HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY
Special provision for the handicapped is becoming much more common in
Tuscany than previously, mainly in the form of access to toilets.
However, steep and multiple staircases are a feature of almost every
house in Tuscany. If you have limited mobility, it will be well
worth seeking out an apartment on the ground floor (US first floor). Keep in mind that
some museums are not wheelchair
friendly and centres of cities may be closed to cars.
The new fast
Flecciarossa trains have special seating and space for wheelchair users
at the ends of the carriages. These can be booked along with assistance
to board the train. If you travel with a wheelchair, you will be better with a small, portable, folding chair.
Our
recommended Tuscan vacation rental for anyone with
mobility limitations
Agriturismo Felciano is a
beautiful little place located on the outskirts of Panzano
in Chianti, halfway between Florence and Sienna.
This is a vacation rental for up to 4(+1) persons on a working winery.
It has no steps at the entry (which is very wide) and no
internal steps. The bathroom is fully equipped for
wheelchair users. You can park right in front of the
terrace outside the door and the gazebo is easily
reached along flat ground. More
about
Agriturismo
Felciano vacation accommodation in Tuscany.
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ALLERGIES
If you have severe allergies to fungal spores, note that the
lower floors of large Italian villas can be damp and subject to mildew.
As in other countries, there are periods of the year when the air in the
countryside is full of pollen.
Gluten-free products are fairly readily available in supermarkets
and restaurants. Gluten intolerance is widespread in Italy and we are quite familiar with the restrictions.
Tuscany is admirably suited (as is Umbria) to people who are subject to
coeliac disease. It is the home of grilled meat that never goes anywhere near flour. Salads and side dishes
(contorni) almost certainly do not to contain flour. Throughout much of
spring and summer, there is a huge selection of wonderful fruit to be
enjoyed.
If you are gluten intolerant, you might want to prepare a card with this
text on it for use in restaurants:
Gentile Ristoratore,
Sono affetto da CELIACHIA (intolleranza al glutine). Devo fare una dieta assolutamente priva di glutine. Qualsiasi cibo contenente farina di grano, orzo segale e avena puo causarmi gravi malori. Se non e sicuro, la prego di dirmelo. Posso mangiare cibi contenenti di carne, pesce, granturco, riso, patate, verdura, frutta, uova, formaggio e latte purche non siano preparate con aggiunta di farina, pane grattugiato, o salsa legata con farina o pastella fatta con farina.
Grazie
The above message reads: "Dear Restaurateur, I am affected by Coeliac
Disease (gluten intolerance). My diet must be completely free of gluten. Any food containing wheat flour, barley rye and oats can cause me serious illness. If you are not sure, please tell me. I can eat foods containing meat, fish, corn, rice, potatoes, vegetables,
fruit, eggs, cheese and milk as long as they are not prepared with the addition of flour, breadcrumbs or sauce linked to flour or batter made with flour. Thank you." |
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