- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
- Our New Blog
- Contact us
- Travel Advice
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Flying-all you need to know before you book your next plane ticket>
- Cruising-planning the perfect cruise>
- Car Travel
- Traveling by bus...in style
- Hotels-Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room>
- Packing -101>
- Ask away -Autistic Globetrotting Free advice service>
- Tid bits-travel advice from our readers in 100 words or less
- Autistic Travels' Golden Rules
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Autisticals-a personal view of autistic travel
- US 10 best in
- The 10 best of Boston
- The best 10 of Hilton Head,South Carolina
- The 10 best of New York
- The 10 best of Alaska
- The 10 best of Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- The 10 best of Santa Fe and the surroundings
- The 10 best of Arizone-Grand Canyon
- The 10 best of Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown and surroundinds
- The 10 best of Washington D.C.
- The 10 best of Las Vegas
- The 10 best of Boston
- International 10 best
- Mini autisticals- the darnest travel stories you'll hear
- The Sleeps-our biased and un biased hotel reviews
- The Eats-Tasty challenges from around the globe
- The Shops-what you can buy next
- Collector's Corner-How did these travel trinkets become a collection
- Recommended products
- Giveaways
- Monthly news roundup
- Interviews
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Q&A with Tal managing director of ALUTEVA-autistic hotel in Israel
- Eva Bronstein-Greenwald-special needs travel agent and founder of We Belong
- Q&A with Trip it's
- Q&A with David Intercontinental Tel Aviv
- Keri Bowers- film producer of 'Normal people scare me'
- Jamie Grover-Autism on the seas
- Peter Shears
- Clive-guide dog extraordinaire
- John Brown of 'Devyn and Dad' -an inspirational adventure across the United States
- Rose Niehaus Olsen Morris inventor of the safety sleeper bed
- Annette White,counselor for Camp Autism
- Colin Brennan-Canada's new singing sensation
- Dennis Debbaudt-autism safety expert
- Gisela Sedlmayer- author of 'Talon'
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Inspirational travel stories by our guest writers
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- Brian R. King-Meltdown at the airport
- Joy's visit to the Aquarium
- Denise Klipsic-An incredible encounter with Princess Tiana
- Tanya Savko- Hope on a river
- Tiffany Robison-Great Wolf Lodge
- Fiona Westner Ramsay -Making-room-for-autism-in-your-canoe
- Laura Shumacher-Traveling with autism: a true story
- Phyllis Fanzo Lombardi-s -Vacation Time with Joey
- Kristina Chew-18 Miles On the Bikes At the Beach
- Jeff Katz-Chicago
- Margaret Ann Franklin's visit to the Great Northern Carousel in Helena Montana
- Claire Sarcone-Chessington the aspie way
- Elaine Hall-Tips for summer vacation
- Steve LHeureux -Autism "Outings" need to be planned and appropriate
- Kelly Green-The Gardens of Gilroy
- Wolfie Blue-Tips I learnt by traveling with my family
- Gluten free Disney cruise experience
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- North,Central and South America-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Alaska Cruise-USA and Canada
- Florida,Orlando-Universal Studios-looking for Harry Potter
- Florida,Orlando-Macy's mini parade in Universal Studios
- Florida-Everglades Park ,Miami,Key West
- Hawaii's big island with a glimpse of Pearl Harbor
- Louisiana,New Orleans-French Quarter,Christmas Parade,Nanchez Steamboat
- Louisiana,New Orleans-in the footsteps of Katrina,Garden district
- Massachussetts-Boston ,New England Coastal towns of NH and Maine
- New York-NYC
- New Mexico-Santa Fe and Bandoliers National Park
- Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
- Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- Canada-Niagara Falls,Montreal,Quebec,Toronto
- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
- Caribbean-Castaway Cay-Disney's bahamian paradise
- Caribbean-Roatan,Honduras>
- Caribbean-Grand Caymans-Hell,Turtles,Wild Hens and Stingrays>
- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Puerta Vallarta (Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Acapulco and Manzanillo
- Mexico-Mazatlan(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Playa del Carmen's Xcaret eco park>
- Mexico-Tulum and XelHa Eco Park
- Yucatan,Mexico- Chichen Itza,Cozumel's Paradise Beach
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Europe,Asia,Australia and New Zealand,Cruise ships-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Austria-Salzburg
- Belgium-Antwerp ,Brussels
- Canary Islands-Lazarote
- Croatia-the walled town of Dubrovnik
- Denmark-Copenhagen
- France-Normandy's D day beaches>
- France- Cannes,Nice,Eze
- France-Paris
- Finland,Helsinki
- Germany-Munich,Dachau
- Germany-Romantic Road
- Ireland-Dublin
- Ireland -Cork,Blarney,Kinsale>
- N. Ireland-Belfast>
- N. Ireland's Giant Causeway
- N.Ireland-Carrick -a -Rede-rope bridge>
- Italy-Venice,Pompeii,Rome
- Italy-Florence,Messina and Taoramina
- Israel-Jerusalem>
- Israel-Masada and the Dead Sea>
- Israel-Tel Aviv>
- Morocco-Casablanca
- New Zealand-Rotarua
- New Zealand-Fjord Park,Dunedin,Christchurch
- New Zealand - Auckland and sheep farm
- The Netherlands-Amsterdam,Delft,The Hague,Rotterdam,Madurodam
- Sweden-Stockholm and the Archipelago
- Russia-St Petersburg's Palaces
- Scotland-Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Scotland-Edinburgh>
- Scotland-Inverness>
- Scotland-Loch Lommond,Luss,Sottish sheep show>
- Spain-Barcelona
- Spain-Cadiz and Seville
- Spain-The Alhambra Palace,view of Malaga
- Tasmania-Hobart
- UK-Liverpool and the Beatles>
- UK-London>
- UK-Stonehenge,Bath,Warwick Castle,Stratford on Avon,Oxford
- UK-Guernsey>
- Carnival -Legend
- Aboard the Carnival Legend
- Carnival -Ecstasy
- Carnival- Fascination
- Carnival Spirit
- Celebrity-Century
- Crown Princess>
- Sapphire Princess
- Royal Caribbean-Brilliance of the Seas
- Royal Caribbean-Mariner of the Seas (parades)
- Royal Caribbean- Mariner of the Seas
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Monthly guest's -Travel videos and pictures
- Web sites and blogs we follow
- Face Book discussions
- Guest Book
Title Text.
![Picture](http://www.weebly.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
In the past few weeks, several companies and organizations have asked us to compile a Top 10 “Tip” List to help the autistic travelers and accompanying caregivers. Although special needs travel tends to be multi-faceted and somewhat individualized in nature, here are Autistic Globetrotting’s Ten Golden Rules of successful travel
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#1- Call ahead and flag your reservation
Call the airline’s customer service, the cruise line’s special needs department, the hotel concierge or front desk, and of course future tour guides to explain your situation. Ask for needed accommodations, such as preferred seating (bulkhead or aisle), individualized lodging (quiet and adjoining rooms) and specific dietary requests (i.e. food allergies). In this way, you're not only helping the companies serve you better, but also informing them of the disability that might become misinterpreted in certain situations—temper tantrums at an airport check point or during a flight can be misconstrued and potentially disastrous.
After touching base with your future friends, make a note of their names, and ask for a response e-mail or fax confirming the agreed-upon details. Then, keep in touch at least 2-3 times before the planned travel starts!
*Remember that assigned plane seats and hotel adjoining rooms can change without any notices, so check your reservation on line weekly and take notice of any unwanted alterations.
#2- Don't plan the Itinerary from Hell
Some of the more ecstatic tourists have the belief that they should spend their limited time traveling to the fullest, plan the itinerary from hell, and either tire themselves out or end up disappointed from not “completing” it all. Autistic travelers more so may feel sensory overloaded, tired, and out of sorts if made to follow rigorous plans, especially if accustomed to their more sedentary everyday life.
As a rule of thumb: Never plan any sightseeing on actual travel days since the time spent on the airplane, train, ship, or car provides enough excitement. Try to plan tours or activities that are four hours or less, including “fun” or down-time for the entire group—allocated during midday and evening— and practice the art of flexibility when activities don't work out as planned. Travel is about experiencing a place as a whole, so sampling the local dinner in a neighborhood restaurant or watching foreign cartoons in the hotel room qualify too.
Last but not least, keep in mind that if you really enjoy a place, you can always go back and revisit. It actually feels more familiar and welcoming the second time around.
#3- Prepare your travelers and double check your arrangements
To pique the interest of your young autistic globetrotter, you should try to talk about the vacation and different locations in detail using picture books, articles, postcards, and movies. Doing so will not only help alleviate any fears or anxieties the person may have about the trip, but can create genuine interest in the history, geography, and culture of the intended travel destination. It is equally helpful to go over the travel arrangements with a family member or friend to make sure there is no detail you have overlooked in the initial planning stage. Frequent mistakes are incorrect hotel arrival dates when traveling transatlantic or trans-pacific, as well as not allocating enough time in between flight connections. Since these errors can happen anytime and are universal to all travelers not even the most seasoned globetrotter is totally immune. Last year, my husband discovered that I had mistakenly booked our Australian hotel a day too late, as I had overlooked the date differences—better known as that pesky International Dateline—between leaving Los Angeles and arriving in Melbourne. By having him go over the travel details. We could discover the mistake and correct it in plenty of time, avoiding the outcome of arriving tired after a long flight with no place to stay.
.
#1- Call ahead and flag your reservation
Call the airline’s customer service, the cruise line’s special needs department, the hotel concierge or front desk, and of course future tour guides to explain your situation. Ask for needed accommodations, such as preferred seating (bulkhead or aisle), individualized lodging (quiet and adjoining rooms) and specific dietary requests (i.e. food allergies). In this way, you're not only helping the companies serve you better, but also informing them of the disability that might become misinterpreted in certain situations—temper tantrums at an airport check point or during a flight can be misconstrued and potentially disastrous.
After touching base with your future friends, make a note of their names, and ask for a response e-mail or fax confirming the agreed-upon details. Then, keep in touch at least 2-3 times before the planned travel starts!
*Remember that assigned plane seats and hotel adjoining rooms can change without any notices, so check your reservation on line weekly and take notice of any unwanted alterations.
#2- Don't plan the Itinerary from Hell
Some of the more ecstatic tourists have the belief that they should spend their limited time traveling to the fullest, plan the itinerary from hell, and either tire themselves out or end up disappointed from not “completing” it all. Autistic travelers more so may feel sensory overloaded, tired, and out of sorts if made to follow rigorous plans, especially if accustomed to their more sedentary everyday life.
As a rule of thumb: Never plan any sightseeing on actual travel days since the time spent on the airplane, train, ship, or car provides enough excitement. Try to plan tours or activities that are four hours or less, including “fun” or down-time for the entire group—allocated during midday and evening— and practice the art of flexibility when activities don't work out as planned. Travel is about experiencing a place as a whole, so sampling the local dinner in a neighborhood restaurant or watching foreign cartoons in the hotel room qualify too.
Last but not least, keep in mind that if you really enjoy a place, you can always go back and revisit. It actually feels more familiar and welcoming the second time around.
#3- Prepare your travelers and double check your arrangements
To pique the interest of your young autistic globetrotter, you should try to talk about the vacation and different locations in detail using picture books, articles, postcards, and movies. Doing so will not only help alleviate any fears or anxieties the person may have about the trip, but can create genuine interest in the history, geography, and culture of the intended travel destination. It is equally helpful to go over the travel arrangements with a family member or friend to make sure there is no detail you have overlooked in the initial planning stage. Frequent mistakes are incorrect hotel arrival dates when traveling transatlantic or trans-pacific, as well as not allocating enough time in between flight connections. Since these errors can happen anytime and are universal to all travelers not even the most seasoned globetrotter is totally immune. Last year, my husband discovered that I had mistakenly booked our Australian hotel a day too late, as I had overlooked the date differences—better known as that pesky International Dateline—between leaving Los Angeles and arriving in Melbourne. By having him go over the travel details. We could discover the mistake and correct it in plenty of time, avoiding the outcome of arriving tired after a long flight with no place to stay.
![Picture](http://www.weebly.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
#4 Begin packing sooner than later
While packing is the last stage, it should never be underestimated. Time is needed to check that all the supplies, including comfortable clothes and favored bedding are all safely stowed, since an absence of those can cause the worst meltdowns. Early packing provides time to order and purchase any items or supplies you are currently missing, and to pack the little doodads (e.g. stuffed animals and pictures) your autistic person cannot travel without. In lieu of packing a separate suitcase for each family member; pack two or three day outfits for each family member in each of your checked suitcases. This way, even if one piece of luggage is lost, everyone still has some apparel to use, and you won't spend your vacation shopping for basic necessities instead of sightseeing. The best time to start packing is a week in advance (you can use my packing list) and never leave it to the night before; as it will render you irritable and exhausted, which in turn is bound to stress everyone (especially your autistic globetrotter).
#5 Arrive early and pre-everything while you travel
Arrive at the airport, port, train, or bus station early and ask to board among the first. Pre-boarding will give you ample time to deal with any unexpected problems, as well as to familiarize your autistic traveler to their new surroundings. Furthermore, that extra time can be used to wipe the seat clean, hand each family member their toys or food, and use the restroom well before everyone else boards.
#6 Expect the unexpected, always!
Note: Before booking your intended trip, verify whether your monetary deposits are refundable. If they are not, consider purchasing travel insurance, especially if you can't bear the financial loss from a possible cancellation.
In today's world, where airlines and hotels charge you a hefty re-booking fee, and a fully refund from cruise lines and organized tours is close to impossible, insurance can be a helpful tool in the event of cancellations well as covering your meals and hotel in case of severe delays.
My pet peeve is the chance of delayed or lost luggage which, unfortunately, has increased in frequency over the last few years, especially on US domestic flights. Although not preventable in nature, you can ameliorate the situation by having insurance, which can cover some of the loss, as well as by packing your hand luggage adequately.
Every family or group member should carry one hand luggage with at least two days’ worth of personal clothing, electronics and medicines. All the autistic person's preferred clothing should be packed in the hand luggage, as well as include any favored foods, books, or movies. By doing so, you will not have to spend your vacation running around your city of destination looking for these items and trying to replace them.
![Picture](http://www.weebly.com/editor/images/na.jpg)
#7 What to carry with you at all times: M.E.D, mini-kits and a recent photo
The worst accidents and mishaps tend to occur during vacations! As such, the wisest thing to do is to be prepared, very prepared! Create a mini-kit and always have it with you, preferably in your bag or fanny pack.
It should always include:
• First Aid items such as Neosporin, Band-Aids, or Benadryl cream or spray.
• Bug and solar protection—the higher SPF, the better—just make sure it is hypoallergenic.
• Kid's medications with a collapsible cup to drink water.
• Headache and diarrhea pills, with an extra pair of kid's underwear (just in case).
• At least one extra pair of glasses per any glasses wearing member ( there's nothing worse than trying to visit a museum or amusement park half 'blind').
• Mini sized supply of Wet Wipes, tissues, toilet paper roll, and Lysol spray to sterilize the toilet seat (for those who can't stand or squat in public toilets).
• A recent picture of your child in case your child wanders away or gets lost, as many times the picture in the passport is outdated!
My tip: snap a picture of your kid with your camera daily during the trip you can describe every single detail (including the clothing) to authorities if necessary.
When traveling with autistic people never travel without M.C.D:
•Medicines for the duration of your vacation plus an extra a week supply in your hand luggage (never in checked luggage or in the car's trunk, as it can spoil).
• Carry an autism identification card from a national autism organization. In addition, you can carry a small printed handout card explaining the signs of autism so you can raise awareness and educate others on your trip, as well as explain certain situations that may arise.
• Documentation: You should carry copies of doctor's, psychologist's, or psychiatrist’s letters explaining your autistic person's unusual behaviors, conditions, or allergies, as well as copies of letters from police or child services detailing acts of violent meltdowns, so you can show them to the authorities if needed. Some parents have found it useful to put their child’s info on a flash drive or download a medical application like Biomed (or carry a mini bio-meds, illnesses, allergies).