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HINTS & TIPS FOR SENIOR TRAVELLERS Whether you are planning that big post-retirement trip around the world or you’re a seasoned traveller, it can still be a busy and stressful time. So many thinks to think about. And, no matter how many times you go, it’s always easy to forget something plus, if you’re travelling to a place for the first time, there are always things you wished you knew before you left. To help make sure your next trip is safe and enjoyable, we’ve compiled a list of handy hints and tips to make sure you get the most out of your next journey. We hope you find them helpful. You may wish to print a copy of this list for next time you are travelling.

STAYING HEALTHY Travel insurance Never, ever travel without travel insurance. You may find that if you purchase your travel with your credit card, this will automatically include travel insurance, with some cards. However, be warned: The type of cover offered varies greatly, depending upon the type of credit card you have. You may also find that the cover is greatly limited and doesn’t cover you for certain situations. Make sure you thoroughly check out the type of cover and what is included. It’s usually safer to also take out a dedicated travel insurance policy. Shop around and go online to check out the various deals. You will find the cost of cover varies greatly from company to company, and also the type of cover. I know there’s not much point in saying “read the fine print” because nobody does but try to make sure you know just what you are covered for.

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Medical check-ups No matter what your present health condition, have a medical check-up before you book your travel. This is especially important if you have recently had surgery or you have experienced a chronic condition, such as heart problems, etc. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for pre-existing illnesses, if needed, and if you are concerned about your health, consult your doctor and make sure you are fit enough to travel. Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date for the countries you are visiting and consider having flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Get information about medical facilities for the countries or areas you are visiting. Note: It’s also a good idea to visit your dentist for a check-up before you go. There’s nothing worse than getting a toothache or losing a crown or a filling in a foreign country and it can be very painful in the pocket, as well as the mouth. Check your medications Some medications that are legal in Australia may be prohibited overseas and some drugs may not be available in other countries. If you are not sure, contact the Australian embassies in the countries you intend to visit and check. You may need to obtain a signed letter from your doctor, detailing the prescribed medications you are taking with you. If you buy over the counter medications overseas, the dosages may be different to the brands you buy here. Pack plenty Make sure you take enough of your regular medication with you to last the entire trip and then some, in case you get delayed. If you have a known medical condition, wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant that contains your medical details, to inform others of your medical complaint, in case you need urgent help. Your doctor should be able to advise you about the options available. Beware of ‘Delhi Belly’ You don’t need to visit India to get the dreaded ‘Delhi Belly’. It’s not uncommon for travellers to any country, to suffer a bout of diarrhoea. This can be caused by eating the wrong foods or drinking the local water or even by just changes in diet. Severe doses can be quite debilitating and cause dehydration and exhaustion. In some cases, it’s best to let it run its course, however, I never travel overseas without packing a packet of Imodium tablets. If you have diarrhoea for more than a day, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. DVT - not for me! Sitting on a plane for a long period of time can increase your risk of developing DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). DVT can affect a lot of seniors so it’s best to be proactive. Where possible, get up and walk up and down the aisles. Pretend you have a weak bladder, if you're worried. Move your feet and arms around as much as possible while sitting. Draw the alphabet with your feet. If needed, wear compression stockings to increase the blood flow in your lower legs. And book an aisle seat. This will make it easier for you to move around the aircraft without constantly disturbing the person next to you. If you are traveling with another person, think about choosing opposing aisle seats, so you can both easily get up and walk around or just stretch.

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Food glorious food My general tip for cruising is to avoid the bain-marie dining option wherever possible. Dine in the restaurants where practical. If you have to eat from the bain-marie, always take food from the back, where people are less likely to drop their wristwatch into the shelled peas. For the diet conscious, you will generally eat more food from a bain-marie and less from the restaurant. And constantly disinfect your hands. If you have food allergies, write down or learn how to communicate your food allergy for the countries you’re visiting. And always make sure the meal you have received is the exact meal you ordered. Water warning Wherever possible, drink bottled water and remember to use it, not only for drinking but for cleaning your teeth as well. Warning: Don’t buy bottled water from street vendors. Many of them simply retrieve empty bottles out of the bins and fill them up with the local tap water from the nearest tap! Yep, it’s enough to make you sick! Sea sickness If you sufferer from sea sickness, take Travelcalm or a similar antihistamine (drowsy ones are the best) the night before you embark. And then one – or a half – everyday while cruising. And remember, it's always handy to pack paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin. Just in case. Some countries don't have the same products. This is better than trying to figure out the equivalent overseas. Another useful tip for seasickness on cruises is to try to book a cabin in the middle of the ship, because this part of the ship doesn’t move around as much as the bow or the stern. Slip, Slop and Slap! Don’t forget to "slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat" when you go out into the sun, in order to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. Regardless of the weather and temperature, wear sunscreen every day. You really don't want your retirement trip of a lifetime to result in painful sunburn or worse still, skin cancer. Often, you're in the sun more than usual, island-hopping and hitting the beach or even just exploring cities and villages. Being an Australian, my wife and I were never as sunburned as we were once in London. Go figure? We didn't think about sunscreen in the UK. Big mistake.

GETTING AROUND Travel in the right company Choose your travelling companions carefully, when booking tours or venues. If you’re looking for a cruise, for instance, that offers a peaceful, relaxing environment with other mature passengers, maybe avoid the ship that has the wave machine or the skydiving simulator. Also, like many seniors I have grandchildren, which I enjoy immensely. However, I certainly don’t want to be driven nuts by someone else’s grandchildren, when I’m trying to read my book by the pool or enjoy a quiet drink in the lounge. These days, there are plenty of cruise ships and resorts that offer kid-free environments. OK, call me a grumpy old man – I don’t care - I like my peace and quiet!

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Don’t try to do too much Take it easy – remember – you’re on holidays – not an around the world race! Give yourself a day or two to recover from jetlag and remember, the effects of jetlag can be worse when travelling from west to east. Don't have an itinerary that has you running around from place to place, take your time and enjoy it. Don’t try to see everything in one day. Allow for plenty of rest breaks, particularly in hot and humid weather. As a senior traveller, I don't have the energy I used to. So, consider putting in some 'rest days' or 'lazy days'. So, one day you climb the steps to the big Buddah, the next day you lounge at the beach or the pool bar. Pick a card Australian seniors cards generally only offer benefits in your home state or territory; however, you might be surprised where these can get you a healthy discount overseas. Showing your card at galleries, museums and even on public transport, can get you a cheaper deal in quite a few countries. Speak local Buy a phrase book or go online and learn a few simple phrases in the language of the countries you are visiting. “Please” “Thank you” and “Where are the toilets” are good ones to start with. This is not only useful for finding things, it’s a lot of fun too. There are heaps of websites online where you can learn languages and many of them are free. Avoid Heartbreak hotels When booking accommodation, make sure your hotel is in a location that is easy to get to the places you plan to visit. And, after a long day of exploring, you don’t want to be on a marathon to get back to your hotel. Make sure the hotel has an elevator, if you are not good with stairs or ask for a room on the ground floor. And don’t be afraid to ask for assistance with your luggage, if it isn’t offered. Guided tours As a travel writer with some 20-year experience, I recommend using a local guide wherever possible. Whether you are high in the Andes (not condoning drug use) or simply in a museum in London, a guide brings any city or attraction to life. It's also a good safety rope, in case you feel insecure in a foreign locale. When I was in my 20s, I hated the idea of guides and coach tours. Now, in my senior years, I love ‘em! (Wake me up when we arrive, will you?) Reading broadens the mind I can't recommend eBooks highly enough when you travel. Being a voracious reader, I adore my Kindle. Besides, who wants to lug around books when you don't need to? I have hundreds of books on it and it’s small enough to fit in my pocket. And my Kindle is easy to read in bright sunlight, unlike a tablet or laptop. If you’re planning on travelling a lot and you like to read, I’d strongly recommend you invest in a Kindle. Just don't do what a chum of mine did and camp for three weeks on a remote island in the South Pacific with his Kindle, before dropping it in the sea on the second day!

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Adjusting your diet One of the most enjoyable things about travelling overseas, is enjoying the local cuisine, especially in exotic or unusual places. However, a sudden change of diet can upset your metabolism. Think about doing some early preparation by eating at restaurants that serve the type of cuisine you are going to be eating at your chosen destination. This is also a really fun way to prepare for your trip and a good opportunity to practice your foreign language skills. Stay loose Wear loose comfortable clothing when travelling. Also, dress in layers you can easily remove when you are hot or put on when you are cold. Don't smoke. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydrating but avoid alcoholic drinks. These tend to dry you out and can also keep you awake, when you would prefer to be sleeping. Great feets of strength Remember the song, “These boots are made for walking”. Get yourself some really comfy walking shoes. Forget fashion. At our age, comfort comes first. And don't buy new shoes you have to break in, either. That's crazy but people do it. I highly recommend Sketchers for walking around. However, my wife doesn't like them and prefers shoes with more support. But most people find Sketchers the most comfortable walking shoes and they are as light as gossamer wings to pack. Without a thong If you are planning on staying in hostel accommodation or cheaper hotels or anywhere where you might have to use communal showers, pack a pair of rubber thongs to wear in the shower, to reduce the risk of infection from diseases like tinea.

HINTS & TIPS FOR PACKING Some wheely good advice Suitcases have wheels now; in case you haven’t noticed. So, resist that urge to buy that screw-you-I've-got-cash-now-I'm-retired Louis Vuitton bag you've always wanted. Always buy suitcases with wheels. And to misquote George Orwell "four wheels good, two wheels bad". Make sure your suitcase can move in any direction - some suitcases only have two wheels, meaning you are dragging, rather than gliding. Wheels make it easier to navigate through busy airports and hotels. However, the big mistake many seniors make when travelling with wheeled bags is, while they are light on wheels, they are heavy as pianos when taking them out of a taxi's boot or off an airport's luggage carousel - especially when you've been sitting like a pretzel in economy for 20 hours. A wee tip If you have a bladder like mine, pack a tiny night light that you can plug into the bathroom socket or a pocket torch, so you can be guided to the loo without switching big lights on and waking you and your partner up. And speaking of plugs, make sure you include a power board with several outlet sockets. Most conversion plugs convert the voltage but are one to one. These days most of us have phones, laptops, kindles, hair dryers, curlers, etc. and you’re going to need more than one or two power outlets.

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Tie a yellow ribbon on the old suitcase We recently returned from overseas in an A380, which holds over 500 passengers and I’m sure every one of them had 10 suitcases! Try picking your plain grey suitcase out of that lot. Tie a piece of brightly coloured ribbon to your suitcase so it stands out on the airport carousel. Or why not buy suitcases in bright colours that really stand out, as we did? You can spot our cases from space! I can also say to Uber drivers, “I’m the old bloke in the beige cardigan with the bright purple suitcase”. If you’ve already purchased your dull, grey suitcases and don’t want to upgrade, stick lots of bumper stickers of your favourite footy club or charity all over them. Also, we always secure an additional personalised name tag to our cases, in case the airline luggage tag falls off. Belt and braces, I always say. Best practice for packing Best way to pack most of your clothes is to roll ‘em up! Most people find this a bit daunting and try to lay out their clothes as flat as possible. However, if you roll your clothes up, you will find they are less wrinkled than storing them flat and you will fit a lot more into the space available. The way to do this is to lay the item flat, then pull out the top, bottom and sides to remove the wrinkles, then fold it in half and roll it up. Stuff socks, undies and accessories in your shoes, then put your shoes in plastic bags to stop them marking your clothes. It’s also a good idea to pack a light raincoat, no matter where you are headed. Or one of those slip-on ponchos, that come in a package not much bigger than a golf ball, for those rainy days. If you are travelling by air, plan to wear your bulkiest jacket and shoes on the plane. These items take up a heap of room in your suitcase. Protect yourself against loss and theft by carrying minimal luggage. When you are overloaded with bags and cases, you make yourself a more vulnerable target for bag snatchers and pickpockets. Make a list Make a list of all the things you need to take with you. Start this list early, a long time before you intend to travel. This way you are more likely to remember most things. I make a list for every trip when I’m travelling and I keep these lists in a folder on my computer. So, when I’m going on a trip, I can pull out a list from a previous similar type of trip and add to it or change it to suit. I like to make the list in categories. i.e. Toiletries, underwear, socks and accessories, electronics, (e.g. laptop, ipad, phone, phone charger, power board, etc). And, don’t forget to pack a spare pair of glasses. Imagine losing or breaking your glasses overseas? What would you do? It could take weeks to order a new pair. So, be sure to pack spare glasses or at least take your script with you (or email it to yourself). Once you’ve completed your list, start doing some trial packing. When you have packed your bag, weigh it to make sure you are under the weight limit restrictions. Better to find out before you get to the airline check-in and have to pay a motza.

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STAYING SAFE Credit card safety It's a frustrating scenario; you go to an ATM to withdraw money or try to use your debit card to pay for something, only to discover that your bank has frozen your account. You need to contact your card provider and tell them where and when you will be travelling overseas. Otherwise, your credit card company may think your card details have been stolen when they see it used in a foreign country. Use a credit card that is widely accepted in most countries and have a back-up card, in case you lose one or have problems using it. Be prepared Seniors travelling to exotic climes, may wish to consider finding out the emergency services contact numbers for those regions. If you're in the highlands of New Guinea, who do you call if you break your hip? Also, have numbers for police, ambulance, your travel insurance provider and the nearest Australian Embassy. If the place you are visiting doesn't have an Australian embassy, find out which other country's embassy might be available to help you e.g. the British embassy. Record these numbers in your mobile phone and also your travel companion’s mobile, if you have one travelling with you. Don’t invite trouble Don’t wear expensive-looking jewellery, as this will make you a target for pickpockets and muggers. Leave the crown jewels at home! If you are the sort of person who feels naked without their jewellery, be content to wear inexpensive accessories that won’t break the bank if you lose them. Carry your money, passport, wallet or purse in a 'fanny pack' as the Americans like to call them (i.e. a travel belt) around your belly. Keep it hidden under your clothes so it can't be seen. Sure, you'll look pregnant but you’ll be a lot safer. Be discreet Remember, security at home is important, too. Don’t announce to the world that you will be going away for a length of time by posting your movements on social media. Resist the temptation to tell your friends and neighbours, you have finally decided to take that well-earned holiday. Tell them all about it, when you get back. Crooks and thieves regularly trawl social media looking for opportunities like this. If possible, get someone to look in on your home while you are away. Make sure you cancel the newspaper deliveries and have someone regularly picking up your mail. Think about having a timer switch to switch lights on and off to give the appearance someone is at home. Stranger danger When getting around in foreign countries, don't go out of your way to look like a gullible tourist. If you must ask someone for directions, try to find a person in some kind of uniform. Asking strangers on the street can lead to problems. In my early days of travel, I once asked a stranger in San Francisco for directions to a bus stop. He said, “No problems, I’ll take you there”. I thought, what a nice man. Except, when we got there (it was only two blocks away) he demanded an exorbitant amount as payment for his “services”. He then put on a huge carry on because I refused to pay him!

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Be on the alert for scams Scams can often be related to specific countries. Do some research online as to what scams to look out for in the countries you visit. For instance, there are loads of pickpockets on the Tube in London and at the leaning tower of Pisa and in fact, most well-known tourist attractions. In Vietnam, motorbike taxi drivers often use sleight of hand to switch whatever money you give them for smaller denominations, and then they put on a dramatic show of outrage — like you're the one trying to scam them – if you complain. The most common version is switching a 500,000VND note for a 20,000VND, which is easy to confuse as they're both blue. (No wonder their national currency is called The Dong). The best way to avoid these sorts of scams, is to pay with small bills. Make sure you carry some small denomination notes around for use in paying for taxis or shopping at markets or street stalls, etc. Shop until you drop You know the drill. When shopping, always haggle. Often the prices are jacked up for haggling. If you don't like to haggle, ask the price and walk away. In most places, they will chase after you and offer a better price. And if they don’t, you can always return. The item will probably still be there. When haggling, make your counter offer really low and haggle from there. And try local markets over big stores with expensive rent aimed at coaches of cashed-up tourists. Sometimes the coach driver will get a commission too, so do your own shopping, wherever possible. The money shuttle Taxis and hire-cars are convenient but pricey. When using taxis overseas, insist on the driver using the meter or negotiate the price before commencing the journey. (Psst! Do tip the driver.) However, Uber (and other ride sharing services like Ola) are the best thing to happen to travel in recent times. I don't know why more seniors don't use them. Shuttle buses can be a false economy. We’ve found they’re often more expensive than Ubers, especially if you are a couple and paying two fares. We once waited half a day for an airport shuttle bus to our hotel in Hawaii that went to every hotel in the island before reaching ours, only to realise we could have been at our hotel in an Uber in 10 minutes for a third of the price. Aloha? When in roam Whatever you do, make sure you turn off global roaming before you step onto any plane or cruise ship. I’d also recommend contacting your phone company before you leave and make sure they turn off overseas access to your phone. Otherwise, you might find yourself with a phone bill worth more than your holiday! Consider purchasing a local SIM card at your destination to make cheap local calls and lower cost international calls. Plus, there are now apps like Viber or WhatsApp, that allow you to make phone calls from overseas for little or no cost. Do some research online first. You might also check out a global plan with your provider before you leave. Some phone companies now have quite reasonable rates on pre-paid packages.

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www.SmartTraveller.gov.au If you are travelling overseas, be sure to check out the latest travel advice for the destinations you will be visiting on the government website: www.smartraveller.gov.au. This site provides information on the main risks you may face and precautions you can take while travelling to various countries. Their advice also includes practical information on the safety and security, local laws and health issues. The following tip is from their website: Passports and visas Your passport is your most important travel document. All Australian citizens must have a valid passport before leaving Australia and maintain a valid passport while overseas. Be aware that different countries have different passport validity requirements. Check the expiry date of your Australian passport before you travel. Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months from when you plan to leave that country. Carry extra passport photos just in case something happens to your passport and you need to replace it while you're away. Find out early what visas you need by contacting the foreign mission (embassy, high commission or consulate) of the countries you intend to visit. Some countries have specific entry and exit requirements, including compulsory vaccinations. A tourist visa may not allow you to undertake any form of work—including voluntary or unpaid activities. Check the visa requirements of countries you might be transiting. Contact details for foreign missions are in the White Pages or on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. More information on Australian passports is available at the Australian Passport Office website. You can also call the Australian Passport Information Service on 13 12 32 in Australia. And remember that:

• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can't help you arrange visas or work and residency permits for other countries.

• A visa doesn't guarantee entry to a foreign country. • In most cases, a tourist visa doesn't allow you to work in a foreign country including

voluntary or unpaid activities.

Let’s hear from you! Got a tip to add to our list above? If so, please share it with your fellow senior travellers. Simply email your tip or tips to: editor@seniortraveller.com.au We look forward to hearing from you and meanwhile – happy travels!