WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY - MAKRY GIALOS.

We have just returned after another great holiday in Makry Gialos, our twentieth year. Our daughter Karen is disabled and uses a wheelchair and we would like to share our thoughts with others in the same situation and thinking of taking a holiday in Makry Gialos. We traveled to Heraklion with EasyJet from Manchester, they were superb and will now allow Karen to take her portable oxygen concentrator and use it on board. We were allocated seats at the front of the aircraft and also helped us on and off by means of the sky lift. Karen was wheeled through to the baggage claim by airport staff. We had a Taxi from the airport. Altogether a good and easy journey arriving in Makry Gialos at about 11.00pm.
This year despite the economic situation and the demise of Kosmar the village has made a special effort and looks so much more brighter with newly painted accommodation, bars, tavernas and restaurants and lots of new tables and chairs. Of course also with that special Cretan welcome.
The new footpath is especially good for us making Makry Gialos a wheelchair friendly holiday resort for our daughter.Only the odd pole makes for interesting negotiation.










The footpath extends almost the full length of the village and parallel to the beach. It is mostly on the level from the harbour right through. It links with the harbour walk and provides wheelchair access to most shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants, many have provided ramps to help. Lots of accommodation is to be found on the ground floor. The other consideration of course is access to toilets although there are very few disabled toilets many bars and restaurants have toilets with good easy access.


This year we also went to the observatory in Agios Stefanos and Karen managed to see the stars from her wheelchair, a great experience.



The return journey was also very good and we will be back soon to see all our friends for another great holiday.

Thanks to all who made this holiday so special.
Steve, Marj and Karen Yates