We went to Dubai in October of 2013 and just want to say that Dubai is not an expensive place to vacation to. The flights there are a little over $1000.00 if you go in the off season.  We had a free flight anywhere in the world because of miles so we only had to pay for one ticket. The one thing that was expensive in Dubai was the hotels. So we booked a condo/apartment on airbnb.com and split the cost with my sister in-law and her husband. When you book your house/apartment/condo just make sure you request a handicap accessible one. We where in contact with the owner of the apartment and gave her Derek's wheelchair dimensions to make sure that his wheelchair would fit. This is a picture of him outside of our place.

We arrived at the Dubai airport after traveling for 14 hours, which was rough on Derek. When we got our bags and went outside to look for a cab. There is a line that goes by very fast where you get cabs. Cabs in Dubai are cheap! They ask you what kind of cab you need (they have wheelchair cabs). They have really big wheelchair cabs that you can stay in your wheelchair,

and wheelchair cabs that you need to get off and sit in a regular chair. Your wheelchair goes inside the cab but in the trunk. The picture above is the cab that you need to get off and ride in the regular chair. Derek almost fell off the ramp, it was very scary. We asked for a bigger wheelchair van so we had to wait about 15 mins to get the bigger van. This next pictures are of the right van for someone that is confined to their chair. If your a lady and are traveling with just ladies, they're cabs just for you! Look for the all PINK cabs with lady drivers. When traveling in Dubai's bus service or metro service make sure you read the signs. There is a ladies and children only and a men only side! Make sure you read the signs everywhere you go. My sister in-law and I sat in the men only side and we kindly asked to move to the women side. It was funny!!

Information for Traveling to England

So we are going to England in October and have found some very useful information....

Renting a wheelchair van in London: We found this company.http://www.kendallcars.com we found them to be inexpensive.

If you want to visit Stonehenge I think the best way is to rent a car but there are different way you can go. Its about 1hr and 44 mins west from the city of London. While on your way to Stonehenge you might as well travel to the city of Bath, its 1hr NW of Stonehenge. Its a beautiful city and close to Stonehenge. Bath used to be (many, many years ago) a vacation stop for the British people.

Want to go to the theater? Well the Apollo Victoria http://www.atgtickets.com (they have different theaters to chose from) have handicap seat for 15 pounds pp (for the disabled person and a companion). Total of 30 pounds...thats a good savings because the cheapest regular seat could be around 35 pounds each. Their lift (elevator) is small...the demencions are... The maximum width is 29 inches and the maximum length is 33.5 inches, while the total weight of the person and the wheelchair should not exceed 434 lbs. 

If you wish to make a booking you can call them on their access number 011 44 20 7828 7074. The line is open from 10.30am to 6.30pm Mondays to Saturdays (closed between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays).

The Shard has great views of London http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/#plan-your-visit/disabled-access also discounts for disabled and a caregiver.

The London Eye is the one that we will be going to http://www.londoneye.com/VisitorInformation/DisabledGuests/Default.aspx 

Here are some maps that you can print before you go (wheelchair accessible). http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1106.aspx 

A great website for London travel for the disabled is http://abilitytrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/london-england-united-kingdom/

Visiting Windsor Castle http://www.windsor.gov.uk/visitor-info/travelling-with-a-disability

The Flight to Rome, Italy

Our first far away trip was a cruise in the Mediterranean. We bought our tickets and flew to Rome, Italy (Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinvi Airport) http://www.rome-airport.info from Miami International Airport http://www.miami-airport.com  We flew with Airberlin  (only reason was they were the cheapest). Some airlines give the disabled person (limited mobility) and one companion the better coach seats for free. When boarding the plane they will board families with children and disabled passengers first, but if you need assistance getting off the airplane then you will be that last to come off.  They stored Derek's electric wheelchair which weights 304lbs (140kilos) in a cargo bin.  We then flew for 9 hours straight to Düsseldorf, Germany where we changed planes and then boarded another plane which flew us 2 hours to Rome, Italy. The airport in Italy is wheelchair accessible. The people there were very nice and most spoke some English. They helped me with my bags and Derek's other wheelchair (portable). We checked Derek's electric wheelchair in Miami and gate checked his portable wheelchair. That way we could have it in our connection. They do have wheelchairs at the airports but Derek's portable wheelchair is not like the regular ones. His reclines to help with blood pressure issues he might have. When they brought his portable chair to us in Germany we noticed that the armrest was broken. Oh well..not sure where they did that but we did not complain at baggage claim (which you can do). We were just so tired! Derek sat in the airplane for over 9 hours with occasionally standing him up to relieve pressure. He's a trouper. Coach seating stinks but everything else was way to expensive. There is no leg room and for a person with no or limited mobility it really stinks! Best seat are bulkhead seats! No one in front of you and more leg room.