Breaking Away

Summer…The lazin’ on a Sunday afternoon this time of year has extended for the entire week. Summer is also a time to break away from the familiar and travel. I scoured the internet for advice sites geared to people of age. The common denominator among them: use common sense when planning a trip and while traveling.

Some more tips:

• If you want to save money, the best time to travel is during the “shoulder season” which is April through mid-June or September-October for locations north of the equator.
• Don’t leave home without travel insurance; seniors are more likely to need it. Also, find out how your medical coverage works; Medicare is not valid outside the U.S. except in limited circumstances.
• Pack lightly. Include a daypack within a larger piece of luggage to use for outings. Double up on eyeglasses and needed smaller items that you are likely to lose.
• Bring a full supply of medications in their original containers if possible. Ask your doctor for the generic names of medications in case you run out or forget to take them with you.
• Always ask about discounts or concessions for seniors even if you don’t see any posted information.
• Take advantage of benches for a rest break; sometimes the best sightseeing is watching the passing parade of people. Seek out opportunities to participate in the life of local seniors; socializing is one of the essential elements for living a longer more productive life.

 
Also, here are seven travel snags that can turn tears of joy to the more troubling kind: food poisoning, scorching hot sand, a badly behaved grandchild, heat exhaustion, sea sickness, hungry alligators and sharks, and driving in heavy rain. (AARP)
 
Learn more:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/savvy-senior-travelers
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/senior/KeyWebSites.shtml
http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tips/#?intcmp=LNK-DSO-TRVEXP-NAVCLICK-ARTICLES-LINK
http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2016/vacation-safety-food-poisoning-photo.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-RSS---CTRL-072016-P1-1354769&ET_CID=1354769&ET_RID=22549025&encparam=TXUU51fhUbMJtIgXGB3zVUcNv1632st7CSdd49SOF0k=#slide1