Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ter organized in northern Europe - the UK, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, France, Switzer-
land - with branches in all but the smallest village, and mounds of information; in Greece,
Turkey and eastern Europe you'll find fewer tourist offices and they'll be less helpful on
the whole, sometimes offering no more than a couple of dog-eared brochures and a photo-
copied map.
Travellers with disabilities
Prosperous northern Europe is easier for disabled travellers than the south and east, but
the gradual enforcement of EU accessibility regulations is making life easier throughout
theEuropeanUnionatleast.Wheelchairaccesstopublicbuildingsnonethelessremainsfar
from common in many countries, as is wheelchair accessibility to public transport. Most
buses are still inaccessible to wheelchair users, but airport facilities are improving, as are
thoseoncross-Channelferries.Asforrailservices,thesevarygreatly:France,forexample,
provides well for disabled passengers, as do Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria,
but many other countries make little if any provision. For comprehensive info on disabled
travel, check out
disabledtravelers.com
.
Women travellers
OneofthemajorirritantsforwomentravellingthroughEuropeissexualharassment,which
in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain and Morocco especially can be almost constant for women
travelling alone. By far the most common kind of harassment you'll come across simply
consists of street whistles and catcalls; occasionally it's more sinister and very occasion-
ally it can be dangerous. Indifference is often the best policy, avoiding eye contact with
men and at the same time appearing as confident and purposeful as possible. If this doesn't
make you feel any more comfortable, shouting a few choice phrases in the local language
is a good idea; don't, however, shout in English, which often seems to encourage them.
You may also come across gropers on crowded buses and trains, in which case you should
complain as loudly as possible in any language - the ensuing scene should be enough to
deter your assailant.
