Tag Archives: summer

Holidays, Quingo Scooters, Reviews

Where are Europe’s Five Most Accessible Cities?

Quingo Scooters encourages you to get out and see the world, from the comfort of your mobility scooter. Previously we’ve shared some great accessible getaways for you in different locations to try as a mobility scooter user. If you fancy going somewhere a little more continental, today we’re going to reveal the five most accessible cities in Europe.

Milan, Italy

The best European city for mobility scooters is Milan. The metropolis is not only an Italian fashion and cultural capital, but it won the City Access Award last year, showing that it’s made great strides to improve accessibility. Travelling to Milan is easy as Italy’s railways, as well as the city’s Linate and Malpensa airports are fully accessible. It boasts various accessible attractions, such as the Piazza del Duomo. This is near iconic sites such as Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall, where you can find shops from legendary Italian brands such as Prada as well as stylish bars and cafes.

Boras, Sweden

Sweden is a great country for mobility scooter users. In 2015 its government made lack of accessibility a new form of discrimination, and as a result great efforts have been made to make it much easier to get around. Sweden’s crown jewel is its second largest city, Boras. It has a range of “accessible hotels,” with an “accessible path of travel,” so it’ll be easy to find somewhere to stay. This lush city is known for its open green spaces like Ranmaparken, which includes paved paths, making it great for mobility scooter users. Various attractions in Boras, like its Textile Museum and City Theatre, are fully accessible, giving you plenty to see and do.

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Berlin, Germany

The German city of Berlin is the ideal getaway location for any mobility scooter user. It’s really easy to travel in Berlin as its buses, metro lines and taxis are all mobility scooter friendly. It also has wide pavements and both vocal and visual signals at road crossings. It’s hard to not find an accessible attraction in Berlin. All its top sites from Potsdam, the old Reichstag and Charlottenburg Palace, to Madame Tussauds and the Jewish Museum of Berlin, can be navigated easily with a mobility scooter.

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Barcelona, Spain

If you’re looking for blazing sun and fabulous artistic attractions, Barcelona is the place for you. This Spanish city’s metro stations are 80% accessible, while its buses are 100% accessible, so getting around won’t be a problem. We’d suggest that you take a shopping trip on the iconic Las Ramblas Street while in Barcelona, as it’s completely flat. In Barcelona, you can go to the front of the line as a mobility scooter user when seeing sites like the gorgeous Sagrada Familia church, which is also free to enter.

Manchester, UK

You don’t have to leave the UK for an accessible holiday as our very own Manchester is fantastic for anyone who uses a mobility scooter. The north-western hub has wide, smooth pavements making it easy to get around, while the majority of its bars and shops have step-free entrances. It also houses various mobility scooter-friendly attractions like Etihad Stadium and the Trafford Centre, while restaurants like El Gato Negro, which does Spanish Tapas, are some of the most accessible in the UK.

About Quingo

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 308478.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters, Tips and Advice

How Do I Find an Accessible Holiday?

Quingo Scooters understand that when thinking about your next holiday or weekend away, there are certain things to consider for you and your mobility scooter. You want somewhere that can cater for your needs, be accessible and most importantly be comfortable for a relaxing time away.

So how do you find a holiday or short break that you know has everything you’ll need? In this post we’ll be sharing some of the best sites out there that can guarantee to find you exactly what you have in mind, or that can give you some holiday inspiration. There are some great accessible holiday sites out there, dedicated finding you accessible accommodation.

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Accomable

Srin and Martryn run Accomable. They are well known in the accessible tourism arena so they understand better than anyone what makes good accessible accommodation. With holiday accommodation not just in the UK but from around the world, this site enables you to explore that little bit further. Accomable has over 500 properties in 40 countries – so you’re sure to find somewhere new to discover!

Tip: Don’t forget to submit your email address to get the latest news, updates and special holiday offers delivered directly to your inbox!

Handiscover

Handiscover is unique in that it has a unique rating system, grading accommodation depending on your level of mobility. This community-based holiday booking platform is great in that it not only lists hotels but also apartments, houses and B&B’s. It’s really easy to use and user friendly, and there definitely isn’t a lack of in-depth information on each property listing.

Tip: Some properties can be booked directly from the Handiscover site, for extra easiness!

Limitless Travel

Angus runs Limitless Travel, and he’s really passionate about finding stress-free places to stay. The site is fairly new, but has a nice design and is easy to use. On here you’ll not only find places to holiday, but also accessible attractions.

Tip: Limitless Travel enables you to focus on one city at a time – this unique feature gives you comprehensive coverage of each city before moving on to the next.

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Share your accessible holiday with Quingo!

If you want to share your mobility scooter accessible getaway, we’d be delighted to hear from you. You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

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 308478.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Holidays: Homelands Trust, Fife

Here at Quingo Scooters we love discovering new places for holidays and getaways, it gives you something exciting to look forward to when you eventually book! In our accessible holidays series we’ve been discovering some of the best accessible holidays around, at home and abroad.

This week we’re heading to Fife, Scotland, for an accessible holiday that’s definitely home away from home! In Fife you’ll find the historic town of St. Andrews, located on the northeast coast. It is also well known for the University of St. Andrews, one of the most ancient universities in the world, and it is also renowned as the home of golf.  There are numerous historical buildings to take note of in Fife, including Dunfermline Abbey, Ravenscraig Castle in Kirkcaldy and St. Andrews Cathedral.

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Homelands Trust

The Homelands Trust is an independent, Fife-based charity which works to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by disability through the provision of luxury holiday accommodation. The area around Homelands is a great mix of breath-taking scenery, quaint fishing villages, and places of historic interest. There’s also numerous attractions and activities all within easy reach, so you’ll have a jam packed break away if you wish!

If you fancy a more quiet retreat however, the 2 or 4 bedroom luxury lodges are the perfect place to relax. You’re guaranteed comfort and well thought-out accessibility features, and if you wish you can bring your pets along to holiday with you.

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Accessible Accommodation

There are a range of different accommodation options at Homelands Trust:

Drummochy – A lodge that sleeps up to 8 people and is pet friendly. It has three twin bedrooms and a single room with a pull out bed. It has a spacious kitchen, dining and living area. Large patio doors open on to the south facing garden, providing beautiful views over the Lundin golf course and across Largo Bay to the Lothians. One of the twin bedrooms has an Invacare Medley Ergo electric profiling bed and Invacare Softform pressure relief mattress. The other twin has the same mattress with an active air pump. Both bedrooms have a Guldmann H-frame ceiling tracking hoist. There is also a utility room, wet room with Guldmann H-frame ceiling tracking hoist and a ‘Clos-o-mat’ toilet. There is also a separate toilet with a hand wash basin on the ground floor. Hoists are not provided for the slings, so it is advised you bring your own when staying at Homelands.

Massney – This lodge sleeps up to 6 and isn’t pet friendly. The ground floor of the lodge is predominantly open plan with a spacious kitchen, dining and living room area. Patio doors open off the living area on to the south facing garden with the same stunning views as the Drummochy lodge. In this lodge there is a twin bedroom that has an Invacare Medley Ergo electric profiling bed with a Softform pressure relief mattress. A Guldmann H-Frame ceiling tracking hoist is located on the ground floor. There is a utility room and wet room in this lodge, complete with hoist.

You can find more information on accommodation at Homelands on their website.

Share your accessible holiday with Quingo!

If you want to share your mobility scooter accessible getaway, we’d be delighted to hear from you. You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

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 308478.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Days Out: The Eden Project

Here at Quingo Scooters we love finding brand new places for an exciting, interesting and accessible day out! Today we’re heading to Cornwall, to the Eden Project.

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The Eden Project

Described by some as the eighth wonder of the world, The Eden Project is an exciting and inspiring playground where you can explore our relationship with nature.

The complex is made of two big enclosures consisting of adjoining domes that house thousands of plant species. Eden’s Rainforest Biome is home to the largest rainforest in captivity. Additionally the Mediterranean Biome, with its many aromatic plants, is a definitely experience for the senses. Inside these two biomes are plants that are collected from many diverse climates and environments.

The Eden Project also has an outside botanical garden, which is home to many plants and wildlife native to Cornwall and the UK in general. These plants provide an important and interesting backstory, for example, some have a prehistoric heritage.

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What’s on?

There are many exciting things happening at The Eden Project depending on when you choose to visit, but here’s a few things going on at the moment.

Dinosaur Uprising – Running from 23rd July until the 4th September, this exhibition enables you to uncover fascinating facts about land-roaming giants, monsters from the deep and ancient creatures of the skies. You can come face to face with some life-size moving dinosaurs and marvel at their monstrous features. This is great for the whole family.

Festival of Food – This runs from the 9th-11th September, and can’t be missed for the foodies out there! The line-up of includes demos by famous chefs, such as Phil Vickery and John Whaite. There is the chance to sample delicious food and drink from local and regional producers including Knightor Wine, Buttermilk and The Wonky Kitchen. There are different chef demonstrations on different days, so be sure to check the website for scheduled events to make sure you catch the right one!

Storytelling – This runs every day in high season at 12pm and 2pm. Fascinating tales are told by The Eden Project’s wonderful storytellers in the lovely surroundings of the Citrus Grove inside the Mediterranean Biome. The tales range from local Cornish folk stories to fables about rainforest plants all the way from the amazon. Another great exhibition for the whole family and those that love to hear a good story!

Accessibility

The Eden Project is fully accessible to all. Upon arrival there are shuttle buses that run from the car parks, and a Land Train operates from the Visitor Centre to the base of the pit. These are free and can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Inside The Eden Project there are lifts from the highest point on site to the lowest. All toilets throughout are fully accessible and have dedicated facilities for people with multiple disabilities.

The Eden Project have their own access guide which is great for reference before your visit. In there are recommended routes around the site for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you want to share your mobility scooter accessible attraction, we’d be delighted to hear from you. You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

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 308478.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about to visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters, especially places that you didn’t think were accessible enough. Over our series of blog posts we’ve been sharing with you some extremely accessible attractions to explore on your mobility scooter.

Today we’re heading to south-west London, where you can see the world’s largest collection of living plants and keep every member of your group entertained!

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Kew Royal Botanic Garden

The impressive Kew Royal Botanic Gardens are set over 300 acres in the borough of Richmond, around 30 minutes from central London. Any gardeners out there are sure to love this day out, as there are more than 30,000 species of living plants – the largest collection in the world. One of London’s top tourist attractions, it is now on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. When you’ve finished exploring the Gardens there’s also Kew Palace to discover.

The gardens also have lots of history surrounding them. In 1913, the Tea House that sits in the Gardens was burned down by suffragettes Olive Wharry and Lillian Lenton during a series of arson attacks in London. In the Great Storm of 1987, Kew Gardens lost hundreds of trees. You can find out lots more about the Gardens when you visit – perfect for those who love a bit of history!

There’s loads to do at Kew Gardens, and there’s definitely something to suit everyone on your day out.

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What’s on?

  • The Wind in the Willows: You’ll definitely get a taste of nostalgia as you discover Kenneth Grahame’s classic story of life on the riverbank. At this incredible outdoor theatre production you’ll get to meet Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter and the infamous Toad. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kew Gardens’ lake, the show is packed full of music and laughter for the whole family. You can see the show at 11.30am to 6pm Wednesday to Friday and 11.30am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Bee Urban: At this collection of drop-in sessions you can learn all about the life of a beekeeper and what it’s like to inspect honey. You get to try on the kit, learn the waffle dance and get crafty! This is suitable for the little ones in your group, and there’s no need to book. These sessions take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
  • Georgian Cookery Demonstrations: Love cooking and history? This is the right exhibition for you! Here you can find out what type of food King George III was eating during his time at Kew Palace at these drop-in cookery demonstrations in the Kew Palace Kitchens. The cooks use authentic Georgian recipes and ingredients to replicate the exact dishes served to George III. This runs on various dates up to the 2nd October, exact information can be found on the Kew Gardens website.

 Accessibility

Accessibility around Kew Gardens is excellent, with numerous tarmacked paths and clear signage to the different areas. Most of the buildings in the Gardens have level or ramped access for mobility scooters.

Within easy reach of all the main attractions there are accessible toilet facilities, and their location is clearly marked on the visitor information map. All of the cafes and both shops in the Gardens are fully accessible with level access.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible places on your Quingo or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo

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 308478.