MEDIA ARTICLES..

DISABILITY NOW 2/2009 - There are a number of companies that specialise in holidays for disabled people – renting equipment, providing airport transfers and excursions in adapted transfer vehicles, accessible accommodation and whatever personal support you may need during a stay in Cyprus.

A keen ambassador for exploring Cyprus as a disabled person is Chris Neophytou. Chris has used a wheelchair since his late 20s and created the first holiday complex specially designed for wheelchair-users and their families in Polis, one of the most attractive and fastest growing seaside resorts. Located on the north-west coast of Cyprus (though still in the southern Republic), Polis is close to the Akamas Peninsula and the harbour village Latchi.

As Chris says: “I knew from experience how difficult it is for wheelchair-users to find a place they could go to for a holiday; a place where they felt safe and where they had a sense of freedom. I used my own experience and knowledge as a disabled person to create the perfect holiday place: that’s the key really, giving people pleasure, but within a safe and friendly environment.

“For those seeking the thrill of a new adventure, parasailing, snorkelling and scuba diving are all possible, as is swimming in the Med. We have a glass-bottomed boat with a ramp and hoist to get people into the sea. Here in Cyprus, almost anything is possible.”

Polis has relatively good pedestrian areas and there is little traffic, so it’s safe to use the road wherever the pavement is not suitable for wheelchairs. Many public buildings, like the archaeological museum and some restaurants have adapted access for disabled visitors.

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NEW PATHWAYS 7/2009 - We recently went to Polis, Cyprus and stayed once more at the magnificent C & A Tourist Apartments  www.ca-tourist-apts.com.cy and were once again bowled over by the extreme the family has gone to in providing such a haven for mobility impaired clients.

They have built a new extension which houses extremely spacious one and two bedroom apartments sleeping 2 to 5 people.  They have interconnecting doors with separate kitchenette and roll in shower. There’s a large dining area in the main entrance of the building if you didn’t want to go totally self catering.  They do fantastic breakfast and evening meals, BBQ/Greek nights on site.

If any reader contacts C & A Tourist Apts and speaks with Chris, one of the proprietors, he has a disability that causes him to have a speech impediment, and he has happily agreed that I can leave my details with you and if a member wants to speak to me and ask more, I am happy to help.  baileyhague@yahoo.co.uk

Best wishes,

Dawn and Pete Bailey-Hague

A FEW GUESTBOOK COMMENTS..

"The James family, 2 able-bodied and Adrian in a wheelchair.  An excellent holiday starting from the time the booking was done via Chris (excellent communication) on the Internet.  Have plenty of confidence in Andreas, who did a superb job of transporting us all from Paphos airport to Polis and back in a specially adapted vehicle.  He was extremely friendly, and a mine of information, informing us that there was little he could not do within his "department" in the family-run business. On arrival at Eva’s Apartments we were made to feel most welcome initially by Chris and his mother Eva and soon after by the remainder of this lovely Cypriot family, not forgetting Kumar who was always around and so helpful in every way"

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"I would like to say a big thanks to yourself, Andreas & Hurula (excuse spelling) for making our holiday in Cyprus so straightforward and enjoyable.  I am a C3 quadriplegic on full-time ventilation and my requirements are not straightforward, however your excellent transportation service, electric hoist hire and overall provision of service was excellent, I was also very impressed by the quality of the actual equipment and transport.  Although disabled as mentioned I am very active and your company and family managed to provide a great transportation service (often at very short notice) to get me everywhere from the water park in Paphos to Coral Bay and beyond.  I would highly recommend your company and look forward to meeting you all again on our next visit Cyprus"

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"Just wanted to say how impressed we were with the efficiency of your company. Andreas picked us up from the airport and took us to Kefalos Beach Village giving us lots of useful information on the way. We hadn't been sure whether to hire a scooter or not but on arrival decided to do so and Andreas delivered it to us the next morning. It made such a difference to our holiday. We then arranged an excursion with Andreas and he took so much care to make sure he met our needs and we had a wonderful day"

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"We would like to thank you for yet another year of great service from both your company and your family, delivery & collection of the electric scooter was stress free & made such a difference to our holiday.
Thank you again, we look forward to booking with you in future years.
Kindest Regards.
Mrs Hannah Elliott (on Behalf of Mr & Mrs Rosser) May 2009 Coral Beach Hotel, Coral Bay"

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