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Bridge in Spain
Destinations

Quiet Places You Need to Visit in Your 70s

by Susan Saurel
written by Susan Saurel

Reaching your 70 might come as a breath of fresh air. Even though you might have started freelancing after 50, the fact that you do not have to work anymore gives you the space to organize your time however you want. And what better thing to do in your 70 than traveling?

Most seniors choose quiet places for their holidays and there are plenty of them. It is also the opportunity to go to those places you have always wanted to visit. So now it’s the perfect occasion. But which places offer the perfect oasis of tranquility and serenity for you?

Which places offer you a new perspective on different cultures and habits? Michel Primrose, who offered the best essay service reviews, has some recommendations. Keep reading this article to find out more about your next destinations.

Thailand

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, inhabiting about nine million people. Bangkok is a glamourous city, full of gold temples to visit.

Grand Palace complex in Bangkok

Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, former residence of Thai King and royalty, Thailand, Asia

Thailand is a cheap country, compared to others. Here you can find accommodation at low prices and high quality. You have plenty of touristic attractions to visit, like The Grand Palace and the former capital of the country, Ayutthaya. If you want to relax on a beach, then you can choose from plenty of islands in the south.

If you are interested more in the wild part of Thailand than Chiang Mai is for you. Either option you will choose, you will be mesmerized by the amazing landscapes and the hospitality of Thai people.

Spain

Spain is one of the best Europe countries to visit when you are in your 70. It offers you a unique perspective of their way of living. Amazing food, like seafood, tapas and paella are to be found everywhere and are delicious. Their wines are amazing, and so do the olives. Most people speak English, so making new friends will be easy. When it comes to choosing a city to visit, you have plenty of opportunities.

Small cities are recommended, as they are quieter and do not have so many tourists like the big ones. So, you can go to Alicante, Andalusia, Malaga or San Sebastian. Keep in mind that during summer all Spain is full of tourists, as they have a lot of wonderful beaches.

Italy

Italy is a country full of history and historical sites. We all become more attuned to history as we grow older, so Italy is a great option for a holiday. Italy is the birthplace of the history of Romans, so if you have not yet visited Italy, now it is the time. You can go to Rome and visit the Colosseum, which is the biggest amphitheater built. You can also visit Fontana di Trevi and toss some coins for luck.

Besides Rome, Italy has some wonderful cities you could visit. You can choose from the wonderful Tuscany and its wonderful landscapes. Or you can go to Pisa and take a photo with the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Venice is always an option, especially when the carnival is on. No matter what city you will choose for your holiday, you will surely interact with the amazing culture of pizza and pasta.

Germany

Christmas market in Munich

Marienplatz with the Christmas market in Munich, Germany

Germany is a country which offers you so many opportunities for quiet cities to visit. Whether some might say those big cities like Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich are for youngsters, some might disagree. These cities are full of history, so you cannot miss the opportunity of visiting them.

The Great Wall of Berlin is a thing you must see at least once in your lifetime. Depending on your visit period, you can choose from a movie festival, culminating the year with amazing Christmas Markets.

Big cities like Berlin and Stuttgart have more than one Christmas Market, but they are always crowded. If you want a quieter and less populated Christmas Market, you can go to small cities like Dortmund or Dusseldorf.

Canada

If you want to get a taste of French cuisine without traveling to Europe, the city of Montreal is a perfect choice. The culture, language, and cuisine help you travel in space and think that you are in France.

Toronto is another option for the holiday. Its amazing culture and arts industry will immerse you in the Canadian lifestyle. You can choose smaller cities and less populated, like Langford, Calgary or Saskatoon.

Mexico

If you are looking for a sunny destination to visit and relax, skip all those touristic and crowded cities like Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. Choose Tulum instead. It is a small city on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Full of tranquil beaches, it offers you an amazing scenery. Blue and clear waters wash the fine sand of the beaches. If you are an active senior, Tulum offers a wide range of activities for you.

You can choose from yoga on the beach, biking or a spa relaxation. Swimming and scuba diving are also an option. And to experience the unique feeling of Tulum, you can choose to stay in one of those beach bungalows. Imagine how relaxing is to have your morning coffee and watch the sun rising from your bungalow.

Cambodia

Angkor Wat Temple - Cambodia. Ancient architecture

Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world and a World heritage listed complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

If you choose to visit Thailand, Cambodia is near so you can travel there. Avoid crowded cities like Phnom Penh, and choose Siem Reap instead. You will get a glimpse of the traditional Cambodian lifestyle by traveling with a tuk-tuk.

The most amazing and wonderful thing about Siem Reap is the archaeological site of Angkor Wat. It takes you three days to visit the entire site.

The most amazing thing is to watch the sun rising over Angkor Wat and warming its colors. Walking and observing the amazing details of the temple, along with those amazing trees embracing the rocks can be so relaxing.

Vietnam

Why visit only two countries, when you can visit three? Besides Thailand and Cambodia, you can also go to Vietnam. You can taste the amazing traditional cuisine and buy a Vietnamese conic hat, called a leaf hat. You can visit the recently unveiled Golden Bridge. Get a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle by visiting Ho Chi Min, the capital of Vietnam.

Conclusion

When you are in your 70, you aim to visit more tranquil and quiet destinations. Maybe some of them were on your bucket list since forever. Now it’s the opportunity to travel the world. If you want to visit Europe, some countries can offer you a peaceful journey.

If you like sunny weather and beaches, you can choose from Malaga and Alicante in Spain or Amalfi, Rimini or Bari in Italy. Tuscany, Venice, and Pisa are always a great option too.

If you are more into cold weather, you can choose to visit Christmas Markets in cities like Dusseldorf and Dortmund in Germany.

Or, if you want to get a glimpse of the Asian lifestyle and cuisine, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are a perfect choice. You can choose from a wide range of luxurious destinations at small prices. Choose to visit historical ancient sites, like Angkor Wat. Or white temples in Chiang Mai and gold ones in the south of Thailand.

The great thing is that you can choose an island in the south of Thailand to enjoy the wild nature for a few days. And then, you can travel to Vietnam by taking a cruise on the Mekong River.

There are plenty of places to see. Which one is next?

 

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Senior couple traveling airport scene
Travel Tips & Deals

Importance of Senior Travel and Tips to Overcome the Difficulties

by Susan Saurel
written by Susan Saurel

When aging knocks, it’s the right time to travel. Why? You boost your physical, mental, and emotional health.

We all understand how beneficial traveling is to our wellbeing but for seniors, traveling to a favorite destination or a new city can be a way to rebirth.

A report by the Global Coalition on Aging suggests that engaging in social activities like traveling reduces the risk of dementia, can combat depression and is also said to improve heart health.

There are loads of impressive benefits that come from traveling, especially for seniors.

In this article, we take a look at the importance of traveling for seniors, the difficulties of senior travel and in the end, we will share some tips to overcome such difficulties.

The Importance of Traveling for Seniors

  • Improves Heart Health

As traveling nourishes your mental and emotional health, it also keeps you physically healthy and boosts your heart health. A report by Framingham Heart Study suggests that old women who travel occasionally have higher chances of suffering from heart disease than younger ones who traveled occasionally.

A 2000 study also reported the same results. In the study, those who traveled frequently and were likely to suffer from coronary heart disease were found to be less likely to die of heart disease.

Perhaps these benefits are brought about by the fact that when you travel, you relieve your heart and brain from everyday stress. When traveling, you are also exercising and this is also beneficial to reduce the chances of suffering from high blood pressure and stroke.

  • Traveling for Seniors Boosts Mood and Mental Health

When you travel you meet fresh people, things, and you also change the environment you are used to living in. This way, you boost your mood and mental health.

And for the elderly people, travel helps them meet and interact with their loved ones from different countries which encourage healthy relationships.

Loneliness and isolation are the two causes of depression, meager mood, and even high blood pressure in older people. When you travel, you get the company of people which is beneficial for your psychological and emotional health.

You also get to understand other people in a different way, get used to nature, and also experience your other part of life.

  • Travel for Seniors is Good for Brain Health

When you travel, you meet different people some of who you have never met, you also experience life in different environments, and participate in activities you haven’t engaged yourself in. This way, you challenge your brain and hence your mind stays active.

  • It’s a Way To Relax

Yes, when you travel you relax. Traveling is one of the best ways to break from your everyday activities.

Well, perhaps you are too old and that you retired from work a long time ago, but changing environments is also a good way to relax.

  • Traveling for Seniors is a Way to Stay Active

Even if you can’t run but as you travel, you move. Well, perhaps you are thinking that you are already active because you always move from your home to your place of work but when you experience and explore new locations, you become more active as you will want to know more and explore more of the things you don’t know.

Difficulties of Senior Travelers

Traveling for seniors is not the same as traveling for the younger population. These are people who do not travel frequently and so they aren’t used to some of the encounters in airports. For instance, they aren’t aware of the rigorous security measures. Besides, as you age, you become physically limited. Senior travelers also need medical preparation, especially for those with pre-existing medical issues.

Here are some of the difficulties of senior travelers. We will talk about how to overcome them later in this article.

  • New Encounters

Perhaps in the past, when there were no cases of terrorist attacks, security measures weren’t tighter. But these days, things have become tighter. New security measures have been put in place that require one to be screened thoroughly from one checkpoint to another and for senior travelers who aren’t patient; it can be frustrating to them. Most airports these days have put in place senior travelers’ facilities to address this issue though, but still, they aren’t exempted from thorough security checks.

  • Medical Precincts

Before traveling, many senior travelers, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions have to figure out many things. This way, they end up being limited to the things they can do. That’s why many prefer to stay at home than to travel.

Others would need to be accompanied by their peers due to the medications they would want to take during their journey.

  • Physical Struggles

Aging comes with many things. You can walk, react, or hear as well as you used to. Your vision is also weakening. Some even find it difficult to understand. These are some of the physical difficulties of traveling for seniors.

As a result, when traveling with senior citizens, one needs to make sure there is the availability of wheelchairs and motorized carts otherwise, if traveling for leisure, you can’t enjoy it if you accompany an older citizen who can’t move fast. Of course, with a good budget, one can hire a service vehicle.

Tips to Overcome Difficulties of Senior Travel

The difficulties of senior travel we have described above can even stop many from exploring the world. It doesn’t have to be that way. These tips will help senior travelers and those accompanying them have an enjoyable journey.

  • If possible, book an express flight.

Too many stop-overs can be frustrating, especially when traveling with seniors with disabilities. For that reason, it would be better to book non-stop flights than connecting flights as this can also minimize the total travel time.

Sometimes non-stop flight fares are higher than connecting flights but if you want to travel comfortably, it is better.

Other things to avoid are booking regional jets, particularly if the airports don’t have a jet-bridge. These regional jets require passengers to board the plane using stairs and aren’t ideal for seniors.

  • Select a suitable disability facility

While booking, it is recommended to choose the right disability option, especially when traveling with seniors with disabilities. Some airlines will allow you to choose as you book but others will require you to call the airline by phone to ask for these services.

Consider traveling with an Airline-Approved Scooter

  • There are many folding and lightweight mobility scooters approved for cruise ships and airplanes. We recommend this long list of top brand options sold at by Senior.com. You can ride a scooter to the gate and then the airline will add it to baggage with the strollers. Often you will be required you to carry the battery with you on the flight for safety. Scooters are a great way to get around on your trip. In addition, they help you reserve your energy.
  • Ask for a wheelchair from the airport

This applies to seniors who have problems with walking and may not have carried their wheelchairs while traveling. Usually, most airports have wheelchairs to carry such passengers from the airport to the gate where they can take a hire service vehicle.

  • Pack any medications for any possible health condition

Now with this one, you don’t have to be senior to carry medications. In fact, it is better to avoid putting medications in checked baggage. A good rule of thumb is to carry your medications with you either in a small handbag or luggage, then place it nearby.

The rest can go into a checked bag.

  • Observe the time of travel

Another important tip for traveling for seniors is to travel at the right time of the day. When still young, you can travel any time of the day, but when you age, the best time to depart is mid-morning or early afternoon.

  • Have a family member to accompany you

If you are traveling with the whole family, the better. However, it can be difficult to land in a foreign country where you cannot community the language of that country properly, and you are alone. You will have to be cleared before you are allowed entry to any country and if you are unable to fill the forms provided, it can be challenging.

Although you may get someone to help you out, it’s better to travel with a family member.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. If you had planned a trip for seniors but you were wondering how to make it enjoyable, we hope our tips will help you.

Happy Travel!

 

 

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cruising 101
Cruises

Cruising 101

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, there are a lot of options to consider, from the cruise line and style to the destinations, vacation length and types of on-board amenities. Cruising is a fun (and economical) way to see several places in a relatively short amount of time without having to unpack and repack every day. While some “hard-core” travelers may scoff at cruises, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Cruising 101Choose your cruise line
This is probably the single most important task when planning a cruise. Choose the wrong cruise line, or even more specifically, the wrong ship, and it can mean the difference between a blissful, relaxing trip or one filled with 18-year-olds getting rowdy on rum punch. To figure out which ship and line suits your preference, do some research online and ask friends who have taken cruises. Find out the median age onboard; if a ship caters to an older demographic, there’s typically not much to do after 10 p.m. Ask about the quality of food. The food on most vessels is in line with what you get at 4- and 5-star restaurants on land, so beware that elastic waistbands might be needed by the end of your trip. Also gather opinions on cruise schedules. Some cruise lines allow for flexibility in your itinerary, others have two dinner seatings and if you’re not on time, you don’t eat. Ask about the activities are onboard. Is there a variety? Are the shows good? For comparison, Royal Caribbean brought “Hairspray” to sea several years ago, and a few ships have Cirque du Soleil spinoffs. Finally, inquire about the decor; newer or updated ships will feel more like a Ritz-Carlton than a Motel 6.
As far as cruise styles, “mainstream” cruise lines, like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean can carry a small city on the water. Other cruise lines, such as Viking River Cruises or Oceania Cruises, provide luxury and a slower pace. There are also specialized cruise ships, like the American Queen Steamboat that runs multi-day cruises up and down the Mississippi River.
Choose your destinations
After finding the right cruise line, figure out how many days you want to spend on the cruise (remember that depending on where you live, it can take a day to travel to the departure port and a day to travel home). The number of days will then dictate what destination options you have. Some itineraries will feature just one port for visiting, while others will dock at anywhere from three to 10. If you’re traveling from the United States, the travel experts at Away.com recommend touring the Caribbean, Hawaii or Alaska. There are also plenty of cruise lines that tour the Mediterranean, the rivers of Europe, and even Russia and Asia. Cruising allows you to get an overview of destinations, rather than an in-depth look into the local scene. Because you’re traveling by a large ship (unless you do a river cruise), you will explore only coastal towns, and typically the ship will be in port only for about a half a day. As you peruse the destinations available, you can normally see a sample itinerary, too.
Book your cruise
Once you’ve selected the cruise line, the number of days and the destinations you want to visit, then you’re ready to book your cruise. With all your meals, snacks and beverages (alcohol and specialty restaurants onboard might cost more), your room, and onboard entertainment covered, there’s not much left to plan. You can choose to research things to do in ports, or you can take advantage of the shore excursions that cruises offer.
Pack for your cruise
No matter your destinations, it pays to look up the typical weather and pack accordingly. A cruise in July might sound warm, but if you’re heading to Alaska you can skip the bathing suit and pack an extra sweatshirt. Everyone packs differently, but it’s in your best interest to pack minimally, as the rooms are not as big as a typical hotel room. Bathing suits and shorts are usually fine for the daytime, but evenings typically require more of a resort-casual wardrobe. And most ships have one or two formal nights, so pull out the old bridesmaid or prom dresses. Most importantly, if you’re traveling outside of the United States, make sure your passport is up to date and packed along with your ticket so you’ll be good to sail away.
Provided by: Brandpoint

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Senior Travel
Destinations

Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors

Senior TravelAll around the world, there are millions of vacation destinations. With a large selection of destinations, attractions, and activities, you may be wondering how you could ever narrow your choice down to just one place. The first step in deciding on a destination is by determining which activities you would like to participate in while on vacation. Popular Vacation Destinations For Seniors
Older people enjoy a wide variety of different activities. If you enjoy golfing, a golf resort may be an ideal location for your next vacation. If relaxing by the beach is more your style, you have a large number of beaches to choose from. In addition to on land vacations, you may enjoy taking a summer vacation cruise. Deciding what you would like to do while on vacation is the best way to find the perfect summer vacation destination.
While the activities that you’d like to participate in on your vacation are important, so are the activities that you’d like to avoid. Unfortunately, a large number of popular summer vacation destinations are targeted towards the younger crowd. If excess loud music, late night partying, and excess drinking is not on your “to do list,” then you may want to consider avoiding destinations that promote these activities.
Due to their price, domestic vacations are often the most sought after for seniors. If you are able to afford the cost of overseas travel, you may want to consider an overseas vacation. These vacations are ideal for seniors who want to see the world, but have never had the opportunity to before. The preparation and travel required to have an overseas vacation is often long and large. You may want to examine your health and ability to withstand a long journey before booking an overseas vacation.
If an overseas vacation is possible and sounds ideal, you have an unlimited number of destinations to choose from. Popular destinations include France, Italy, and Spain. Many of these destinations are famous for their rich history. While vacationing overseas, you can visit a number of well-known tourist attractions. You can explore many of these attractions by yourself or with a tour guide.
If domestic vacations are more your style, you can often find fun, but relaxing vacations at, the above mentioned, beach and golf resorts. Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, is a well-known beach that caters to visitors of all ages. In addition to sunbathing and swimming, you may find a number of activities designed for individuals of your age.
Most of the golf resorts found in the United States cater to mature crowds. While children may be allowed to stay, there are a limited number of golf resorts that have onsite activities for children. The lack of onsite activities for children often provides a fun, safe, and relaxing environment for seniors. In addition to golfing, golf resorts are often equipment with private cottage rentals, fine dining restaurants, and onsite spas.
Once you have found the vacation destination of your choice, you may want to book your reservations right away. Before making a reservation, you are encouraged to search for travel discounts. If you are a member of Triple A or AARP, you may be able to receive valuable discounts on your next summer vacation.
With a large number of vacation destinations designed with seniors in mind, you are sure to find the perfect location for your next vacation. Whether you choose to spend your vacation at the beach, travel overseas, or stay at a well-known golf resort, you are sure to make an unlimited number of memories.

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