Blind and Partially Sighted Package Holiday in Rome

Facilities available

Visual aids

Description

Experience an amazing activity-filled holiday to Rome for blind and partially sighted guests. Explore this incredible city with your own personal chaperone on hand to help you every step of the way. Visit Rome’s top historical sights, including the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain; enjoy a sensorial tour of Saint Peter’s Church in the Vatican City; feed adorable animals on an organic farm; create a culinary masterpiece at a traditional Roman cooking class, and much more!

Destination

One of the world’s most beautiful cities, Rome will romance you, surprise you and leave you wanting more.

It’s a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire.

Rome is an incredibly tactile destination. With us, you can visit the Vatican City and Colosseum, make Gnocchi in a cooking class, and discover fascinating organic farms. Contrary to popular belief, there are so many activities that can be enjoyed by sighted, VI and blind holidaymakers alike.

Assistance

If required, we can arrange airport assistance when booking flights (please let us know in advance, as this service needs to be pre-booked). Special assistance staff will meet you at check-in, before guiding you through the airport and helping you onto the aircraft. Some airports include help points outside the terminal – we can check this before booking.

Once you have boarded, the aircraft staff will be able to help assist you during your flight.

The special assistance service will continue when you arrive at your destination, helping you through baggage reclaim, passport control and the arrivals hall, where your holiday guide/chaperone will be waiting with a name card.

On your return journey, your guide will take you to the airport and help you check in. If you have requested special assistance from the airport, you will receive the same assistance as on your outward journey.

Please note: Your holiday guide will stay with you for 10 hours per day during your holiday (not 24) and will accompany you on excursions. On arrival at the hotel, your guide will also familiarise you with the facilities and room. No personal care is included.

Chaperone service

A local chaperone is available to assist you during your entire holiday. They will be informed of your specific needs to ensure your holiday is stress free during excursions, and they will assist you during meals (when requested).

One guide/chaperone is provided to every two to three blind holidaymakers. If you need more/fewer people to help you during your holiday, simply ask us when booking.

The guide/chaperone is always a local tour manager. They will give you the best advice on what to eat, the hidden secrets of the destinations and tips to avoid the tourist traps.

What’s included

• Five nights / six days
• 4☆ B&B
• Four excursions/activities of your choice
• Local guide with a car for the entire holiday

Great accommodation

You will stay only in accommodation where the staff have been informed of your requirements to ensure they understand your needs as a visually impaired traveller.

Food and drinks

We always suggest paying for your meals as you go, as it is cheaper locally. Your guide will help with ordering and translating menus. They won’t stay for the meal unless you need them to. If this is the case, their meal must be covered at your expense.

Accessible excursions and activities

We offer a fantastic selection of excursions, sports, food- and wine-tasting sessions and sensorial experiences suitable for both blind and sighted travellers.

Transport and guiding

From your arrival, the guide will be responsible for your transfer to and from the accommodation, as well as taking you to your activities and restaurants. It will be like having a personal chauffer for a week!

Sample itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival day

Your guide will be waiting at arrivals to take you to your accommodation. Check in and have some relaxing time. Little briefing about the weekly plan.

DAY 2: Rome and the Colosseum

Rome walking tour. Lunch locally. Visit the Colosseum and optional ice cream stop in the afternoon.

DAY 3: The Vatican

Visit the Vatican City, just 10 minutes’ walk from the B&B. Experience Saint Peter’s Church and the tactile tour. If we’re lucky, we will hear the Pope’s speech (only on specific dates). Jewish quarter, synagogue and Jewish museum available (audio guide available). Walk to the Trastevere district and enjoy a traditional Roman aperitivo.

DAY 4: Foodie day

Shopping at the local organic markets, then head to Giorgia’s kitchen and have an aperitivo before enjoying a cooking class. This is a full-day activity. Afternoon rest before heading for an early dinner or walking street food tour.

DAY 5: Organic farm by the lake

Set off on a one-hour drive to the beach or lake in the outskirts of Rome (depending on availability and weather). Organic farm visit with a traditional farm lunch.

DAY 6: Leaving day

Check out and be taken to the airport by your guide.

NB: Free days can be changed according to requirements. Pick up times, mealtimes and restaurants will be decided daily with your guide.

Award-winning activities

Rome city tour

• Pantheon, the most important Roman temple, built in 118 BC
• Piazza Navona, Rome’s most iconic square
• Majestic Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built
• The Vatican City – sensorial tour of Saint Peter’s Church and Square
• Jewish Quarter, the oldest Jewish community in all of Europe
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Pope’s talk – on selected dates, we can hear the Pope talk at the Vatican
• Local markets and shopping

Organic farm (full day)

• Organic farm including feeding the animals, herb workshops, tour of the old farm machinery and a traditional Roman lunch
• Beach/lake day, depending on the weather and season

Home cooking lessons (full day)

• Organic market shopping to purchase fresh ingredients that will be used in the cooking class
• Street Food Tour where you can taste the local delights that Rome has to offer
• Once you arrive at Giorgia’s Kitchen, you will be served with a Roman aperitivo
• Traditional Roman cooking class, where you will learn how to create a culinary masterpiece!

Accessible accommodation

Four-star B&B in Rome

The B&B is located 200 metres from St. Peter’s Basilica and a few steps from Trastevere and the Pantheon. Tiziana and Paola will be happy to welcome you in an elegant and extremely comfortable environment. All rooms, very bright and spacious, come with a private bathroom with shower and air conditioning.

Features

• Private bathroom
• Air conditioning
• Free WiFi
• Proximity to places of tourist interest
• Close to restaurants and bars

NB: More four- and five-star hotels are available on request.

More holidays for the blind and visually impaired

Flights

Flights are available from most UK airports. Our travel consultants can also arrange free airport assistance for you should you require it. We will advise airports and airlines in advance of any special requirements you may have, as well as any equipment you may wish to take abroad. Medical seats will be reserved for you where possible, should you need them.

To really start your holiday in style, book an airport lounge with DisabledHolidays.com - avoid the queues, enjoy the luxury and relax in complete comfort before your flight!

Airport transfers

We can book return transfers in most locations around the world in both adapted and non-adapted vehicles. They'll be waiting for you at the airport and drop you off at your accommodation - hassle-free.

Equipment hire

We can arrange the hire of commode shower chairs, mobile hoists, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment in most locations. Our consultants will discuss what is available with you and ensure it is delivered and waiting for you upon your arrival.

Prices

For a great package deal guaranteed to meet your accessibility needs, call us on 0161 804 9898. Our holidays abroad come with full ATOL protection.

Information last updated: 18/02/2019 17:26:07

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