Wherever you might be going, there are some constant features you should think about because they would help you to have a good time and solve unwanted burdens. These features concern your luggage, accommodation, electronic devices, season, and seniors' discounts.

Prefer a backpack on wheels instead of a suitcase, you could pull it behind you when your back hurts or you are exhausted. Don't overweight your luggage. It is enough to take two or three blouses or shirts (depending on the season), two pairs of lightweight trousers, comfortable walking shoes, three changes of underwear, three pairs of socks (long stockings when the weather is cold on that time of the year) and these all should be enough for your luggage. Consider checking your bag in with the airlines, because it would become an unnecessary burden to be dragged all over the airport or the city if you are going to have a short visit. In case you will go to visit those places, ask the airline attendant to arrange transport to make sure you will be in time for your flight.

The accommodation could create other problems, the stairs, for example. You should take them into account when you make the arrangements in advance. You could tell from the very beginning that you would prefer a ground floor room. You could stay outside the city, in a hostel maybe, because it is cheaper, less crowded and the air is much fresher, but you have to walk or use the transport more, to get in the city or to the station. However you put the problem here, there are always advantages and disadvantages in your balance. You have to ask yourself what weights more in the balance.

The season you are traveling in must agree with your mood. In late spring and early autumn Europe is less full of tourists, neither too hot, nor too cold. You could have an Easter European travel in Holland, for instance, to see the tulips in full bloom on the fields or you can visit the Keukenhoff Gardens to see the rainbow of blooming. Most museums, some concert halls, railways, airlines, bus lines, ferry and shipping lines have a discount policy for seniors. You should ask them wherever you go, and you will find out that you can save some money. In UK the discount, called concession is not just a concession, it is quite generous. Actually there are even a few places, quite rare, but they exist where you can have a free access to what they offer.

Electronic devices are useful but sometimes they can give you a lot of headaches. You could help yourself with a micro-tape recorder to record your notes. It would be easier than to write and you would put them down on paper later, to share your notes with your family. If you bring a camera with you to keep the beautiful images alive, then make sure you know how to handle it or you might fail to record them not only on that camera but also in your eyes. You will be so concerned to make that terrible thing function that you would pass from one place to another only with your eyes down. If you make sure to remember to do all these, then the rest would be just to enjoy yourself.

For more information visit: www.europe-top100.com

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Senior travel tours are a great way to see the world. They’re safe, they’re affordable and they’re also an easy way to meet other seniors who share similar interests. If you’re part of the Baby boomer generation but you’re not ready to spend your days falling in and out of sleep in your worn out recliner, with a bit of research you’ll likely find plenty of senior travel tours you’d enjoy.

If you think that traveling with a bunch of older individuals is going to be tedious, boring and full of breaks for resting weary bones then you’ll be pleasantly surprised to realize how wrong you are. After just a few minutes of research you’ll see that your biggest challenge is going to be choosing which of the hundreds of senior travel tours you want to go on first. To give you an idea of the variety, here are just a few of the travel options posted recently on the Internet.

Senior travel tours take you everywhere

If you love Italian food but don’t know the difference between penne rigate and mezzi rigatoni, why not book one of the many senior travel tours that’ll take you to various parts of Italy where you’ll learn how to prepare regional delicacies straight from authentic Italian chefs! Along with cooking techniques you’ll learn how to pair wines and you’ll have an opportunity to immerse yourself in Italian living.

If cooking isn’t your thing, that’s no problem. You’ll find countless senior travel tours that specialize in taking you off the beaten track. You won’t find any tour busses on these trips either. You’ll tour the landscape on foot or from inside a canoe or kayak or even from the seat of a bicycle. Imagine hiking through the rainforests of Costa Rica or biking along the same route as the Tour d’ France or learning about natural history in the Galapagos Islands!

If you’ve only ever dreamed of taking an African safari you could easily turn that dream into reality right by booking yourself on one of the many senior travel tours that’ll have you driving right alongside elephants and tigers and whatever else you’re likely to encounter along the way. And there’s more.

Senior travel tours for everyone

When it comes to senior travel tours, you are limited only by your imagination, the amount of leisure time you have, and your budget. You’ll find tours that are geared towards married seniors, single seniors, gay and lesbian seniors, seniors with disabilities – you name it, if you dig long and hard enough, you likely will find it.

As with any type of travel planning, it’s important that you do business only with reputable senior travel tours operators. You’ll want to pay close attention to the details so you know exactly what you’re getting with your chosen tour. You don’t want to find later on that transfers, taxes, or other hidden costs have added hundreds onto the tour’s price tag.

Senior travel tours will give you something to do and they’ll leave you with many lasting memories. So go now and enjoy!

For more information visit: www.boomj.com

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If you were born between the end of World War II and the beginning of the Vietnam War, you are a Baby Boomer. Some Boomers have taken early retirement already, and others are on the verge of this new chapter in their lives. 'Travel' is at the top of the list for many.

Planning Your Trip
Your travel itinerary should be part of a careful process. Plan a holiday with plenty of 'you' time. You should finish every vacation feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Baby Boomers are generally quite fit when compared to our ancestors. However, increasing numbers of obese or overweight adults are plagued with bad backs, high cholesterol levels, and fragile knee joints.

Don't just pick a cruise and pack your bags. Keep your interests and physical limitations in mind. If you are a swimming fanatic, you might want to try scuba diving. However, asthma would preclude a scuba vacation. You might have to settle for snorkeling instead. If you have a bad back, don't plan to go hiking in the Andes.
The older you are, the less likely you are to have a comfortable night's sleep. Try to find a hotel or bed and breakfast with memory foam mattresses and soundproof walls.

When booking your room, ask the reservations desk if they offer discounts for seniors. Some lodging establishments will provide a substantial discount as early as age 55. Don't consider yourself 'old' just because you are 55. Think of some fabulous Baby Boomers like Suzanne Somers, Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone, and Dolly Parton. They all celebrated 60th birthdays in 2006.

Preparations
Apply for a passport at least 6 months in advance if you don't already have one. Some countries will not allow you to cross their borders with a passport that is near its expiry date. Contact embassies or do some research online so that you are aware of current regulations.

Check with your physician to see if there are any activities you should avoid. Your doctor can also advise you regarding immunizations, give you prescription refills, and provide photocopies of crucial medical information. Many countries will only allow clearly labeled prescription medications where the name on the bottle matches the passport. If you require supplies like alcohol swabs and other support products, purchase them ahead of time. You may not be able to locate what you need in a foreign country.

Be aware of the coverage provided by your current medical insurance policies. It may be prudent to purchase extra insurance for unexpected (and uncovered) contingencies such as air evacuation.

Packing
Travel activities can cause swollen feet. Sensible, comfortable footwear that is one width wider and 1/2 size larger than usual is advisable. Never pack brand new shoes or boots.

Sleep disturbances become more frequent as we age. Pack some foam earplugs so you won't have to worry about your partner's snoring, creaking floorboards, or disturbances in the hallway outside your room.

Many of us find that foods we used to enjoy now cause symptoms like gas, cramps, or constipation. At home, we can compensate by watching what we eat. However, when dining in restaurants, we are often faced with unfamiliar and exotic fare that can wreak havoc with the gastrointestinal system. Pack a bottle of digestive enzymes. They are available in big department stores like Wal-Mart, as well as pharmacies and health food stores.

A small memory foam travel pillow can cradle your head while you nap onboard the plane - or it can provide relief from a sore back if you put it between your knees while you sleep at night.

Keep your hands free when you go on tours. A good backpack is the key. Shop around until you find a comfortable pack that is easy to put on and remove.

Partay!
Each day before you leave the room, check the weather forecast and dress accordingly - in layers. If you get too warm later in the day, you can peel something off and put it in your backpack.

Your backpack can also be used for meds, your travel pillow, a bottle of water, and other essentials. Valuables and important papers should never go in the pack, however. Keep them in a next-to-skin money belt (zipper side in) with only small amounts of cash in another easily accessed wallet or pocket.

Fresh water is crucial. Proper hydration will keep your energy level at optimum and prevent that old travel bane - constipation.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, wear a smile and be polite. A cheerful attitude will be infectious and will transform your time away from home into a truly happy, memorable experience.

About the Author: Kathy Steinemann writes for several websites, including 111 Travel Directory and 1000 Tips 4 Trips - a site with over 1000 travel tips.

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Choosing A Cruise Itinerary: How Many Ports Of Call?
By Rob Jacob

When choosing a cruise, there are many things to consider. Which cruise line? How many days? But after these are decided, the next decision is usually where do we want to go? Choosing an itinerary can be tough. There are so many great places to go, and see. And part of this decision is how many ports of call do you want. Do you want more ports of call, and fewer days at sea? Or do you want fewer ports of call, and more days at sea?

Our first cruise was for our honeymoon. We were considering a cruise with lots of ports of call. Our cruise agent told us that we would be happier on a cruise with less stops, and more days at sea. We took his advice, and chose a cruise with three ports of call (Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas) during a 7 day cruise. We had a blast!

Our second cruise was two years later. We chose a cruise with more stops. We had 5 ports of call on a 7 day cruise (St. Thomas, St Martin, Dominica, Barbados, and Martinique). And we had fun! But it was not nearly as relaxing as our first cruise.

What were the differences? On the cruise with more ports of call, we had stops nearly every single day. So we would get up early, grab a quick breakfast, get ready to go ashore. We'd go off and do an excursion and maybe some shopping. We come back to the ship, get cleaned up, and changed for dinner. We'd go to dinner. Then go back to the cabin and maybe change again. Then we would go off to see a show. Then we would go back to the cabin to get some sleep, because we had to get up early the next day to do it all again.

It was like being on a treadmill. On the cruise with more days at sea, we could stay out late, sleep in, take naps in the middle or day, sit on deck and read, watch movies in our cabin. And we still saw lots of stuff. We had more downtime between ports.

So if you like to do lots of stuff, and have lots of energy, go for more stops. If you are looking to see some stuff, but still have time to relax, choose fewer stops.

There are still plenty of activities on the cruise ships during the days at sea. Trust me, you will not be bored!

About the Author: Rob Jacob loves to travel and runs a travel related blog at http://www.TravelWithRJ.com

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It is almost time again to book those flights and head off to some fascinating destination on the other side of the world. Before you go, a quick malaria primer should be considered and here it is.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is often transmitted to the body through mosquito bites. Once you have malaria, it is time to rock and roll, but not in a good way. The disease presents symptoms including the chills, high fever, shakes, and a flu like feeling. If not treated, it may be fatal. It is estimated that 300 to 500 million cases occur each year. Approximately 1 million people die from the disease each year as well. In short, it is a common problem and something to take seriously if you are going to be traveling to certain areas.

In the 1950s, there was a major effort to wipe out malaria by going after the mosquitoes. As you probably know, mosquitoes are difficult to wipe out. Get just one in your room at night and you can spend an hour trying to hunt it down. Now imagine try to get all of them in a country! Regardless, the eradication efforts worked well in most first world countries, but not so well elsewhere.

If you are traveling abroad, you need to look into the malaria risk at your destination. Mosquitoes like warmth, so tropical and hot areas tend to have problems. Anywhere in Africa is risky. Much of Asia is as well. Most people don't realize, however, that malaria is a problem in parts of Eastern Europe. Mosquitoes hibernate during the colder months and the population explodes in the warm months of late spring and summer. Yes, you can catch malaria around Istanbul. In general, the farther east you go, the bigger the risk.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for malaria. The parasite is constantly evolving, so a vaccine would be outdated before it hit the market. Anti-malarial drugs are often promoted as a cure-all to the risk, but this is not necessarily so. Certain strains of malaria are resistant to these drugs, so relying on them can be a fatal mistake. You best bet is to use a healthy amount of insect repellent in combination with such drugs.

There is one final nasty twist traveler's should know about malaria. Whether you have been infected can be difficult to determine unless you have a blood test. Why? The parasite might lay dormant up to four years! For most people, sickness within the first ten days to a month is common. Regardless, you should get a blood test upon your return from your trip if you think you may have been bitten.

For information on natural insect repellent products to fight off mosquitoes visit: AllTerrainco.com.

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I always believed in the maxim, "diversify your investments". So during our working careers my wife and I used to buy real estate, especially south of the border.

When it came time to retire, we chose to live at least half the year on the shores of Lake Chapala, Mexico. Lake Chapala is at almost the same elevation as Denver, Colorado, but rarely gets as cold. There is a brief mild winter, but most houses are neither heated or air conditioned.

Because of the ideal weather and prices which are still less costly than in the United States, this has become a popular retirement community with people from around the world, but especially the USA and Canada. Ex-patriots in Mexico number in the hundreds of thousands.

As the baby boomer generation ages, this and other places like Roatan Island in Honduras, Costa Rica, the coasts of Mexico and, of course, most of the Caribbean will become more popular - and more expensive - with retirees.

These are ideal retirement locations and I don't mean to discourage anyone from considering them. But don't check your brain at the border.

Except for Puerto Rico, these are all foreign countries. Not everyone speaks English and things are done differently.

If you are considering a second home and make inquiries, you will swiftly become acquainted with the large realtor populations of these places. Surprisingly they will mostly be very friendly Americans or Canadians, willing to wine and dine you, introduce you to the local ex-pat community and explain the ins and outs of foreign living.

About a year or so ago, International Living ran an article titled: "Not All Sharks Swim Under the Water". It was about ex-pat realtors and the tales they tell. And this is where the location of your brain becomes critical.

Take everything you're told with a grain of salt. Hang out in any local pub, and you'll likely meet disgruntled ex-pats who are disgusted with wherever you are. Also take what they tell you with a grain of salt, but carefully consider both sides of the picture.
When you are on a trip, you are on vacation. Things are all fun and games. You meet new people, party and drink too much. You sightsee and have a great time.

But living in these areas can be a lot different. The phones and electricity may not work all the time. Internet service can be spotty. You might have to pump and purify your drinking water.

There can be disputes with the native population, which you'll generally lose.
There will be many sharks - generally ex-pats - that will be more than willing to take advantage of your naiveté.

So some advice:
1. Don't believe everything you are told. Check everything out with as many different sources as you can. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.

2. Remember you are a guest in a foreign land. Don't act like a spoiled brat. The cultural gap can be huge. And even if a local resident speaks English, there are often misunderstandings due to that cultural gap.

3. Don't invest your money with some friendly bloke you meet in a local pub, no matter what return he guarantees. As a matter of fact, keep your money in the states or Canada, safely tucked away in a reputable bank or brokerage firm. If you want to keep some local currency on hand, open an account at a real bank. Keep the same accountant that you had in the states or Canada.

4. The laws are different. In many countries a Notary will handle both sides of a real estate transaction. But you still have the right to hire your own lawyer, interpreter and building inspector and surveyor. You would be shocked to learn how many people don't - I know I didn't. And in many countries, lawyer-client confidentiality and conflict of interest are unheard of.

5. While most of the native population will be respectful of you if you return the favor, you will be a target of local thieves. Crime will probably be lower than wherever it is you're coming from, but it exists - especially house break-ins and auto theft. You might also find yourself resented by the more well-to-do local population. It might be hard to make friends with them.

6. Try to learn the local language and customs. Don't try to impose your values and watch where you try to butt in.

7. In many places, the only thing you will have in common with other ex-pats is the language. So be sure you choose a locale with a sufficient ex-pat community so you can create friendships. For the most part there will be many warm, welcoming people willing to include you in their social circle.

8. Be prepared to deal with poverty, people living in appalling conditions, child labor and more. There will be many groups to help, but there never seems to be enough to put even a small dent in the problem. Some of the problems are due to the local culture and there is nothing you can do about them.

There is no such place as paradise, at least not in Mexico, South America or the Caribbean. You can live a very nice life style, but nothing is perfect.

About the Author: Chris Cooper, a retired attorney, and his wife Aileen, who has an MBA in Finance, provide personal financial planning advice at credit-yourself.com

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Whenever traveling, you want to be sure you are properly insured for a number of emergency medical conditions that could occur. This includes pre-existing medical conditions that could require immediate medical attention, unforeseen conditions that may occur, and accidents. When purchasing travel insurance you want to be sure there is a balance between how much is too much, and how much is enough.

Before ever embarking on your trip, check your current insurance coverage to see if it will cover you should an unforeseen event take place. If you are traveling far from your place of residence, there is a good idea that it will not. This is especially true if you are traveling out of the country. Once you have established what you need and that your current insurance does not cover it, you will want to check into purchasing insurance that will cover you just when you travel on a particular trip.

When determining how much insurance you need, you should first consider how long you plan to travel. You will be asked to fill out forms requiring any information concerning pre-existing medical conditions, emergency contacts, and your specific travel destination. You will want to be sure all information is accurate and as up to date as possible. Take care not to add unnecessary features that will most definitely not pertain to you.

Different companies will offer different features such as trip cancellation, emergency medical evacuation, and much more. Only purchase what you are most likely to need. Trip cancellation insurance can be a good idea if you are unsure about whether or not you may be able to make your trip, or if you just want to insure you have this option should you actually need it. The features and costs usually vary widely from one company to another, so conducting the proper research is essential.

Make sure you are absolutely clear on what your policy will and will not cover before you even purchase a plan. This is crucial because often times people assume their plans include a feature or benefit that it doesn't and that is most often the one they will actually need. That is why it is advisable to know and understand your needs before you ever begin, and ask all the questions you can concerning the coverage you will receive before purchasing the chosen plan.

For more information visit: Pucher Insurance. They provide visitor health insurance and travel medical insurance for non-Canadians who visit Canada.

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