12 Flying Tips For The Disabled

12 Flying Tips For The Disabled

We all love to go on holiday, especially when we are going abroad, but for some people flying can be very problematic. If you suffer from a disability then you need to put a few more plans in place than an able bodied person. For a lot of people with a disability long haul traveling can quickly become a nightmare, especially if you haven’t prepared correctly, so below you will find a few tips that should help you get your holiday off to a good start.

Preparation

• Make sure you have enough of your medication to last for the holiday plus an extra week.

• Always put your medicine in your hand luggage never let it go in the hold.

• In some countries in the Middle East and Asia medications that may be legal in the USA and Europe may not be legal there so check online.

• Some countries require you to carry a doctor’s letter confirming your medications, again you will need to check online with the countries medical requirements.

• Make sure you have let the airline know you are disabled and that you will require a wheelchair or other assistance, you should do this when you book. If you haven’t then phone them as soon as you can and they will make a note of it for you.

• Also, when you book, order a ‘special meal’ as this will mean you get your food before everyone else, and therefore finish first giving you easier access to the toilets, otherwise you get big queues after the food has been served.

Comfy Flight

• Your holiday starts as soon as you leave for the airport and if you are disabled and have an early AM flight then this can cause problems, especially with people who need time for medication to work and joints to ease up. It is much better if you stay in the airport hotel overnight, that way you get longer in bed and it only takes a few minutes to get to the check-in, and you will arrive much more relaxed.

• Make sure at the check-in they order your wheelchair, or call for assistance to help you, this is free in the majority of airports.

• You should arrive at your gate with plenty of time to spare, so if the assistant has left you at a coffee shop in the airport, do not fret they have not forgotten you.

• Once at the gate the elderly, disabled, and those with kids are allowed to board first.

• When the doors are closed, if the flight is not full and you see better seats, call for a flight attendant and ask if you can move, in most cases they will say yes.

• If you need to change flights, an assistant will be there to help you, but you do need to wait for everyone else to leave the plane.

Remember that flying can be a pain in the backside for able bodied people, but if you follow these tips then at least you will be a lot more relaxed and comfortable for the flight.

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Amazing Traditional Things To Do In Japan

Amazing Traditional Things To Do In Japan

When planning a trip to Japan it may be easy to fall into the usual trap of only planning to go to “modern “attractions, such as electronic shops and concerts. However, Japan is an ancient and diverse culture offering a wonderful trip back in time. Whether you’re staying only a week or a full month, be sure to check out the following traditional things that make this such a rich place to go.

Amazing Traditional Things To Do In Japan

1. Stay in a ryokan. Shirk the five star Western hotel and opt for the traditional ryokan, a favorite of the Japanese for centuries. Sleep on a comfortable futon while enjoying picturesque garden views and sipping homebrewed green tea. Ryokans tend to offer traditional Japanese dishes as well. Don’t ask what’s in it. Just eat it and enjoy.

2. Go to an onsen. Japan is famous for their hot springs, and you should definitely check one out. Some are coed and will let you in with a bathing suit. Most times, however, they are divided by sex and require you to go the full monty. Even if you’re shy, it’s still not an opportunity to pass by. Hot springs have healing qualities that will help wipe away your jet lag while letting you become one with nature.

3. Check out the shrines and temples. It’s not a trip to Japan without the obligatory visits to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Some are certainly more famous than others, so check out the biggest ones in the area you’re going. Also, some that are historical landmarks may require admission. Either way, please read up on etiquette rules for visiting shrines and temples before going.

4. See a traditional show. Japan is not lacking in the ancient arts that are now put on display. Traditional Japanese theater, such as kabuki, noh, and even bunraku, should be beheld at least once in your life. The performers have trained for years and are regarded as masters of their work.

5. Take in some sumo wrestling. Sumo is the one traditional Japanese sport that is often on display. Revel in the chaos as everyone around you cheers on their favorite wrestler. It’s easy to follow, and lots of fun to tell your friends back home about.

6. Attend a tea ceremony. Professional tea ceremonies are both beautiful and relaxing. Rent a kimono for the day and take part in this ancient art.

7. Take part in a festival. Summertime is festival time in Japan. Nearly everywhere in the country will have at least a couple of festivals during the summer and early autumn seasons. Take a walk down residential streets and sample the homemade foods of the locals. You can even try your luck at some sideshow games, but don’t expect to win.

Next time you visit Japan, be sure to check out some of the attractions above. Not only will you get a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but you will also become more connected with this ancient culture.

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Amazing Tips For Traveling With Children

Amazing Tips For Traveling With Children

Family vacations are special times of the year, but they can be very challenging for parents get through. Air travel is especially difficult and can be the cause of significant levels of stress for the entire family. Unfortunately for many types of vacation there is no way around going through an airport and flying by private jet is beyond most of our wildest dreams.

However, there are a couple of things that you can do to make the airport experience less stressful and not be a cause of arguments. The following points are very simple to plan for and will not result in significant increases in costs. Ultimately the trade-off will be a much happier day of travelling.

1) Book Your Seats In Advance

To avoid being separated in different rows and even parts of the plane you should always pre-book your seats. While young babies up to the age of 2 usually are seated on a parent’s lap, this is not the case with children over 2. If you are delayed in any way on your way to the airport you will not be guaranteed seats together, so make sure you plan for this in advance.

2) Allow For Extra Time

Whether you are traveling with a baby or trying to deal with teenagers you will have to allow for additional time at the airport. Passing through security will take longer the more people you are travelling with and with heightened security procedures this can take several hours. The last thing you want to happen is to end up running to your departure gate only to be told that you have missed a flight.

3) Book Into An Airport Lounge

Especially when travelling with small children it is a lot easier to deal with an airport in one of the lounges. Most people do not know that you do not have to be travelling business class to get access to a lounge. The advantages are that for a relatively small fee you will have a closed off, quiet environment. Snacks and refreshments are also available, and many lounges have small play areas and other kid’s entertainment.

4) Have Small Surprises For The Flight

No matter how old your kids are, they will enjoy receiving a small gift. For a young child this can be as simple as a new book or pens to do some drawing. Dependent on the age the attention span will differ, so you may need to bring along a few small surprises. For older children you may need to spend a little more, e.g. on new games for a portable console or download some new music tracks ahead of time to listen to.

5) Do Not Rush Off The Plane

When is the last time you got to the luggage belt to find that you suitcase is already there? For most people this will never have happened, so when the airplane arrives at the gate, just stay seated and wait for everyone else to push and shove their way off. Especially with young children it is not necessary to be part of that hassle of being first off the plane.

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