Adoc86

I'm looking for suggestions on the easiest way to get from Barcelona to Cinque Terre/Santa Margherita - it doesnt necessarily have to be the fastest or cheapest. My boyfriend and I will be in Europe in August, and I am disabled and in a manual wheelchair. I've traveled throughout Europe several times and have always used trains to get from one city/country to another. Since my chair is very light (23 lbs) and my boyfriend can carry me if necessary, there is usually no problem getting on and off trains, planes, etc. However, I'm looking for the easiest way in terms of not having to switch trains halfway through a trip. I remember the last time I was in Paris there was no one to help me on and off the train regarding the lift and we almost missed it, so I don't want to have to deal with having to switch trains and having my boyfriend have to deal with luggage, carrying/helping me, and worrying that my chair gets left behind some place.


I know that when I've taken trains between Milan and Rome in the past they were accessible and there were no problems concerning having to connect to different trains or anything like that. It was only the smaller rails - like between Paris and Nice - where I ran into some difficulty with accessibility. Since Santa Margherita is a smaller area I am expecting the same type of situation...

Flying sounds great, but I'm not sure what types of planes are used for these little trips within Europe - for example, do the planes pull right up to the gangway or do you have to board via stairs? Are these types of planes typically handicap accessible & have aisle chairs, etc?

We don't really want to drive, because we'll be driving for a good amount of time during the second leg of our trip and we don't want to get burnt out on driving everywhere.

We'll be staying in Santa Margherita, I've been there before and was quite happy with wheelchair access in the area, but we also want to go into Cinque Terre - so any suggestions with this would be great as well.


If anyone has any information or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I am not completely opposed to trains, planes, or ferries, I am just going off of what I've experienced in the past. Thanks so much!

Palenque

There are boats that go between Barcelona and Genoa, a short train ride from the 5 Terre. they take about 15-18 hours i think so are overnight - ships well equipped with many amenities.

zeppole

When you were in Santa Margherita Ligure previously, did you use the trains? I ask because I live in the next town over, and where I live, you cannot get on and off the local train unless you are able to manage a VERY steep climb up from the platform into the train carriage. In addition, you cannot get to the train platforms without climbing stairs.

This is true of most train stations along the Ligurian coast in my experience, and you cannot count on any help in the train station, even the biggest ones.

I know you don't want to get burned out driving, but you might seriously consider renting a car in order to see more of Liguria than le Cinque Terre. If you fly, you can rent one at the Genova airport. If you come in by boat, a taxi can take you to a car rental, or straight to Santa Margherita Ligure (about 100e). There is a car rental office in Rapallo (next to Santa). Perhaps you could rent a car for just one day (I don't know).

Even so, bear in mind that were you to drive to le Cinque Terre, you would still be faced with extremely steep climbs and staircases. Many people begin in Levanto (a flat town next door to le Cinque Terre) and catch a boat in Levanto to see the le Cinque Terre towns from the water. But before you count on being able to do that, you should consult a Rick Steves guidebook about accessibility to the boats (I hear his guides are good for that) or any other advice you can find. Where I live, boats dock in choppy water and negotiating your way onto the boat requires agility.

I recently traveled with my elderly mother and took one or two cheap intra-European flights. I arranged wheelchair access for her in all airports, even though she can cliimb stairs with no problem, but we often found ourselves waiting to board the plane with passengers who used wheelchairs alone. You of course should contact the airlines directly, but I think they can accommodate you.

I am sorry to say that Italy is one of the most challenging European countries for accessibility, not only for public transportation, but for all kinds of mobility. Since you have been in Italy before, you know much of this, but I still recommend you see if you can get your hands of very specific information about accessibility on in le Cinque Terre, its boats, and the coastal Ligurian train line.

Best!

Adoc86

I actually went by car to Santa Margherita in the past. I have a lot of family in Milan and my aunt has an apartment in Santa Margherita. Last time my Italian cousin drove us there.

I'm wondering how difficult it is to drive in the area from Genova to Santa Margherita? Neither my boyfriend nor I have ever driven in a foreign country before and it seems a bit intimidating. We are planning to drive through Tuscany, which I've heard is easy, but I don't remember much about the drive to Santa Margherita (it was 8 years ago, when I was 16). Also, is there typically plenty of parking in the area in August? And is it easy to drive to the Cinque Terre from Santa Margherita?

Last time I took a boat from Santa Margherita to Portofino and it worked out quite well. Is there anything like this that goes to any of the Cinque Terre or other areas? I've read that Monterosso is the most wheelchair friendly of the 5, followed by Vernazza - so we are most interested in visiting these two. I really appreciate all of your help, as it is extremely difficult to plan a trip to Europe as a disabled tourist.

CathyM

I just want to commend you for your persistence and desire to travel when you are in a wheelchair! I wouldn't think driving could be hardly intimidating to someone that has traveled to the places you have with a wheelchair You seem so organized when it comes to being prepared for the potential issues - perhaps you should consider writing a guide for others with this challenge. Sorry I can't help you with this specific question but I really admire your determination and positive attitude.

zeppole

I recommend that you take a taxi from Genova to Santa Margherita Ligure. Yes, it will cost you something close to 100e --

BUT:

If you rent a car the minute you arrive in Genova, that also will cost you plenty -- especially if your boyfriend doesn't drive a manual transmission (and I don't recommend the A12 autostrade as a practice course). In addition to the car rental fee the first day, you will also pay tolls on the autostrade, gas and a parking fee in Santa Margherita Ligure. So in reality, that 100e you pay to the taxi driver to pick you up right at your entry point and deliver you right to your hotel door step is really not that much over the cost of a car.

In August. if I am reading this website correctly, there are boats that will take you from Santa Margherita Ligure to le Cinque Terre. (Linea 5)

http://www.traghettiportofino.it/eng/linee.html

If you previously didn't have a problem with the boats that tour around Portofino, I think you will be able to handle the boats leaving for le Cinque Terre. However, the website includes an e-mail and telephone number, and I would not only contact them about accessibility, but also to confirm the website information and ask about the RETURN trip.

I really can't comment on the accessibility of Monterosso al Mare or Vernazza.

In August, parking anywhere along the Ligurian seaside is at a premium, and often not to be had for love or money. So if at all possible, avoid renting a car.

If once you are in Santa Margherita Ligure you find it is not difficult for you to use the buses, it can be extremely nice to take the bus up to Ruta, which has a beautiful view (and a bar called Da Nicco). In addition, you can take a completely flat scenic road to San Rocco di Camogli (35 minutes) or catch a bus to take you there (5 minutes). San Rocco di Camogli has beautiful views toward France and a few tiny bars and pleasant restaurants. (Buses run between 9 am and 7pm roughly).

Or you can switch buses in Ruta and take another bus to Camogli. The seaside in Camogli is flat and pedestrianzied, and it can be accessed at either end of town without staircases.

Also, you can take boats in summer from Santa Margherita to neighboring towns, and not just Portofino. They are pricier than buses, but it can still be worth it to go to Rapallo for a gelato at Frigidarium, very near the boat dock, opposite the castle (it is extraordinary gelato).

Or take the boat to Chiavari, one of the very few Renaissance towns on the Ligurian coast, with shady porticoes and great cafes and restaurants.

Finally, in Santa Margherita Ligure itself, I like Pestarino on the via Palestro. Great pastries, great cheeses, great coffee, a great spot to watch the visitors from Milan strut their stuff by the sea.

Have a great trip! You will see beautiful things all the time without hardly trying!

PS: Tuscany is easy driving, much easier than Liguria. Think about renting your car in Rapallo rather than La Spezia. Also, before settling on a driving route and base in Tuscany, start a new post and ask a few more questions about whether the route you have picked is the easiest driving from Liguria to your Tuscan accommodation.

zeppole

If my above post wasn't clear, you get to San Rocco by taking a bus or taxi from Santa Margherita Ligure to Ruta. From Ruta, you can use a flat road to get to San Rocco (30 mins) or take a bus (5mins).

Also, I meant to point out that both Chiavari and Rapallo are flat, without any stairs. The best part of Chiavari is not at the seaside, but at the bottom of the foothills. When you arrive, by boat, bus, train or taxi, move in the opposite direction from the sea -- or ask anyone for Caffe Defilla -- and you will arrive in the historic center.

Adoc86

Thanks Cathy! I have actually considered writing a travel guide for disabled people several times in the past, as there really aren't any indepth books or websites regarding the issue. When I could walk I always wanted to see the world and that hasn't changed just because I'm sitting down. I think, like most people on these forums, that I'm officially addicted to travel ;-)

Zeppole: I really want to thank you for all of your advice, it is EXTREMELY helpful. I just discovered these forums a couple of days ago and so far I've gotten some really valuable information that will definitely make the journey easier. I agree that it sounds as if taking a taxi will be the most convenient. I will definitely contact the boat companies to confirm everything, since I've had problems with accessibility in the past based on various websites that stated hotels & attractions were wheelchair friendly, when in fact they were not.

Adoc86

Also, thanks for the advice on renting a car for the Tuscany drive from Rapallo instead of La Spezia, I looked at a map and that seems like it makes much more sense!

zeppole

Da niente, adoc86! Have a wonderful stay in a very beautiful country.

I wanted to add, since I know the rest of your itinerary includes Tuscany, that if you drive in the are of San Gimignano, I am not alone in feeling that it is a more impressive sight from a car, approaching it, than actually parking and climbing through the town.

If you stay in the rural area of Tuscany south of Siena, the town of Buonconvento is completely flat and has several good restaurants, some small fascinating museums, good parking and loads of charm and history. Most tourists skip it because it is not a hilltown, but that's too bad.

http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=142

Also, I think you can find on the web information about how to use a windshield sign so you can park in designated spaces for wheelchair users.

Buon viaggi!