6 International Travel Tips for Seniors

If you never had the opportunity to travel to far-away destinations before your retirement, you’re probably eager to kick off your globe-trotting adventures in your golden years!

Seniors who travel internationally for the first time after retiring can utilize helpful guides from resources like London Hut to plan enjoyable, relaxing trips. Plus, here’s how to select the perfect destination, reduce the effects of jet lag, and avoid getting sick on the road.

Pick a Senior-Friendly Destination

Choosing your destination is the most important decision you’ll make when planning your vacation. Research senior-friendly areas with modern facilities and easy access to medical care. If you use a mobility aid, consider how easy it would be to navigate a particular city. You can always ask your fellow retirees for recommendations!

Talk to Your Doctor First

If you need to take care of any medical appointments soon, or get a refill on prescription medications, talk to your doctor before you head to the airport. It’s also a good idea to look up the locations of pharmacies and hospitals at your destination.

Choose Safe Accommodations

You want to ensure that you’ll feel safe in your accommodation. To choose a safe place to stay, Intermiles recommends reading reviews of different hotels or vacation rentals and researching their safety protocols to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. You can also look into crime rates in different neighbourhoods.

Avoid Jet Lag

If you’re flying across time zones to reach your destination, jet lag is practically inevitable. However, you can take steps to prevent jet lag before your departure. For example, you can start shifting your bedtime a few days before leaving to accommodate the time change.

Furthermore, make sure to eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water on your flight. While you might still feel a bit groggy during the first day of your trip, this method should help you adjust to your new time zone quickly.

Eat Healthily and Stay Hydrated

When you’re travelling, you’ll naturally want to go out to eat, try lots of local foods, and even indulge in regional sweets and alcoholic beverages. While you don’t want to miss out on all of the tasty delicacies that your destination is known for, aiming for a balanced diet can help you feel your best and avoid getting sick.

To stay healthy while travelling internationally, FoodSmart recommends keeping nutritious snacks like nuts and fresh fruit on hand, drinking lots of water, and cooking some meals at your accommodations if you have a kitchen. Don’t forget to pack your reusable water bottle - you don’t want to feel parched while you’re exploring!

Schedule Downtime

You don’t need to book an activity for every moment of your day. Remember, you’re on vacation - so you’ll want to block off some hours for downtime during each day of your trip. Giving yourself time to unwind will allow you to decompress. You might want to head to a local spa for a massage, sunbathe at your hotel’s pool, or simply take a mid-day nap. Bringing a book to a cafe is also a great way to wind down after a long day of exploring!

Booking your first international trip can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time! But plenty of seniors start travelling in retirement, and if you’ve never been abroad before, an international trip is sure to be a rewarding experience. By following these tips, you’ll be able to book a safe place to stay, dodge jet lag, and stick to healthy routines while you’re on the road.

Are you getting ready to plan your first international adventure? Turn to London Hut for your planning needs! Browse our resources today to put your itinerary together.