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Accessible Baltic – 5 Can’t Miss Accessible Experiences!

New Year, New Adventures! What’s on your bucket list for this year? Have you considered a once in a lifetime accessible vacation to Europe? Whether you’re dreaming of an accessible cruise or prefer to stay on land, we’d love to help you make this year an extra memorable one!

In this newsletter, I’ve decided to share my favorite 5 Can’t Miss Accessible Experiences in the Baltic (although I could easily have made it a list of 50). While the Baltic generally receives fewer visitors than Southern European destinations, I can’t say enough good things about my time exploring this part of Europe. When you combine its intriguing history, fascinating art and architecture, delicious food, friendly locals and high accessibility standards, what you get is nothing short of an amazing time!
Some of our wonderful clients during their 
Baltic Shore Excursion in Copenhagen.
 
5 Can’t Miss Accessible Experience in the Baltic! 
 
1. Oslo Viking Museum, Oslo, Norway: If you have any interest in history, you’ll have to visit the Oslo Viking Museum! The Museum houses the world’s best-preserved authentic Viking ships and other interesting finds from different Viking tombs. Browse a fascinating exhibition of incredible wood ships, boats, sledges, carts, tools, textiles and household utensils. The remarkable ships and artifacts in the museum date back to the years 800 and 900 -the height of the Viking Age! The area outside the Museum has a flat, smooth path leading up to a ramp to enter the museum. The interior offers great wheelchair accessible surfaces, with a step-free route and accessible restroom available.
  
 
2. Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland: The Temppeliaukio Church, also called Rock Church, is unlike church you’ve ever seen! Situated right in the heart of Helsinki, this amazing Church built inside a giant piece of natural Granite was built in the 1969’s by blasting out the walls from inside. While it may not look like much from the outside, the interior is a masterpiece in itself. Admire the beautiful bare rock walls, the giant disc made of copper wire that makes up the ceiling and the amazing natural light streaming through 180 vertical window panels that connect the dome and the wall.  While you will find some mild cobblestones outside the main entrance, the route in to the flat surfaced museum is step-free. 
 
Some cobblestones at the main entrance to the Rock Church but no steps. 

3. Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark: If you’ve ever browsed through online travel photo galleries, chances are you’ve seen a photo of a breathtaking, picturesque, colorful waterfront canal that looks like something made in a photo shop program – it’s not. The 17th century waterfront canal Nyhavn, located in the entertainment district in the heart of Copenhagen, is real and just as beautiful in person! While the area surrounding the canal is somewhat uneven with cobblestones, there are flat wheelchair accessible paths and tracks available along the side of the canal. Nyhavn is peppered with charming restaurants and cafes with convenient outdoor accessible seating. During your visit here, make sure to also visit nearby Amalienborg Castle, home to the Queen of Denmark, and the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Europe, Stroeget. 

4. The Vasa Museum, Stockholm, Sweden: The Vasa Museum is rated the number 1 thing to do in Stockholm and the most visited museum in Scandinavia – this speaks for itself!  The Vasa is the only preserved 17th century ship in the entire world, and an amazingly 95% of the ship is original, decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. The 69 meter long warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in the middle of Stockholm in 1628, and was salvaged 333 years later in 1961. There are 10 different exhibitions around the ship to tell about the life on board, as well as an interesting film about the ship. The interior offers a flat, smooth exhibition hall, and an elevator to navigate the different floors. There are also two accessible restrooms available on site. The area outside the museum has some mild cobblestones but is completely step-free. 
 
Accessible Restroom at the Vasa Museum
 
5. Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia: Not only is Old Town Tallinn one of the best preserved medieval cities of Europe dating back to the 13th century, it is also an accredited UNESCO World Heritage Site! It is beautiful and fascinating beyond words! Learn about the history of the Upper and Lower Towns, and make sure to see the beautiful Fat Margaret Tower, Church of St. Olaf and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which have survived to a remarkable degree despite the ravages of fire and war in the intervening centuries. Due to the age of the Old Town, some areas can be challenging to wheelchair users due to cobblestones and uneven terrain. The best way to experience the Old Town is to book an  accessible walking tour with a guide who knows the city well and can lead you using the most accessible route possible.
Street in Old Town Tallinn.

 

Did you Know?
There are several ways to experience the Baltic countries! You can opt for a memorable cruise visiting the ports and experiencing them firsthand on accessible shore excursions, or you can choose land travel, taking accessible trains, ships and flights between the cities for extended time to explore each place.
 
  
*We still have a few spots available on our 2017 London-Paris Accessible Group Trip. Hurry up and reserve your spot today!*
 

Travel Wisely,
John Sage, Founder and President of Sage Traveling

 
 

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