Are you often restricted while traveling because of your wheelchair? Have you given up your chance to travel again and again because of your personal problem? Do you think it is tiring and expensive to plan a travel for yourself? All this belongs to the past, with Electa Travels, everything is possible.

Until this year, more and more countries have begun to pay attention to the market of accessible travel. The governments of France, Italy and Spain have introduced a series of measures to facilitate the travel of people with disabilities, especially in the domain of accommodation, dining, culture and recreation facilities. Let’s have a look what may be needed for a disabled travel.

1. Transfer

Once you travel with your wheelchair, Electa Travels provides you taylor-made tour with equipped transfer. We select different kinds of transfer to ensure your safety and comfort. Day tour and long vacations in France, Italy and Spain, customized trips in Europe, accessible travels for group. Thanks to Electa Travels, we do our best to satisfy your needs.

2. Tour guide

Electa Travels guided tours in Europe adapted for disabled people. Whatever the most famous city like Paris, Rome and Florence, or the small towns  like Toulon, Avignon and Seville, our experienced official tour guide will take care of you during the entire trip and help you discover the beauty of Europe.

3. Accommodations/ Restaurants

Electa Travels is sensitive to think of the needs of disabled person. We rigorously choose our partners of hotels and restaurants not only for their professionalism and high level of service but also for the passion they put to satisfy our clients.

4. Assistant/ Nurse/Doctor

If you need medical assistant during your trip, Electa Traves provides you with tour assistants, professional nurse or doctor. The 360 degrees full service allows you to enjoy the beauty of your trip.

Electa Travels，a very appreciated destination management company for Southern Europe is at your disposal for giving you the unique experiences you are looking for. Contact our customer service and stay in touch with our tour specialists.

Born in Corsica, Napoleon was a great politician, military strategist of France in the 18th century. His legendary career began in a small town in the Mediterranean—Toulon.

Toulon is located on the Mediterranean coast. As it is the gateway to the Mediterranean in southern France, the strategic position is extremely important. In 1793, the British and European anti-French coalition forces occupied Toulon. In order to regain the strategic position of Toulon, the French Revolutionary Government organized a strong force, determined to win Toulon.

At this time, the origin of the French army responsible for the battle in Toulon was a painter. Napoleon has repeatedly made recommendations on his strategy, but every time he was rejected.  Napoleon had no choice but to write directly to Paris government, to recover what Toulon should do. The results of the complaint were unexpected; the Paris government actually stood on the side of Napoleon, the “painter” was removed from Toulon. 24-year-old Napoleon accepted the mission to save Toulon. He recruited experienced officers, soldiers, technicians and a variety of equipment in order to form a powerful artillery siege troops.

In mid-December, the French army began to attack Toulon. Napoleon concentrated all the artillery to the west coast of the harbor. Under the fierce bombardment of French army, the island’s fortifications were all destroyed; the garrison was forced to give up the frontier fortifications. Such a major battle, turned out to be a young commander of the organization, which at the time it seems difficult to convince. However, the result showed that it was this ordinary and excellent plan greatly affected and changed the outcome of the whole battle.

The siege of Toulon was the starting point of the Napoleon’s military career. This battlefield showed his excellent command and military talent. In 1794, Napoleon was appointed artillery brigadier, which was the beginning of his spectacular achievement.

Today Toulon is the departure point of wonderful tours: Marseille, Aix-en Province, La Ciotat are three destinations you can enjoy in one or more days.

Electa Travels is promoting Toulon discovery through customized tours. Join us and enjoy your tailor made tour through the unique services we offer.

Barcelona, the city of Gaudi between art, folk and fun

Barcelona, a city known for its unique architectural art, has gained the Royal Gold Award of Royal Society of Architecture in 1999 because of its colorful architecture syle. Almost all the prestigious buildings in Barcelona were designed by the most talented and creasy artist – Gaudi. That is why Barcelona is also known as the city of Gaudi.

The Sagrada Família is the most famous landmark in Barcelona. Gaudi began the great project in 1883. When he died, the church has been in construction for 43 years, which has only completed less than a quarter. It is said that the holy cathedral will be finished in the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gaudi (2026). Gaudi devoted a lot of passion and whimsy in this work. The use of geometric and natural elements with the control of the light makes the church amazing and unique. Standing in the middle of the hall is like in the center of the universe. You will enchanted by the solemn and beauty of architecture.

The charming appearance of Casa Batllo makes people imagine the world of fairy tale. It is said that when Salvador Dali saw the curving walls and windows of Casa Batllo he observed them as “representing waves on a stormy day”. Walking through the Casa Batllo is like walking through the body of dragon. The color of the roof is a circling dragon; the amazing windows are its colorful scales.

La Pedrera is one of the most landmark buildings on the Barcelona postcard. You will be enchanted by its three sides of the wave-shaped wall, twisted around the iron plate composed of balconies. However, the biggest bright spot is the top of the chimneys. They are unique in shape, like ancient warriors protect territory. On the rooftop terrace you can overlook the Sagrada Familia and the Gràcia Avenue.

As for Park Güell, the most attractive is the platform from where you can look over the Mediterranean Sea. Around the platform are painted with colored tiles, which create a charming effect. The most beautiful moment is in the sunset, the whole park will be overgilt by sunlight.

Barcelona is also folk, good music, delicious food, flamenco dance and relax.

You will enjoy its diversity, colors and street artists. From here you can visit other cities of Catalunya region and taste exceptional wine with always smiling guides who will be so proud to make you discover this region.

Electa Travels，a very appreciated destination management company for Southern Europe is promoting Barcelona discovery through customized tours. Contact us and enjoy your tailor made tour. Be in touch with our local travel specialist.

Matera, the city of stone, the city of vicissitude

Matera, a city located in south of Italy, is a special destination that you cannot miss while traveling in Europe. The natural labyrinth of this magical town will make you feel the charm of history.

Matera is built on the mountain with various narrow lanes, tunnels and labyrinthic ladders. The caves, which are considered as the world’s oldest town could date back to Paleolithic. The inhabitants transformed many caves into their homes, which become a unique grotto dwellings landscape. The most famous part of Matera is the Sassi (Stone) district, designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and the European Capital of Culture in 2019. What’s more, it is still a good place chosen by so many good films, for example “Quantum of Solace” and “The Passion of the Christ”.

Date back to Bronze Age, new tools were invented which were convenient to dig caves, it was the beginning of establish of cave dwellings. In the third century BC, Matera was conquered by Rome, Byzantine, Lombard, Norman, Arab, Slavs and Aragon. Even thought the city experienced a lot of suffering, it still remains its primary culture. During a long time, Matera was a city connected with pain and tough because from the 12^th century until the 1950s, the grotto houses were always for the poorest families.

After the World War II, the Italian government decided to improve the living level of citizens, and ordered the residents of the old town to move to the new town. Nowadays, some of local inhabitants still live in the grotto house to show their lives in the past.

The best way to visit Matera is with a private guide. Thanks to that you can be showed the most mysterious places and famous movie scenarios. You can also take a walk and enjoy the lovely art pottery and try some local food spacilaties suche as Caciocavallo Podolico, cruschi and special local bread with stamp of the bread maker

Electa Travels a very appreciated destination management company for Southern Europe is promoting Matera discovery through customized tours. Be in touch with our travel specialist and enjoy a wonderful tour

Urbino, a city of peaceful inspiration, the birthplace of the great artist and painter Raphael.

Italy has a lot of beautiful places far away from modern metropolis; a multitude of small villages hidden in the mountains where secular traditions still survive. An excellent example of what has been described is represented by the medieval city of Urbino.

Urbino is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of those cities where, art, history and culture have been interlaced in a unique way. Located in the beautiful and authentic region of Marche, it is famous not only because it was the centre of one of the most complete and refined expressions of the Italian Renaissance but also thanks to its extraordinary atmosphere each visitor can feel and appreciate. By visiting Urbino, you will discover a majestic city, surrounded by the walls erected by the Montefeltros in the 15^th which contribute to give the city a unique charm.

 A large number of literatures and artists gathered here, creating the most fashionable artistic landscape in the fifteenth century.

Raphael (1483-1520), one of the most famous artists in Italy during the Renaissance, was born is Urbino in 1483. His father, a court painter for Grand Duck in Urbino is also his mentoring teacher for painting. At the age of 16, Raphael left his hometown Urbino and follow Pietro Perugino to study painting. In 1504, at the age of 21-years-old Raphael painted the famous ” Marriage of the Virgin,” also known as Sposalizio is considered a true masterpiece which has inspired many artists. It shows through the mastery of perspective the marriage of The Virgin Mary and Joseph. The beauty in this painting comes from the Virgin Mary herself and the number of suitors who wished to marry her. 

The front and back doors of temple represented in the painting are open, and through it the viewer can see a bit of the hazy, a soft mystery painted background of hills and sky.

One day, his teacher Pietro Perugino suggested him to leave Urbino and join Florence, the place for great artists. Raphael followed the advice an remained in Florence, where he was influenced by local politics, democracy and humanism, while studying the Leonardo da Vinci’ style and the human aesthetics of Michelangelo. Thanks to this stay he had the opportunity to improve his skills and became more and more matures, so that he quickly became as famous as those who inspired him.

Soon after, Raphael moved to Rome. At that time, Michelangelo was painting the ceiling fresco for Pope in Sistine Chapel. Raphael, who was 25 years old, received an invitation from the Pope who invite him to work with the finest artists in Italy. HIS knowledge of classical art led the Pope to appoint him Conservator of Antiquities and to entrust the task of making a plant of the ancient city of Rome.

In April 1520, he fell ill, a week later, the outstanding artist died. His genius after the death will always remain in his works and into the annals of human civilization. Urbino, is nowadays a city full of charms and beautiful legends.

Electa Travels，a very appreciated destination management company for Southern Europe is promoting Urbino discovery through customized tours. Come here and enjoy your tailor made travel with our dynamic and professional Travel Consultants.

Antonio Matera

Pisa, a place of birth of truth

Pisa is an ancient city, located in the downstream of the Arno River. Thanks to its strong naval forces it was a strong town, which was as powerful as Florence and Siena. However, with blockage of the Arno River channel, the naval forces became more and more weak. Finally, Pisa reduced to an affiliated province of Florence. Despite its splendid time former glory, Pisa still offers a lot of material and spiritual testimonies to its visitors: the most famous Pisa Leaning Tower, which along with the special Baptistery and the magnificent cemetery and the amazing Cathedral which is the representative works of Roman architecture;

Pisa is also the hometown for one of the most famous scientists Galileo, who made free fall experiment in Pisa Leaning Tower in 1590. At that time, the Europeans devoutly believe in the authority of Aristotle, regarded his false argument “the falling speed and weight of the object are proportional “as the truth. But Galileo decided to use practice to prove this theory. After the full preparation, he came up the top of the tower, facing the crowd, solemnly raised his hands, at the same time confidently released his hands. One big and one small iron balls fell down together. Surely, the two different iron balls fell to the ground at the same speed from the same height at the same time! The crowd was shocked; people surrounded Galileo, cheering the birth of a great truth!

It was true that Galileo overturned the wrong theory of Aristotle, but everyone wondered if the experiment was indeed done at the top of the Pisa Leaning Tower. Anyway, the controversial point of view really added the mystery and charm to this magic tower.

As the saying goes: “The Leaning Tower of Pisa is as strong as Pisa’ history, reputation and citizens and will never fall.” But since the beginning of measurement in 1918, the tower has an average inclination of about 1 mm per year, and its top center point has been deviated from the vertical center line nearly 5 meters. In order to save this famous building, the Italian government has taken various measures. According to different studies the Leaning Tower still has a long life, for at least the next 250 years.

Electa Travels promotes Pisa Discover Tour through customized tours. Contact us and enjoy your tailor made travels with our dynamic and professional Electa Travels’ team.

Article written by Dalia Ricky

Electa Travel Specialist

Lyon is France’s second largest city, second only to Paris. The city is crossed by two rivers, the Saone and the Rhone. In 1998, the entire historic center of Lyon was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO. Standing on the hillside of Fourviere, overlooking the city of Lyon, you can admire the typical red roof and  enjoy both a picturesque view and a peaceful atmosphere.

On the same hill you you will find La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere which contains two churches different from each other in terms of style and decorations. Fourviere is dedicated to Virgin Mary and plays an important role in the life of Lyon’s inhabitants: it represents the highest expression of the Christianity, a symbol of protection and safety thanks to which Lyon has been saved from in the Black Death in 1643. In order to express their gratitude, at the beginning of December each year citizens will put lit candles on the windowsill to commemorate Virgin Mary. The candlelight of each family illuminates the whole city. This wonderful atmosphere is at the origin of legendary “Festival of Light”. Nowadays, this annual event attracts tourists from all over the world who come to admire professional teams showing their lighting arts.

A Great invention born in Lyon

In March 1895 the Lumiere brothers with their invention of the shooting camera made a short film “the door of the factory” (La sortie des ouvriers), which was considered as the world’s first film. In order to commemorate these two great figures, their former residence was changed to a film academy available for visiting. The facade of this building is full of signatures of famous directors who pay tribute to the two brothers and at the entrance of the film academy you can also see the picture of the movie clips.

Lyon is full of diverse culture and heritages, a unique melting pot you will find at each corner; you will be amazed by its beauty. The famous novel of “The Little Prince” was written in Lyon, which is also the pioneer of the silk industry. Here, you can explore the development of the textile industry with the depth of the history’s footprint, visit the ancient textile workshop and appreciate the delicate local silk products.

Lyon – Capital of French Gastronomy

Lyon is a paradise for gourmet and wine lovers: anything you will choose among the typical “bouchon” and the prestigious starred restaurants will delight your palate. Its unique geographic position which places it among three famous wine regions Beaujolais, Burgundy and Cote de Rhone, as well as the best producers of great meat, sausages and cheeses from Auvergne, Dauphine, Franche-Comté and Savoie region. It is a huge project to write down Lyon’s specialties.

Electa Travels，a very appreciated destination management company for Southern Europe is promoting Lyon Day Tour through customized itineraries. Come here and enjoy your tailor made travels with our dynamic and professional Electa Travels services.

Reims, the Capital of Kings, the City for Champagne.

The French Champagne region is famous all over the world thanks to its beautiful vineyards, delicious champagne and its rich history, triggering people’s infinitive reverie.

From July 2015, champagne hillside, the major champagne wineries and the ancient chalk rock cellar has become UNESCO world heritage. The ancient historic region which witnessed the story of the vicissitudes of life has been recognized by the world, becoming the mysterious palace for more and more champagne conoisseur and history lovers.

There is a small town named Hautvillers locates on the west hillside of Épernay, where is the place Dom Perignon, a monk who lived in local monastery, invented sparkling champagne accidently. In the past 100 years, the name of “Champagne” was endless abused, millions of bottles of poor quality sparkling wine marked “champagne” on their bottles. To protect the nation’s pride and champagne’s reputation, the French have played more than 700 lawsuits throughout the world to maintain the purity of the champagne. The purpose is to let everyone know – only the sparkling wine produced in Champagne region is worthy the name “Champagne”.

Besides the champagne culture, Reims is also well-known by its splendid history. Reims Notre Dame Cathedral, the gorgeous landmark building in this city, was the place for coronation of Kings of France.

Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, was born in 1412 in a beautiful village in Champagne Region. She is considered as a national hero of France, the military strategist and the saint of the Catholicism. During the Hundred’s Years War between France and Kingdom of England, faced of internal and external problems, France retreated ceaselessly. In October 1428, the British army entered the center of central France, Orleans, once the Orleans was broken, the France destiny was into the British hands. Joan of Arc led the French army against the British invasion, saved France and helped Charles VII to crowned in Reims Notre Dame Cathedral.

This amazing city, together with the aroma of its champagne and history of France will immerse you in a unique experience.

Electa Travels promotes Reims champagne Tour through customized tours. Contact us and enjoy your tailor made travels with our dynamic and professional Electa Travels’ team.

Written By Alice Cunningam

Travel Specialist at Electa Travels