It feels so good to be out and about exploring the world in 2023. For many late baby boomers the much anticipated travel plans post – retirement were put on hold over the pandemic years. It seems many of us are making up for lost time now as our freedom to travel has returned.
Yet we are a few years older. Perhaps having kept our fitness reasonably well but noticing the small changes of advancing years. The ability to sustain long flights in economy class and sleeping in strange hotel beds night after night may be more challenging now. We are less agile and move slower than we did a decade ago unless rigorous exercise is part of our daily lives.
Here are some tips from our recent travels.
Before you Go
- Money – Let your banks know when and where you will be travelling to prior to departure. Take multiple cards just in case you have issues with a particular one. Consider also taking some local currency for small expenses and taxis. We have discovered Wise. It is a debit card you load with your own funds and has a good exchange rate for multiple currencies. You also instantly get a message on your phone when a purchase happens which is great for additional security. Both a physical and digital card are available to use.
- Communication – There are probably a variety of ways to keep in touch while you are away from home. We like Whats App as a way to message and send photos and videos back to family. We were even able to do a video chat with our youngest granddaughter for her birthday when overseas. Another good communication discovery was buying an e-SIM card for our mobile phone. While local Australian carriers are good they can have expensive international roaming when overseas. With our e-sim we were able to keep our own mobile phone number while travelling and turn on the e-sim on arrival at our destination and use a local carrier while there. It was relatively easy to install, pay for and use.
- Packing – we swear by packing cubes. We have multiple sized zipped bags. Ours were purchased from Zoomlite. Its so easy to keep clothing, shoes, toiletries and electronics in separate bags. They are sturdy, secure and make packing and unpacking a breeze. I often use one for overnight stays to contain all my needs for that time. There are also good sized ones to fit in backpacks or carry-on luggage.
- Ease of flying – I always wear compression socks on long flights. It helps to avoid leg discomfort and the potential of DVT. It’s good to put them on pre-flight and wear them until you are safely back on the ground and mobile again. Aisle seats are good for access without disturbing others and the ability to stretch your legs mid-flight. Ear plugs, eye masks, socks and an empty water bottle (filled after going through customs) are also handy.
Travel in Comfort
Recently my husband and I spent three weeks in Greece. The flight time to Athens is around 19 hours. Crossing time zones in each direction as we traversed across the Australian continent, above the Indian Ocean and Asia. Eventually making our way to Eastern Europe and our destination. We opted for Business Class on Emirates Airlines to allow us the increased comfort of a flatbed. We are so glad we did as between meal times it was much easier to stretch out in the darkened cabin to get some sleep. The flight attendants supplied us a thin mattress, pillow and blanket for comfort and socks and an eye mask were available to keep us warm and adjusted for sleep.
The benefit of a comfortable journey was our ability to arrive that evening reasonably refreshed and ready for the activities we had planned during the following days. We didn’t skip a beat and had a wonderful, restful first night sleep in our hotel. Arriving at our destination in the evening is a good travel strategy. Most travel time has been in waking hours and it is easier to slip into the regular routines of your destination.
Balance your activity levels
Balancing tours and relaxation is a great idea once you settle into your holiday. Savour the opportunity to enjoy meals, people watch and connect with others from around the world where you are staying. Perhaps in our youth we tightly packed our days with sightseeing and activity, but now its more nuanced with slower, more observant timing to take in each experience. We had so many wonderful conversations with people around hotel pools and while sightseeing. It’s also important to take time to treat hotel and tour guides well by showing gratitude for their hospitality, assistance and local knowledge.
Keep on top of logistics.
Plan ahead in regard to the logistics of your holiday. Double check the transfers or pick up times for tours the day before. We found our hotel staff invaluable when we were confirming bookings particularly when they could speak to tour operators and companies in their own language. Check locations you are going to and research itinerary destinations to get more knowledge about what you will experience or see. That being said, its also good to make on the spot decisions to explore somewhere interesting. These experiences can end up being the highlight of your holiday.
One gem of advice that we would pass on about ferry travel, particularly in the Greek Islands, is to know the port names rather than just the names of the islands. While waiting for our ferry from Mykonos to Santorini we were uncertain which one to catch as the port names flashed up on the back of the vessel. It took a moment of intuition that being the only ones left on the dock as the large ferry was preparing to depart meant maybe we were also meant to be aboard. Thankfully the staff realised our predicament and physically assisted us onto the ferry ramp with our suitcases and ushered us aboard just as the ferry made its departure.
Accept the unexpected – ‘Go with the flow’.
And finally, prepare for the unexpected. Inevitably some things will not go to plan. We found ourselves with a two and a half hour transfer to Chania Airport in Crete. While we had to leave our accommodation earlier than expected the silver lining was the opportunity to see more of the islands beautiful beaches and rugged mountains along the way. It became our own private sightseeing tour.
As we headed back on our flight from Dubai to Sydney we found ourselves seated behind a young family with a four month old baby. There was also an elderly gentleman who was being escorted by a U.K medical officer on the flight. While the baby (and parents) slept relatively peacefully throughout the fourteen hour flight we often saw the elderly man with dementia and his carer walking the aisles of the plane. I think it would have been a more challenging flight for the latter pair. We all made it safely onto Australian soil, perhaps weary and experiencing jet lag for the following few days.
Look after yourself on your arrival home.
Once home, it’s important to slow the pace before returning to regular activities. Sleep more if you need to until your body clock returns to normal. Allow your body to adjust its digestion patterns and energy levels. There will be time for the inevitable unpacking, washing and restocking the fridge over the next few days.
Reaching our later years often gives more time and opportunity to travel. It becomes a welcomed yet different experience. Managed well it can enrich our lives. Plan well, pace well and stay available to take advantage of the unexpected. While in youth we crave as much experience as possible, at this stage of life its about savouring each moment and creating and sharing lasting memories.
