Finding info on holidays or short breaks.

[Marnie22]

Hi. I am not actually planning a holiday/short break at the moment (no money!) but I was googling how to find suitable stuff for the UK (especially Scotland.) The problem I have found is that if I use the word 'disabled' in the search, all the results come back relevant to wheelchair accessibility. I have poor mobility due to severe fatigue, but I don't use a wheelchair. What I need is to find support with things like suitable itinaries where there is plenty of rest time, not too much walking; where perhaps there is help with luggage etc. I was thinking about coach tours etc. I have done a couple of cheap short breaks in the three years since my injury, but they were excruciatingly tiring and I couldn't really enjoy them fully because of that. Also, I have no one who can accompany me which would have been a big help. I have friends who would go but they couldn't afford to accompany me and I couldn't pay for them. Any ideas or tips would be most welcome.

I just want to feel that perhaps in the future I can still get a break. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Do you belong to any organisations? People like the WI or Townswomens Guild often arrange coach outings and holidays and they all tend to look out for each other. Much better than going with strangers. Also ask at a local travel agent if they do trips themselves, they could probably help you where needed

[Marnie22 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for your suggestions. Unfortunately I haven't found any organisations (other than my local Headway,) that I can attend as I get sensory overload in groups of people together in meetings. I have tried a couple but when I become unwell I feel terrified and vulnerable. Even had problems at a mindfulness group!!! The only social activity I have successfully managed so far is my local Headway group.

I will have a go at the travel agent thing.

Thank you.

[steve55]

just a thought, but have you considered contacting headway to see if they do holidays?

[Marnie22 in reply to steve55]

Thanks for your suggestion. 😊

[steve55 in reply to Marnie22]

i go on holiday to different regions of spain with my wife, like you i suffer from fatigue amongst other things, i, along with my luggage is taken to the aircraft and collected at the other end.

[Marnie22 in reply to steve55]

Thanks. How do you organise that help?

[steve55 in reply to Marnie22]

you usually do it when you book your tickets marne, although ive done it on the day.

[RogerCMerriman]

I'd be wary of anything with, a itiranry, personally I've found that you need wiggle room, ie leave space for Duvie day/s i'm fairly high functioning and only cognitive fatigue, bar walking i guess.

i'd also be sure of what you wanted to do, personally i find travelling the idea of coach tours, the noise/clutter i'd find very hard work, i do my best to avoid such places, I avoid motorway services for that reason, since it makes me more tired!

[Marnie22 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Thanks for your thoughts. How do you think is best to manage travel aspects if I don't go with a coach holiday? 😀

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Marnie22]

Different people cope differently, I personally with foobard vestibular systems and sound sensitivity find buses fairly hard work, the thought of many hrs on a coach is unbearable, I’m lucky I can drive so generally that is my go to method of travel, even so I am unlikely to do much after driving.

[Marnie22 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Thanks for your reply. I am also lucky that I can drive too, but I find it very tiring if I drive more than half an hour without a break, so logistically it's hard to get anywhere very far! When I tried a short break I was so tired from driving I lost quite a bit of my couple of days away recovering! Plus when I returned home I felt like I needed a holiday! Ah, well, never mind. I appreciate your taking the time to reply to my question. No doubt I will work something out - once I find a way to finance it! Thanks again. 😀

[Shon48]

Being Scottish I’m biased. It’s a beautiful country especially on the West Coast . A coach holiday is the ideal way as it’s also expensive here. I went to the Islands last year a few months after my coiling . I told the coach company and the hotels . Had no problems at all with either . Ireland this year so fingers crossed. Try a company that do singles groups , there are a few up here and I think it’s a great idea . Good luck 😉

[Marnie22 in reply to Shon48]

Thank you so much for your reply. Some of the loveliest places I ever visited (before my brain injury,) I saw on a campervan holiday where I travelled the length of the Western Isles. Fabulous. Thanks for your suggestions. 😀

[jayne_h]

There is a local company in the NE which does day trips and weekends. They often get a lot of seniors on the trips but they are not restricted to elderly people. Hence there is assistance if need be with getting about. There are day trips and weekends.

Northumberland is beautiful so you might like to contact the tourist board and ask them for a few tips. visitnorthumberland.com/ The pottery on Tower Road in Tweedmouth (Tower House Pottery) rents out a cottage with one bedroom overlooking the tweed estuary. Very beautiful place to chill out, but if you want nice little cafes, then its a short walk into the town centre.

[Marnie22 in reply to jayne_h]

Than you very much. 😀

[Caroline4244]

Not sure how old you are, but Saga holidays are really good. I went to Tenerife in April, and found a brilliant hotel where its in the middle of things, but they hire out mobility scooters actually in the hotel. The H10 hotel in Puerto de la Cruz. Not sure if Saga do singles holidays there, but that would be ideal - lots of friendly people around you. Not sure about England, wheelchairs seem to be the dominant feature! Good luck

Caroline

[Marnie22 in reply to Caroline4244]

Thank you very much for your reply. 😀