The timing of this blog isn’t great but I wanted to be sure to write it while the trip is still fresh in my mind.

At the time of writing, the wildfires that tore through regions of Rhodes and Corfu are under control but news reports of evacuations and the loss of life still ring in my mind.

With that backdrop, I hope the upbeat tone of this blog is read as intended, as a celebration of our travels, rather than minimising the serious issues faced by the Greek people and all who chose to visit this magical part of the world.

– Joe

Why Corfu?

We knew we wanted to go to Greece, but we also wanted an adventure, rather than just a “melt by the pool” holiday.

A whole adult ago, Tracy and I went Island hopping, flying to Athens, staying the night and then taking the ferry to Mykonos. We spent time there and worked our way to Naxos, Paros, Ios and down to Santorini.

We were much younger then, and I was much less disabled. We’d hoped to repeat the trip with the wee one but there’s no way I’d manage.

We considered Crete and Rhodes but finally settled on Corfu as there was an opportunity to visit Albania and the island of Paxos.

It was hardly island hopping but it was something. I also have fond memories of my aunt and uncle bringing me to Corfu as a teen. There, I discovered a love of Greek Myth – I even had my first kiss from a girl in Corfu (on the cheek – still counts).

My aunt passed away last year, and though I hadn’t seen her for a while I spoke to my uncle about that trip and how much it means to me to this day. Sleep well, Auntie Margaret.

This blog would read poorly if I wrote a diary of each day. “Then I applied another layer of factor 50 and drank a pint”, is far from engaging. I’ll break things up into small sections detailing specific elements of the trip as I go.

Part one will consist of the journey to Corfu from Glasgow, an overview and review of our hotel, and a few additional anecdotes. Part two will focus on our adventures and the return trip.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Outbound

We booked with Jet2, which meant only one thing, Jess Glynn was coming with us!

Jet2 are a UK-based airline that, since December 2015, has featured Jess Glynne’s “Hold my hand” in their TV and internet ads, on their booking line, on their planes, and even during the flight safety demonstrations!

Frankly, I’m amazed it wasn’t playing in the airplane toilet – not that you want to hold anyone’s hand when they’re in there

When you book a Jet2 Holiday, you’ll be certain to hate this song by the end of it. I can only imagine how much money this earns Jess every year.

Glasgow International Airport

We decided to fly from Glasgow as we live ten minutes from the airport, making sure to book Special Assistance to make things that bit easier. The flight was just after 06:00, so of course we fell asleep at 01:00 – you never do get that sleep before you leave, do you?

My father-in-law ran us to the airport in our car, it took two trips and was a little bit awkward as we had a small bump the previous night, that left the car operational but not the passenger side door, that was a future problem to solve.

I assembled my chair and Tri-Ride at the dropoff and once we checked the bags, and I clarified that my “motorbike” comes apart, that I would take it to the plane, and it would be taken from me then. They attached a tag to both my chair and my Tri-Ride and we set off.

I have no bad words to say, they got us through security quickly and the staff on the ambulift were personable, prompt and patient.

I was able to walk to my seat using my stick, and Winter got the window seat as always, my way of ensuring she brings the good contraband to whatever care home she puts me in.

From the window, we could see the ground staff carefully handling my wheelchair and Tri-Ride, as well as my nephew Ben’s wheelchair, rather than throwing a collective £10,000 of equipment around like it was worthless.

They work for OCS who called off their strike at the last minute, they deserve a pay rise for the great work they do! Good luck guys.

Corfu – Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport

Getting off at the other end was a bit of a headache. The ambulift was much smaller and for some reason, filled with spare wheelchairs, like a mobility equipment showroom on wheels.

We noticed my nephew’s footplate was no longer attached to his chair. Thankfully it was easily put back on but not what my brother-in-law needed when he was carrying my adult nephew.

The staff were so eager to squeeze us in that I couldn’t even put my Tri-Ride together, and honestly, I was too tired to argue. I spent the ride to the gate in one of the spare chairs and had to put my Tri-Ride and chairs together on the ambulift platform before wheeling down the ramp.

On the way into the airport, there was another ramp. This one was much more vertical than the last, so I hit the throttle and charged up it. Tracy and Winter met me at the top, as those empty wheelchairs needed the space they’d have taken up.

The staff at the airport were quick to guide us through arrivals, so points there at least.

Taxi / ταξί

Due to my Tri-Ride being considered an electric wheelchair, we qualified for a free transfer. This made things so much easier, and cut our transfer time in half, meaning we could officially be on holiday a little quicker.

We had to flag down the Jet 2 staff at arrivals, who took us outside to meet our driver.

I didn’t catch the model of that car, as I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to cars, but it had a lift at the back to get into the vehicle rear of the vehicle in a wheelchair. As I had my stick, and didn’t want to cosplay as luggage, I sat in the back with the girls, and my chair was put in alongside our cases.

Our driver was lovely, taking time to highlight The Old Fortress as we passed by. He explained that he’d be our guide and that we could ask him any questions we have. Sadly we were too exhausted from our trip to make proper use of the offer, but we made sure to tip.

Accommodation

After much deliberation and too many late nights where the laptop was slammed shut, and the words “f* ck it, let’s just go to Blackpool” were uttered, we finally decided on our hotel.

We chose the newly built and family-run Pristine Hotel in Sidari. This was mostly chosen as a brand new building wouldn’t show signs of wear and tear, wouldn’t have mould or dampness, might have at least half-decent access, and would be run with all the passion that comes with a new business.

And we were right!

Located 500 metres from Sidari’s main strip, the Pristine was a great choice. Far enough away from the action for those days when you want to relax, but close enough to bars, restaurants and the beach for when you want to have an adventure.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Spyros, the warm and exceptionally hardworking proprietor. He helped us with checking in, before assisting with our suitcase. He instantly engaged with my nephew, and every day after made a point to seek us out and check we were having a good trip.

Just a quick aside. If there’s one way to ensure my family like you, it’s to engage with Ben. People are generally awkward around disability, and when encountering young people with profound disabilities, even more so.

Ben can’t communicate in a typical manner. He’s non-verbal, non-ambulant and requires personal care. We can tell when he’s enjoying himself, and when he isn’t (usually because there’s the slightest hint of a breeze), but others don’t see that. They often see a person to be pitied, rather than a person. That wasn’t the case here.

Our Room

The girls and I booked a twin room, with an additional bed. The room was on the ground floor, a request we made at the time of booking.

There’s a ramp into the apartment block, and the doors are pretty wide. There was enough room to turn a manual wheelchair in the well-presented room, though powered wheelchairs would struggle.

The bathroom was small, with an open shower – not great if you’re unable to stand for any length of time and a bit tight to be supported in. However, my brother and sister-in-law were able to use a chair in the shower to wash Ben.

There were no handrails in the room, on the ramp or along the corridors.

Facilities, Food and Entertainment

The Pristine’s pool is just big enough for the forty rooms, the entire pool is 140 cm deep, with the exception of a small paddling area. It can be accessed via ladders on either length of the pool, or by steps on the far end. There’s no hoist.

The hotel is serviced by a modest bar and kitchen, with the Athenian Alfa lager and Milokleftis (Apple Bandit) cider on tap. I’d highly really recommend the cider.

Breakfast is included in the price and is served from 08:00 to 10:00 each day. Lunch and dinner options are reasonably priced, consisting of typical Greek food like gyros and souvlaki, as well as pizzas, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. I can honestly say we didn’t have a bad meal.

In short, good food, good prices.

Entertainment is provided on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with Spyros explaining they want a mix of party nights and quiet evenings. Speaking as a gentleman of a certain age, I appreciate this.

They host a Greek night on Mondays, with food provided, fire dancing, belly dancing and plate-smashing. Spyros made a point of including Ben, cheering his name as he threw his plate into the circle of broken plaster. The plates aren’t ceramic for health and safety reasons, but that fire is very real!

I’ve captured the night on this wee reel.

The Pristine is a fantastic hotel, with the warmest of welcomes and the most attentive of staff. If your mobility is such that you can stand for a short time to manoeuvre into the shower and bathroom, the facilities will absolutely suit your needs.

For improvements, I’d suggest installing rails in the corridors and bathrooms and to the side of the access ramp, a second ramp at the back of the building in the same fashion wouldn’t go amiss either.

Other than that, I’d highly recommend The Pristine for your next trip to Sidari and have no doubt it’ll improve with time. I’d also like to thank the staff for looking after my family and I during our stay.

I’d rate it four pints of Alfa out of five!

🍺🍺🍺🍺

Yammas!

Thanks for reading!

I’ll wrap up part one here, but I’d love to hear any feedback you have on the blog in the comments. The next part will have a lot more photos, I just felt it was better to break things up. I’d hate for you to get bored.

Tune in next time for some proper adventures, tips on the best places to eat and insight into the challenges that come with being a disabled traveller.

Until then…