Introduction
Two years have passed, and many of us have been cooped up at home. If you’re anything like me, the wanderlust has been steadily growing, especially after this last round of lockdowns. So much so that I’ve recently booked a two-week vacation in Mexico! My plan? To lay on the beach, read a couple of good books, and enjoy an adult beverage or two. Perhaps I’ll indulge in a few photo walkabout, but laziness will likely be the main focus.
Pre-Planning is Key
It’s important to sort all these questions out before beginning your vacation planning. This becomes even more crucial if you’re travelling with a partner or in a group. Everyone needs to understand each other’s desires when planning a trip. If this isn’t discussed and resolved, it could lead to a stressful time for everyone involved. Consider making a compromise schedule: Day 1 – beach; Day 2 – museum tours; Day 3 – beach; Day 4 – activities, and so on. This way, everyone’s expectations can be met, and everyone is on the same page upon arrival.
As for myself, I fluctuate between all the vacationer types. I love visiting familiar places, which you’ll notice in upcoming blogs about Montreal and Puerto Vallarta. But I also occasionally enjoy all-inclusive pampering and travelling to new, unknown destinations. That’s why, weeks before I book a trip, I do a self-assessment to determine what I want from my vacation.
For my upcoming trip, I went through this mental checklist. I wanted a relaxing beach vacation somewhere familiar. I wanted the sun to warm my bones, and since my knees aren’t what they used to be, I didn’t want to do a lot of walking or touring. I just wanted to lay about on the beach or by the pool. Given the current global situation, I wanted somewhere politically stable where I could communicate easily. (Note: while not fluent, I can get by in both French and Spanish.) Finally, food and overall expenses were significant factors in my decision.
Note here for Nervous and/or Senior Travels
In the following section, I will talk about multiple checklist thoughts when choosing a destination. For me a key checkpoint is with the Government of Canada’s State Department Guide to foreign destinations. (click the link to see it). Here you will find a listing for just about every country.
If there is an advisory, you can drill down and learn more. For example and the time of writing this update, France and Germany have warnings to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to terrorism threats.
Most Federal Governments will publish a similar list, so check them before making a final destination decision.
Checklist Ideas:
So, in checklist form here is my decision tree:
- What type of vacation do I want – touring sites or laying on a beach?
- Do I want some new adventures or am I looking for a familiar situation?
- Do I want pampering with all inclusive meals and drinks, or do I want to take care of myself?
- What type of climate do I want – from hot to cold?
- Is language going to be an issue?
- Is the area politically stable?
- What is the COVID situation there and what are the return requirements?
- Are there any other disease issues of which one should be concerned?
- Is the local diet going to suit my constitution?
- Is there going to be a lot of walking on uneven pavement?
- And most importantly of all – what is my budget?
Travel Insurance - Don't Leave Home Without It
Once you’ve sorted all this out with yourself, your partner, or your group and decided where to go and how much to spend, I recommend booking a check-up with your medical practitioner. This is especially important as we get older. Regular check-ups are crucial, and the expense of a surprise medical situation when you’re out of the country could cause financial hardship. Once you have the medical okay, book your trip.
Next, unless you love gambling big time, you need to research your travel insurance. Does your company or personal plan cover you if you fall ill or get injured? Will it get you back to your home base? I’ll dig deeper into this in a future blog, but for now, ensure you’re covered for all potential circumstances. Don’t leave it to chance!
Travel Day Fast Approaches
As departure day comes closer, your mind will turn to packing. What will you need? Can you pack light, or will you need a large amount of clothing and accessories for events? Check your baggage allowance, which depends on your mode of transport. Nowadays, most airlines charge for checked bags, and if they’re overweight, you’ll be charged even more.
Your final checklist should include all the things that will make your stay enjoyable, safe, and healthy. Here are my thoughts:
- All your medicines, supplements, and vitamins. Make sure you have enough of your necessary prescriptions to last your entire stay. Supplements and vitamins are important too.
- Aspirin, Advil, and cold medicine. These are essential for any stay longer than a couple of days. Headaches and joint aches can lessen your enjoyment. As for cold medicine, it’s necessary for me because I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve flown somewhere and caught a cold.
- Clothing for all the occasions that you might be presented with. (Examples – beach wear; hiking; formal dinners; casual art gallery receptions). I recommend that you use a weather app to check the long-term forecast before finishing your packing. Do you need clothing for cooler nights? Do you need a winter jacket? Always think of packing rain gear and or an umbrella.
- Reading material – magazines; books; download eBooks
- Listening material – example: lying on the beach lends itself to hours of required music
- Your toiletry needs – This goes without saying that you should do an inventory check of your toiletry supplies. I have a kit that I keep in my suitcase, but I always do a run down of all the items to make sure that there is supply for the whole stay.
- Good, comfortable, stable walking shoes. Number one on my checklist. I generally pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes; shoes or sandals for the beach; I currently have no brand recommendations of my own yet as I am trying different makes. But will do some reviews shortly for you all.
Finally, before you zip up that suitcase ensure you have packed all your charging cords for your electronics. Go through them one by one to ensure you have them all. Nothing will put a crimp on your vacation if you can’t charge your phone or laptop or more.
Conclusion
Planning a trip, especially as a senior, involves thinking ahead and preparing for any circumstances. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first trip, careful pre-planning can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Remember to consider factors like your desired vacation type, political stability, language, and health needs when making your plans.
Need help planning a vacation? Follow these steps to planning a trip, and you’ll be ready for an unforgettable adventure. Safe travels!
Please note: The opinions expressed in this document should never be construed as advice. The thoughts are based on my experiences after 40-plus years of business and vacation travel. My likes and dislikes may vary drastically from yours. Do your research and find products and experiences that align with your likes and dislikes. Most of all have happy travels and see you out there on the road!
Al of Al Murray Travel & Photography: From the time in my youth, when I would lay on our garage roof watching planes traverse the skies above me, I knew I wanted to see the world.
My passion grew after spending a semester of my university days in Barcelona. I spent more time on trains and buses than I did in class.
After earning my BA from Carleton University, life got in the way. But I did find time to graduate again from George Brown in Fitness and Lifestyle Management and then work my way through most of a degree in Sports Administration. However I needed to find work and pay for all this education!
It wasn’t until my “middle age” did I start exploring the world again. First, transversing the US and Canada to take part in tennis tournaments. Then later to complete my spectator “grand slam” of tennis.
I accomplished this while earning my certificate in photography from Toronto Metropolitan University. I am now combining the two passions and now sharing with you my many lessons learned.