It’s no secret that travelling with a disability can be daunting, especially when it’s somewhere new.

As a power wheelchair user, my go-to whenever I need a getaway, is a city break. Personally, they tick all the boxes and one of the reasons I started my travel blog, Simply Emma, was as a way for me to share my accessible travel experiences, both good and bad.

Being only a short plane or train journey away makes city breaks incredibly tempting. Typically the public transport links are very accessible which makes getting around fairly easy.

Nevertheless, a city I was a little hesitant to visit was Amsterdam. In reality, I didn’t have to worry. Our three nights in the Dutch city was surprisingly accessible, not least due to an amazing tram system.

Finding the perfect accessible hotel can often be tricky. With the help of a local accessible travel agency, we booked into the Corendon Vitality Hotel.

It was stylish and comfortable with one of the best hotel beds we have ever slept in. It felt like we were sleeping on a cloud. The bed was also adjustable, so it was just like our bed at home.

Accessing the trams was easy which gave us the confidence to use it many times as we explored Amsterdam. By the end of the trip, we were hopping on and off at different stops like we were locals.

Some of our favourite attractions were the Body Worlds Museum with fascinating interactive displays and real human bodies. A great way to discover the secrets of happiness and how it affects the body. Another favourite was the beautiful and peaceful, Vondelpark.

Meanwhile, the Bloemenmarkt is a floating flower market along the southern canal belt. Lined with every type of flower you can imagine, including the famous tulips in every colour possible. Despite the market being founded in 1862, wheelchair accessibility was very good. We also visited Rembrandtpark; the perfect spot for a picnic.

A trip to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a selfie in front of the iAmsterdam sign. We found one of the iconic signs in Museumplein. This is also where you will find the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum.

Lastly, it can be a struggle to find public accessible toilets while out and about in Amsterdam. One piece of advice I wish someone had given me before my trip would be to always make use of the accessible facilities in museums or attractions when visiting them. Otherwise, Amsterdam is a lovely accessible city that I recommend you visit.

About Emma Muldoon…

Emma created her blog, Simply Emma, to share her life and experiences of being a powerchair user and encourages others to see more of the world, whether that means international travel or being a little more adventurous in your hometown. The blog, founded in 2014, has grown to become one of the UK’s leading travel and accessibility blogs.

www.simplyemma.co.uk
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