- 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
Q&A with Eva Bronstein Greenwald
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/9324513.jpg)
Eva Bronstein-Greenwald is the owner at Best Cruises and Travel Now ,president and founder at WE BELONG: Inclusion in Fairfield County and a homebound Teacher at various schools in her area ,as well as a mother to two daughters,one with autism.
1. Why is travel important to an autistic individual/family?
I am a very passionate traveler as are my family members. We love trying various foods, meeting new people and visiting unknown sites. Naturally, because my younger daughter has autism, she is more resistant to novel experiences, which make it even more important for us to expose her to what's different. When she samples a new food or sees a new place, she always compares it with what she already knows, so Venice, for example, reminded her of her beloved Cape Cod because of the water and boats. Personally, I think it is great that she can draw from her previous experience and generalize to a new one.
Travel is important to our family because we get to spend quality time making wonderful memories. We are removed from our daily routine, more relaxed, more communicative, more creative and way more fun. I've noticed that Hilary's speech and language really improve when we go on vacation. I don't know if it is because we are always talking rather than sitting in front of the TV / computer at home, or it is because we're talking as we're exploring what's new and different. It's a special time that creates those everlasting memories and continuous discussions.
Hilary, my daughter with autism, will always bring up, "Remember when we went to Mykonos and saw those windmills ..or remember the activity we did in the London Museum..?". We take copious photographs and pick up brochures every place we visit which help stimulate discussion that Hilary often initiates days and months after our trip is over.
2. As a professional travel agent and mother to an autistic child, please share your best tip to eliminate stress during travel.
Whether you travel with typical children or children with special needs, don't plan too much and plan naps and rest breaks. The desire to "pack it all in" creates a lot of stress, fatigue, exhaustion, irritability -- not what you want on vacation. Plan less, rest more, have fun. Enjoy what you are experiencing and make everything a teaching moment.
I am a very passionate traveler as are my family members. We love trying various foods, meeting new people and visiting unknown sites. Naturally, because my younger daughter has autism, she is more resistant to novel experiences, which make it even more important for us to expose her to what's different. When she samples a new food or sees a new place, she always compares it with what she already knows, so Venice, for example, reminded her of her beloved Cape Cod because of the water and boats. Personally, I think it is great that she can draw from her previous experience and generalize to a new one.
Travel is important to our family because we get to spend quality time making wonderful memories. We are removed from our daily routine, more relaxed, more communicative, more creative and way more fun. I've noticed that Hilary's speech and language really improve when we go on vacation. I don't know if it is because we are always talking rather than sitting in front of the TV / computer at home, or it is because we're talking as we're exploring what's new and different. It's a special time that creates those everlasting memories and continuous discussions.
Hilary, my daughter with autism, will always bring up, "Remember when we went to Mykonos and saw those windmills ..or remember the activity we did in the London Museum..?". We take copious photographs and pick up brochures every place we visit which help stimulate discussion that Hilary often initiates days and months after our trip is over.
2. As a professional travel agent and mother to an autistic child, please share your best tip to eliminate stress during travel.
Whether you travel with typical children or children with special needs, don't plan too much and plan naps and rest breaks. The desire to "pack it all in" creates a lot of stress, fatigue, exhaustion, irritability -- not what you want on vacation. Plan less, rest more, have fun. Enjoy what you are experiencing and make everything a teaching moment.
3. In today's internet age, with access to so many travel sites, many might question the logic of using a travel agent.What would you tell them to convince them otherwise?
This actually is an easy one. There are many benefits to working with a specialized agent like me, let me count a few;
#Saves you time since all the research, and booking is done by the agent.
#You get the best value since agents like me have access to special pricing and amenities not available to the public online.
#Access to expert travel advice (I for one, am an experienced, trusted, knowledgeable and trained travel professional).
#You can actually save money through our affiliation with Cruise Planners and American Express, since we get our client 'group volume ' discount pricing and even by using your Amex points.
As more and more people are getting 'burned' when booking travel online on their own, they are coming back to travel agents. We get paid commission from the travel suppliers, so there is absolutely no cost to our clients.
4. How does travel fit into our lifestyle?
Travel is an extremely important part of our lives. We lead very busy lives as professionals, as parents and as members of our community. We need travel to de-stress, recharge and reconnect with our family. This winter's weather on the East Coast has been brutal. What helped us get through it was knowing that we were going to get away to be someplace warm, beautiful and tropical. Even before getting into the travel business we would travel at least twice a year -- in the winter and in the summer. We'd also try to take weekend trips, which are a nice way to add some spice into our lives. Now that we are in the travel business we must travel more-- for the job and for ourselves. Yes, it's a tough job but someone's got to do it!
This actually is an easy one. There are many benefits to working with a specialized agent like me, let me count a few;
#Saves you time since all the research, and booking is done by the agent.
#You get the best value since agents like me have access to special pricing and amenities not available to the public online.
#Access to expert travel advice (I for one, am an experienced, trusted, knowledgeable and trained travel professional).
#You can actually save money through our affiliation with Cruise Planners and American Express, since we get our client 'group volume ' discount pricing and even by using your Amex points.
As more and more people are getting 'burned' when booking travel online on their own, they are coming back to travel agents. We get paid commission from the travel suppliers, so there is absolutely no cost to our clients.
4. How does travel fit into our lifestyle?
Travel is an extremely important part of our lives. We lead very busy lives as professionals, as parents and as members of our community. We need travel to de-stress, recharge and reconnect with our family. This winter's weather on the East Coast has been brutal. What helped us get through it was knowing that we were going to get away to be someplace warm, beautiful and tropical. Even before getting into the travel business we would travel at least twice a year -- in the winter and in the summer. We'd also try to take weekend trips, which are a nice way to add some spice into our lives. Now that we are in the travel business we must travel more-- for the job and for ourselves. Yes, it's a tough job but someone's got to do it!
5. Many families are very discouraged by the insurmountable amount of problems the travel with autistic children seems to present. What are your thoughts?
I feel that not traveling with your autistic child is as absurd as not taking your child out into the community to go shopping, to the park, to the beach, etc. It is criminal to hide your child. True,it is more work but with patience and a sense of humor, you can take our children out into our local and world communities. It is imperative to expose our children to the world and to expose the world to our children. It is critical to spend quality family time doing things that are exciting, fun and novel. We should absolutely not deny our child with autism, our typical children and ourselves the pleasures and benefits of travel.
6. Describe your family's perfect vacation spot.
We don't have one particular favorite place. We do have two best types of vacations -- cruises and all-inclusive resorts. Both are great because they include everything - food to meet everyone's taste, all different kinds of entertainment, the wonderful kids programs, the variety of exotic locales, the unbelievable pampering and service, and last but most important ;the incredible way they treat my daughter with autism (they fawn all over her, which she, and we love). It is the most stress free vacation. We don't rule out land tours, but they do tend to be less inclusive and more tiring.
There is so much to see and do ,and everyone has to compromise. For instance, I love museums and can spend an entire day in one, but Hilary has limited patience in most museums, so we do visit them but my time has to be cut short and there has to be a reward for Hilary's patience, so we calculate that in. When people ask me, in general, what is my favorite vacation, I say that my next vacation is my favorite. We always try to go to new places and do different things, which is always exciting.
7. What distinguishes, Best Cruises and Travel (your company), from other travel agencies when it comes to planning vacations for the special needs' community?
Throughout the years, many families with kids with special needs as well as and some adults with disabilities have asked for our help in planning their vacations and have expressed the wish to have the assistance of a skilled nurse or trained aide's. As a result, we are in the process of interviewing licensed nursing care providers to see who we can team up with to provide children and adults with disabilities with the support, they require during their travel. We will be announcing our partnerships shortly and then will be able to start booking aided travel on the cruises, all-inclusive resorts and land tours that are most accessible. Our clients will cover the aide's/nurse's travel expenses travel and will only be charged a 'per diem' fee to the outside agency supplying the aide or nurse. Unlike other travel agents who deal with disability travel, we will not charge a separate fee for this service,since we consider it our privilege to assist families and individuals that have disabilities who wish to enjoy travel and explore their world.
I feel that not traveling with your autistic child is as absurd as not taking your child out into the community to go shopping, to the park, to the beach, etc. It is criminal to hide your child. True,it is more work but with patience and a sense of humor, you can take our children out into our local and world communities. It is imperative to expose our children to the world and to expose the world to our children. It is critical to spend quality family time doing things that are exciting, fun and novel. We should absolutely not deny our child with autism, our typical children and ourselves the pleasures and benefits of travel.
6. Describe your family's perfect vacation spot.
We don't have one particular favorite place. We do have two best types of vacations -- cruises and all-inclusive resorts. Both are great because they include everything - food to meet everyone's taste, all different kinds of entertainment, the wonderful kids programs, the variety of exotic locales, the unbelievable pampering and service, and last but most important ;the incredible way they treat my daughter with autism (they fawn all over her, which she, and we love). It is the most stress free vacation. We don't rule out land tours, but they do tend to be less inclusive and more tiring.
There is so much to see and do ,and everyone has to compromise. For instance, I love museums and can spend an entire day in one, but Hilary has limited patience in most museums, so we do visit them but my time has to be cut short and there has to be a reward for Hilary's patience, so we calculate that in. When people ask me, in general, what is my favorite vacation, I say that my next vacation is my favorite. We always try to go to new places and do different things, which is always exciting.
7. What distinguishes, Best Cruises and Travel (your company), from other travel agencies when it comes to planning vacations for the special needs' community?
Throughout the years, many families with kids with special needs as well as and some adults with disabilities have asked for our help in planning their vacations and have expressed the wish to have the assistance of a skilled nurse or trained aide's. As a result, we are in the process of interviewing licensed nursing care providers to see who we can team up with to provide children and adults with disabilities with the support, they require during their travel. We will be announcing our partnerships shortly and then will be able to start booking aided travel on the cruises, all-inclusive resorts and land tours that are most accessible. Our clients will cover the aide's/nurse's travel expenses travel and will only be charged a 'per diem' fee to the outside agency supplying the aide or nurse. Unlike other travel agents who deal with disability travel, we will not charge a separate fee for this service,since we consider it our privilege to assist families and individuals that have disabilities who wish to enjoy travel and explore their world.