Gondola rides in Venice are now also possible for people in wheelchairs
A city located on 118 smaller islands in a bay in the north of the Adriatic Sea, a city bordered by more than 170 canals connected by over 400 bridges, a city with a rich history, a city of masks and much more – all this is Venice. One of the most popular symbols of Venice is the gondola, which has been used since the 11th century, and then, as today, it was used to transport passengers through the city. Today, there are about 500 of them and they are the most common tourist attraction. Venetian tradition dictates that a couple riding in a gondola must kiss under every bridge in order to remain in love forever.Gondola rides and the mentioned tradition have so far been an unattainable dream for people in wheelchairs, who have not had access to the gondola so far. But thanks to good people and the crowdfunding community, the dream has become a reality.” For over 20 years I have watched the unhappy faces and looks of people in wheelchairs who could not ride with us and the eyes that look at us with longing as if we were the last Coca-Cola in the desert. It destroyed me from within. But now it has come to an end“Points out Enrico Greifenberg, gondolier and project founder Gondollas4allA new private-public project, funded through the IndieGoGo campaign, called Gondolas4All – Gondola for All, introduced the service and the first place where there is a ramp for safe entry of people with wheelchairs into the famous Venetian gondola. The plan is to build even more ramps, and your own by donation you can help spread the project all over Venice as soon as possible. All information as well as booking your ride can be found at www.gondolas4all.com
Freedom is when you are free to go wherever you want, points out the boy in a wheelchair at the beginning of the video. What is the situation in Croatia? Can people in wheelchairs move freely around our destinations? Can wheelchair users enter hotels and are our hotels adapted for the disabled? How accessible is Croatian tourism to people with disabilities?We will try to find the answer to these questions and explore the real situation in Croatian tourism. Everyone deserves freedom of movement! #slobodakretanja PS Let us know your experiences, suggestions, ideas and who to contact at [email protected]