Providing you plan well enough in advance, diabetes should not need to impact your well-earned break in the sun (or on the piste, or in the mountains or exploring cities, etc.). Living with this condition on a daily basis, you know that preparation is vital. Going away is no different; it simply requires a few extra considerations.
We’ve put together a handy list to make sure that your diabetes is under control on your family holiday.
Declare your condition
To be able to take your medication on the flight, you must have a doctor’s letter which confirms you have diabetes and explains you need to carry insulin, syringes, needles, tablets, etc. Despite the restrictions on carrying sharp objects and liquids that have been enforced over recent years, with this official letter, you should have no problems.
Make your travel insurer aware of your condition so that should you require assistance related to your diabetes, you will be covered. Better still, insure with a company who has a comprehensive understanding of diabetes and can ensure your policy is just right.
Obtain a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
From 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, GHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
Double up on your supplies
It’s always better to have more rather than less, isn’t it? Whether you need them or not, take twice the amount of your medicines away with you – simply to cover all eventualities. It’s also a good idea to identify the pharmacies/ hospitals in or nearest to your resort where you may be able to pick up additional supplies, just to put your mind at rest.
Speak with your airline before flying
As mentioned above, aviation rules allow diabetes sufferers to carry medication and equipment in their hand luggage if accompanied with a doctor’s letter. That said, the Civil Aviation Authority still recommends that you call your airline in advance to discuss your requirements and understand what restrictions may be in place. This is especially important if you use a pump of continuous glucose monitor.
Know how your medication will be stored in-flight
Once on board, the cabin crew may ask to store your medication during the flight – this is standard procedure and nothing to worry about, but it pays to find out in advance. If you do have to put some insulin in your stowed luggage, pack it in airtight containers, split between several cases in case of damage or loss. Check your medication post-flight; if the insulin has formed any crystals, it should be discarded. Once you’ve reached your accommodation, keep your insulin in the fridge and out of the heat.
Know your food options
Many airlines these days give you the option of a diabetic menu, though experts claim diabetic people don’t necessarily need special meals. You know what you can and can’t eat, but if in doubt, discuss your concerns with the airline in advance.
For shorter flights where meals aren’t provided and the menu is rather limited, you’ll need to take your own snacks, probably bought from shops at the airport. You may be able to find some diabetic/ ‘safe’ foods in Boots, or can find something to take away that won’t affect your blood glucose levels. Regardless of flight times and destination, take some snacks on board in case your flight is delayed or to manage any hypoglycaemic attacks – glucose tablets, Lucozade and slow-release carbohydrates (muesli bars, biscuits, etc) are a must.
While on holiday, just be sensible – as you would at home.
Think about your regime
Travelling to a far-flung destination can make things confusing – crossing time zones can knock out your usual regime and make it difficult to know when to take your medicine. Many people do this frequently and don’t come to much harm.
Diabetes UK says that time changes of four hours or fewer don’t warrant any major changes to your usual routine. If travelling further, then the organisation advises the following:
“When travelling east to west, the day is lengthened and some clinics will advise you to take an extra meal and to cover it with extra insulin. When travelling west to east, the day is shortened and the amount of insulin and carbohydrate may need to be reduced.”
More information is available on the website.
Take care of yourself
Holidays are a time when we tend to ‘let go’ and perhaps indulge in things that we wouldn’t when back home. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a few holiday excesses either, provided you take care of yourself. Check your blood glucose levels frequently, mind those cocktails and just look after yourself.
That way, you and the entire family can enjoy that hard-earned and much-anticipated trip abroad without any worry.
Ever since the 1992 Paralympics were hosted there, Barcelona has worked hard to make sure it’s an accessible tourist destination for all. Over the years, it has introduced dropped kerbs, tactile paving and audible, flashing crossings. The transformation of its transport facilities and most popular attractions, however, is particularly remarkable.
Simply put, Barcelona is the perfect location for disabled visitors and travellers with visual or hearing impairments. Here’s why:
Transport
All of Barcelona’s buses, of which there are more than 1,000, are fully accessible. They have ramps, low floors and reserved spaces for passengers with reduced mobility. The bus shelters are also slowly being adapted too – eventually, all buses and shelters will provide both audio announcements and visual information on screens.
Taxis are another great way for disabled people to get around the city, as many of them have been adapted. By law, all drivers must allow guide dogs in their cabs for no extra charge.
Barcelona’s metro system may be 100 years old, but recent updates to its stations and trains means that the service is becoming increasingly accessible for all. The ticket barriers emit audio and visual signals to let travellers know if their ticket has been accepted or not, and at the newer stations there are platform screen doors to help ensure the passengers board the trains safely.
In some stations, disabled tourists may need help with getting on and off of trains. However, ramps are being fitted to solve this problem, and eventually all lines will be fully adapted just like Barcelona’s bus service.
Attractions
Font Màgica
Known as the largest ornamental fountain in the city, Font Màgica combines water acrobats, lights and music to create an epic display that should not be missed. The water show is mostly visual, so it is highly recommended for tourists who are deaf or hard of hearing; however, visually impaired visitors will enjoy it too for the music and the sound of the water.
To get the best viewing spots, travellers who are visually impaired or disabled should arrive early. They are permitted to bring their guide dogs too. There are a few steps at the fountain, but these can be avoided by taking one of the alternative routes designed for wheelchair users.
Zoo de Barcelona
There are more than 7,000 animals to see at Zoo de Barcelona, including the world’s smallest monkey. It’s easy to see why it’s popular with tourists and locals alike and travellers with additional needs are well catered for here.
Disabled guests can enjoy a reduced entry fee – just remember to bring your handicap certificate. There are parking spaces reserved for disabled badge holders too and the grounds are equipped with ramps to help you get around.
Basilica of La Sagrada Familia
This unusual but beautiful temple has been in construction since 1882 and isn’t expected to be completed until 2030! It’s recommended that wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility visit the temple with a friend, as accessibility is limited due to the ongoing construction work. Travellers with disability levels of 65 per cent or more can get into the temple for free, as can their companions.
Despite the attraction not being fully accessible, tours can be arranged for visitors with special needs. Plus, all the displays are audio-visual, and blind/visually impaired tourists can enjoy the many tactile features of the temple. To find out where they are, pick up a guide from the information point.
Barcelona’s beaches
Many of the city’s wonderful beaches have facilities especially for sun-seekers with reduced mobility, including reserved parking bays, showers with seats, adapted toilets, wooden walkways to the water’s edge and preferential zones for disabled bathers. There’s a whole host of different beaches to visit – Nova Icària is ideal for families as it’s one of the more peaceful beaches; Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta are the city’s oldest and therefore the most traditional, and Mar Bella is popular with younger tourists.
Disabled travellers will no doubt be pleasantly surprised by how accessible Barcelona is, and it looks like things are only going to get better.
With its cobbled streets and often-crowded tourist attractions, Rome can seem a daunting holiday destination to wheelchair users. However, we firmly believe that every traveller should visit this beautiful city at least once in their lifetime, and you may be surprised by just how accessible Rome is.
Our guide below details how accessible the top attractions are and provides some tips to getting around the city day to day.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
The Colosseum has recently been modernised, so it’s easy for wheelchair users to navigate. Its paths are mostly flat and smooth and there is an elevator which allows visitors to access the upper floor, where you can view the Colosseum from a different perspective.
The Roman Forum, however, presents a bigger challenge for wheelchair users. Whilst there is a lift down into the ruins, the paths are mostly cobbled, so you may need a friend to help you get around. There is a disabled access toilet, but you must overcome an uneven path to reach it.
Vatican City
There is a lot to see and do in the Vatican City, so bear this in mind if you’re planning to do it all in one day. Luckily, the museum and the Sistine Chapel are incredibly easy to navigate as a wheelchair user. If you don’t always use a wheelchair, but think you may require one for the long museum tour, you can hire one – just be sure to book in advance as there are only a few available.
You can find accessible bathrooms throughout the museum, and the friendly staff are always on hand to help if need be. In fact, it seems as if there are some advantages to being a wheelchair user here, as you’ll have the opportunity to access parts of the museum not available to others. For example, you’ll get a wonderful view of the Sistine Chapel.
One of the only parts of the Vatican City that cannot be accessed via wheelchair is the Vatican Gardens. This is due to the tricky terrain – in fact you’ll need to be pretty fit to take part in this two-hour long tour.
The Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon
If you want to get down to the water’s edge, you’ll need to navigate a handful of steps, so bring a friend who can help you down safely. Be wary that the Trevi Fountain is almost always crowded, which will also make it difficult to get down those few steps.
The Pantheon, on the other hand, is completely wheelchair accessible and free to visit.
Restaurants and cafes
Most eateries are rather small and are therefore not well suited to wheelchair users. If you’re visiting in the summer, we recommend eating outside – not only does it make things easier for you, it’s the best way to eat in Italy anyway! Finding accessible toilets can be tricky too; if you’re struggling to find a suitable public toilet, try the nearest McDonald’s as they will almost certainly have one.
General tips and advice
You will find your trip to Rome much less stressful if you take a friend with you that can help you navigate the cobbled streets. Your transport options are limited, so we suggest staying within the city centre and using a taxi or bus to get from one part of Rome to the other.
If you don’t want to travel with a friend, or are unable to, consider going on an accessible tour. There are lots of specialised tours to choose from which allow you to see the best parts of the city. Who knows, you may even make some new friends on your trip.
With a little help and forward-planning, it is possible to explore Rome with relative ease. Most of the main attractions now have disabled access, and the ones that don’t are bound to incorporate it in the future. After all, Rome was not built in a day.
Travelling is one of life’s perks and can be hugely enjoyable, but when you have a mental health condition, travel can add to the challenges of arranging a trip abroad.
With one in four of us expected to experience some form of mental health condition throughout our lifetimes, it’s common for people to travel with one disorder or another.
From depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it’s important to remember that it’s all about planning well in order to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
The team here at Insurancewith have compiled a handy travel checklist for you to read through before you embark on your trip:
Packing physical things isn’t the only thing you need to think about before travelling. Travel can be stressful at the best of times, so doing your research and preparing well can lower your stress levels and reduce the risk of any panic. Insurancewith recommends that you:
As with many chronic health conditions, high blood pressure can make planning a holiday more stressful than normal; especially for an activity that’s supposed to be relaxing in the first place. However, with the correct preparation, you can still have an enjoyable and fun time on your holidays even if you have hypertension.
Take a look at the travel tips that we have gathered below, to ensure that you get the most out of your holiday.
(Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/airline-travel-high-blood-pressure-15651.html)
