Tips to Help Mature Travelers Travel With Ease

What’s your next adventure? Will it be an Italian culinary feast, voluntourism, African safari, bird watching in Ecuador, cruising in Alaska, lying on a Caribbean beach or painting in Provence?

Imagine your dream trip. When would you go? Will you travel with spouse, friends, grandchildren, family, tour group or solo? Begin researching your destination through libraries, guidebooks, travel agents, travel bookstores, films, the Internet and reviews. Learn about the culture, customs, language and which regions you would like to visit.

BOOK IT: ALWAYS ASK FOR SENIOR DISCOUNTS
The Internet is an invaluable resource used by many mature adventurers. However, if you are uncomfortable with it consider a travel agent affiliated with the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Their personalized service assists you throughout the entire travel process from booking to your return.

You can work directly with tour operators. Check out mature traveler tours such as: Grand Circle Travel, ­Elderhostel, ElderTreks and WalkingTheWorld. Booking through Kayak or SideStep travel search engines allows you to compare airlines, hotels, cars and cruises. Check for added baggage and fare fees, senior discounts (usually over 65) and itineraries. The fare may be less but might cost you more in terms of two or more airline connections, airport waits or flying red eye.

Online travel agencies book hotels, cars, packages, cruises and rail. The top three: Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity charge no booking fees. Hotwire and Priceline are great for bargainers. You choose a price and place a bid. If an airline or hotel is willing to accept it, your credit card is immediately charged. Then, you find out which major airline or hotel was chosen.

Other online agencies include: bing travel, CheapOAir, CheapTickets and TravelZoo. You may want to try an online travel planner such as TravelMuse. Also, check discount airlines such as Southwest (deals for seniors), Jet Blue and Air Tran.

For reduced fares: Airfares are in continual flux. Try different times, days, airports (may not be worth the hassle), and flexible dates. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the best days to book. Helpful online assistants include Yapta (rate-tracker for airlines and hotels) and SeatGuru (choose best seat).

Train or bus: Train: Amtrak (U.S., deals age 62+), Seat61—How to travel by train or ship worldwide, Canada VIA Rail (Canadian, discounts 60+), EuRail (Europe, age 60+ some countries). Bus: Greyhound, (U.S. discount 62+).

CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR
As travelers, you know that it is no fun to get sick on a trip. It’s important for you to get a checkup. Discuss your trip and get written prescriptions for each medication. Also have their generic names. Keep your prescriptions in their original containers. Be proactive with your preparation for health concerns, such as diabetes.

Contact your doctor, travel clinic or Center for Disease Control and Prevention for required immunizations. Begin early, since some diseases require a series of shots. Call your medical insurance provider to learn about your coverage. Keep your insurance policy and emergency numbers with you. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid is recognized overseas.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
Choose a well-established travel company such as Travel Guard for medical, flight and trip assistance, TravelInsured, AccessAmerica, MedJet Assist for medical evacuations and InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison site. Mainly, you will be looking for trip interruption and cancellation, medical, baggage and evacuation.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS: KEYS TO YOUR ADVENTURE
If you do not have a current passport or visa (required for certain countries), begin the process about four months early. Be sure to check your current passport for its validity six months from the last date of your trip. Take two to four extra passport photos with you in case yours is lost or stolen. You need several blank pages in your passport for visa stamps. Photocopy your visa and passport documents to carry in a separate area of your luggage. If it is lost or stolen, immediately contact your Embassy or Consulate and police. Keep their phone numbers and addresses with you.

LUGGAGE
Take one rolling suitcase and a daypack or bag. Remove the tags from your last trip. Make sure that your luggage is visibly different from other bags. Add colorful stripes, ties and tags showing your name and tour company (or email and phone number where you can be reached). On the inside of your tag write your name, address, phone number and email. Inside your luggage, put your name and a copy of your itinerary. Leave an emergency name and number. Use TSA-approved locks that allow your suitcase to be opened without breaking the lock.

PACKING TIPS
Pack lightly: Bring comfortable shoes. Consider taking a collapsible “monopod” which can be used as a walking stick as well as a tripod for your camera. Read Arline Zatz’s “Spotlight” Column in TravelWorld Magazine of May 2009 (NATJA—North American Travel Journalists Association’s online publication.) It is entitled, ‘Members “Must Have” Travel Items’. Another helpful resource is: OneBag. Packing lists and tips can be found on Rick Steves website. JohnnyJet has a travel portal with travel websites that includes a packing list for men, women and children.

OTHER WEBSITES TO CHECK
www.travelwithachallenge.com —by Alison Gardner, columnist for Transitions Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.com —senior section and 50 Best Travel Websites
www.VantageTravel.com —Tours and 151 Senior Travel Tips
www.smartertravel.com/senior-travel/ —Useful senior information for traveling
www.about.com —section on senior travel
www.AARP.com —Extensive senior (50+) travel information
www.AAA.com —Road trip information, TripTiks for U.S. states with travel information and rated hotels
www.travel.state.gov/travel —U.S. Department of State – International Travel
www.iamat.org —International Association of Medical Assistance for Travelers
www.travelworldmagazine.com/articles/members-must-have-travel-items

Sandra Kennedy has traveled extensively in China, Tibet, Europe, Morocco, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. She taught eight years for American Internationals Schools in Paris, Lima and Lisbon. She is currently a travel writer and photographer based in Oregon. Her articles have been published in International Living, The Traveler, The Times Newspaper, 40 plus Travel and Leisure (UK), Oregon.com, Offshore Wave, Transitions Abroad, Adventure-Life Journeys and others.