When you are retired and still have lots of energy, you are free to live life the way you see fit. Staying active and getting out and about is not off-limits for you. This is when many people decide to travel and go to the places they’ve dreamed about but never had the time to visit. This is what many people have to look forward to after doing decades of hard work.
There are some common issues that many older people experience that may make travel a bit more difficult. The most common barrier to travel is mobility issues. Getting around is not always easy. There may be other ailments that will impact how you travel that need to be addressed as well. In this article, we will go over several things you should do to make sure you can travel in the way that you want.
1. Consult your doctor
Before you go on a trip of any length you should check with your doctor to see if you have any hidden issues that may surprise you when you are away. If you are planning to drive on vacation, particularly if it is in an RV, then you need to be absolutely sure that there isn’t something that could happen when you’re behind the wheel that could put yourself or others in danger.
They should give you a thorough check-up which includes blood tests, vision exams, hearing exams, and more. This way you can easily understand what your limitations are.
If the blood work comes back with something concerning then you can investigate to make sure that you can find treatment before you go anyway. Vision and hearing are essential when you are on the road to avoid any confusion. You may need to change your eyeglass prescription or get some hearing aids for seniors.
Any prescriptions then you should also make sure to get extra to be able to take with you. You might be able to get some generic versions when you are in the country where you are traveling but you may not have access without a prescription.
2. Be insured
Unfortunately, when you are older there is a higher risk of a health issue that could put a damper on your plans. You may find yourself sick just before you’re supposed to leave and need to cancel your plans. This can be extremely costly as many airlines and hotels have a no cancelation policy or will keep a deposit.
Having travel insurance is going to possibly save you a lot of money if you have Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
In addition to that, you should have travel insurance if you get sick when out on the road. If you are traveling abroad then this is especially important since your regular health insurance isn’t likely to cover things there. You should also opt for emergency evacuation in case of a natural disaster or if you are injured and need to get out of the country for better treatment.
3. Go on an organized tour
Traveling on your own can be very time-consuming when it comes to research. You’re on your own when it comes to finding where to stay and what to do when you arrive. There is a risk that you will end up in a bad hotel and far from the action. Or, you may miss out on some interesting experiences simply because you didn’t know about them.
The best way to avoid this and get the most out of the trip is to book a tour with a group and director. They will take care of all the planning so you don’t have to do any research or think about the logistics. Long lines at important sites are also avoided since the tour group usually gets special entrance benefits without having to line up.
You’ll also have a group of other seniors with whom you can socialize. If you are traveling alone then this benefit is going to ensure that you are not lonely when you are traveling and have some others with whom you can share the experience.
There are many specialized tours that can fit in with any specific interests you may have. For instance, if you are a music buff then you could go on a baroque music tour that hits all the cities in Austria, Germany, and Italy where that music was popularized. If you are a nature lover then there are tours that will bring you to national parks.