Written by John Morris, WheelchairTravel.org, October 8, 2024
I have just returned from an accessible group trip to Spain and Portugal with Wheelchair Travel readers from across the United States, and we had an amazing time! It is always a joy to explore the world with readers like you (group tours are my favorite part of this job), and this group was perhaps my best ever.
Our travel itinerary took us to two of my favorite European countries and included a diversity of experiences that offered something for everyone. Many new friendships were formed in the process!
Here are a few highlights from our trip (with pictures!):
One of my top priorities in creating itineraries for accessible group trips is introducing travelers to the best in local cuisine — On our first full day of touring, we visited a family-owned restaurant in the foothills of Monserrat, surrounded by olive trees and with some of the most authentic paella you’ll find in Spain! Our delicious multi-course lunch was a highlight of the trip, and a fantastic way to kick-off our adventure!
Monserrat is a mountain range located outside of Barcelona, Spain, with its highest peak reaching 4,055 feet into the clouds. Situated at the top of the mountain is a Benedictine monastery that was founded in 1025 — celebrations of its 1,000 year anniversary were already underway, and will continue through next year.
Our group toured the monastery’s impressive art collection, which featured works by Salvador Dali, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and other masters. After our museum tour, we visited the Basilica of Monserrat, where we watched a performance of the Escolania, or Monserrat Boys’ Choir, which is one of the oldest such choirs in Europe. It was a truly memorable experience!
Among the other highlights of our trip was a tour of legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera) house, as well as his most famous work — the still unfinished Sagrada Familia church, which dominates the Barcelona skyline. Expert guides shared insights about Gaudi’s life and career with our group, and we delighted in touring these iconic sites.
Wheelchair Travel Group Trips in 2025
Sales of the first Wheelchair Travel Group Trip of 2025 will begin next week. On Monday, October 14, details about the May 2025 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip to Greece will be sent first to paid newsletter subscribers. If you would like to be among the first to receive this and future accessible group trip information, please upgrade your subscription.
Later next week, and if spaces remain, booking for the first 2025 Wheelchair Travel Group Trip will be opened to all readers of this newsletter. Space is limited on the trip to Greece, and I expect the tour to sell out quickly. If you are interested in joining the tour, do not delay in reserving your spot!
Given the success of my group trip to Spain, I am considering hosting another group there later in 2025 — If you are interested in a wheelchair accessible group trip to Spain, please let me know in the comments below!
Details of future accessible group tours will be shared soon, so keep an eye out for this newsletter in your inbox! I look forward to traveling with you!
Accessible Travel Tips from the Archives
While I work to catch-up on writing after nearly a month in Europe, here are a few articles from the archives which are worth a read — or a re-read, if you are a longtime subscriber to this newsletter.
1. Top Accessible Travel Tips from 8 Disability Travel Bloggers
I reached out to some of the top disabled travel bloggers and asked them to share their tips on how to make the most of an accessible vacation while avoiding common mistakes — you’ll want to hear their advice!
2. Read My 7 Most Important Tips for Disabled Travelers
After more than a million miles flown with my wheelchair, I share 7 tips for wheelchair travelers that I believe will make you feel like a pro when traveling with a disability.
3. What are the easiest and most accessible destinations to visit for first-time disabled travelers?
Wheelchair Travel reader Stephanie from Texas asked where to take her first vacation with friends, and I highlighted these 5 cities in the United States, which are also great choices for YOUR first, second or fiftieth trip as a wheelchair user!
Big Deals on Must-Have Travel Gear
Amazon is having its fall Prime Day sale, and you can score some incredible deals on must-have travel gear — TODAY ONLY! If you make a purchase through one of the following links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. While you don’t have to use these links, I appreciate your support of my blog when you do.
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack — Keep track of your wheelchair, luggage, and other items with this four pack of Apple AirTags! For a limited time, they are on sale for less than $80! AirTags let me keep an eye on my belongings (and my power wheelchair!) throughout the travel process, which delivers peace of mind.
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 — When traveling, I love catching up on podcasts or listening to music, and the portability of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 can’t be beat. The adaptive noise-cancelation and USB-C charging case are features I love, and the sale price of more than 30% off is a no-brainer.
- Anker Portable Power Bank — Keeping my phone charged is essential, and I always keep my Anker Power Bank in my backpack. It has helped me countless times, especially on flights where the power outlet at my seat is inoperable. Amazon is selling many power banks at a discount today, and the model that I own is 43% off!
- Amazon Kindle Paperwhite eReader — I read a lot of books while traveling, and the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite has served me well for years. It’s much easier to travel with this small tablet than a stack of books! If you’re looking for a digital e-reader, this is my favorite — and it’s 17% off today!
Speaking of books — I picked up a few books to share with friends as gifts, and here are some popular titles by disabled authors that Amazon has on sale today:
- Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist — The late Judy Heumann is a hero to me and many others, and it’s a book that I have shared frequently with friends and acquaintances. It’s currently on sale for less than ten dollars, an absolute steal!
- Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century — Alice Wong is an icon in the disability community, and this anthology presents stories from many disabled people, some of whom you may already know and follow. Through these diverse perspectives, we gain a fuller picture of the experience of disabled people in today’s world.
- Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body — The book reviewer from Bustle wrote, “Reflecting on her journey toward disability advocacy, Rebekah Taussig’s memoir in essays will make you rethink everything you’ve previously believed about disabled people and their lives.”
Final Thoughts
My recent newsletter hiatus was unexpected — it turns out, there isn’t time for very much else when leading a group of wheelchair users across Europe, from the Mediterranean Sea in Spain to the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal!
Now that I have returned, I am eager to get back in the swing of things. You should expect a flurry of newsletter issues arriving in your inbox over the next month. There is a lot to share, and a lot to catch you up on!
Thank you, as always, for your continued readership and support — I am laser-focused on making the travel industry and the world’s tourist destinations more accessible, and your support is critical to making that work possible.