- Travel as soon as possible.
I had seen too many people travelling when their age and health limited what they could see, what they could enjoy, and the experiences they could have. Be realistic: do you think you will ever be healthier and fitter than you are now? When travelling, you spend a lot more time standing and walking than usual, not to mention that the streets and paths in many places abroad become less and less passable as you get older. - Don’t be shy.
If you travel for pleasure or adventure…then be adventurous! Taste dishes that you are not used to, for example. One of my nephews once took a trip to Rome, one of the best eating cities in the world. And what did he eat? Peanut butter he had brought with him, spread on whatever bread he could find! You can do better than that. Whenever you can, grab a meal at a local restaurant for a more authentic experience. And do not hesitate to speak with the local inhabitants. They know when the bus passes, what to do and see, where to eat, etc. You have to ask! - Save your strength.
My sweet half excels at it. We walk a lot when we travel. But before either of us gets tired, she suggests we stop for a cup of coffee or find a place to sit for a few minutes. Then, we leave, reinvigorated. Do this several times a day, and you’ll have the energy to keep going when others are exhausted. - Travel off-season.
Why not travel during the low season and avoid the crowds or 40-degree temperatures if you’re retired? In October, my wife and I had a very different experience in Portugal than my son and daughter-in-law had in July. We didn’t need to make reservations at restaurants and sit outside without dying of heat. - Stay in a hotel near the city centre.
We don’t spend a fortune on our hotels. We usually choose three-star establishments. We prefer to pay less and stay longer. However, we primarily select hotels near tourist sites, restaurants or bars. It does not matter if the hotel is not luxurious, because if it is well located, you will undoubtedly spend very little time there. - Eat only one large meal a day.
Breakfast is included in the price of the rooms of several hotels. We always have our breakfast. Then, we usually eat only one large meal during the day, plus a snack or two. This allows us to treat ourselves and try different local dishes. We found that we felt heavy when we ate two large meals a day and had less energy. - Learn a few phrases in the language of the country you are visiting and find out about its cuisine and customs.
As I write this article, my wife is on the treadmill in the basement, and I can hear her practising Spanish phrases, which she is learning through an app on her iPod. We are leaving for South America in October, and she hopes to have the basics of the language by the time we get there.
