Thermal treatments at the Wine and Oil Spa
A wheelchair logo on the establishments was all that allowed them to intuit that some establishments could be 'more accessible than others' , but they couldn't guess to what extent a handicapped person could use the facilities of an establishment correctly (sometimes the logo simply referred to the lifts being a bit larger than usual... but what about the bathrooms? of the swimming pool? of the entrances?...) . As a result of that accident, this traveling couple discovered that in Spain there are up to 17 different regulations on accessibility (with Madrid and the Basque Country with more advanced regulations without this meaning a correct application).
But far from abandoning their passion for travel, this married couple decided to take on the responsibility of improve the quality of life of the physically handicapped . They began by visiting various establishments in La Rioja, interviewing hoteliers in the area, studying each establishment in situ (spas, wineries, restaurants...) and creating a quality club that today has become a benchmark, with a seal of quality with which the client knows, through a detailed file, all the conditions that the establishment has, with the certainty that it has been visited by them.
State-of-the-art architecture at the Wine and Oil Spa
On their website you can even see a video of each of the associated establishments in which a person in a wheelchair walks through the place. Nowadays, They also have many online queries from foreign travelers who want to come to Spain and they need information on accessibility not only physical, but also sensory.
In fact, this couple went further and became a consultant when designing the construction of establishments that want to open up to this new market in Spain, since “ through the adapted tourist offer, the integration of a large number of people with mobility problems is favored" : elderly, disabled, users on crutches, pregnant women, people with obesity problems... A market that is not only international, but also growing, and that in Spain is beginning to develop seriously now. "If the establishment is designed from the beginning, not only is it possible to create multi-purpose spaces for disabled and non-disabled people, but also the visual impact can be cushioned, generating what is called unnoticed accessibility", says Isaskun Benito, founder of Equalitas Vitae.
La Regalía de Ollauri, a winery with a new and minimalist concept
Tips from Equalitas Vitae:
Check your online guide by provinces (of Spain) to find out which hotels, restaurants, rural houses, spas, wineries... are adapted.
A city : Berlin is light years away from other European cities to get to know it in a wheelchair (London is also very advanced in this regard): The city's infrastructures are designed in such a way that no one's mobility is hindered: there are a good number of adapted taxis, lowered pavements, adapted establishments such as museums, restaurants, hotels, bathrooms...
a spa : Wine & Oil Spa, in Alava , a building with total accessibility in the saunas, Turkish baths, contrast showers, changing rooms, treatment cabins, elevating beds... Everything is mobile equipment that can be put on or taken off as needed (it is known as invisible accessibility that does not interferes with the aesthetics of the building).
A warehouse : The Apple Farm , a classic La Rioja winery, chateaux style, with views of the Ebro. If you are looking for a more modern winery, ** Regalia de Ollauri ** is a newer and more minimalist concept, excavated in the mountains.
a natural environment : Guara Park in Huesca , with trails, viewpoints, bird watching...
Sun and beach : A friendly complex for any type of client, in which you will not realize that you are in an accessible environment with portable elements (ramps, cranes, ground level...) is Nautilus Lanzarote , with charming bungalows next to the beach, in a unique environment, and certified as Biosphere Hotel for its environmental commitment.