Important Travel Tips for Women Over 50

Traveling can be an enjoyable experience for anyone, regardless of age. But senior travelers need extra planning and caution before leaving home to ensure they have a hitch-free vacation. Keep reading to discover essential travel tips for women over 50 going on adventures in distant locations.    

Choose a Destination That Aligns With Your Interests

Just because you’re traveling as a senior doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun while vacationing abroad. You probably have a bucket list of places you’d love to visit or activities you want to engage in. Well, now’s the time to live your dream. Do some research before choosing a travel destination to ensure that it aligns with your interests. That way, you’re sure to have fun during your trip. 

For instance, if you’re a wine lover, you will likely enjoy a French river cruise along the Rhine. Or, if you love mother nature and the great outdoors, a Galapagos cruise could be perfect for you. If you’re a retiree with plenty of free time, consider traveling during off-peak periods to avoid the long lines, massive tourist crowds, and harsh summer heat.  

See Your Doctor Before Traveling

Book an appointment with your doctor at least one month before traveling to get destination-specific information, medication, and vaccines. Tell your doctor all the places you’ll be visiting, your planned activities during your trip, and the types of accommodation you’ll be staying in, such as boats and outdoor tents.  

Also, let your healthcare provider know the duration of your trip so that you can have a full supply of prescription and non-prescription medications (like vitamin supplements) you’ll need when you’re away. Ensure you have official prescriptions for the medications you’ll be flying with, especially if they are in liquid form. 

Even if you’ve ticked all the boxes on the health precaution list, it is still important you plan for the unexpected while traveling. So, find out if your health insurance covers health care abroad. If it doesn’t, consider buying health insurance that covers medical care abroad and emergency evacuation. This is especially important if you’ll be visiting remote areas. Even if you aren’t in a native English-speaking country, many hospitals employ medical records translation services to assist patients in their native language.

Keep Your Luggage Light

When packing your suitcase, keep it light to make it easier to get around. So, only pack the essentials. And if you’ll be carrying medication, place them in a one-quart Ziploc bag. Remember to bring copies of your prescriptions or physician statements with you.  

Also, make extra copies of all your travel documents such as your passport, travel visa, ID card, travel insurance plan details, and activity itinerary. You should also have digital copies of your documents on your mobile device to help hasten assistance at the consulate if your wallet or passport gets lost or stolen. Remember to bring supportive shoes that cover your feet and compression socks to make it easier to get around.

You can pack the items you’ll be needing during your trip in a roll-aboard suitcase and a mid-sized carry-on. To save yourself time at your final destination, don’t check your roll-aboard as luggage. The cabin staff can help you stash it in the airplane’s overhead rack. Alternatively, consider having your luggage delivered before you arrive to save you the trouble of lugging a hefty suitcase around. And consider getting a fanny pack or an anti-theft handbag designed to conceal belongings and discourage pickpockets.  

Look for Senior-Friendly Travel Services and Discounts

Take advantage of senior discounts when traveling. After choosing your travel destination, go online to find the shortest and most direct transportation to your destination and check out the arrangements for seniors. You could select the disability option when booking your flight so that you can get assistance at the airport. If you don’t confirm the availability of such services and request them when booking your flight, the airline has no obligation to make them available for you during check-in. 

When choosing a hotel, look for easy transportation options nearby. Since most hotels have multiple floors, request a ground-floor room to save you the trouble of going up and down the stairs frequently. Many places of attraction like museums offer discounted ticket prices to seniors. Carrying your ID card or passport around will enable you to enjoy such discounts. Even if the places you visit don’t display their discounted prices, you could check or find out from the staff.

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