- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
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- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
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Aluteva- the hotel that caters to autistic families in Northern Israel
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/7882688.jpg?1315184373)
picture by Aluteva
http://www.weekend.co.il/galilwest/aluteva/index.asp
To contact Aluteva
By e mail:
[email protected]
by phone:
04-9885590/4 |
052-4838521
Many autistic families I’ve spoken to in the last year have expressed the wish to stay in autistic friendly hotels on their vacations. Although the main chains have made incredible strides in the last decade to accommodate the special needs community, some families still feel the need for hotels specializing in autism. I had the pleasure of speaking to Tal, the director of such a hotel called ALUTEVA- near Carmiel, Isreal- that was opened and is maintained by Alut- the Israel National Autism Association.
AG: How, when, and why did Alut come up with the concept of creating an autistic friendly hotel ?
Tal: The idea was formed in 2003 when Alut personnel realized that many families don’t feel comfortable staying in regular hotels because of safety and behavior concerns, but they still wanted to enjoy vacationing with their kids. We decided to create the first autistic-friendly family resort in Israel, and possibly the world.
AG: What is the significance behind Aluteva's location?
Tal: We were offered this location, it is surrounded by forest trees and use to be a training camp for pre-army teens, so the investment was minimal. It is close to Kfar hayeladim, the teen boarding school, as well as the town of Carmiel, in the Beit Hakerem valley of the Galilee .
AG: Tell me about your hotel.
Tal: We are a no frills facility with the goal of making our patrons comfortable, especially the lower functioning crowd with more odd behaviors. We currently have seven suites with two rooms and bathroom, and each is fully equipped with a mini kitchenette and microwave fridge, air-conditioning, and satellite TV.The units share a huge yard with a fenced in playground and grassy area with benches, and during summer we have an operating swimming pool. What makes us unique is our sensory room, fully equipped with ball pools and air mattresses, and a white therapy room with lights and soothing music to help the kids.We also offer a coffee room for families to meet and enjoy watching a movie, as well as a baby-sitting club to watch the kids while the parents relax.
AG: Some autistic kids follow a rather strict casein and gluten free diet; does your hotel provide for specific dietary restrictions?
Tal: We offer a full kosher dairy and vegetarian breakfast, warm meals you can pre order, and packed lunches or sandwiches for day trips. Since we have refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms, families can also bring more specific food or bring in food from nearby eateries.
AG: What activities do you currently offer?
Tal: Well, for the families who just want a quiet, peaceful vacation, the playground and swimming pool are a good start. We offer classes for parents and guest lectures, as well as story telling and creativity classes for kids at different levels. Hiking, scootering, and visits to the nearby petting zoo are all offered. Touring the Galilee area is truly recommended for everyone wanting to explore historical areas, or families can just go shopping in the Akko Shouk. It’s up to the individual family.
AG: Any plans to open new centers/resorts?
Tal: Not at the current time; this center is still not quite sustainable to cater solely to autistic families. It doubles as an afternoon community center and a hostel for hikers in the area. To offset and cover our costs, the hotel functions as an afternoon center for school kids and as a hotel for other paying guests. We are hopeful that, in the future, our model will become more financially independent and will be adopted in other countries.