Holiday Advice For The Savviest Over 50s
From travel insurance to holiday reviews and mobility aids, there’s more to planning your holiday than picking your destination. But fear not, because all the advice you need is right here…
Whether you’re tempted by a last minute deal or you’re dreaming of a coach trip, cruise or trip abroad, here’s how to prepare yourself for your holiday, so you can truly relax when you get there.
1. Realise that nowhere is off limits
Why not describe your ideal holiday to a specialist tour operator who can help you plan the whole trip from start to finish? They’ll often help to re-plan or re-arrange your trip for you if there’s a problem when you’re away.
If you like Roman mosaics and Greek temples, it’s Cefalu that will have your attention, the largest Mediterranean Island, or swim the clear blue waters and explore the coves at Hvar, a traffic-free town on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.
If you’re a wheelchair user or travelling with someone who is, one of the best adventures you can have is to Barcelona. Every bus is wheelchair accessible and you can skip the queues, getting free priority access to a slew of Spain’s most iconic landmarks – including the legendary Sagrada Família cathedral.
Meanwhile, if you’re on a budget, you don’t even have to leave the British Isles, explore Dublin’s medieval and Viking history or sink a Guinness in the famous Temple Bar District.
2. Read holiday review websites
Plan your trip like a local expert, using the honest opinions of fellow holidaymakers to inform your itinerary – almost everything is reviewed on websites like TripAdvisor, from your hotel and local restaurants to the car hire company and tourist attractions worldwide. So take a look at the photos, check the opening hours and read what the experience was like for others who gave the place a mark out of five. If you’re travelling in your collapsible wheelchair, it’s a great way to see where’s wheelchair friendly.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends or family, alongside contact details for your hotels or tour company so they can contact you in an emergency.
3. Upgrade your folding wheelchair or mobility aids and speak to your doctor
Make the happiest memories of a comfortable and hassle free holiday with a new lightweight folding wheelchair, rollator or mobility aid from the likes of Fenetic Wellbeing. They deliver everything for free in the UK and give you a 12-month guarantee.
Remember to get vaccinated for your long-haul holidays, simply check the ‘travel vaccination’ section of the NHS website for more information. And if you take medication, ask your doctor for extra supplies, because you’re not always able to get them abroad. Put some medication in your hand luggage and your main luggage in case one bag goes missing.
4. Be flexible with your dates
Avoid popular weekend flights and book before or after the school holidays for cheaper and less crowded holidays. In England, the youngsters go back to school on Monday 4th September 2017, but here are the local school term and holiday dates throughout the year.
Shop around on price comparison websites like Expedia or LastMinute.com for a cheap package holiday – they compare flights, hotels and more at the click of a button and show you the best deals in your price range. Explore anywhere from the Algarve to Malta, the Canary Islands and beyond.
5. Exercise during your journey
Regular exercise will help to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis, especially if you are flying during your trip. Flight socks are an inexpensive solution and can also reduce the chance of swelling in your feet.
Now all the planning is out of the way, you can be safe in the knowledge that every aspect of your next holiday is taken care of.
