Planning Your Own Travel!

A Senior’s Guide to Easy Vacation Planning!

(or anybody)!

Planning your own travel can feel a bit like deciding what to watch on TV when you’ve got a thousand channels and nothing’s quite right—overwhelming! Whether you’re traveling solo, heading out with your better half, or coordinating with your bridge club (who’ve somehow turned into a rowdy travel gang), the trip planning process can be smoother than a jazz record if you follow the right steps.
You might be wondering, “How do I plan a trip that won’t end in back pain, budget surprises, or being dragged to a ziplining session?” Grab your tea, put those compression socks on standby, and let’s dive into some easy vacation planning with a twist of humor and lots of savvy advice—especially for our seasoned adventurers.

Travel Planning for Every Type of Explorer

✈️ Solo Travelers

Going solo? There’s something empowering about doing your own thing on your own timeline (no debates over where to eat or arguments about who forgot the sunscreen). But with great freedom comes great responsibility.

Things to decide upfront:

• Pace yourself: You’re not running a race—unless the race ends at a lovely park bench with an ice cream.
• Safety first: Share your itinerary with a family member or friend. Schedule daily “I’m still alive” check-ins.
• Budget wisely: Set a daily limit. Don’t let spontaneous gelato stops become financial regrets.

Research must-haves:

• Is the destination known for being solo-friendly?
• How easy is it to navigate public transport?
• Are there plenty of well-reviewed, walkable areas?
• Is language going to an issue for you? Check reviews to see about ease of communication.

👴 Senior Tip: Look for senior discounts on trains, museums, and even restaurants. Many places offer deals but won’t advertise them—you have to ask! Your gray hair is a coupon in disguise.

❤️ Traveling with a Partner or Friend

So you’re going with your partner, BFF, or that one friend who always forgets their passport. Traveling in pairs is fun but requires communication and compromise.

Things to discuss:

• Interests and priorities (You like ancient ruins. They like ancient wine. Plan accordingly).
• Who’s in charge of what? Decide now so you’re not arguing over Wi-Fi passwords in Paris.
• Joint spending limits: That rooftop dinner is great… until the credit card bill arrives.

Questions to ponder:

• What activities do we both enjoy?
• Have we booked relaxation time—not just sightseeing marathons?

👵 Senior Pro Tip: Consider booking accommodations with elevator access, firm mattresses, and a kettle. Your knees and your morning tea will thank you.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group or Tour Group Travelers

Heading out with a group? Great! Nothing bonds people like getting lost in a foreign city together.

What to lock down before departure:

• Who wants to do what? Create a flexible itinerary.
• Establish group norms—like “We meet on time, or we get left behind.”
• Discuss cost-sharing methods. Nobody likes chasing down reimbursements during happy hour.

• Share medical info like allergies or conditions.
• Ensure everyone has access to the group itinerary and meeting spots.

🧓 Senior Trick: If traveling with younger folks, pack noise-canceling headphones and a polite smile. You’ll enjoy your peace while they argue over selfie angles.

Destination Research That Pays Off

🔍 Questions to Ask Before You Go

• What’s the weather like? No one wants to sweat through Rome in wool slacks.
• What customs should I know? You don’t want to offend the locals with your shoulder-bearing tank top.
• What’s the transportation game plan? Are taxis a thing or should you brush up on your subway skills?

😬 Prepare for the Unexpected

• Know where the nearest clinics and hospitals are.
• Have a “Rainy Day Plan” ready with indoor options like museums or aquariums.
• Double-check your travel insurance. Yes, it’s boring—but so is paying out of pocket for a sprained ankle in Dubrovnik.

👴 Senior Tip: Carry a copy of your prescriptions and ask your doctor for a travel summary. Medical staff overseas will appreciate it, and so will your peace of mind.

Important to Check Government Websites

Fellow Canadians, before you make that final destination decision, you should check with the Government of Canada State Department website.

They will list out if a particular country has any travel advisories associated with it. In many cases, you can drill down to specific regions and cities. For example, France and Germany from time to time will surprisingly have advisories posted for travelers to “exercise a high degree of caution due to terrorism threats.”

You should pay attention to these and make informed decisions. All major western countries’ state departments will have these advisory pages. Here is the link to Canada’s.

Head over to Amazon to check out any of our recommendations. Note: by clicking the button below or the link provided on certain products and purchasing something on Amazon, I may receive a small commission.

🧳 The Ultimate Pre-Trip Checklist

✅ Before You Begin the Trip Planning Process

• Align everyone’s expectations. A relaxing trip doesn’t include 6 AM hikes (unless you’re into that kind of punishment).
• Check entry requirements. Some countries want visas, others want proof of vaccinations. Some want both and a song.
• Alert your bank to avoid card freezes mid-vacation when you try to buy that must-have handwoven llama scarf.

👜 Packing Checklist

• Medications—bring extras just in case.
• Layered clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
• Chargers, adaptors, and emergency chocolate.
• Small first aid kit (your future self will thank you).
• Downloaded entertainment: audiobooks, Netflix, or even old episodes of Murder, She Wrote.

👵 Pro Tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding. It saves space and you’ll feel like a packing ninja.

✈️ At the Airport

• Arrive early (airport coffee may be expensive, but stress is pricier).
• Use online check-in to breeze past lines.
• Liquids in a clear bag = fewer stink-eyes from TSA.
Senior Tip: Ask for wheelchair assistance even if you don’t need it full-time. Airports are sprawling mini-cities. No one needs to arrive at the gate drenched in sweat.

🛳️ Cruising Like a Pro

• Pack a Day 1 Essentials Bag: swimsuit, meds, toothbrush.
• Download the ship’s app for activity updates and dinner menus.
• Bring earplugs—thin cabin walls mean you might hear every karaoke rendition of “Sweet Caroline.”
Senior Tip: Sign up early for excursions with minimal walking and easy bus transport. “Panoramic Views” usually means “sit back and enjoy”—that’s our kind of day.

🚆 Train Travel Tips

• Reserve seats in advance for comfort and convenience.
• Keep snacks and water handy—train sandwiches are a gamble.
• Know your stop! Trains don’t wait for dawdlers.
• From personal experience, trains in Europe don’t care about you. Review your trip well in advance because it is easy to get lost or miss your stop because there may or may not be an announcement.
Pro Tip: Some trains offer senior sections or quieter cars. Embrace the tranquility like a travel Zen master.

Looking for hotels, flights, activities and more? Check out all our booking tools here!

🧠 Final Thoughts: Own the Trip Planning Process

Planning your own travel doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful research, some handy checklists, and a sprinkle of humor, you can turn the trip planning process into a fun pre-adventure. Whether you’re learning how to plan your own vacation, figuring out how do I plan a trip with friends, or just looking for easy vacation planning that won’t involve sleeping on airport benches—this guide has you covered.
So go ahead, make a list, book the trip, and toss in a few Werther’s Originals for the journey (they’re basically travel gold). And remember, some of the best memories come from the unexpected—just hopefully not from forgetting your passport.

🧳 Bonus: Things You Need to Know When Packing

Still not sure what to bring?
• Bring three pairs of underwear more than you think you need. Just trust us.
• Don’t bring five books thinking you’ll read them all. You’ll read one… maybe.
• If your suitcase is too heavy to lift, something has to go. Start with the hairdryer from 1987.

Please note: the opinions expressed in this post should never be construed as advice. The thoughts are based on my experiences and those of my friends and family. Whether traveling, exercising or other activity it is always a matter of personal preference.  Find what you like and enjoy and share if you want with us all!
Also: If considering a change in diet, exercise, nutrition and or supplements, you must consult your medical practitioner to make sure that what you are about to embark upon doesn’t interfere with your current treatments.