Accessible highlights that you must visit in Budapest if you go by wheelchair

Accessible Public Transport in Budapest

Accessible Public Transport in Budapest

Accessible Public Transport in Budapest

Special mention: Budapest among the best European cities

The European Commission presented the 2015 Access City Awards on the occasion of the European Day for People with Disabilities on 3 December 2014 in Brussels in the framework of the accessibility contest for the recognition of the best disability-friendly cities which took significant measures to make their cities accessible.

The Access City Award was established in 2010 to raise awareness of disability and to promote accessibility initiatives in European cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Since 2010, the Access City Award has been given four times during which 189 cities have entered the contest.

In 2014, 62 cities applied for this award. Budapest was selected by the European Commission from among the best seven cities and was granted the special mention for its work in the field of transport.

The award was received last week by Ms Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Mayor for Human Affairs and Dr Balázs Szeneczey, Deputy Mayor for City Development.

Markethalls in Budapest - Hungary. View out of the wheelchair

Great Market Hall, Boedapest - Hungary. Largest indoor market in Budapest, more then 10,000 square meters. At the end of shopping street Váci utca. Its a popular tourist attraction. You have to buy some Hungarian product like . produce, meats, pastries, candies, spices, and spirits such as paprika, tokaji, túró rudi, and caviar.

Accessible Budapest, Hungary near Lake Velence

If you plan to visit Budapest, the capital of Hungary, this page will provide you some useful information on the accessibility of important historical and heritage sites and of other facilities. First of all it must be stated that Budapest does not belong to the cities with high level accessibility in Europe, it is probably at medium level. This means, a part of the transportation, most parts of the built historical environment, most five and four star hotels, a few three star hotels, few restaurants, coffee shops and churches, some of the wellknown medical baths and museums, as well as all shopping centers have an access or are adapted to the needs of people first of all with physical disability, using wheelchair. Attention has been more and more devoted to people with visual, mental and other disabilities as well. Our aim is to create tourism for all in Budapest.

Covered market in Budapest, wheelchair access.

  

Historical and heritage sites and buildings in the Buda Castle  

Situated on a hill at the river Danube, the town Buda (Buda Castle) used to be the capital of Hungary between cca. 1250 and 1873. The historical town including the Royal Palace, surrounded by medieval walls – today 1st district of Budapest, generally called the Castle area – offers the most important sights, the most beautiful  places  to  visit.  The river side and the Castle area belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

Access to the area:

• Cars are banned from the Castle District in order to protect historical built environment from pollution: only people who live or work in the area, guests of the hotels, taxis, bus nr.16, 16A, 116 as well as cars or microbuses taking persons with physical disability – placing their blue parking card (valid all over Europe) under the windscreen – have permission to drive in free of charge. Bus nr.16 has also a low-floor bus with ramp. Other vehicles will be charged or must be left in the parking place up in the Castle area. At the entrance gates in Hunyadi János Street or Várfok Street the button of „Hotel” must be pushed and the provided ticket taken from the equipment. When leaving the Castle area (on Palota Street) the ticket should be put into the equipment.

• The Funicular (Budavári Sikló) take people from Clark Ádám square (at Chain Bridge) up to the Royal Palace. It is the fully accessible, please see the wheelchair logo. One way costs 1.000 HUF, two ways cost 1.700 HUF. For further information please see www.bkk.hu. (Valid in 2014)      

• The Elevator (Gyorslift) take people from Palota street at Dózsa György Square up to the western side of the Royal Palace (National Széchenyi Library). One way costs 200 HUF (0,6 EUR). It is fully accessible and free of charge for people using wheelchair.  

Mátyás Church (1014 Budapest, Országház u. 14.) – In 2013 fresh renovated.This is the main parish church of the Castle area, a historical building, a symbol of Budapest. People with disabilities can visit the Church with a free ticket. The entrance which is close to the Fisherman Bastion can be used barrierfree. The free ticket can be obtained at the ticket office next to the Church, and at the same time it can also be requested to open that barrierfree door, which is otherwise not always open. In front of the Church the tactile modell of the Mátyás Church and Fisherman’s Bastion with braille inscription is placed.   For more information please see: www.matyas-templom.hu

Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya) – near Mátyás Church: from the ground floor people can enjoy the beautiful view to the river Danube, the Margaret Island and the City of Pest.

Love, date without boundary in Thailand.

Disabled, young and wild are caractaristics not going well together without prejudice. Parents keep their young disabled children safe, sometimes too safe. Most teenage friends don't know how to respond to the limitations of a handicap. And a date, a lover or a marriage is just one step too far for the imagination of most people. But sometimes people do fall in love and then they have to face the opinion and prejudice of their family, friends, co-students, colleagues, etcetera. An article of the Telegraaf tells a story of American teenagers falling in love. He is disabled due to a muscular disease and she is a healthy and beautiful young lady. It could be my story 35 years ago.

But most disabled people are not that lucky. After many years they are still not able to find a girl or boy friend. But sometimes love can be found in unexpected places like Thailand. Thai women are very caring and loving. It is still part of their nature. But in return they like you to support their family consisting of their children, parents and sometimes even brothers and sister and their children. The Thai economy is thriving on lonely men looking for a loving, caring partner.

So are you looking for a girl friend? Are you lonely and looking for love? Why not come to Thailand? We have beautiful wheelchair accessible accomodation which will suite your needs of accessiblity and privacy. More information? Contact me by email wheelchairthailand@gmail.com .

Venice, The Venezia for wheelchairs

A few years ago I travelled to Venice, the city of romance in Italy, Europe. I loved it. Although you have to prepare your trip upfront when you are travelling in an powered wheelchair.

I travel to Thailand as well. And last time I have visit Venice in Hua Hin. Yes. Copy, copy and build.



Copy, copy and build The Venezia.
St. Marks Square in Hua Hin, Thailand.
 

St. Marks Square in Venice, Italy.

Here are the pictures. The copy and the original St. Marks Square. And this Venice is as accessible as the original. Streets have level access, access ramps into building and small steps into shops. Gondolas, bridges, etc. are not accessible. But it has a wheelchair accessible toilet.




Do you like to see more? Watch our latest Youtube movie.

 The Venezia is only 11km from the wheelchair accessible apartment of http://www.gehandicapten.com . This apartment is located in the centre of Hua Hin.
Wheelchair accessible transportation is available for airport transfer and trips. Not only to The Venezia but also to all other sights in and around Hua Hin.

The owner of these holiday accommodation is wheelchair user himself due to a muscular disease. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information. Email is infoinfo@gehandicapten.com



 

Blue mat makes beach accessible in South of France

Made this movie at Canet-Plage in South of France. Camera fitted on my electric wheelchair. Like to show you how the blue mat makes the beach accessible. Easy to reach the Mediterrenean Sea. Beach wheelchairs can you use for free.

Wheelchair travel with caregiver

We proudly present a new service. Gehandicapten.com is now offering guided holidays to Hua Hin, Thailand for disabled people living in The Netherlands and / or Belgium. All inclusive holidays for wheelchair users who like to travel individually, with partner or with a group of friends and are in need of a licensed caregiver during their accessible holiday.

Qualified Dutch caregivers travel with disabled people to Thailand.
Wheelchair accessible holiday accommodations in Hua Hin.

Benefits of travelling with Gehandicapten.com to Thailand are:
- Best wheelchair accessible accommodations, mostly well adapted holidays homes.
- Dutch caregivers with Dutch nurse license to accompany during the complete holiday.
- On site medical equipment.
- Inclusive of tickets, accommodation, transfers, day trips, meals, overnight stay Bangkok, entrance fees, travel insurance, cancellation insurance.
- Handicapped in electric wheelchairs are welcome too.
- Over 8 years of experience in travelling with disabled people.
- English speaking Thai staff will help you with day to day life under supervision of Dutch caregivers.
- Friendly and very helpful Thai staff for housekeeping.

On the program:
Temple visits, cultural show, elephant ride, day at the beach, River Kwai, Tigers temple, Bangkok palace and temples, biggest flee market Thailand, vineyard, floating market.

Price indication € 3500 for one disabled person and one caregiver, 14 days / 12 nights.

Do you want more information? Write an email to info@gehandicapten.com .

Guided holidays to France and Hungary are possible too.

Accessible Bangkok beats London

Bangkok has narrowly beaten London as the world's top tourism destination in terms of visitor arrivals, according to the "MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index 2013". Paris, Singapore and New York fill the next three places.

In Asia, Bangkok is followed in the rankings by Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.

The MasterCard study was conducted in 132 cities, with collated data from private and government sectors worldwide from last year through to the end of March this year.

It also collected data on travellers' spending from their arrival in a city destination, as well as cross-border expenditure. It was not based on MasterCard volume or transactional data.
Source: The Nation.

Wheelchair Thailand already roams around in Bangkok since 2006. He knows many accessible places to visit and wheelchair accessible accommodation to extend your holiday. Mainly in Hua Hin, but also in other parts of Thailand. And he has also information about wheelchair access of the public transport. For information read on here, Wheelchair Thailand Blog Spot, or visit the website of Gehandicapten.com

Best Practices, Disabled parking in Hua Hin

Disabled Parking

Pranburi, feb. 2012.

The last few months I have been thinking of starting a new serie. Best Practices in Hua Hin and surrounding areas concerning accessibility.
We came across several disabled parking places, but always belonging to hotels or condominiums like Tira Tiraa. But yesterday I came accross the first disabled parking place near a public building.

This parking place is located on the parking lawn of the Pranburi Diver License Office. And yes it is wide enough, long enough and marked with a blue surface and a white wheelchair sign in it. The sign has a white wheelchair and "disabled parking" in Thai and English written.

Okay this is Pranburi and not Hua Hin. But good examples will be followed. So thank you Pranburi driver license office. We are very happy you include disabled people and provide them with accessible parking.

We do hope Hua Hin will follow this best practice of accessibility and make disabled parking places near the municipality, post office, banks, police stations, beaches, parks, shopping malls and so on.

Vineyards in Thailand with wheelchair accessible restaurant

July 17, 2011
Hua Hin Hills Vineyards.

Two weeks ago we have visited this vineyard. It has a nice bistro with European food on the menu. And it wouldn't be a vineyard if you couldn't taste wine.

Staff is well trained in handling wine and the wines are fairly good although you might think Thailand is not the country to grow wines. But we like the white Monsoon valley wine very much. It goes well with pasta, fish and Thai food. Perfectly served in a wine cooler on a stand. Staff pouring wine with the label in sight and avoiding to touch the glass. This is how it should be.
This is really a nice place for a lazy Sunday afternoon. No river in sight but the view over the vineyards will make this up. It is gourgeous. On Thai Holidays make reservertions up front. And after your meal or wine taste experience take a walk accross the place. Make some nice pictures or shoot a movie. Have a look at mine and see what you can expect when you visit. You can also take a elephant ride but this is not done in the eyes of Edwin Wiek.
Now the wheelchair access. The restaurant is accessible by wheelchair ramp in 4 parts. In between small platforms to rest. A powered wheelchair can take this. A manual wheelchair needs probably some help. Enough space between tables to sit with your wheelchair. And friendly staff to take out chairs.
The only major thing they have forgotten is to make the restrooms wheelchair accessible. To the toilet you get one step down, one step up, doors are wide enough but you have to stay in the space in front en the door cannot close behind you.
So the only solution you have is to visit Wat Huay Mongkol before you visit Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. Or go before you leave your accessible accommodation.

Gehandicapten.com offers daytrips and this is one of the many possibilities. For more information please email to info@gehandicapten.com

Free holiday gift in wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation

May 5, 2011
Velence, Hungary

In 2002 Gehandicapten.com began to let accessible holidays homes to disabled people. At first with one adapted holiday home in Velence, Hungary. At that is why we celebrate our 10th anniversary with gifts for our guests in 2011.

In Hungary we give guests free tickets to the accessible Spa en Wellness center in Velence which was opened last year. It  has several swimming pools, termal pools, sauna's, restaurant and kids adventure pool. They offer massage and all kind of beauty treatments.

Outdoors they have a stream and a big swimming pool. The view from the terrace and the lakeside is stunning and very relaxing. They also have sun beds and a childrens play ground.

This center is wheelchair accessible. It has ramp access, parking places for disabled, one dressing room and one restroom with access for people in wheelchairs. They don't have a pool hoist. But they do have elavators to the second floor where more sauna's, steam rooms and termal pools are waiting for you.

And when you are looking for an adapted holiday accommodation within walking distance of this center, shops, restaurants and Lake Velence. Here is my newest video of a wheelchair accessible holiday home.

Bang Pa In Palace and handcraft centre

March 4, 2011
Bang Pa In, Handcraft centre

It has been a month since we wrote our last post. We have been visiting our wheelchair accessible apartment in France and afterwards our detached bungalow for wheelchair users in Veelence, Hungary. Both accommodations are ready for the new season. so time to write on our Blog about our experiences.

Since we have a wheelchair accessible van for transfers and trips of our guests we have been using it to visit some places. One of these is Bang Pa In Palace and the handcraft center.

The palace is beautiful. It is partly wheelchair accessible but they don't have ramps into the buidlings or an accessible restroom. The staff of the park was so kind to show us the ground floor toilets of the staff, which were accessible with some help. Paths are not always comfortable, but it is worthwhile. Take a look on your way to the temples in Ayutthaya.

Another nice option to visit is the handcraft center in Bang Pa In. A beautiful Thai style building is accommodating a big hand craft shop which sells purses, glassware, fabrics, clothes, furniture, etc., etc. Next this building you will find the workshops where all these items are made. The are open in the front and the artist don't mind you taking a look. On the premises you will also find a aquarium of fresh water fish which can be found in Thai rivers and lakes. And a few big brid cages whith Thai birds. All wheelchair accessible. But don't expect a wheelchair accessible toilet.

In case you depend on a wheelchair accessible toilet you can find one at the exit of the toll way from Bangkok to Bang Pa In and at one of the temples in Ayutthaya. More info about locations of sights on our map.

Accessible restaurants Hua Hin Thailand

February 3, 2011
Hua Hin, Sakura Restaurant

During this holiday we have tried several new restaurants. One of them is the restaurant in the picture, Sakura. The owner is an old employee of the Hyatt Regency hotel and he recognized us immediately and was happy to see us. He could remember in that time we were looking for house. Of course he wanted to know if we succeeded. So we told him that we bought a house on Coconut Grove, Soi 102.

After this chat we ordered our food. Jan ordered  Salmon Teriyaki and I ordered a Sushi Roll with shrimp. And for drinks two soda water. The waiters brought the food within a reasonable time and both plates together. The food was delicious and fresh made.
The restaurant has a big terrace which is has level access. In case of rain you can sit inside after taking one step. The restaurants does not have a wheelchair accessible restroom.

Sakura on Soi 94 is convenient located between the center of Hua Hin and Soi 102. The distance from our wheelchair accessible pool villa to this restaurant is 1,7km and from our apartment Tira Tiraa for disabled is 2,2km.

So come and join us and we will drive you to this restaurant in our adapted Toyota Commuter.

Accessible restaurants in Hua Hin

January 17, 2011
Fuji Restaurant

This Japanese restaurant is located on the second floor in Market Village. The restaurant has a level entrance to the terrace in front and a level entrance into the restaurant. The restaurants in Market Village don't have toilets in the restaurant. The toilets also for wheelchair users can be found on all floors of Market Village.

Jan and I also go to this restaurant to eat Sushi. Well I eat sushi and Jan eats something else. He doen't like raw fish. We can recommend this restaurant. Try it yourself and you know it. And you can shop till you drop before and after dinner.

Market Village is just 2,5 km from our wheelchair accessible holiday home Coconut Grove.

There is another Japanese restaurant in town. It is in front of the Sofitel hotel on the corner of Naresdamri Road and Thanon Damnoen Kasem. But this has one huge step in front. So the accessibility is lousy. You have to bring your the ramps of one of our accommodations to overcome this step.

This restaurant is close to apartment TiraTiraa adapted for disabled people in wheelchairs and scooters. And also close to our Studio74 suitable for travel companions of handicapped persons.

Accessible holidays in Amazing Thailand 2.

February 2005

Hua Hin, Thailand

In 2005 we have visited Hua Hin for the first time.

Before we bought our plane ticket we had to make sure the hotel we were staying in was wheelchair accessible. Nowerdays it is a lot easier to get information about a hotel then 20 years ago. You write an email and ask them everything you need to know.

Like this we ended up in a hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand. It is a beautiful hotel 4,5 km from Hua Hin center. The hotel has a very beautiful garden situated between the beach and the hotel. The main swimmingpool is located in this garden. There is no wheelchair access ramp to the beach. The hotel has a level access entrance, ramps to the adapted guest rooms on the first floor and accessible elevators to the different floors. Rooms, bathrooms and balconies are spacious. In the room were no grips, no shower seat but the room had a roll in shower. I used my manual wheelchair to shower. Aircon is working perfect. The service is great.Several restaurants serve a perfect breakfast buffet and international quisine at lunch and diner. Drinks, snacks and small meals are served at the swimming pool and the lobby bar. Since we have been here they built a new part with Spa facilitties. We never saw this. So it can be that there are new accessible rooms with better facilities for disabled in this hotel.

The prices have gone up during the past years. From 5.500 in 2005 to 7.500 Baht per night in 2011 excluding 10% service charge and 7.7% tax during high season. With an exchange rate of 40 Baht per Euro this will cost you 222 Euro per night for 2 persons. This excludes breakfast. Conclusion: The price doubled due to price increase and exchange rate. Price per person per night 111 Euro.

Compare this to one of our accommodations. Our wheelchair accessible pool villa Coconut Grove costs 167 Euro per night (maximum of 6 people) including taxes and service charge, including diner and breakfast at the first day, including housekeeper and laundry service, including use of medical equipment like pool hoist, including free drinking water, including free grocery package, including free use of computer and internet. And our pool villa can accommodate 6 people. Price per person per night almost 28 Euro.
This house is only 3,5km from the center. But we can arrange wheelchair accessible transport in Hua Hin, from Hua Hin to Bangkok v.v. and day trips to tourist sites.

Info about the hotel or the villa email to info@gehandicapten.com

Wheelchair Thailand Wishes

Holidays and summer holiday.

Treats for all guests in 2011. Wheelchair Thailand celebrates anniversary.

Here is some wonderful news for our present and future guests in 2011. But also good news for everyone who is planning to stay with us this year in one of our wheelchair accessible holiday homes. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary.


Wheelchair Thailand celebrates its Birthday.
In 2011 Wheelchair Thailand exists 10 years.
Therefore we treat our guests to presents.

In the past 10 years we could welcome you as our guest in our wheelchair accessible holiday homes. Or we are welcoming you in Hungary, France or Thailand for the first time in 2011. Your loyalty, your trust and your feedback in or about our resorts is highly appreciated. To show our gratitude we treat our costumers / guests in 2011 to a local experience like wine tasting, a visit to a wellness center, a daytrip, etc. Naturally all accessible to wheelchair users.

In the future we will continue to make an effort to keep your trust and use your comment or feedback to increase our level of service and improve our accommodations to your needs.

So let us take care of you in beach resort Canet en Roussillon, France or in Royal beach resort Hua Hin, Thailand or Lake Velence beach resort, Hungary.

HannekeFronik