Wheelchair Holidays : Portugal

Wheelchair Portugal 2001

We flew to Faro on July 8th. After collecting our hire car at the Airport we drove to the Hotel Monaco where we spent one night before driving up to Evora where we stayed at the Hotel Cartuxia, a superb, modern hotel situated within the old walled town. We pushed around Evora and visited the famous Roman Temple and the magnificent Gothic Cathedral.

After exploring Evora we drove into Lisbon and spent three nights at the Mirapark hotel located half way up an almighty hillside. Lisbon was hot, noisy and choked with traffic. It was exhausting and difficult to get around particularly for anyone in a wheelchair as there are so many hills and cobbled streets. In fact I'd say it was the most challenging city we have ever pushed around. Unless you have two very strong pushers don't even attempt it! Nevertheless, Lisbon is an extremely upbeat, vibrant city, both modern and traditional. The suspension bridge stretching high above the River Tagus is quite spectacular. I particularly liked the awesome statue of Jesus Christ which is modelled on the one in Rio De Janeiro. It stands tall, arms open, embracing the city.

One morning we pushed down the tree-lined Liberation Avenue, which reminded me of the Champs Elysees. We passed by the exquisitely sculptured Railway station and had a delicious meal at a restaurant alongside the river. Another day we took a taxi up the steep hill to St George's castle where there was a beer festival taking place, it was quite a spectacle! From here we got a bird's eye view across Lisbon. Afterwards the taxi driver drove us to the Tour De Belem and around the old town. Lisbon is a fantastic city but the cars and pollution have spoiled it somewhat.

Our next destination was Luz, near Lagos, where we stayed in the small but accessible Vilamar hotel situated in a quiet, peaceful location. The following day we drove to Sagres then out to Cape Saint Vincent to see the end of the world!

Later it was time to travel down to Cabanas, a small resort in the Algarve, where we spent eight nights in an apartment on the Pedras Da Rainha complex. Here there was a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, tennis courts, games room, etc. Our one-bedroom apartment was a bit cramped. It had a small terrace overlooking the beautiful gardens stocked with a multitude of brightly-coloured flowering shrubs - all out in bloom. There are some apartments at the Quinta Velha complex across the road from Pedras Da Rainha which would probably be more accessible for wheelchair users.

Cabanas is an ideal choice if you just want to chill out and sample the bars and many restaurants dotted alongside the seafront. The fish dishes were cheap and delicious as was the wine. Quasimodos is a great little bar (almost a barn)! with an amazing, lively atmosphere. Here we listened to music beating out and met many interesting, friendly people.

One day we drove to Villa Real which is a picturesque resort with a lovely marina. From here we caught the ferry across to Ayamonte in Spain. What a lovely town with moorish mosaic tiles and beautiful shops everywhere (amazingly it was quite wheelchair friendly too). Another day we visited Tavira - a traditional Portuguese town. All too soon our holiday was over and it was time to fly back home to Newcastle.

Reproduced with kind permission of Belinda Sidebotham - C5

Wheelchair Holidays : Portugal