Mind's Eye Travel 2009 Schedule: Guide-dog Friendly Tours for Blind and Visually Impaired Travelers

At the Foundation Fighting Blindness Visions 2004 and 2007 conferences, Sue Bramhall heard many sight-impaired people express a desire for greater independence in pursuit of their dreams. For many, these dreams involved travel—an activity that, for blind people, can be fraught with logistical and safety concerns.

In response, Bramhall launched Mind’s Eye Travel to provide custom trips for travelers who are blind or visually impaired. All Mind’s Eye trips are guide-dog friendly and include a host and a sighted assistant (with additional guides available as needed.)

Mind’s Eye Travel Schedule Trips for 2009

This trip includes deluxe accommodations for four nights and five days in New York, the city that never sleeps; tickets to “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center and “Julius Caesar” at The Theater Breaking Through Barriers (formerly Theater by the Blind), tours of the Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as two dinners and one lunch. Prices start at $1595 per person, double occupancy.

This adventure includes deluxe accommodations for four nights in the heart of Camden (mid-coast Maine). Activities provided include a whale watch, eco tour, and windjammer sail. The package provides a full breakfast each morning, one lunch, and two dinners. Prices start at $995 per person.

This trip includes deluxe accommodations for four nights and five days in the heart of Santa Fe. Adventures include a walking tour of Santa Fe, a one-day excursion to Taos and the 1,000-year-old Pueblo, a museum tour, and an historic train ride. The package includes one lunch and dinners for two nights. Prices start at $1195 per person.

Please note: Prices subject to change based upon availability. Except where noted, prices are based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, gratuities or alcoholic beverages. A minimum of ten people must book to create each trip.

A $395 per-person deposit is due with each reservation; the balance due 60 days prior to the trip. Fees are nonrefundable 60 days prior to trip. Travel insurance is recommended. Monthly payment plans are available. Visit the Mind’s Eye Travel website or call 207.542.4438 for more details.

About Mind’s Eye Travel

Sue Bramhall was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in 1974 and has made the most of her remaining sight to explore the world. She and husband Silvio Calabi have traveled extensively and have facilitated successful specialized group tours. Sue launched Mind’s Eye Travel in 2007 to enable blind and visually impaired people to visit memorable destinations easily and without stress.

Mind's Eye Travel is one of a growing number of agencies that not only accommodate those with disabilities, but are turning accessible travel into a thriving market segment.

Jan 20, 2009 11:00 AM

Guest :

As people continue to live longer, the incidence of eye disease such as macular degeneration is on the rise. These types of debilitating eye diseases rob people of vision, and can result in individuals losing their independence.

It is believed that the visual system requires up to 25% of the nutrients we take into our bodies in order to stay healthy. Impaired circulation and/or poor absorption of nutrients can significantly contribute to eye disease. Regular exercise and management of emotional stress are also critical for maintaining health.

There is a great deal of peer review research now showing the vision can be preserved through a proper diet and specific nutritional supplementation, and that macular degeneration is a nutritionally responsive eye disease.

For example, essential nutrients include lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, gingko biloba, lycopene, vitamin A, E, zinc, copper, selenium for example, can help both prevent the onset of eye disease such as macular degeneration as well as help preserve vision for those with macular degeneration.

For more information on research on nutrition vision, go to <a href="http://www.naturaleyecare.com">Natural Eye Care</a>