Retirement provides many with the opportunity to fulfil dreams and have experiences that they were unable to fulfil while managing a busy work life. With the extra time and finances that they have when they retire, many retirees choose to travel the world and see new things. Whether choosing a week-long trip or an extended holiday, there are a number of things to prepare for when travelling abroad. Aside from the obvious tasks of packing, ensuring you have the right kit for your environment, and exchanging currencies, there are a number of necessary preparations that get overlooked.
Things To Consider, And Travel Insurance Over 65
Ensuring you have had the appropriate vaccinations for the destination that you travel to is very important, particularly for those over the age of 65. Contracting exotic diseases can be more serious for the over 65s. Depending on where you travel, you may need vaccinations to prevent against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Malaria, or other such diseases. The vaccinations that you may need will vary depending on where you are travelling to. If you are over 65 it is essential that you prepare thoroughly for your travels. It is recommended that you visit your GP before travelling overseas to ensure that you are fit to travel. In addition to this, you should make sure that you have had all necessary vaccinations, and obtain any medication you may need when you are on your travels. This can include anti-malarial tablets, or any prescription medication that you already take.
Travel insurance is also a vital part of every trip, although many neglect it, it is highly important. Failure to take out a travel insurance policy can result in dire consequences, including huge medical bills. Many travel insurance providers now offer travel insurance for over 65 policies specifically for those over the age of 65. These are often based around common medical conditions, to ensure you are covered in the event of an accident or medical emergency. Any disease or illness contracted abroad can be far more serious in those over the age of 65. Over 65s are much more susceptible to illness than younger people, so ensuring you are covered if the worst happens is crucial.
When taking out a travel insurance policy it is paramount that you declare any current medical conditions that you have, and also any you have suffered from in the past. If you do not provide all of the correct information your policy may not cover you if you have an accident or require medical treatment.
Many policies will not cover individuals that wish to partake in certain activities. These can include skiing, skydiving, bungee jumping, or water sports. If you are looking to engage in any activity of this type, always make sure that your policy will cover any accidents that could arise from it. Some insurers will allow you to pay a premium for additional cover to include accidents arising from certain activities. In addition to this, if you have failed to get the recommended vaccinations for your destination, then your policy may not cover you in the event that you contract a disease due to negligence.
When choosing your insurance policy, ensure that it covers your destination of travel. Some insurers will not cover trips to destinations that may be considered dangerous. In addition to this, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with any dangers that you may encounter when visiting certain countries. There is a lot of information regarding travel warnings, crime levels, and local customs online. It is worth considering all of this information before choosing a travel destination.
Activity Ideas For Travelling Retirees
You don’t need to be the adventurous type to find fun activities to do on your travels. There are many safer options out there, such as hiring a boat, going on a guided tour, or snorkelling. Many travel destinations that are popular among tourists will offer these activities. Depending on whether you travel independently or through a tour operator, finding activities to do on your travels isn’t difficult. If you are travelling independently, consider looking online for activity operators in the area in which you are travelling to. If you are travelling with a tour operator, then it is usually simple to book onto certain excursions or register for activities when booking your trip.
Destinations That Are Popular Among Retirees
Although you are not limited in terms of where you can travel as a retiree, there are some destinations that are more popular among the over 65s than others. Some travel destinations will ever offer holidays or accomodation specifically for those of retirement age. These include in areas such as the Costa Del Sol, and the South of France.
Some people are choosing to opt for a more adventurous trip before settling into retirement. A recent trend among those of retirement age, is to spend some time overseas volunteering and making a difference. There are many kinds of volunteer opportunities available ranging from helping out at schools in Europe, lending a hand with building projects in West Africa, or volunteering on archaeological explorations in Europe And North Africa. Responsible Travel offer volunteer holidays for those interested in Archaeology.
Final Advice
Whatever you decide to do on your travels, always make sure that you take out a travel insurance policy that covers everything you need. By doing this, you can relax safe in the knowledge that if the worst happens, you won’t need to fork out for expensive medical treatment. Whether you choose an adventurous year away, or a short holiday in the sun, remember to enjoy yourself!
