Travel Inspiration - Tourism for All

Carrie-Ann Lightley – disabled travel expert, blogger and writer – has been the Manager of Tourism for All since 2005. Tourism for All provides advice, expertise and inspiration on accessible tourism. 

At Tourism for All they believe ‘a break or a holiday, or a simple day trip is important to our lives, giving us something to look forward to, time to enjoy our families, a chance for adventure, or peraps some time to ourselves, to recover, and acquire memories of happy times. In the past, some of us have encountered barriers to our participation in tourism - disabled people, older people, carers of young people or disabled or older relatives - Tourism for All works to overcome these.’

If you were a country what country would you be and why?

Spain, because a life full of siestas, tapas and sangria is a life worth living!

What is your favourite bar/restaurant?

Revolution de Cuba in Manchester is fab, awesome cocktails and two for one on Sundays 

Where did you eat your fave sandwich?

From a street stall opposite to Coliseum in Rome. You can’t beat that view.

Where have you been that genuinely took your breath away?

Rome. There are breath-taking sights on every corner, it’s an amazing city to get lost in. I fell in love with Italy and have just booked a trip to Tuscany.

What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you on the road?

I seem to meet someone that lives in, or close to my home town everywhere I go!

Where have you visited that you could see yourself living?

Barcelona. My first city break, and the one that gave me the bug for travelling ‘like a local’. To be in a vibrant city just a stone’s throw from the beach is amazing.

What’s been the most interesting/surprising thing you’ve experienced as an outcome of your website/blog?

It’s amazing how much good feedback and support I’ve received from colleagues and friends, and I love the fact that fellow writers are so open to collaboration.

What have you enjoyed the most about updating your blog/site?

I built my site from scratch, which was a definite learning curve but one that I really enjoyed.

Where does the road look to be leading for yourself and (website)?

I’d like to collaborate with, and guest post on, as many sites as possible

What advice would you have given yourself five years ago? Where do you hope to be in five years time?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!  In 5 years time I hope carrie-annlightley.com is a recognised,  trusted and enjoyable source of inspiration for other disabled people interested in travel.

If you were to travel to any event in the world eg. sports, music, or the arts, what would it be?

I’ve never been to a music festival, which I really must change! So many of them are doing fantastic things with accessibility now.

Which book would you recommend to take travelling?

To broaden horizons, The Tao of Pooh

Would you rather go into space or explore the depths of the ocean?

The ocean definitely, I love to swim and try to get in the pool 3 or 4 times a week.