by Ron Largent | May 6, 2018 | Amsterdam, Australia, Australia and the Rain, Berlin, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, International Travel, Italy, Secrets for Senior Travelers, Senior Travel Secrets, Sitka, Ski The Alps, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, St Martins in the Field Church London, St Stephens Basilica, St. Martin, St. Petersburg, St. Thomas, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Sweden, Switzerland, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tallin, Tasmania, The Caribbean, The Mediterranean, Travel, Travel the World, Travel Tips for Seniors, Ultimate Sports Events., Uncategorized, Venice, Vienna, Viking River, Viking River Cruises, Warsaw, Wellington, Western Europe, What To Know Before You Go, Wimbledon, Zurich
Chapter 3 Make A List
Make a List. I started making a list when I started traveling in 1960, while on a UCLA project to India. We did not have a lot of choice, as our Faculty Leader said, ” you can take 1 suitcase, and it has to be small”. Well, for a 20 year old college student that grew up with a Mom that said “wear clean clothes every day”, this was not going to be an easy task. But, I made it…and I made it because of My List.
Then for 10 years, while I was with World Vision and traveled someplace every week, the list was critical, and to this day, I make a list for every trip. In fact, now I make a couple of lists. One is for the trip, and one is to prepare for the trip, and let’s start with this one. From stopping the paper, (and yes, some people still get a newspaper), to stopping the mail, to planning out how the dogs and cats will be cared for, make that list for your departure. I even put on there adjust the heating and cooling system, depending on the time of year, and I list turn off the water if it is winter and may freeze. And so it goes. One word of caution though, that just came to me by a reader on Active Rain, only tell people that you know that you are leaving…don’t put it out there for the world to see on Facebook, etc….we are in a different world these days, and it is best that not everyone know that you are going to be traveling for 3 weeks, or whatever. But, do tell the neighbors that you know that you are leaving…could they keep an eye on the house, etc. They are always willing and you may want to return the favor…part of being a good neighbor. Put “check with the neighbors” on your list.
Plan for the trip. I like to think through the days, and what will I be doing each day. If you are walking a lot, will 1 pair of shoes work, or will you need two. What about the weather? Will you need a coat or jacket, and what attire do you want if you go to a concert, or to a fancy restaurant in Rome? Then, I will actually make a list of day to day clothes. This may sound ridiculous, but this way I can determine how many shirts, pants, etc I will need before I will have to do the laundry. This also helps to point out that you really will not need 8 changes for an 8 day trip…or that you may need that many changes. Then my list will start to list the activities that I am anticipating, such as climbing up a mountain, swimming in the hotel pool, or going on a photo safari. Do I have the batteries needed, as well as the tripod if I am using one, etc. Will I need my binoculars if i am looking at birds, or at a sporting event. Am I going to keep a diary, or will I use my IPad, and if so, do I have the charger(s). If I want to do some serious reading, do I have a book or is it on Kindle, and if so, have I downloaded the books I want to read. If you want to go to the hotel gym, what do I wear? What about a hair dryer, or clippers if you have a trimmed beard or need an haircut? Well, this is the process, and smart travelers go through this at least a week in advance of departure, which gives you time to pick something up at Walmart or the local drug store.
In the next section, I am going to list some items to put on your List, in preparation for the flight, and then arrival at the airport or port….so stay tuned…Chapter 4 What’s On Your List?
by Ron Largent | May 4, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Cruise Line Deals, Cruise Ship Travel, Eastern Europe, European Travel, International Travel, Northern Europe, Secrets for Senior Travelers, Senior Travel Secrets, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Western Europe, What To Know Before You Go, Zurich
Chapter 1. Passport and Plan in Advance
First, think Passport. If you do not have a valid and current passport, this is a first step as soon as you decide you are going to travel overseas, internationally, or whatever you want to call traveling outside the United States. You can get a passport application at the US Postal Service near you, and in many counties, there is a passport office as part of the County Clerk,or equivalent. And, there must be at least 6 months remaining on an existing passport, or you may be stopped at customs, both in the US and upon arrival in another country. This is a black and white issue…no 6 months, no travel outside the US. As part of the application, you must get passport photos, and these are available at various drug stores in your community, and at some of the US Postal Offices. The cost will be in the $125 range….and their is the passport book and the passport card…get the standard passport. Renewal will be about $100. And, at the Passport planning time, also think about vaccinations. Depending on the country, vaccinations may be required. Your local county health department will usually have these guidelines, and they can assist here, and in some counties, will actually administer the vaccination. Do this as you start your Passport planning, as shots may have to be given over a period of time, such as 4 weeks. Don’t wait until you are ready to go.
Second, think Plan in Advance. Time flies and I am recommending plan a year in advance of when you would like to travel. In this planning process, think through Where Do You Want To Go?, When Do You Want To Go?, Why Do You Want To Go to This Place?, and How Do You Want To Get There? The When is really important, and this may take some research on your destination. Everything from a National Holiday to a Special Event in that location can complicate your travel plans. Easter Week at the Vatican in Rome can be a nightmare if you do not like big crowds, for example. Boxing Day is the Day After Christmas in England, and many stores and attractions are CLOSED, including public transport. Local celebration days can bring extra crowds to attractions, and lines to get into museums can be long and slow. All of these kinds of events and happenings can now be found on the internet, and Google will become your “good friend”. The final past of this Plan in Advance section is to think about how long do you want to be in a place, city, or country? Some years ago one might think 2 days in Paris is plenty….not so now. Reasons are simple and revolve around (1) more people are traveling now than any time in history. And, (2) more travelers are coming from Asia To Europe….and many that were traveling to the Middle East are (3) now going to Europe and Asia…all complicating the crowd factor. So, think in terms of a day with crowds and lines and delays, and maybe another day or two in that special place will be in order.
In order to Plan in Advance, you have to have a good idea of where you want to go. Enter the Internet, and Chapter 1 will continue with using the Internet to get the information that you need to make some good plans and decisions. All for now.
by Ron Largent | May 3, 2018 | Travel
Effective May 1, I am starting a series of blogs that will lead to my book….Senior Travel Secrets….with a sub title of “What to Know Before You Go”. As a result of my having either lived, worked, traveled to over 70 countries since it all started for me in 1960 on a UCLA Student Extension program to India. The theme of the blogs will be to help people that are new to international travel….by addressing the common concerns, fears, unknowns, and basic questions of traveling in a “foreign” country.
I will start with Chapter 1..which will cover Passports, Language, and Money…so stay tuned. It should be interesting, and if any readers have suggestions, e-mail to me and I will give you credit for the idea…the more the better for the traveler.
by Ron Largent | Apr 30, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Australia, Burnie, Cairns, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, Travel, Viking Cruises
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One of the safest places, and we were there…must agree….It’s been said that there are more sheep than people on New Zealand‘s North and South islands and, indeed, even the largest Kiwi cities seem quaint and down to earth. On the Global Peace Index (an annual report put out by the nonprofit Vision of Humanity), the country ranks No. 4 as the most peaceful, behind Iceland, Denmark and Austria. It’s also perceived as one of the least corrupt countries in the world (behind Scandinavian stalwarts Denmark, Finland and Sweden), according to the nonprofit Transparency International. Why is that important? It means tourists are less likely to be singled out by organized scams, and if you do have a problem, it will be handled in an appropriate manner.
by Ron Largent | Apr 30, 2018 | Secrets for Senior Travelers, Senior Travel Secrets, Special Events Travel Deals, Travel
When you set out to see the world — heck, even when you leave your house in the morning — you assume an element of risk. Today’s safe haven may be tomorrow’s ugly headline, no matter where you travel. Luckily, cruising is one of the safest vacations out there. Think about it: Your family and friends are all in one place, there are very few traffic concerns and you don’t have to worry about a designated driver.
That being said, cruises do go to places that some consider risky, including European capitals, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Even Alaska comes with the risk of bears. But fear not, nervous Nellies. If you are the type who frets, check out my list in the next few blogs of the safest cruise destinations where you can leave most of your worries behind.
