums and attractions in Holland Pass! " – In Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish 
          • How does it work – "Holland Pass, the all-in-one city pass for Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and other major sights of interest is valid per person. This City Pass is convenient and offers must see museums and attractions for the best price. Exchange your Holland Pass tickets for free entrance at activities in Amsterdam or mix and combine visits to the must-sees in other cities in the Netherlands. Holland Pass offers 4 packages (per person) for you to choose from: SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE and KIDS (4-11 years old). Make the most of your visit with Holland Pass!"
          • Museums & Attractions – "With Holland Pass you can choose out of more than 100 things to do! Since the tickets are divided into Gold and Silver, it might be helpful to check this page prior your travel. This page will help you find out which Holland Pass package matches your needs. We made searching easier for you by using the filters such as “category” or “city”. Add all museums and attractions you definitely want to visit to your “Favorites” for an convenient overview. Read more about our recommendations in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam or Leiden."
          • Highlights  – "Welcome to our “Hightlights” page. The highlighted subjects on this page will provide all the relevant information you were searching for. Click on the subject to read all the articles. Click here for more information about Holland Pass, the City Pass of the Netherlands. Any questions about Holland Pass, Keukenhof or Year of Van Gogh? Please contact us on Facebook or send an e-mail to info@hollandpass.com" 
          • Add-ons – "Enjoy the unique opportunity of purchasing a DAY train ticket for only  €19,- instead of €54,80! Check-in is possible Monday – Friday after 09:00 hr and all day on Saturday and Sunday. This DAY train ticket is valid for travel throughout Holland and only available in combination with your online Holland Pass purchase."
          • Shipping & Collect – "When you buy Holland Pass online, you can choose to either have your order delivered to your home address or to collect it upon arrival."
          • News – ""
      •  X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      TIPS FOR DISABLED / HANDICAPPED TRAVELERS
      • Sage Traveling – "The European Disabled Travel Experts – By John Sage – "About us" – Source: web site
        • Essential European Disabled Travel Tips  – "Disabled Travel Tips – Europe can be challenging for travelers with disabilities but not if you know what you’re doing. To figure out the tricks for smoothly traveling in Europe with a disability, you can either travel there numerous times to gain the expertise or you can sign up for our newsletter!"
        • Top 10 Europe Handicapped Travel Tips – "My Top 10 Europe Handicapped Travel Tips are based on my own experiences from traveling with my wheelchair to over 80 cities in Europe and planning countless trips for other disabled travelers."
        • FAQ’s about Disabled Travel in Europe – "Many Europe disabled travelers have the same questions. Here are the most common questions that we receive."
        • Travel Insurance for Disabled Travelers – "While traveling with a disability, there are numerous things can go wrong.  By purchasing disabled travel insurance, you protect yourself and your family in 3 ways:"
      • Tips for Travelers with Disabilities – "The old center of Amsterdam -- filled with narrow cobbled streets, steep humpback bridges, zillions of little barrier pillars called Amsterdammertjes, and bicycles parked all over the place -- can be hard going. But many hotels and restaurants provide easy access for people with disabilities, and some display the international wheelchair symbol in their brochures. It's always a good idea to call ahead to find out about accommodations before you book; bear in mind that many older hotels have steep, narrow stairways and no elevators. Many, but not all, museums and other sites are wheelchair accessible, wholly or partly, and some have adapted toilets. Call ahead to check on accessibility at sites you wish to visit." – "About" – Source: Found in the Planning a Trip subsection on Amsterdam within the Destinations section on Frommer's  – "Destinations | Hotels | Trip Ideas | Deals & News | Tips & Tools | Forums | Store | 100 Family Trips | Radio"
      • Tips for Travelers with Disabilities – "The creaky, cobblestoned Old World has long had a reputation for poor accessibility. It's the very charm of Europe — old, well-preserved, diverse, and different from home — that often adds to the barriers. But Europe has made some impressive advances toward opening its doors to everyone, including travelers with limited mobility." – By Rick Steves, John Sage, and Susan Sygall – "About Rick" – Source: Found in Trip Planning within the Travel Tips section on Rick Steves' EUROPE – "Tour Operator, Travel Guides & Information"
      • Top 10 tips for Amsterdam  – "Tips to keep in mind before traveling to Amsterdam." – 2015-05-09 – by Sotiria Prodromiti – "Frequently Asked Questions" – "About" – Source: Accessible Travel Netherlands – "specialized in holidays for people with access needs." – In Dutch, English
      • X   – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      TOUR OPERATORS (JUST TO MENTION A FEW OF MANY)
      TRANSPORTATION
      • CARS
      • TAXIS – PLEASE NOTE: WHEN CONTACTING ANY OF THE COMPANIES FOR TRANSPORTATION, PLEASE INFORM THEM WHETHER YOU HAVE A MOBILITY SCOOTER OR A WHEELCHAIR, SO THAT, THEY CAN DISPATCH THE RIGHT TYPE OF VEHICLE TO PICK YOU UP AND DROP YOU OFF.
        • TAXIS INFO
          • Taxis in Amsterdam – "Taxis in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands are generally quite expensive but can be useful to take on occasion - such as getting to the airport for early flights, taking luggage to and from the train station or during the night when public transport services are more limited." – "About" – Source: AmsterdamTiPS.com – "insider guide for visitors & expats" – "City Guide for for Visitors & Expats""
          • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
        • TAXI COMPANIES AND UBER
          • Taxi van der Laan B.V – "On our website you will find information about our various transportation offers, attractive fares, how to contact us and current vacancies." – "About" – Source: web site – "is a progressive and dynamic taxi- and coachcompany." – In Dutch, English
          • TaxiRent.nl – "" – "" – Source: web site – "" – In Dutch ONLY 
          • UBER AMSTERDAM – "PLEASE CLICK ON: "MENU" – "GET MORE DETAILS" – Source: web site – "YOUR RIDE, ON DEMAND" –  "Whether you're headed to work, the airport, or out on the town, the Uber app connects you with a reliable ride – from low-cost to premium – in minutes. Payment is automatic through the app and fares are usually cheaper than a taxi." – In multiple languages 
        • X  – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      • TRAINS
        • Travelling with functional disabilities – "" – Source: Nederlandse Spoorwegen AKA NS.NL – "" – In Dutch, English
          • Preparing for your journey – "Obtain information beforehand" 
          • Facilities at stations – "Accessible Stations"
          • Facilities on the train – "Getting on and off the train" 
          • Help or assistance en route – "NS Journey Assistants and Your train journey"  
          • The OV-Begeleiderskaart – "Traveling with a Companion" 
          • Getting to the station – "Shared taxi, special transportation and Valys: Cross-regional transport system for people with reduced mobility. "
          • Useful telephone numbers and addresses – "NS Bureau Assistentieverlening Gehandicapten [NS Disabled Assistance Office] and NS Bureau OV-Begeleiderskaarten [NS Public Transport Companion Pass office]"  
          • "Services for passengers with disabilities"
            • "We would be happy to assist you with your journey. We will be better able to help you if you contact us well in advance of your trip."
            • "We recommend letting us know at least 24 hours prior to travel if you have specific requests or requirements."
            • "Many stations are equipped with lifts, ramps and escalators."
            • "Guidance lines have been installed at many stations."
      • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      VIDEOS
      • Amsterdam Accessibility Guide  – "Watch John Sage describe the Amsterdam Accessibility Guide:" – "Which Amsterdam tourist sites are accessible?  Which should you avoid?  How should you travel between the tourist sites?  By tram, metro, or walking/rolling?  Where can you find accessible restaurants and shopping?Accessible itineraries, travel tips, maps, and more.  More than 40 pages of essential accessible travel advice written by John Sage." – By John Sage –  "About us" – Source: Sage Traveling – "The European Disabled Travel Experts" 
      • Source: YouTubeIT – "Language: English • Country: Italy"
        • TOURIST
          • 15 Hidden Secrets & Best Places in Amsterdam – "Ultimate 15 hidden secrets, things to do and best places to visit guide in Amsterdam which I carefully selected. You won't believe number #6Full list of secrets on my website: http://www.reformatt.com/15-hidden-se..." – Published on Jun 9, 2015 – Reformatt Show – ""   
          • AMSTERDAM 2015 : Best destination in the World – "" – Published on Mar 27, 2015 – WORLD TRAVEL – "" 
          • Welcome To Amsterdam  – "Everything you need to know when you have your dream holiday and visit the capital of the Netherlands. Get shown around in Amsterdam and get informed about trips, shopping, restaurants, hotels, museums, nightlife and a lot more ideas on what to visit in the City of Canals. Everyone should visit Amsterdam on their vacation in Europe." – Published on Oct 24, 2014 – CityFilmTV – ""  
        • WHEELCHAIRS
          • Tourism for All: Access Your World by wheelchairtraveling.com – "The Tourism Industry all over the world is realizing that there is money to be made by accommodating those of us that need access, whether it be because of a wheelchair or old age. Access your world @ www.wheelchairtraveling.com and discover the many accessible leisure, adventure, local and international travel options." – Published on Aug 27, 2014 – Ashley Lyn Olson – "" 
          • Wheeling through Amsterdam  – "Sprained me feet. Rented a wheelchair. Got inspirational." – Published on Feb 28, 2015 – Marissa Macy – ""
          • The World of Wheelchair Travel by wheelchairtraveling.com– "The world has a lot of offer for the wheelchair traveler if you know where to look. Everyday more people are becoming disabled and more companies are responding. Yes, there are some incredible things to see and do with a wheelchair but there are also challenges. This video aims to show you The World of Wheelchair Travel and deliver a message to the hospitality industry on where we stand today and where we are going " – Published on Sep 30, 2013 – Ashley Lyn Olson – "" 
      • X  – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      WEATHER
      WEB SITES FOR RESOURCES
      •  EVENTS
        • ABILITIES EXPO –  "The event for  the disability community" – "INSPIRATIONAL, UNFORGETTABLE AND COMING YOUR WAY" – "Abilities Expo is about bringing necessary products and services together under one roof for the community of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals. It's about introducing opportunities that can enrich your life ...especially ones that you never knew were out there." – "" – Source: Abilities.com – "The resource for the disability community"
          • BOSTON – Dates: September 18 - 20, 2015 – Location: The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Hall C –  Times: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • DC Metro – Dates: December 4-6, 2015 –  Location: Dulles Expo Center – Tomes: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • LOS ANGELES – Dates: February 5-7, 2016 –  Location:  Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall A – Times:  Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • New York Metro – Dates: Apr 29 - May 1, 2016 –  Location: New Jersey Convention & Expo Center  – Times: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • CHICAGO – Dates: June 24 - 26, 2016 –  Location: Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center – Times: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • HOUSTON – Dates: August 5 - 7, 2016 –  Location: NRG Center (Formerly Reliant Center), Hall E – Times: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
          • BAY AREA – Dates: November 18-20, 2016 –  Location: San Jose Convention Center – Times: Fri. 11am-5pm | Sat. 11am-5pm | Sun 11am-4pm
      • RESOURCES 
        • OTHER
          • Abilities.com – "" – "" – Source: web site – "The resource for the disability community"
            • Community News  "Compelling stories and useful info for the Community"
            • Abilities Expos – "What's in Store for you at Abilities Expo"
            • Resources – ""
          • Access-Able Travel Source – "Welcome to the premier Website for access information and resources for mature and travelers with special needs since 1996."  – "We provide information about: disabled travel, wheelchair travel, disabled holidays, disability travel, handicapped travel, accessible travel, accessable travel, vacations for disabled, mature travel." – "About Us" – Source: web site – "Providing Worldwide Access Information"
          • Disabled Friendly Travel – "The following disabled friendly travel resources provide a wealth of information on the organizations and companies who cater to the needs of mobility challenged individuals." – "Welcome! Mobility-Advisor.com serves as an educational guide on wheel chairs, mobility equipment, disability resources, and recreational outlets that enhance the lives of individuals of all ages who need mobility assistance" – Source: Mobility-Advisor.com – "Live More Independently"
          • Help-Your-Self, Inc.® – "consultants on independent living, accessibility, injurp prevention, policy, programs, and products for people with disabilities." – "About Us" – Source: web site – "Access life with a bit of help!" 
          • Resources – "Disclaimer: this page is updated as often as you submit, so if you find a correction or want an addition, please send your updates to ask@accessanything.net"  – Craig & Andy Kennedy  – "About Us" – Source: AccessAnything.net – "Go Anywhere Do Anything ™" – "Adventure Travel for People with Disabilities" 
          • Travel Resources – "We do our best to find all the accessible travel information that is available at the time. However, if you were unable to find what you where looking for on DisabledTravelers.com then you can try these sites below for additional information. If you feel that we are excluding any information, business, or resource please email and let us know. Thank you and have a great trip!" – "About Us" – Source: DisabledTravelers.com – "Welcome to DisabledTravelers.com, a resource dedicated to accessible travel information. This new site will provide you with information on businesses from around the world that specialize in disability travel."
          • USA (AKA United Spinal Association) TechGuide – "is a webguide to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and assistive technology choices. You can read and submit wheelchair reviews, mobility scooter reviews, wheelchair cushion reviews, standing device reviews, and search The TechGuide for all types of assistive equipment." – "" – "About" – Source: United Spinal Association – "Share The Journey!"  – "Individuals With A Spinal Cord Injury or Disease"
          • Wheelmap.org – "find wheelchair accessible places" – "Get involved"  – "About Wheelmap.org" – Source: web site – "is an online map to search, find and mark wheelchair-accessible places. Get involved by marking public places like bars, restaurants, cinemas or supermarkets! " – In English, German
          • wheelchairtraveling.com  – "" – "About" – Source: web site – "Join the world's 1st accessible travel community created by and for you." 
        • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
      MISCELLANEOUS
      * = Blog entry has been updated.

       For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using Google .

      The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

      Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

      NOTE: If you want to leave a comment, please leave it in ENGLISH.

      Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 500+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

      Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

      That's it for Wednesday, 2 September 2015: mercoledi, 2 settembre 2015

      Ciao, Ben

      Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy. 

      Today’s quote is an Italian proverb / saying, author unknown.

      "Chi fabbrica vicino alla strada, ha molti sindicatori."
      "He who builds by the roadside has many surveyors."

      When you have a free moment or two, please read my wife's interesting and entertaining blog about our life in Italy with photographs: Friends and Family in Italy

      Going to Spain, read my new blog:       Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

      Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

      (LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 DECEMBER 2015)

      © Benjamin H. Licodo, 2005 - 2015, All Rights Reserved.
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      Location: 52048 Montagnano AR, Italy

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