One of the pleasures of advancing years is the freedom to travel – opening up a whole new phase of life.
After all, the old adage ‘travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer’ is as true now as it ever was. So how to make the most of what can be a wonderful period of exploration and discovery?
Having reached the grand old age of 80 and visited more than 60 countries, here’s my ‘silver travel’ 15-point plan.
One of the pleasures of advancing years is the freedom to travel
SEASONAL FLEXIBILITY
No need to feel tied into the usual holiday seasons when flight prices are highest – if you’ve retired, you can go when you want. Not only is this easier on the pocket, it means you can avoid peak temperatures of high summer.
RIGOROUS RESEARCH
Part of the enjoyment of any trip is the planning and silver travellers usually have plenty of time for that. Read travel articles, buy guidebooks, cross-reference with the internet and talk to friends who may have recommendations. Word-of-mouth tips can be the most useful.
CALL YOUR AGENT
Once you have an idea of where to go and what to do, talk to a reputable travel agent. A good port of call is the Advantage Travel Partnership, which represents more than 800 independent agents; you can search for your closest branch (advantagemembers.com). Trailfinders is also worth trying, with travel centres around the country (trailfinders.com).
Or, catering for the over-50s, Silver Travel Advisor is excellent (0800 4125678, silvertraveladvisor.com).
RUN FOR COVER
Travel insurance is essential. AXA PPP offers an add-on to existing health insurance if you are certified ‘fit to travel’ (axaglobalhealthcare.com). Free Spirit is a specialist insurer for those with medical conditions and disabilities with no upper age limit (freespirittravelinsurance.com). Also consider saga.co.uk, staysure.co.uk and itssoeasytravelinsurance.com.
The town of Reine in Norway is just one of the breathtaking places you could visit during retirement
TOP INSURANCE HACK
Ensure you buy travel insurance from the day you book your holiday and that cancellation cover kicks in from then. This is in case illness or another unavoidable problem means you cannot go.
GET A GHIC
If you don’t have a UK Global Health Insurance Card, providing reciprocal health cover in the EU, get one at nhs.uk.
PERFECT PACKING
Unless you’re going on a cruise and need to change regularly for formal meals, my tip is to lay out the clothes you intend to take – then only pack half. Then consider the amount of money you intend to take… and double it. If you wear glasses, take an extra pair.
THE RIGHT SUITCASE
For suitcases, the ultra-light, hard case Samsonite Neopulse range (from £250, samsonite.co.uk) or the soft Samsonite Spark SNG (from £150) are best. Both have four wheels for easier handling.
BE SECURITY CONSCIOUS
Don’t display your home address on luggage labels while going to the airport. It’s an open invitation to be burgled.
ON THE PLANE
Anything important should be with you, including valuables and medication, just in case luggage goes missing.
AIRPORT ASSISTANCE
Airports and airlines (as well as train and coach stations) are legally bound to offer ‘special assistance’ to the elderly who are disabled or with reduced mobility – and those with ‘difficulty in communicating’ (autism or dementia). You may need to show documentation. Book 48 hours ahead (caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public-special-assistance).
HIRE CAR HACKS
In most countries there’s no maximum age for hire cars, although rentals can be pricey for those over 70. One notable exception is Europcar, which does not penalise age (europcar.co.uk). Local options may be cheaper but this is often reflected in the condition of the cars and legalities. UK Blue Badges work for parking in other countries, especially the EU.
IDEAL FOR SINGLES
Special interest holidays are increasingly offered by tour operators for those who have moved on from bucket-and-spade breaks. The choice is endless: from archaeology in Greece to Salsa dancing in Cuba to architectural tours, bird-watching escapes, foreign cooking tours and wine-tasting holidays.
Many are ideal for single travellers, where the shared interest is the common bond. See responsibletravel.com/holidays/special-interest.
If tropical climates are more your scene, head to Bali in Indonesia – but you can avoid the peak temperatures of high summer by travelling out of season
ACCESS ALL AREAS
Infirmity used to be a bar to travel but not any more. Limitless Travel leads the way offering fully supported, wheelchair-friendly holidays (including cruises and coach tours) in the UK, Europe and as far as the West Indies and South Africa. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s there’s also Dementia Adventure (dementiaadventure.org/holidays), which provides group trips in the UK. See also ‘Disability and travel abroad’ at gov.uk.
CRUISE CONTROL
If you want to avoid the rigmarole of flying, as many do in advancing years, opt for a cruise beginning and ending in a UK port; see No-Fly Cruise at rolcruise.co.uk.
If you can’t stand the idea of vast cruise ships, try the Small Cruise Ship Collection, where vessels carry 24 to 150 passengers (small-cruise-ships.com). Or how about a trip around Scotland with Hebridean Island Cruises (hebridean.co.uk)?
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