Thursday 1/2/07 Buyer Beware!

I was looking for somewhere to go, the first 2 weeks of september, as a birthday present to myself. I came across this website (www.disabilitytravel.com, no link, don't want to promote them, read on to find out why), which organises a comprehensive wheelchair accessible two week tour of india and nepal. Sure beats two weeks in fuengirola,I love the sun but doing nothing more than sweltering in a tourist compound isn't very appealing! I thought the above site was a great find. They applaud themselves on "making the world more accessible since 1985". I am not going to reprint my email correspondence with them from the beginning,as it might leave me open legally, but I feel I must comment on this scenario as I am completely mystified how it precipitated the abrupt email I received today!

Basically, I was told that I wouldn't even be considered for the trip to india & nepal, that my purpose in going was to divulge all their long built supplier info to the world, through my site.What!!!!! I was completely unprepared for this email, and the suggestion that I only wanted to go in order to gather information. That does not seem like a good way to relax. I did send him this site address, and I would certainly have posted a review of the holiday, in order to assist others in a similar position as myself. Was he terrified that I was almost certainly going to publish some overly critical piece? My trip reports so far have been, on the whole, glowing reports,with links and pics to help others. All I can say in hindsight, is I think I have had a lucky escape! Thankfully I have kept my money, but I do want to warn others. For a disabled person, going on a holiday, especially if you need any sort of assistance can work out damn expensive.Its all too easy to not even bother, and stay at home.

The first warning I had about this site was that they wanted a $250 "Goodwill Deposit" before they would even start planning my trip. Communications back and forth might account for it, but don't we live in the broadband and skype age? This trip would have cost me serious money, the same for myself and an assistant as its costing a colleague of mine to go to orlando for two weeks with his wife and two kids. So, I guess the main message I want to get out is, tread carefully, even if you'e desparate for a change of scenary,dont rush! And also if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

( This is only my unfortunate personal experience, and I would like to hear from others, who have hopefully had a more positive encounter).

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