The time has come and you have entered the retirement years of your life. Yes! It’s time to travel to all of those wonderful places that you’ve always dreamed of. It does, however, take a little bit of planning to make your journey smooth sailing. With some tips and advice for travelling, you’ll have all of your affairs in order before a long holiday.
– Maintain lawn and gardens by hiring a gardener
– Arrange a regular house cleaner
– Get your windows cleaned before you leave
– Be sure to have your mail redirected (consider a mail forwarding agency)
– Have security cameras installed in your home
– Arrange Direct debits for bill payments to reduce stress
– Set up internet and mobile telephone packages (international roaming if going overseas)
– Provide your family and friends with a travel itinerary
– Get your travel/ retirement visas in advance if required
– Make sure that your passport is up to date and that it won’t expire during your travels
– Label your suitcases and buy a lock for them
– Exchange some currency beforehand, preferably when the exchange rate is strong
– Double-check travel arrangements in advance (flights/ car hire/ accommodation)
– Arrange pet sitting if necessary
– Empty the refrigerator and turn off the power
– Arrange for your bins to be brought back into the yard after you leave
Some may say that you’re never too old to go camping, especially if you’ve enjoyed this type of holidaying for many years now. Having a caravan is the best option for a lot of retirees. But a good quality waterproof tent will make your camping ventures smooth and dry too.
As we age, some physical challenges might make camping a harder task. If this is the case for you, consider a self-erecting tent. They require minimal effort to assemble and are easy to pack up as well. Also, think about investing in a fold-out gazebo where there is no assembly required at all. And don’t forget a good quality mattress. There’s a lot of options out there for luxurious air mattresses and other varieties of camping mattresses. If you’re suffering from Arthritis, you might want to think about a cot, so that you are elevated off the ground, as well as some good quality camping chairs.
There are some other considerations for camping as well. If you haven’t been for a while, test all of your equipment before you go to make sure that it is still in working order. And be sure to remember the first aid kit. Also, pack according to the weather forecast and be sure to take warm enough clothing and bedding if it’s going to be cold.
Ensuring that you’re contactable when you travel is essential. Communicating with friends and family to let them know where you are and if you’re okay helps to keep a record in the case of an emergency and it gives your loved one’s peace of mind. Staying connected when travelling will give you added security. You can do this by communicating your itinerary and contact details with family and friends. Additionally, you can register your travel details with the government at Smart Traveller.
If you have a mobile phone, contact your provider to discuss adding international roaming to your service. Be sure to check out the additional fees and charges for making calls and using data if you’re travelling overseas.
We not only need to give thought to communication devices and communicating our location with loved ones, but we also need to think about communication when we get to our destination. Travelling overseas can be difficult if you don’t speak the 1st language spoken in that country. Taking a crash course in the language or teaching yourself some typical phrases will allow you to ask for directions, order meals and seek help if you’re in need of it. Learning another language will not only open up opportunities for you to communicate with people at your destinations, but language classes are also a fun, interactive way to meet people.
When you get into the retirement years and you’re all keen to do things that you haven’t been able to do for years, remember that your body might not give you that freedom. You can still enjoy the leisure and recreational activities, but you might have to make adaptations for it to be possible.
Recreational activities are an important part of the retiree’s quality of life. Leisure and recreation enhance our health and well-being, encourages socialising and helps us use and develop skills. We live in a diverse country and recreational interests will differ immensely for retirees. The possibilities are endless, and with an increasingly ageing population with such diverse interests, travelling and immersing yourself in what you love to do or have always wanted to do, will enhance your travel experience and quality of life. Whether its food, walking, camping or exploring, your time travelling should include what you’re passionate about and interested in.
With recreational activities in mind, it’s important to let your travel insurance provider know of the activities that you’re planning to participate in. If you are doing anything that could be perceived as an added risk, this will affect your insurance premiums.
Travel insurance is also a really important consideration to protect your luggage. Unfortunately, luggage does go missing and can get damaged. So don’t forget your travel insurance. It’s so important and will give you peace of mind.
Okay. First and foremost, when you go travelling you need good quality luggage, especially if you’re flying. With that being said, travelling light is also a good idea. We know that this is challenging, but you don’t need 5 cocktail dresses, and 15 sweaters. Take what you need and leave the rest behind.
If you can, invest in a suitcase that is on 4 wheels. It is much easier to manoeuvre and you can usually hook your carry-on luggage over the extended handle. Many people go for a lightweight bag and often only take one bag, especially if they’re taking a tour at their destination. There’s a world of superior luggage designs nowadays to enhance your travel experience.
Further helpful advice for travelling is to keep your luggage clearly labelled is helpful, as well as having a lock on your suitcase. Many people also like to attach a coloured ribbon or something alike to easily identify their bags on the carousel. Also, consider investing in a travel waist pouch that you can slot your passports and credit cards into to avoid pick-pockets from stealing these items.
Travelling is amazing while things are going well, and not so good when unfortunate events occur such as ill-health. Getting all of the necessary vaccinations before you travel will minimise the risks of catching communicable diseases. Safe travel is of the utmost importance.
While you’re at the doctor getting your travel vaccinations, think about prescriptions. If you’re travelling for a while and you take regular medications, you could need a few prescriptions to keep you tied over. Consider getting the scripts filled in Australia, and have a letter from your doctor stating that you need to have those medications with you.
Depending on where you’re travelling, a first aid kit will prove to be a wise investment. It doesn’t have to be big. It just needs to contain the health care and medical products that you could need if injured. Especially consider this if you plan on participating in outdoor activities. And be sure to throw in a travel-sized insect repellent too.
Also, consider some health products for hygiene and safety when travelling. Hand sanitiser is a must for most people, as are wet wipes and dental care. If you’re flying, these small products can be just what you need to feel clean and protected.
Taking anti-nausea medication on a cruise or when flying is a must if you suffer from motion sickness. And don’t forget anti-embolic stockings when flying as well. They can literally save your life by reducing your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Everybody is at risk of their security being breached while travelling. But there are some simple steps to take to alleviate the risk of identity theft or a breach in security. Firstly, take a photocopy of all of your important travel documents, including passports, drivers licence, travel insurance and bank cards. Leave a copy at home, and take a copy with you.
When using technology, consider installing a passcode onto your mobile phone, a find my phone tracking device and avoid using the public wi-fi. If you are accessing the internet, use a private network and be sure to never post your location and whereabouts while you are travelling. It means that people can see that your home is vacant and this makes it a prime target for thieves.
And finally, keep an eye on your bank account balances. Notify the bank immediately if there’s been any fraudulent activity.
With these helpful tips and advice for travelling during the retirement years, you’ll minimise complications and be sure to have a more enjoyable experience on the way.
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