by Ron Largent | Nov 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Arrival in Iceland…en-route to Northern Europe
This was the recent trip to Northern Europe, via Iceland….and Iceland was very different than any place we had seen. Other than the fiasco with Delta and the luggage…a great brief visit….
Only the points and I will fill in later…
1. Arrived about an hour late….rode bus from aircraft to terminal….nippy…..terminal was busy with a lot of remodeling…all very smooth….got to luggage and waited and no luggage, for us, along with about 50 others. Luggage was taken off the plane in JFK and not put back on. Got to the front of the line to file…still almost an hour
2. The shuttle driver was waiting and took about 45 minutes to get to the hotel…very barren looking and foggy and sub as we came in….virtually no trees with lava ground. Almost desolate at times. ….approaching city with lots of newer looking apartments…but unusual designs….and same with buildings. More on t his today….checked in the Hilton…hassle due to numbers and the hotel not having rooms ready until 2 pm. Completely full every night….lots of tour groups, etc.
3. We found a good bench seat and Audy slept….I walked out in the street to find a restaurant, as we had not eaten since the Atlanta airport….flight from JFK could not serve due to weather. At noon walked a block to a Mexican restaurant…..great food.
4. Came back and got out room….spoke a bit to the manager and they gave us an upgrade…great room views looking at the commercial areas of the city.
5. Both slept for a while then dinner at near little coffee bar around another corner..great sandwich,,,then walked through the local market….called 10/11 here but like a big 7-11.
6. Back to the room and watched TV on China, France, British, and European sport TV stations…to bed at 9….
End of Day 1.
by Ron Largent | Nov 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
A few years ago I was introduced to Rick Steves….an long time professional in the travel industry, with a great line of luggage…and I got one of the best carry on bags…ever. He also has some travel tips, and I kept the following as it covers a lot about Senior Travel or Travel for Seniors. Here are his thoughts:
More people than ever are hocking their rockers and buying plane tickets. Many senior adventurers are proclaiming, “Age matters only if you’re a cheese.” Travel is their fountain of youth. I’m not a senior — yet — so I polled my readers via my Travel Forums, asking seniors to share their advice. Thanks to the many who responded, here’s a summary of top tips from seniors who believe it’s never too late to have a happy childhood.
When to Go
If you’re retired and can travel whenever you want, it’s smart to aim for shoulder season (April through mid-June, or September and October). This allows you to avoid the most exhausting things about European travel: crowds and the heat of summer.
Travel Insurance
Seniors pay more for travel insurance — but are also more likely to need it. Find out exactly whether and how your medical insurance works overseas. (Medicare is not valid outside the US except in very limited circumstances; check your supplemental insurance coverage for exclusions.) Pre-existing conditions are a problem, especially if you are over 70, but some plans will waive those exclusions. When considering additional travel insurance, pay close attention to evacuation insurance, which covers the substantial expense of getting you to adequate medical care in case of an emergency — especially if you are too ill to fly commercially.
Packing
Packing light is especially important for seniors — when you pack light, you’re younger. To lighten your load, take fewer clothing items and do laundry more often. Fit it all in a roll-aboard suitcase — don’t try to haul a big bag. Figure out ways to smoothly carry your luggage, so you’re not wrestling with several bulky items. For example, if you bring a second bag, make it a small one that stacks neatly (or even attaches) on top of your wheeled bag.
Carry an extra pair of eyeglasses if you wear them, and bring along a magnifying glass if it’ll help you read detailed maps and small-print schedules. A small notebook is handy for jotting down facts and reminders, such as your hotel-room number or Metro stop. Doing so will lessen your anxiety about forgetting these details, keeping your mind clear and uncluttered.
Medications and Health
It’s best to take a full supply of any medications with you, and leave them in their original containers. Finding a pharmacy and filling a prescription in Europe isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can be time-consuming. Plus, nonprescription medications (such as vitamins or supplements) may not be available abroad in the same form you’re used to. Pharmacists overseas are often unfamiliar with American brand names, so you may have to use the generic name instead (for example, atorvastatin instead of Lipitor). Before you leave, ask your doctor for a list of the precise generic names of your medications, and the names of equivalent medications. See my general advice on getting medical help in Europe.
If you wear hearing aids, be sure to bring spare batteries — it can be difficult to find a specific size in Europe. If your mobility is limited, see my tips and resources for travelers with disabilities.
Flying
If you’re not flying direct, check your bag — because if you have to transfer to a connecting flight at a huge, busy airport, your carry-on bag will become a lug-around drag. If you’re a slow walker, request a wheelchair or an electric cart when you book your seat so you can easily make any connecting flights. Since cramped legroom can be a concern for seniors, book early to reserve aisle seats (or splurge on roomier “economy plus,” or first class). Stay hydrated during long flights, and take short walks hourly to minimize the slight chance of getting a blood clot.
Accommodations
If stairs are a problem, request a ground-floor room. Think about the pros and cons of where you sleep: If you stay near the train station at the edge of town, you’ll minimize carrying your bag on arrival; on the other hand, staying in the city center gives you a convenient place to take a break between sights (and you can take a taxi on arrival to reduce lugging your bags). No matter where you stay, ask about your accommodation’s accessibility quirks before you book — find out whether it’s at the top of a steep hill, has an elevator or stairs to upper floors, and so on.
Getting Around
Subways involve a lot of walking and stairs (and are a pain with luggage). Consider using city buses or taxis instead, and when out and about with your luggage, take a taxi. If you’re renting a car, be warned that some countries and some car-rental companies have an upper age limit — to avoid unpleasant surprises, mention your age when you reserve.
Senior Discounts
Just showing your gray hair or passport can snag you a discount at many sights, and even some events such as concerts. (The British call discounts “concessions”; look also for “pensioner’s rates.”) Always ask about discounts, even if you don’t see posted information about one — you may be surprised. But note that at some sights, US citizens aren’t eligible for senior discounts.
Seniors can get deals on point-to-point rail tickets in Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Norway (including the Eurostar train between Britain and France/Belgium). Qualifying ages range from 60 to 67 years old. To get rail discounts in most countries — including Austria, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and a second tier of discounts in France — you must purchase a senior card at a local train station (valid for a year, but can be worthwhile even on a short trip if you take several train rides during your stay). Most rail passes don’t offer senior discounts, but passes for Britain and France (as well as the Balkans) do give seniors a break on first-class passes.
www.ronlargenttravel.com
by Ron Largent | Nov 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
We are announcing the 2018 dates, times, and packages for the “Special ” bucket list events that we are offering for the spring and summer ….now is the ideal time to get one of these packages for that special person for their “once in a lifetime” Holiday Gift. Here they are:
New York Fashion Week in New York February 8th to 16th
The Masters in Augusta, Georgia starting April 5th
The Kentucky Derby May 4th
Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo May 27th
Wimbledon Tennis in London, England July 2nd
British Open in Scotland St Andrews July 16th
US Open Tennis in New York in August 27th
E-mail ( ron@ronlargenttravel.com )for details on these and any of the other over 100 special events we offer….these are exciting “once in a lifetime” events…. Contact us at ron@ronlargenttravel.com and visit our website www.ronlargenttravel.com
by Ron Largent | Nov 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
The city of Chicago will host the second edition of the Laver Cup next year at the world famous United Center from September 21-23, 2018.
Did you ever think you’d see Roger and Rafa in competition on the same side of the court? It’s the world versus Europe.
The structure is like to The Ryder Cup – the most exciting event in golf! Four of the six tennis players will qualify based on their ATP singles ranking as of the Monday following Wimbledon. Two are “captain’s picks” announced on the Monday after the US Open. Every day four matches will be played- three singles and one doubles. If the competition is tied after all twelve matches, a tie-breaking doubles match will determine the winner. Each match win will be worth one point on Friday, two points on Saturday, and three points on Sunday. The team with the highest amount of points will win the Laver Cup
email me at ron@ronlargenttravel.com for details, prices, dates, etc and go to our web page www.RonLargentTravel.com for the over 100 professional events, culture, entertainment, and adventure that we offer.
by Ron Largent | Nov 8, 2017 | Travel
Two more of the Tips for Travelers….just makes it easier for travel…..and let me know by email if you want more tips….a lot of them after 50 years of international travel. ron@ronlargenttravel.com
Portable charger…….Enjoy passing the time on flights by watching movies on your tablet? A portable charger is the thing to bring. One of our top picks is the Jackery Bolt, a small-but-reliable external battery charger with built-in cords. It can provide a medium-sized smartphone with up to two full charges and give tablets and other electronics with USB ports more life. Simply plug the charger in overnight to give it some juice before you take off, and all you’ll need to think about is filling up your wine glass on tour instead of running out of battery in the air.
Toiletry bag…Like a good travel wallet, a roomy toiletry bag is a must for wrangling all of your in-flight essentials, and one of our favorites is the Herschel Supply Co. Chapter Travel Kit. The good-looking material is sturdy, the interior is roomy, and you can simply pop your plastic gallon baggie full of 3-oz liquids inside. That way, you won’t need to go rooting around in the bottom of your tote for lotion when your parched hands need some love mid-flight.
