5 Things We Wish We’d Known Before Traveling After 70
by Cary and Patty ~ My Simply Sage
We’ve always loved to travel. But somewhere between our 60s and our 70s, we realized something had changed. We weren’t traveling less—we were simply traveling differently. A little slower. A little wiser. And, surprisingly, enjoying it more.
1. Travel Insurance: Worth thinking about
We skip it most times but, we are reasonably healthy and generally stay out of trouble. It felt like spending money on a problem that might never happen. But, we have heard of individuals that have had to visit a hospital in a foreign country and those hospitals would not accept their health insurance and consequently require some sort of payment before discharge. This could run into the thousands of dollars if you are unprepared. So, decide on your own circumstances and choose accordingly. Several major health insurance companies provide travel insurance so check with your provider to see if they have such a program. Be advised that insurance on the open market can get expensive depending on the trip length and destination.
2. Slow Down the Itinerary
(Seriously)There’s a version of Travel Wisdom gained through experience. Pacing yourself depending on your physical conditioning is a must. One destination, explored deeply, beats a highlight reel every time, especially as you age. You should pick and choose wisely so you can experience a few really good things versus trying to see everything. Not because you need to, but because that’s when the best moments happen. For instance;
–The long lunch in a cozy neighborhood cafe..
–That unexpected conversation with a total stranger that becomes a lasting memory..
–The short walk with no real destination in mind materializing into an amazing picture or encounter..
Sometimes these things become the real memory that are easy to come by. You didn’t come this far to rush, so slow down and enjoy the day.
3. Your Doctor Is Part of Your Travel Team
Before any trip, you can schedule a pretravel appointment with your doctor. Not just to check our health, but to get a letter summarizing your medications from your doctor. At the very least carry a list for any circumstance that might arise. Keep this list someplace handy. (This can also be helpful at customs or during a medical emergency )
Ask about destination-specific health risks
Make sure prescriptions are filled with enough extra supply
Discuss what to do if something goes wrong abroad
It takes 20 minutes and can save headaches in many places, Airports, customs, Ship boardings etc.
4. Location Matters More Than Price
We used to optimize for price, and we still do to a degree, but now, we also optimize for location and access. Staying in the center of where you want to be means less transportation stress and more spontaneity. Too many stairs and long walks are not fun. We always check: Is there an elevator? Is the room easily accessible? How about the room? How accessible is the bathroom, What about that shower? It’s not about limitation – it’s about saving your energy for the good stuff and being safe.
5. The Best Trips Come From Asking Other Travelers Over 60
Travel forums, Facebook groups for senior travelers, and blogs written by people actually living this are worth more than any guidebook. The advice is specific, current, and generally speaking, honest. A tip from a fellow traveler can save a lot of heartache so check out some of those places. In particular, many cruises even have Facebook groups dedicated to that specific sailing. Your people are out there. You’ve just got to find them because, nobody understands traveling after 70 better than people who are already doing it.
What’s one travel lesson you’ve learned the hard way? We’d love to hear it about. Every traveler has a story, and yours may help someone else enjoy their next adventure.
Simply Sage Tip:
Carry a printed list of your medications, emergency contacts, and travel insurance information in your carry-on. Hopefully you’ll never need it—but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s there.
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