Many people dream of traveling the world. But only a few lucky ones can proudly say they managed to visit all their dream destinations. You could be too busy making a living and raising your kids that you did not get the chance to travel. You could have been too scared to step on a foreign land since you don’t speak the native language. Or maybe, you just couldn’t afford to travel when you’re younger.
Fast forward to many years later, you are currently in your senior years and want to start traveling. You even made up your mind about going on a solo trip. But how can you make travel more fun and less stressful now that you’re a senior traveling solo?
Don’t Skip a Doctor’s Appointment
First, you want to make sure you’re in great shape to go on a solo trip. You don’t want to end up getting lost because your memory has started to decline. You also want to make sure you can manage any chronic pain you could be experiencing now that you reached your golden years.
This is why you should let your doctor know about your solo travel plans. If they give you the go signal, then you can finally start packing your bag. But if they are a bit hesitant about you traveling on your own, then it would be best to heed their advice and find yourself a companion you can trust to take with you on your trip.
If you now live with chronic pain like joint pain, a past injury, or even Fibromyalgia, you can benefit from consulting with a wellness center specializing in pain management programs. They can help you gain pain relief, making it possible for you to travel alone. Find a center that offers telehealth services to ensure you get to stay in touch with your doctor even while you’re on vacation.
Get Yourself a Travel Insurance
Now that your age makes you more prone to medical emergencies, you will surely benefit from buying the right travel insurance. The good thing about such an insurance type is that it has no age limit. No matter your age, you can get the necessary coverage when traveling.
If your travel destinations extend outside of the U.S. border, chances are you can only use your medical insurance within the U.S. This makes it a must that you invest in travel insurance. If you have the budget to spend on your trip, it would be a good idea not to cheap in on your insurance.
With travel insurance, there is no need for you to navigate the local healthcare system of your travel destination. Aside from coverage from medical emergencies, you can take advantage of.:
- Travel advice
- Stolen luggage
- Trip cancellations
- Emergency assistance
Consider Voluntary Projects
Traveling is more fun if you get to do things that you are most passionate about. Maybe you love teaching children, like being surrounded by animals, or always wanted to help save marine life. You can find volunteer opportunities if you know where to look.
If you have friends or loved ones who travel a lot, then ask them if they know where you can volunteer on your next solo travel. You can also internet research to find opportunities. Just make sure you check the nonprofit’s reviews and accreditation before you choose one.
Know that there are bad guys out there who prey on unsuspecting volunteers. Make sure you get to know the common volunteer travel scams. Learn how to protect yourself and your belongings, especially with your plans for traveling solo.
Record Your Adventures
There will be times when your travel plans won’t go your way. Trips can be delayed, your insomnia can kick in, or your solo dinner is driving you crazy. What better way to make the most out of your quiet times than to record your latest adventure?
They say pictures are worth more than words. But why only settle for photos when you can write about how your trip went in detail? Bring along a journal, write it on your tablet’s notes, or better yet, start your own travel blog, and share your travels to everyone on the internet.
You can also choose to record your travels in videos. This way, you can start a YouTube Channel and share your content with the world. You can hire someone to edit your videos and make them more engaging so you can focus on recording your trips.
Even seniors deserve to travel to their heart’s desire. Of course, if you are into solo travel, you should consider doing it as early as possible. This way, you can enjoy more solo trips, learn new cultures, taste new experiences, and be able to share your skills, passion, and adventure. You will benefit from buying travel insurance and having a doctor’s appointment before the big day. If you can, travel with a purpose by volunteering, and don’t forget to document your trips.
