28 Apr 5 Golden Rules for Solving the Baby Boomer Travel Issues We Didn’t Have in the Past
When you will get to retirement age and have the ability to start taking those trips you’ve thought of taking for years, it can be amazing to start crossing them off your list. It isn’t as easy to get around as it once was, and it can be annoying trying to arrange traveling in a foreign country if you can’t speak the language. It can even be exhausting as you’re trying to adjust– to a new time zone, assorted cuisine options than what you are used to, or even just primary protocol norms so you won’t upset the locals. Additionally, navigating the freeways and streets of unfamiliar cities can be tricky. In other words, travel is enjoyable and can be so fulfilling to see other parts of the world– both from what you see, and how that changes you. But, it can also offer some hang-ups when you’re in a totally new environment. With a little bit of planning ahead, you’ll be able to sort out most of those potential problems and smooth the way for a great vacation. Listed below are some points you can do to make your trip pan out the way you’re expecting it will:
Are you one of those people that always ends up trying to take the house with you when you leave home, afraid that you’ll forget something or that you might need this or that? In your desire to be prepared for every possibility, you can end up taking a lot of loot that you’ll never end up using anyway. Your phone can be crazy helpful in new places– from using it to stay in touch with business colleagues and family at home, to finding your way around or getting recommendations, to taking photographs (instead of packing your big camera around).
Take some time familiarizing yourself with things beforehand. Getting through a huge airport to catch your connecting flight or making it from the destination airport to the conference you’re attending can be problematic if you’re unfamiliar with either location.
Don’t forget the basics. Contact lenses, reading glasses, a cane, medications … any of those things that you routinely need to negotiate on a daily basis. It will make your whole trip miserable if you’re having a hard time to get around or can’t read something or end up working with the hassle of getting meds that you need to have because you forgot them.
Among the major barriers to foreign travel is dealing with a different language. Certainly, if you have someone else along with you that can speak the language, all the better. However, if you won’t, there are a few things you may do that can help ease some of the associated stress. Aim to make as many of your bookings online, before you ever leave home. This way, you won’t be trying to communicate with someone in a different place, at the same time hoping that you understand each other correctly. Additionally, if you’re trying to ascertain where to go eat or what things are good to see, take some time to do your research online. On tripadvisor.com, for example, you can enter your destination location and look for suggestions for hotels, things to do, restaurants, protocol norms (i.e. how much you should leave your waiter at the restaurant), some language phrases you might need to use, etc. You might also think about utilizing a site such as ricksteves.com for audio tours of various cities. There are so many resources available that can make it easier if you don’t speak the language.
Plan ahead for insurance. It is a distress to appear somewhere, be at the counter at the car rental, and know that you’re uncertain if you have rental insurance or not. Save yourself the problem and add any extra coverage you need before you go. You might also consider looking into travel insurance.
One of the tough things about traveling abroad? If you arrive at your destination in the morning, do your best to stay awake all day and not crash until it is dark. Bring an over-the-counter sleeping pill with you on the plane– such as Unisom or something like it– to help you get rest while en route.
Anywhere you’re going and whatever adventures await you, you’ll have a great trip if you think ahead with these helpful tips. Now, everything’s left for you to do is book your flight, take care of reservations, and head out making great memories!