Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
countries covered in this topic, discrimi-
nation is largely based on internal con-
flicts and aimed at ethnic groups within
the various countries.
ECO-TOURISM
You can find ecofriendly travel tips, statis-
tics, and touring companies and associa-
tions—listed by destination under “Travel
Choice”—at the TIES website, www.eco
tourism.org.
Ecotravel.com
is part online
magazine and part ecodirectory that lets
you search for touring companies in sev-
eral categories (water-based, land-based,
spiritually oriented, and so on). Also check
out
Conservation International
(www.
conservation.org), which, with
National
Geographic Traveler,
annually presents
World Legacy Awards
(www.wlaward.org)
to those travel tour operators, businesses,
organizations, and places that have made
a significant contribution to sustainable
tourism.
7 Specialized Travel Resources
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone
from traveling. There are more options
and resources available than ever before.
However, accommodations for disabled
travelers in Eastern European countries
are sporadic at best and usually concen-
trated in upscale establishments in larger
cities.
If disabled access is a concern, it's best
to book through a travel agency that
caters to those with this concern. Many
travel agencies offer customized tours and
itineraries for travelers with disabilities.
Among them are
Flying Wheels Travel
(
&
507/451-5005;
www.flyingwheels
travel.com);
Access-Able Travel Source
(
&
303/232-2979;
www.access-able.
com); and
Accessible Journeys
(
&
800/
846-4537
or 610/521-0339; www.
disabilitytravel.com).
Avis Rent a Car
has an “Avis Access” program that offers
such services as a dedicated 24-hour toll-
free number (
&
888/879-4273
) for cus-
tomers with special travel needs; special
car features such as swivel seats, spinner
knobs, and hand controls; and accessible
bus service.
Organizations that offer assistance to
travelers with disabilities include
Moss-
Rehab
(www.mossresourcenet.org); the
American Foundation for the Blind
(AFB)
(
&
800/232-5463;
www.afb.org);
and
SATH
(Society for Accessible Travel
& Hospitality) (
&
212/447-7284;
www.
sath.org).
AirAmbulanceCard.com
is
now partnered with SATH and allows
you to preselect top-notch hospitals in
case of an emergency.
The community website
iCan
(www.
icanonline.net/channels/travel) has desti-
nation guides and several regular columns
on accessible travel. Also check out the
quarterly magazine
Emerging Horizons
(www.emerginghorizons.com) and
Open
World
magazine
,
published by SATH.
GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELERS
In the Catholic countries of Eastern
Europe (Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, and
Slovenia) gay and lesbian travelers won't
be hassled, but they won't find many
establishments that lay out the welcome
mat for them either. Resources for gay
and lesbian travelers are few or hidden.
For the most part, there is a macho men-
tality about sexuality in all the countries
covered in this guide, and it is a sensibil-
ity that is not gay-friendly. The Czech
Republic and Slovenia are the most gay-
friendly of the countries covered in this
book.
Note:
In one recent instance, a
hotel owner on the Croatian island of Hvar
attempted to promote a week designed to
appeal to gay and lesbian travelers much
to the chagrin of the local townspeople.
The event was marred by many local
protests. However, some organized tours
