Tag: accessibility

BOLOGNA, ANOTHER GREAT ACCESSIBLE CITY AND SURPRISE

When I found out that we were going to visit Bologna and spend  3 nights here, I thought: “I wonder what there is to see in this small city” but as soon as we got here, I must admit I was positively surprised.

To begin with, I was shocked because for the “first time” Charles was that relaxed and chilled about this journey that he almost took us to the wrong hotel, but unfortunately Jessie and I were not enough masochist to catch a bus and walk under the sun for 10 minutes with all the suitcases and we actually had to point our hotel standing just in front of the train station! Apart from this, Bologna was a great little city to visit and spend a couple of days in, also all the churches we have visited, were accessible and there was a lot to see. Unfortunately we could not get on top of the towers “Garisenda and Asinelli” because not accessible but hopefully  next time that would be possible!

Moreover, another activity worth doing apart from strolling around the city and trying all different type of Tortellini with Bolognese sauce, munch couple of pounds of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and eating schiacchiata with Mortadella, is visiting the Ducati Museum and the factory. The tour is totally accessible and amazing if you are passionate about the two wheels and we really enjoyed it, especially walking around the staff’s parking and see that there was not even a Non-Ducati motorcycle! I am sure if I would start working there I would have to leave my Honda outside!

If you do have time also the Ferrari Museum would certainly be worth to visit but unfortunately when you are always drunk, time goes even faster or maybe it takes 3 times the usual time needed to get in places by zig-zagging rather than going straight!

Last but not least be aware that when ordering in a Restaurant a Gluten FREE Pizza,  you must be very specific, because you might end up with this: a “typical square Lasagna-Pizza served in a plastic tray”(trust me I do not have a dog but I am sure if I had one and tried to feed him with that, he would have left it there!)

 

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Image of a proper HOMEMADE Gluten Free Pizza served in a Pizzeria

 

 

So it is now time to move to Florence, my hometown! Really excited about this  but also anxious because I feel  the pressure!!

Milan l’è sempre Milan

 

Before writing an article, I always check on the internet in order to get some more accurate information and also make comparisons between what I have learned and other people experiences. I find internet fascinating and stimulating if used properly! However, when I “asked Google” tips for visiting Milan on a wheelchair, the first 3 results that came out were: “Arrested the famous wheelchair user who was always punching tourists” well, please do not stress and please calm down, Charles is fine and he is actually with us!

Apart from this, Milan was another great surprise and it ended up being another very accessible city.  It was amazing to stroll around and see how so many different people would walk in the middle of the streets as if we were to a fashion show, but this was part of the experience, however I still can’t understand why male wear pants to their ankles! My Nonna, would have just proudly  sewed a couple of inches of fabric and maybe ruined a 200$ pair of jeans, but if you wanted to go out from her house that would have been the only option!

So if we focus on the matter “accessibility”, pretty much all the subway’ stations have got lift, some line, like the yellow one has all accessible stops and if you arrive to the Central Train Station, you might want to exit outside the station where Piazza 4 Novembre is and take the outside lift that will take you directly to the underground subway!  If you want, you will then be able to stop just under the Duomo! It is always shocking getting out at the Duomo stop and finding yourself in the middle of the Main Square where the cathedral dominates!

However, if you are looking for some accessible activities to do, you should consider:

  • Visiting the Duomo Cathedral and catching the lift in order to have a great view from the top of the first terrace
  • Eating an ice-cream at “Cracco” (you might need to apply for a mortgage but it is worth it!)
  • Visiting the Brera Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera)
  • Visiting the stunning “Castello Sforzesco” with all his different museums and temporary exhibitions
  • Going to the Scala theatre
  • Shopping around the city for great fashion designers clothes
  • Strolling around the “Navigli” and trying every bar
  • Strolling around the city and watching people, while drinking a great cocktail in the city home of one of the most famous “aperitivo” in the world

These are some examples of things to do in this very busy city in just a short period of time because unfortunately it is already time to travel to Bologna and try all the different varieties of pasta!

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The General and a view from “the rear” of the Brera Gallery

BUDA AND PEST.. DAYS IN CONTRASTS

The first day in Budapest was full of contrasts, when we arrived at the train station the taxi drivers would still try to rip us off asking an astronomic price for the transfer to the hotel so we decided to take the subway. We got the only “working” lift that took almost 15 minutes to take us in the lower level while we were actually holding the doors together and as soon as we got underground it stopped working! The subway did not have a lift so basically Jessie had to hold Charles on the escalator which was never ending and super steep! (PLEASE DO NOT  TRY THIS AT HOME).

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So the beginning was a bit traumatic and worrying but after that, as soon as we got out from the subway, the atmosphere just changed, because this capital is just an open-air Museum!

Infact, strolling around the two parts of the city: Buda and Pest, was a great experience and everything was pretty much accessible if you are on a manual wheelchair, however if you are using an electric chair you might consider to carry a small foldable ramp, because you might have some issues.

Discovering the historic city centre and getting lost just by staring at the spectacular views  of the Danube river  by crossing the many pedestrian bridges  is already worth the trip but there is soooo much else to do! If you are not willing to stroll around, the low-floor buses are a great way of visiting the city or also the Hop-on Hop-off buses. There was a beer bus offering a tour with unlimited beer but unfortunately they said we could not get on it, not sure if it was because the bus was not accessible or because they were afraid we would finished all the alcohol.

Accessible places we have visited in our 3 days staying: (please be advised that we can not list all the bars we have been to for a problem of space)

St. Stephen’s Basilica which offers wheelchair-accessible amenties, but a companion has to go up the stairs to inform the staff to open the elevator. (You will then have an exclusive view of the secret crypt located underground, that the others will not see and the access is free, yeah there is alaways something positive!)

Visiting the Parliament House or just watching it from the outside it is just shocking not only for his size, it is the 3rd largest Parliament building in the world, but it is a magnificent building.

Margaret Island’s parkland is great to recharge your lungs

River cruises  are a wonderful way to appreciate both Buda and Pest from the water and if you have a Hop-on Hop-off ticket this activity is included in your tour (and yes they do sell alcohol on board, great especially when it becomes a bit windy and the sun goes down)

A great activity that I really recommend is catching the the “Budavári Sikló” which is the funicular that takes you on Buda Castle Hill. This is all accessible and will allow you to stand for hours on top of the city and admiring the view for as much as you want. We went also inside Matthias Church which was just one of the most unique churches I have ever visited.

The House of Terror Museum is a very interesting tour if you have a couple of spare hours, but not definitely relaxing! It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in 20th Century in Hungary and it is also a memorial to the victims. Once you are there the Heroes’ Square is a great spot for amazing photos and also worth the visit.

To sum up, although the initial obstacles, I had to change my mind about Budapest, definitely a stunning and quite accessible city,  a bit more challenging if you are  using an electric wheelchair but great if you are planning another trip after Vienna!

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