Your Next Trip, Made Easier
The world is still out there waiting. A few ways to travel with more comfort and less stress.
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Thinking about a trip but not sure where to start? Maybe it’s been a while, or the last one wore you out. Travel after 60 can be every bit as good as it was at 30. You just plan it a little smarter.
1. Go off-season
If you’re not tied to school calendars anymore, use it. Traveling in the shoulder seasons, spring and fall for most places, usually means:
- Fewer crowds and shorter lines
- Lower prices on flights and hotels
- Milder weather for walking and sightseeing
- A slower, friendlier pace
2. Pack light
The best travel rule I know: pack only what you can lift into an overhead bin on your own. One bag you can manage beats two you have to wrestle.
- Choose clothes that mix and match in two or three colors.
- Plan to do a small load of laundry halfway through a longer trip.
- Pack medications in your carry-on, in original containers, with a few extra days’ supply.
- Bring a printed list of your medications and doctors’ phone numbers.
3. Book the aisle seat and keep moving
Long flights and long drives mean long stretches of sitting. An aisle seat makes it easy to get up, stretch your legs and walk to the back of the plane. On road trips, plan a stop every hour or two.
Try this today
- While you sit, do a few ankle circles and knee lifts every hour.
- Drink water regularly.
- Stand up and walk whenever you can do so safely.
A few more comfort tips
- Ask for help. Airlines offer wheelchair assistance and early boarding, and there’s no shame in using them.
- Consider travel insurance, especially for trips booked far ahead or overseas.
- Leave extra time between connections, and don’t pack the schedule too tight.
- Plan one easy day for every two busy ones.
Start small
If a big trip feels like too much, start with a day trip or an overnight somewhere within a few hours’ drive. A new town, a state park or a museum you’ve never visited. Exploring doesn’t have to mean passports.
If you have a heart or lung condition, have had blood clots, or have recently had surgery, check with your doctor before long flights or drives.
Before you go, print the free Travel Packing List. It includes a before-you-leave-home checklist.
Where have you always wanted to go? That wraps up our first week together. If you’ve enjoyed these, follow True Course Living and bring a friend along. There’s plenty more ahead.