Physical Requirements On Senior Tours
Knowing the physical levels for your desired tour is very useful. This can help prepare you for what the tour will be like, and how much physical activity you can expect. This is especially helpful for those traveling with limited mobility such as walkers, canes, or wheelchairs.
On Stride we have 5 main physical levels you can filter by when searching for a trip: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Extreme.
Knowing the physical level of your tour is not only a good way to ensure you get to experience everything on your vacation, but it can also help relieve stress. Knowing the intensity of your tour can help with knowing what to pack. For example, for walking tours that are Easy you may want to pack a few extra days worth of walking clothes.
If youre going on a river cruise, youll only have to unpack once, so you can indulge in packing a few extra choices for dinner. Small ship cruises sometimes have laundry facilities, so know that you could take advantage of this if need be.
Senior travelers will generally enjoy most tours in the Very Easy to Easy range. These include river cruises, small ship cruises, coach tours, and guided tours that involve very little walking. These tours might instead have a hobby-specific or cultural focus. For example, if you are touring through China, you might forgo hiking in order to enjoy an authentic tea tasting ceremony, attend a traditional classical music concert, and visit local communities.
Crossing The Canadian Rockies On The Rocky Mountaineer
Crossing the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer Train is a perfect adventure. This trip combines rail travel, wildlife viewing and gourmet meals while traveling from one beautiful city to another. What a comfortable and entertaining way to travel.
The train has several routes including trips between the cities of Banff in Alberta and Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The Banff to Vancouver is appealing because, if youre leaving from Banff you can spend some time the city itself with its trendy restaurants and performance venues as well as the jaw-droppingly beautiful Banff National Park.
The train trip takes two days with a stop in the country town of Kamloops. The seats are comfortable and recline. Take a nap! Or a short walk will take you to the between cars open air section from which you can take unobstructed photos of the beautiful passing landscapes.
Along the way a dedicated staff of pleasant stewards point out interesting sights and give historical anecdotes. There is so much of natures beauty to see in the Rockies mountains, rivers, eagles, wild goats and, if youre lucky, you might even see a bear! Since the top and sides of the train cars are glass, you have unobstructed views all around.
You wont go hungry on this train ride. Breakfast every morning, followed by mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon snacks and a hearty dinner. All these gourmet meals are accompanied by your choice of beverages including alcoholic.
Make Special Requests By Phone
You can book a trip online. However, it’s sometimes easier to make special requests like wheelchair assistance, bulkhead seats with extra legroom, or expedited boarding if you speak to a human being. Proper arrangements can be especially important if your parent will need help getting to their seat rather than just to the plane.
Airlines are required by law to provide wheelchair service for free to any traveler who requests it. If your loved one has challenges with walking but doesn’t need a wheelchair, ask if they can ride on an electric cart through the airport.
If your mom or dad uses portable oxygen, find out if the airline requires any medical documentation to transport it. Also, be sure to let the airline know of any special dietary restrictions your loved one has.
Don’t forget to reconfirm all arrangements as you get closer to the travel date. The extra effort is worth it for your peace of mind.
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Consider Staying In Hostels
Did you know that hostels are not just for 20-something backpackers? Independent-minded travelers of all ages can take advantage of cheap, no-frills lodging all over the world. Many hostels offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and there is usually a shared kitchen where you can prepare your meals. Sometimes a simple breakfast is even included in the rate.
Inside Japan Tours Tokaido Trail
Inside Japan Tours takes a slightly different approach to small group tours. Instead of chartering buses to take tour participants from place to place, Inside Japan Tours guides show you how to use the efficient Japanese subway and rail systems and give you plenty of free time to see the sights that interest you. Youll also be asked to carry your own luggage. In return, youll discover the wonders of Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura and Hakone on the Tokaido Trail tour.
During your time in Tokyo, youll explore historic Asakusa, modern Harajuku and vibrant Shinjuku. In Kamakura, you can visit shrines and temples, take a long walk through the town or stroll on the beach. From there, you will move to Hakone, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Hot springs, hiking and museums are just some of Hakones attractions. In Kyoto, tour the Geisha district, visit the Golden Pavilion, explore one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city or take the train to Hiroshima or Nara.
Inside Japan Tours does not charge a single supplement on the Tokaido Trail tour solo travelers will be given single rooms in Western-style hotels, but will need to share a room with a roommate of the same gender during the two nights spent in a ryokan . Airport transfers, baggage handling, entrance fees, public transportation costs, lunches and most dinners are not included.
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Try To Get Expedited Boarding
Being one of the first to board a plane lets you get settled in your seat sooner and avoid being shuffled along in a long lineup of people. It also gives you a better chance of finding space for your bag in the overhead compartment. In some cases, boarding earlier can also mean securing a better seat.
Here’s how you can try to make sure you take your seat early, depending on the airline you use:
United
Older adults with disabilities can get on the plane during preboarding. You can also avoid long lines by purchasing Priority Boarding, which lets you board ahead of other economy passengers. However, you cannot buy Priority Boarding if you purchase a Basic Economy fare .
American
You can ask to be in the preboarding group if you need assistance due to a mobility challenge or other type of disability. American divides its regular boarding into nine different groups. First class, business class, and elite status customers get on first. However, you can opt to pay for Priority boarding, which gets you on with group four. As with United, Priority is not available to passengers on Basic Economy tickets.
Delta
On Delta, seniors who need extra time or help to board can take their seats during preboarding. Otherwise, you can pay $15 per flight to ensure your spot in the Main Cabin 1 group. Main Cabin 1 boards after families with young children, upper-level elite passengers, and Delta-branded credit card holders, but before most economy customers.
JetBlue
Southwest
Best Senior Travel Deals
The best senior travel deals include discounts on off-season travel, senior friendly tours, last minute travel, AARP travel, ocean and river cruises, airlines, train travel, National and State parks, Disney World, volunteer trips and many more.
These deals are available to those who take advantage of the senior age requirements of many companies who offer them.
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Pay In Foreign Currencies
To get the best exchange rate when using a credit card to pay for something abroad, always select the pay in local currency option when it is offered. That guarantees that youll get an exchange rate from a bank, which is as close to the official currency exchange rate as possible, as opposed to a merchant who may not be using the best rate.
In Costa Rica recently, where United States dollars and Costa Rica colones are widely accepted, Ms. Haskins of International Living got a bill in a restaurant that showed both currencies. Doing the conversion from colones, I saw that it should have been $23, but it was $29, she said. Six dollars at every meal would add up.
Though the death of cash has been much discussed, in many foreign destinations cash is still king and allows merchants to forgo the fee they must pay credit card companies on each transaction. If you plan to use cash, take measured withdrawals from local A.T.M.s to avoid racking up numerous transaction fees.
Visiting Vietnam In Your 60s
Vietnam is a great place to add to your 60+ bucket list. The phrase that youll see repeated throughout the country sums it up for me. Very Good, Very Cheap, Very Vietnam.
Vietnam is a seriously cost-effective place to travel to great rooms are available for little expenditure, leaving you to focus your budget on amazing things to eat, which are also cheap, so then you get to spend your dollars on fantastic things to do. All the folks that youll meet in a tourist environment speak English, so it is easy to travel around. There are heaps of online booking sites if youre nervous about not pre-booking accommodation or travel, but theres also a can-do attitude that means your hosts will work it out. Want to sit in a café and have a very cold sunset beer? No problem. Even if theres no beer, your host will go and find some and bring it back for you.
Vietnam is very safe to travel in my 60-year-old sister-in-law took her very first backpacking trip there, rode her first motorbike, got her very first back of a motorbike transfer when we left Vietnam for Cambodia and had her very first beach massage. Vietnamese food is awesome and if you dont like Vietnamese food, youll always find a pizza or a burger. Overall, the friendliness of the people and that your dollar goes a lot further means its easy to try new things and if it doesnt work out for you, then you can move on without having blown the budget!
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Tips For Retirement Travel On A Budget
Retirement travel on a budget is possible without sacrificing your comfort.
As you age, your traveling preferences change. And many older adults are willing to spend more to avoid hassles and inconvenience .
But if youre looking for a way to travel during retirement without breaking the bank , youre in luck.
This blog post shares 21 tips on how to get the most out of your money and still have an amazing adventurous time.
Features Of Senior Citizen Travel Insurance
Here are some of the main features of the travel insurance plan for senior citizens.
Affordable Plans: Multiple plans with multiple variants to cover a broad range of senior citizens travel requirements are available. Due to the large number of options available, the affordability of these covers is also high. You can choose from a wide range of options and select the one that best suits your requirement.
Travel Assistance: Another critical feature of a senior citizen travel insurance plan is that it provides comprehensive travel assistance. The service providers give much-needed assistance to the elderly so they can easily navigate any emergency.
Protection Against Illness and Accidents: One of the biggest concerns for any traveling party, especially senior citizens, is to look after their health. It can be challenging to navigate your health problems in a completely new place without much knowledge about the medical infrastructure and facilities.
Moreover, treatment for accidents or illnesses can become very expensive if they travel abroad. These travel insurance plans for senior citizens typically offer coverage for all sorts of medical emergencies, including for pre-existing ailments. The insurance company through its partners takes care of any hospitalization, evacuation, or repatriation.
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Pigeon Forge Mountains Tennessee Usa
At the pigeon forge mountains, a moment will last you a lifetime. Visitors have been constantly exploring this mountainous heaven for the last sixty years. Although this travel destination is considered a fabulous family getaway, singles over 60 will also enjoy its views.
You will find anything here, ranging from beautiful hotels in Pigeon Forge TN with indoor pool to a great shopping experience in the nearby mall or a great hike in the Smoky Mountains. And even if you cant hike, you can sink yourself in the fresh air around the hills.
Vacations For Singles Over 60
Many of us are looking to enjoy our newfound freedom in retirement, and we have some ideas to help you explore vacations for singles over 60! While there are many vacation options available for families and couples, sometimes it can be challenging to find a place you can enjoy and relax when theres so much hustle and bustle.
When youre traveling solo, you can do exactly what you want to do. Take a hike, sleep in, read on the beach, or explore historical sitesthe options are limitless. Get inspired to take a dream vacation for single seniors.
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Always Ask About Senior Discounts
It never hurts to ask, and it could score you some good deals that aren’t even advertised. Consider joining organizations like the AARP, American Seniors Association, or Association of Mature American Citizens, all of which offer travel-related discounts to their members. Keep in mind that these are lobbying groups that take specific stands on political issues. If you disagree with a group’s viewpoint, you might want to pass on becoming a member.
Amazing Vacations For Single Women Over 60
Single women over 60 are traveling like never before and loving it. With so much travel information available in print and online, planning a rewarding solo vacation is easier than ever.
Being a single woman doesnt have to mean traveling solo all the time. There are countless trips organized each year that group people together to share activities and meals.
Here are six amazing vacation ideas for single women over 60 four organized travel experiences and two do-it-yourself vacations for you to consider.
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Get To The Airport Early
Even if you have checked in online, you should be at the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to take off. That’s especially important if you are checking baggage, since you will need to drop off your luggage at a designated counter by a certain time.
If you are traveling domestically and only have hand luggage, things are a bit simpler. In such a case, if you check in online, all you have to do at the airport is go through security and find your departure gate. However, you never know how long the security line will be, so it’s still wise to arrive early. And if you have mobility issues, be sure to allow for extra time so that you’re not rushed.
Trips For Senior Tourists Over 60 Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath, Swyambhunath, Boudhanath, And Kathmandu Durbar Square.
- Mountain flights to Everest range and Himalayan range to witness different breathtaking mountains and high green hills of Nepal.
- Visit the Nearest ropeway and the beautiful hill of Chandragiri.
- Visit Pokhara and experience its beautiful Nature.
- Explore the beautiful Nature Paradise Rupakot Resort and witness the different lakes and mountains of Pokhara.
- Explore Ghandruk to experience the unique tradition, lifestyle, and culture of the Gurung people.
- Explore Pothana Village to experience different environments, flora and fauna, and the unique and ancient village of Nepal.
- Luxury Accommodation and travel to a different part of the Tour.
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Plan For The Unexpected
Get travel insurance. Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.
There are different types of travel insurance such as trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Learn more about travel insurance.
Enroll with the Department of States Smart Traveler Enrollment Program . Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the US Department of State knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.
Learn basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit. Learn the numbers for emergency services in the destination you are visiting.
National Parks And State Parks
In recent years, many older travelers have opted to roam near home, choosing senior adventures that offer active pursuits but dont require long plane trips. The 63 U.S. national parks are superb travel destinations for seniors to pursue biking, birding, water sports, climbing, diving, fishing, hiking and wilderness backpacking, horseback riding, water sports and winter sports. Breathtaking scenery can also be found at Canada’s national parks.
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State parks are generally less crowded and can be equally rewarding for senior adventures. Several national parks could fit inside the 6 million acres of Adirondack State Park in New York. Beautiful Letchworth State Park and Franconia Notch draw visitors from all over the world. Hikers, cyclists and riders can enjoy hoodoo rock formations at Texas’ Palo Duro Canyon and seasonal wildflowers in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert.
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