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It is a dilemma faced by holidaymakers everywhere: do you pick a beach break so you can get some well-deserved rest in the sunshine, or a bustling city break full of culture, bars and sights? Well, my answer would be: why choose if you can have both? With a city break to Madrid, followed by a stay by the beaches of Málaga, you really could have it all – and it just so happens that we have a very attractive holiday on offer which allows you to have your cake and eat it too! As always, we will make sure that the hotels and sights you choose have great disabled access. Holidays to Spain can be a little hit and miss when it comes to accessibility, but rely on the expertise of me and my team and you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Madrid While the Spanish authorities claim that they are doing everything they can to make Madrid a more accessible city, in reality they still have a way to go. The underground system is a bit of a write-off since only 50 per cent of its stations have wheelchair access and hardly any of those are in the centre of town, but the buses will cater to people in wheelchairs. Your best bet for getting around is to ask us to arrange a taxi with disabled access – we can have it ready at your hotel at a pre-arranged day and time. On the plus side, Madrid is a fairly flat city, the pavements are level and most of the crossings have access ramps. When it comes to accommodation, we have tracked down and personally checked a range of hotels to ensure they provide great disabled access. Holidays to Madrid can be made easier and more stress-free with a stay at a hotel from the Can Be Done portfolio: • Rafaelhoteles Atocha – the hotel has 4 rooms adapted for those with mobility issues – contact our team to secure one for yourself • Hotel Ayre Gran Colón Seeing the Sights All the major sights in Madrid offer disabled access. Holidays for those with mobility issues here don’t mean missing out on any of the sights, and I would suggest making time to see the Prado Museum (where wheelchairs are available to rent), the Retiro Park and the Royal Palace. Hitting the Beach in Málaga, Costa del Sol Once you’ve had your fill of city living in Madrid, we’ll arrange a trip to the coast so you can spend some time in the very accessible city of Málaga (it was recently nominated for an award for Most Accessible City in Spain). With smooth pavements, dropped curbs and a flat landscape, Málaga is a wheelchair user’s dream. Add to this that the buses all have ramps and most taxis take wheelchairs and you might not want to go home. Even Málaga’s beaches offer disabled access. Holidays booked during the summer months will benefit from the city’s special ‘Enjoy the Beach’ programme, where extra assistance is offered to those who need it. For the rest of the year there are ramps, access walkways and accessible showers. Of course there’s more to Málaga than just beaches and the city has worked hard to make almost all of its cultural sights accessible. Málaga is widely known as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, and here you will be within easy reach of other coastal resorts including Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella. Just ask us to arrange to get you there with minimum fuss. Where to Stay As you might imagine, there are a number of accessible hotels in Málaga and I have personally checked out most of them, but the one I would recommend most highly is the four-star Hotel Ilunion. Close to the beach, the hotel has its own wellness centre including sauna, sensation showers and an indoor/outdoor pool. A trip to Madrid and Málaga will give you everything you need in a holiday – from a dose of culture and vibrant city living to the rest and relaxation of a beach break. So go on, give us a call and let us organise the ultimate city and beach holiday for you. Philip Scott is the owner and founder of Can be Done, a fully licensed UK tour operator specialising in disabled access holidays across the world for individuals and groups who are travelling with a handicap. With over 31 years’ experience organising long and short breaks for disabled travellers, Philip has built a reputation for helping his clients select hotels and accommodation that offer high standards of accessibility to ensure that those with special needs can experience truly relaxing and carefree holidays.
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