Tag Archives: Accessible getaways abroad

Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Moscow

Moscow feels like a city built for giants. The scale of the place is incredible. The roads are wide. The buildings are monumental and the parks are vast. And then, there is also the great weight of history in this ancient city.

Surely there are few other places (Berlin perhaps?) where so many momentous events have taken place. You can feel it in every brick and stone, red star and golden dome.

But then this can also be a surprisingly accessible city too. Full of historic and artistic wonders, it is actually a wonderful place to visit for a few days. It makes for the perfect getaway for those of us who use a mobility scooter.

With that in mind, here is our pick of the must-see sights for your next trip to Moscow.

Visit the Bolshoi Ballet

The Russian capital is synonymous with ballet, and the Bolshoi is its spiritual home. This wonderful building is wheelchair accessible and is the perfect place to see some of the world’s greatest performers.


Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is one of Moscow’s most important institutions. Incredibly, the building itself has been burned down numerous times, but this remarkable theatre lives on. It was renovated most recently in 2011.

Today it is home to both a world-class ballet company and an opera company. Both hold daily performances, although tickets sell out fast – as you would expect. To book one of the accessible spaces for a performance, head to their official site, here.

Enjoy some of the world’s greatest art

Moscow is a true cultural centre and a wonderful place to see some of the greatest art ever made. One of the best places to get a taste of this is the magnificent Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. It is huge, and packed with works from the Impressionists to Botticelli, Rembrandt to Degas.

It’s a fascinating place to explore. And while there is plenty of incredible original art, some of the most interesting rooms are actually the ones full of reproductions. The Greek and Italian courtyards are beautiful. They are one of the few places where you can see marble copies of the statues from the Parthenon alongside Michelangelo’s David!

The Pushkin is not completely accessible, but large parts of it are. You can find out more about how to explore it using your mobility scooter here.

We also recommend that you contact the museum team directly before your visit to discuss your specific arrangements. Call them on 7(985)863-39-84 or email them at [email protected]

Get some retail therapy in GUM

You should visit the huge GUM department store on Red Square, if only for its wonderful position. With views of the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, the setting couldn’t be better.

But it is also a great place to indulge in a little retail therapy too. GUM is a real Soviet-era relic. Under the Soviets, GUM was known as the State Department Store.

Where GUM now stands has long been an important commercial centre for Muscovites. A building on the site was originally commissioned by Empress Catherine the Great.

Today, this magnificent building is well worth a visit. Its spectacular vaulted roof is an architectural marvel, and the whole place is fully accessible too. So whether you want to buy some traditional amber jewellery, some valenki felted boots or even a fur hat, GUM is the place to go.

Roam through Gorky Park

Moscow’s most famous park is great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Named after the great Russian writer Maxim Gorky, the park has also played a role in plenty of spy dramas too! The park today is somewhere where Muscovites love to go to exercise and relax.

The park has been redeveloped and revamped relatively recently, and is a clean, safe, communal green space to spend time in. Gorky Park is full of things to do – from boat hire to ping pong, it is a place where people like to meet and unwind.

We loved the atmosphere here, and it provides a welcome break from the more touristy parts of the city. And with flat level paths throughout it is also fully accessible to all.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Moscow Gorky Park

Did you know?

There are more billionaires living in Moscow than in any other city in the world!

Getting to Moscow

Getting to Moscow from the UK is straightforward. There are regular daily flights from the London airports, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

As usual, make sure your airline knows of any special requirements you might have when you book. Once you’ve arrived in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, there is also an excellent special assistance service. You can find out more details here. Or, you can give the team a call on +7 (495) 578-65-65 to make arrangements.

Sheremetyevo’s Aeroexpress train is the quickest and easiest way to get into the city centre. This accessible shuttle runs every half an hour or so. It is also possible to get a personal assistant for the journey. Just head to the Aeroexpress site here to book.

Sadly, Moscow’s beautiful subway system is completely inaccessible to those of us with mobility scooters. Until things change, the newer city buses and trams are a good option for getting around. For more details, take a look at the Moscow Mayor’s official site, here.

There is also an excellent private taxi service, Invaxi, which has plenty of specially adapted vehicles. Get in touch with them directly, here.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Montpellier

Montpellier might not be one of the best-known cities in Europe. But we think that it certainly deserves to be. This beautiful French city is an historic gem, with a fascinating medieval centre. But it is also a vibrant, modern cultural hotspot that makes for the perfect getaway.

Most impressive of all is the effort the city has gone, to make as many of its sights and facilities as accessible as possible. The city actively encourages its tourist attractions and shops to be open to all – and the results are impressive. Here is our pick of the very best of accessible Montpellier.

Enjoy some classic (and modern) architecture

Montpellier is an architecture buff’s dream. Just take a tour of the city centre. You’ll be treated to a crash course in architecture from the last thousand years or so.

There is the stunning medieval quarter for a start. Many of the buildings you’ll see here were first built in Middle Ages, but they’ve been added to in the intervening years. Le Tour des Pins is a part of the old medieval city walls and sits just opposite the botanic gardens (more of these in a moment).

But the city centre also includes more modern architectural treasures too. These include buildings by architects such as Jean Nouvel and Ricardo Bofill. Our favourite however is the Pierres Vives Building, a striking government building designed by Zaha Hadid.

While you’re in the centre, we also recommend that you visit the Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier. The city’s botanic garden is the oldest in France (founded in 1593!). There are steps, but it also has a number of flat, accessible paths. It is a wonderfully peaceful space.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Montpellier Comedy Square

See some great art

Montpellier has always been popular with artists, and it is no surprise. This light-filled Mediterranean city is a truly inspirational place. Even if you’re not tempted to pick up a paintbrush yourself, this a great place to enjoy some world-class art. We recommend starting your art tour at the fabulous Musée Fabre. It is completely accessible to those of us who use a mobility scooter.

It has a fascinating collection of the very best in French painting and sculpture. The building itself is beautiful too. We particularly love how the curators have created a number of themed trails for visitors. So, if you want to go and see all of the paintings in the museum featuring flowers or fruits, monsters or even nudes, you can!

Browse the street markets

Montpellier (and in fact France in general) is perfect for those of us who love to browse a good local market. The region surrounding Montpellier creates some wonderful produce, and many of the local farmers head into the city to sell their wares. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the main market days. We suggest you take your time to try some of the local cheeses at the market by the Saint Clement aqueduct.

Of course, this is an outdoor street market, so our recommendation comes with the usual caveats about kerbs and cobbles. You will find however that despite being an historic city, Montpellier’s pedestrianized streets are generally accessible to scooter users.

If the weather isn’t so good, then there is also the covered market in the town centre, as well as many others. But with 260-plus days of sun a year however, the weather is almost always good in Montpellier!

Head to the beach!

Did we mention it’s always sunny in Montpellier? The weather here really is generally lovely all year around. And so, one of the best recommendations we have is simply to head to the beach.

It is possible to take one of the city’s accessible trams all the way to many of the nearby beaches. But there is also another alternative if you want a mini-adventure.

There is a flat, accessible cycle path that goes all the way from the historic centre of Montpellier to the beaches at Palavas. The journey is very scenic, and it is a great way to avoid the crowds and the traffic.

Quingo Scooter Accessible Montpellier Beach

Did you know?

Montpellier truly is a stylish city: the livery for its trams was conjured up by French designer Christian Lacroix, no less!

Getting to Montpellier

The easiest way to get to Montpellier from the UK is to fly. There are regular flights from Bristol, Luton and London Gatwick airports. As usual, let your airline know at least 48 hours before you fly if you need any help during the flight and at the airport.

Montpellier airport itself has a special assistance service. The team will help you through the airport and there is an adapted airport shuttle that will take you into town too. The journey takes around 15 minutes and is only €1.60.

When it comes to getting around Montpellier itself, the situation is good for those of us with limited mobility. The pedestrianized areas are generally flat, and the trams are all accessible too. For a detailed guide to the city’s tram network, check out the official site here.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Munich

It’s best to think of Germany’s second city, Munich, as a capital in its own right. It is the state city of Bavaria, for one. But it also has the scale and grandeur of a capital city too. Packed full of art galleries, museums, great restaurants and of course, beer halls, it is the perfect getaway.

Like the national capital, Berlin, it has a rich history all of its own. There is plenty to explore over a few days. So, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to the very best accessible sights that Munich has to offer.

Enjoy a taste of Bavarian beer culture

We all know Munich is world famous for its beer culture. The centrepiece of this, Oktoberfest, attracts a lot of attention, and is now an international phenomenon.

But the people of Munich enjoy their beer all year around, and it is a traditional part of daily life there. It’s how people relax, catching up with friends and unwinding in beer halls and beer gardens across the city.

Of course, not everyone is a drinker. But even if you’re not, Munich’s beer gardens in particular are well worth a visit. Our tip is to go to the Englische Garten, which has a beer garden that holds up to 7,000 people.

It’s also just a great place to explore. It has many kilometres of accessible paths for mobility scooter users among the plants and flowers.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Munich Garden

See the Devil’s footprint in the Münchner Dom

This imposing cathedral is a dominating piece of Gothic architecture which has ramped access to the main building. It was first built in the 1400s and has been a proud symbol of the city ever since. Architecture buffs will love the beautiful Gothic nave. And for the historians among you, there’s plenty to explore among the ancient tombs of the Bavarian princes housed here.

But one of the most fascinating aspects of the church is the infamous ‘Devil’s footprint’. Look out for this curiosity in the floor of the main building. It has a fascinating backstory. Legend says that the original architect made a deal with the Devil to build the original building. It was supposed to have no windows, but when the Devil saw it had them, he stamped his foot down in anger!

Explore the historic heart of Munich

Marienplatz is a large, pedestrianized square in the centre of this historic city. It is largely flat and easy to negotiate on a mobility scooter. Here, you’ll find the beautiful Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), with its remarkable clock. If you can time your visit right (get there for 11am, midday or 5pm) you’ll be treated to a beautiful chiming display.

It’s also the perfect place to people watch and pass the time one of the traditional Munich restaurants that line the square. One of the best is the Ratkeller. It has tables outside, a lift to the restaurant and serves an excellent schweinshaxe (pork knuckle).

Quingo Scooters Accessible Munich Marienplatz town hall

Indulge yourself in the Viktuelmarkt

Speaking of local delicacies, we strongly recommend you spend some time exploring Munich’s wonderful food market. The Viktualienmarkt is full of wonderful Bavarian delicacies.

There are sausages, of course. But there is also a wealth of options for the non-meat eaters among us. No other country in Europe produces as much cheese as Germany, and Bavaria has some particularly great examples.

We recommend the obaztda – a soft cheese that goes perfectly with a salty pretzel. And if you need something to wash all that food down, there is also another (and fully accessible) beer keller next door. The excellent Der Pschorr is well worth a visit.

Did you know?

Munich is the home of plasticine. This kids’ favourite was invented in the city by a German pharmacist called Franz Kolb. Thank you, Franz!

Getting to Munich

As one the most important cities in Germany and a major economic centre, it’s no surprise that Munich is well served by flights. You can fly direct from the UK, with regular flights from the London airports, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Most European airports now provide a special assistance service for passengers, and Munich is no different. As usual, just let your airline know a couple of days before you fly.

Getting from the airport into the city is also relatively straightforward.

You have a few choices, not least an accessible taxi from outside the terminal. But public transport in Munich is so good that we recommend you take the S-Bahn train instead. Lines S1 and S8 regularly travel into the centre from the airport. Once you’re in the city itself, you’ll also find that getting around on public transport is accessible and straightforward.

The S and U-Bahn (underground) trains are all accessible, with access via lifts or ramps. Almost all buses and trams are also fully accessible. If you want to find out more about getting around Munich, visit the official site here.

Travelling with scooters

Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth checking. Get in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines to check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme. This includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Ljubljana

It’s not one of the largest capital cities in Europe, but Ljubljana is rapidly becoming one of the most accessible. This hidden gem is the perfect destination for a short break and it’s often referred to as a ‘mini Prague’. With its beautiful Baroque architecture, medieval old town and rich history it is easy to see why.

But while the comparison is a fair one, we think that Ljubljana deserves a lot more attention than it gets. So, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to some of the best accessible things to do in Ljubljana.  

Take in the view from Ljubljana Castle

Most castles weren’t originally designed to be accessible, but the team at Ljubljana Castle have done an excellent job of transforming this historic building. It is one of the most popular attractions in the country, and with good reason.

You can head up to the castle via a funicular railway. Once you’re there, you can then enjoy an accessible tour that takes in all of the main sights. The castle is over 900 years old and is home to a puppet museum and an exhibition of Slovenian history. As you’d expect the views across the city are spectacular. It is the perfect place to get a sense both the scale of the capital and how green it is.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways Ljubljana Volcji Potok Park

Explore the Volčji Potok Arboretum

This beautiful park is not far out of the centre of Ljubljana and is well worth a visit. It is stunning in the spring, when the team there creates a spectacular display of daffodils and tulips.

But it’s a fascinating place to explore at any time of the year, with a plant collection featuring over 2,500 different species. The great news is that it is also straightforward to get around for those of us who use a mobility scooter. The paths are level throughout and the gardens are fully accessible.

Explore the winding streets and squares of the Old Town

Ljubljana draws favourable comparisons with the Czech capital, and when you’re in the Old Town you can see why. Cobbled streets, quiet squares and Baroque and Renaissance architecture make this area an essential part of your visit to the city.

One of the charms of Ljubljana is its scale. It really is tiny compared to Prague and you’ll find that most of it is relatively easy to get around on your scooter. While the cobbles can be tricky to negotiate, generally the pedestrianized areas have been well cared for.

There are plenty of cycle paths around the city centre too, which make life easier for mobility scooter users. In addition, if you want to try an alternative mode of transport, hail a Kavalir. This fleet of electric vehicles carry people around the centre for free.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways Ljubljana Canal

Enjoy the local café culture

We found that Ljubljana is a city that does café culture superbly well. Lots of the cafés, bars and restaurants in the Old Town have tables outside. It means it is straightforward to park up your scooter and get served quickly.

If you love your coffee, then Ljubljana (and Slovenia in general) offers a fascinating coming together of Italian and Slavic coffee culture. It’s a winning combination. Try pairing your coffee with a slice of prekmurska gibanica (the city’s very own walnut cake) and you’ll truly be in heaven. 

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, then we suggest you check out Druga Violina, right in the heart of the Old Town. It’s fully accessible, serves great traditional Slovenian food and is run as a project to employ local people with disabilities. Highly recommended.

Did you know?

If you’re urgently in need of a cool, refreshing glug of raw milk while you’re exploring Ljubljana, fear not. There is a fresh milk dispenser (known as the mlekomat) in the main market in the centre of town.

Getting to Ljubljana

As Ljubljana isn’t a huge city, it only has the one airport which is around 30km from the city centre.

There are regular flights to Jože Pučnik Airport from several UK airports. You can fly direct from the London airports, as well as Manchester and Glasgow. Once at the airport you’ll find that it’s completely accessible and barrier-free to those of us who use a mobility scooter. There is also an excellent special assistance service. As usual, just let your airline know when you’re making the initial booking if you want to take advantage of this.

As we’ve mentioned, the airport is quite a distance from the city centre. But it is still straightforward to get to. There are plenty of accessible taxis from outside the terminal (it should cost around €35 to the centre), as well as regular public buses. These cost around €4 and they go on the hour, every hour.

Within the city itself, you’ll find that most of the public buses have ramps. If you need a larger taxi to get around, then the Taxi Metro service is also excellent. There is also more information about getting around on the city’s official site, here, and even a dedicated app too.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847

Holidays

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Brussels

There is a lot more to Brussels than waffles and politicians, as we discovered recently. Because of its political importance, Brussels has become a true melting pot of different European cultures. And it isn’t a big city either, which means it is easy to get around. The great news is that many of Brussels’ best sights are also fully accessible to those of us who use a mobility scooter.

Great food, beautiful architecture and friendly people make Brussels the perfect choice for anyone looking for an accessible getaway. Here is our guide to some of this wonderful city’s highlights.

Take a tour around the Grand-Place

We always love to begin our tours of European cities with the main square. And, in our view, Brussels’ Grand-Place is the best of the lot. It has been the social, commercial and cultural heart of this city for centuries. And over that time it has hosted everything from public executions to regular markets.

The buildings around the square itself are stunning too. The Maison de Roi, the guild houses and the City Hall are all wonderful examples of many varied architectural styles. The square is cobbled (they are hard to avoid in Belgium) – but they are negotiable on your scooter, and it is still well worth making the effort to visit the Grand-Place.

Tuck into the world’s best waffles

It’s a cliché maybe, but Belgian waffles are just too good to miss out on. As with preparing moules-frites and brewing Trappist beer, the Belgians have made making waffles into an art form.

There are certainly plenty of places to choose from, but our favourite has to be Maison Dandoy. It is a Brussels institution, and makes some of the most delicious sweet treats we’ve ever tasted.

It is popular and it is busy: but take that as a good sign. You might have to wait in line behind a lot of other hungry customers looking to top up their blood sugar levels, but trust us, your patience will be rewarded. A true taste of Brussels.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Brussels Waffle

Visit the European Parliament

Love it or loathe it, the European Parliament is a remarkable institution and a key part of the life of the city of Brussels. The building that houses it is well worth a visit, and is free and completely accessible to everyone.

Unsurprisingly there is a huge amount for history and politics buffs to see and explore. For us, one of the most fascinating aspects of visiting the building is getting the chance to see the Parliament itself in session. Again, the ‘Hemicycle’ room where it sits is completely accessible to all.

The Parliament isn’t held everyday however so it is well worth checking their website before your visit to see the schedule.

Get a bird’s-eye view from the Atomium

It is one of the most iconic buildings in Brussels and an unmissable part of its skyline. The Atomium was first built for the city for the Brussels World Expo back in the late 1950s. Even though it was intended to be temporary, the public loved it so much that it stayed. We’re glad that it did – this is a truly unique building and well worth the short trip out of town to see it.

We will be honest here: in terms of access, the Atomium isn’t great. Only one of the floors (the observation deck) is accessible by lift. So why on earth are we recommending it here?

Well, for one thing, the building is spectacular when viewed from the outside anyway. If you are looking for the perfect background for your defining Brussels photo, you’ve found it.

But that single, accessible floor is also the best one of the lot. The observation deck affords spectacular views across the city, and is a great place to get a lie of the land. Highly recommended.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Brussels Atomium

Did you know?

The magnificent Town Hall in the Grand-Place isn’t symmetrical. While this is actually due to the two halves being built at different times, the legend goes that it was a mistake. The original architect (so the story says) threw himself off the belfry in despair when he realised his error.

Getting to Brussels

As the unofficial ‘capital of Europe’, it’s no surprise that Brussels is easy to get to from the UK. The city is a straightforward trip on Eurostar through the tunnel from London St Pancras. It’s only 1 hour 48 minutes and is a great way to get to the Belgian capital if you don’t fancy flying. If you do want to fly, then there are also regular non-stop flights from the London airports as well as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.

Eurostar do a great job of looking after those of us who have different mobility needs. You can get help boarding and disembarking in both London St Pancras and Brussels. Just give the team a call on +44(0) 3432 186 186 and choose option four to book at least 48 hours before.

It is a similar situation at Brussels airport. Again, just let your airline know at least 48 hours prior to your flight to arrange the special assistance service. There are also a number of PRM Help Points around the terminal where you can contact the airport team directly.

To get to the city, one option is an accessible taxi from outside the terminal. If you prefer to take the bus however, then the accessible lines 21 and 12 will take you straight to the centre. There are also regular accessible trains from the airport station into Brussels.

Brussels is also a straightforward city to get around. The Metro has accessible stations on lines 1,2,5 and 6. Not every train is easy to get on or off however, and we recommend you give the team a call on +32 2 515 23 65 to book assistance.

The city’s buses offer an even better option – they are almost all completely accessible with ramped access. To find out more take a look at the city’s public transport site here.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847