Spring is the early wine tour season in British Columbia, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a sampling of our province’s best wines right in the beautiful places they’re made. Get planning and get out there. Guest blogger and travel agent David Lyons-Black helps you ease the travel headache and focus on what really matters—drinking wine!!!
Ensure your accommodations meet your needs. Be sure to ask your prospective hotel/motel/B&B about accessible amenities such as:
- Roll in showers
- Raised toilets
- Wider doorways
- Door peepholes at wheelchair level
- Informed concierge staff and on-site accessible restaurants
Source methods of travel that work for you:
- Avoid tour buses. They tend to lack accessibility features such as lifts, storage for chairs, and kneeling capability for easier access to stairs.
- Consider a limousine service that supports travelers by assisting with luggage, wheelchair stowing and transferring from the chair into the limo. This also ensures you have a built-in designated driver!
- Go self-guided. Use your own transportation (vehicle, motorcycle, etc) and designated driver. This is probably your best bet as you’ll be familiar with accessibility features and creature comforts. A car or van rental may also meet your needs and might make your tour a real party!
Ensure your preferred vineyards and tour locations have the following:
- Tasting Bars that are lowered or side table/in-restaurant tasting for your drinking pleasure and interaction with winery staff.
- Accessible parking, entries, doorways and paths.
- Staff that will carry out your purchases to your vehicle or will ship to your home address.
- A construction free experience—inquire about possible renovations and/or construction that can limit your access and enjoyment.
