On 2 October, Ulss (Local Health and Social Care Authority) 9 celebrated Grandparents’ Day by offering the residents of care homes and day centres across the province of Verona a special excursion
Grandparents are a priceless part of our cultural and social heritage, and they deserve to be celebrated with love and gratitude. This year, Navigazione Laghi – Navigarda decided to gift them a truly magical experience: a ferry cruise on Lake Garda, which was recently awarded the “Bandiera Lilla” (Purple Flag) for accessibility. To mark Grandparents’ Day, the national day dedicated to recognising the vital role of grandparents in society, on 2 October, Ulss 9 Scaligera of Verona organised an inclusive event that allowed guests from local care homes and day centres, accompanied by their caregivers, to enjoy an inclusive break from their daily routines — a two-hour cruise aboard a regular passenger ferry.
The initiative was also held the previous day, 1 October, to allow even more grandparents to take part and enjoy a day devoted to leisure, socialising, and intergenerational exchange. And indeed, on board the ferry, the grandparents were not alone. They were warmly welcomed by a group of young people with disabilities who attend vocational training centres to learn professions such as assistant cook and waiter. These students prepared the sweet afternoon snack served midway through the journey — a heartfelt moment of sharing and connection between generations. The initiative, held last October, is part of the regional project “Social and Inclusive Tourism”, promoted by Ulss 9 Scaligera in collaboration with an ever-growing network of institutions, public and private organisations, associations, and third-sector partners. The programme aims to enhance accessibility and social inclusion for the residents of the Verona area, as well as for tourists with disabilities and their families. One of the project’s greatest strengths was the fact that it was free, thanks to the generous collaboration of Navigazione Laghi – Navigarda, a long-standing, socially committed partner, together with the Gresner Schools of Verona and the Aias Social Cooperative.
“The mission of Navigazione Laghi is to provide a public transport service that truly meets the needs of citizens and encourages travel between local destinations — whether for work, study, or leisure,” said government manager Pietro Marrapodi during the presentation of the event. “From this perspective, with valuable support from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, we are working to further improve the accessibility and usability of our ferry services for an ever-wider public. The ‘Grandparents on the Ferry’ project, in addition to being a wonderful example of intergenerational blending, is a concrete and achievable opportunity for social inclusion — open to all citizens, including those with disabilities or reduced mobility — and confirms the importance of building strong networks to support everyone’s full participation in community life.”
