It’s February and it’s cold and dark and damp. Okay, we know this is not true for our friends in Florida, but here in New England, this time of year can be grim.
No matter where we live, we almost all get restless for a change of scene. And travel can be rewarding– new adventures in food, experiencing diverse cultures, and, often, a renewed appreciation for how lucky we are to have the privilege to explore different lifestyles, art and architecture and landscapes.
In our youth, not much was off the wish list for a trip except how much money we had to spend for .a youth hostel or the Ritz, and then whether to travel to the Himalayas or London. Just get us on that plane or behind the wheel!
Now, as grownups of a “certain age”, we look at travel in a completely different light. We know enough to plan ahead, to consider carefully with whom we want to travel, and respect the physical and mental restrictions of our age.
We need to be transparent and realistic in our expectations. For example, a close friend is always late for lunch. And you are okay with that. But when traveling in a tour environment, not so good. And how physically active do you want to be when traveling? Just traveling from place to place can be stressful and exhausting.
To help your planning, we put together a list of questions to consider before taking any trip:
- Are you okay travelling alone or do you prefer a companion?
- On a tour, would you be comfortable sharing a room with someone you do not know?
- What is a reasonable timeframe that you can afford to take?
- How much are you prepared to be on the move from city to city or country to country?
- Do you want a tour or a design your own schedule trip?
- Do you need any medicines and/or access to a doctor if you have health issues?
- Do you need to rest for an hour or more each day?
- Is food an important part of what you want to experience?
- How important are visits to museums or places of historical significance?
- Do you get tired at the end of the day or are you a night owl that seeks evenings out?
- Are you comfortable being alone and interested in taking a separate excursion during the trip?
- Do you require multiple suitcases or can you manage with a wheelie and a backpack?
- Do you prefer to travel by limo, tour bus, or with a private guide?
- Is this a driving adventure? Whose car and who drives? Rental cars are expensive and you need to decide who will drive – you or your companion.
- What would be an absolute deal breaker on any travel plans or tours?
- What is your realistic budget?
If you feel cautious about traveling overseas, America is full of interesting destinations and a myriad of experiences. One friend likes to set up a theme based car trip….visiting the highest peaks or eating clams in different states, or going to a local concert in each city.
Lucy suggests keeping a notebook for a journal and Claudia likes to travel with a sketchbook. Lucy’s children love to read about her travel adventures. If your traveling companion is your spouse or partner, hopefully you already know the trigger points and can plan accordingly. It is smart to review expectations so that you are both on the same page.
This is the perfect time to plan a trip. There are zillions of places to visit now as the world has reopened after Covid. We are inundated with trip offerings, cruise ships to everywhere, bike sojourns and hiking treks. It is funny how we imagine ourselves in each one we look at. Claudia finds the National Geographic trips especially tempting.
Here is a website from Vogue that have wonderful and thoughtful suggestions for cherished getaways:
https://www.vogue.com/article/best-places-to-travel-2023?utm_source=nl&utm_
A friend recently sent amazing photographs of her family trip to Iceland where they trekked into the volcano by horseback, skied a glacier, and visited an Icelandic horse farm.
Another friend described her recent trip to Italy where she and twenty friends and family members leased an exquisite villa that comfortably sleeps 20+. (I do not have 20 friends and family members so that rules this out) I could almost taste the food in the photograph of a dinner overlooking olive trees swaying in the wind with a lovely sunset light kissing a row of tall cypress trees.
Another friend has invited me to visit her at her winter home in the mountains of Mexico. I have yet to visit although many of my pals have and said it is fabulous and fun.
Now is the time to plan a trip. Get out there! Life is an adventure!
Please share your favorite travel experience. We would love to hear from you!
Ciao
Lucy and Claudia