12 Travel Tips for Mature Women
I traveled extensively during my career. I sometimes spend about 75% of my time on the road. I had the opportunity to help build a global brand. I loved every minute of it and had some excellent adventures. I’d arrive early in the country or stay a few days to see the tour of the city and the museums or take cooking classes.
I planned to be a travel writer/photographer when I left the corporate world. My first adventure was two weeks in Ireland. One week was for me to solo tour the country and explore where my ancestors left the country, and another was for a photography encaustic seminar in beautiful Mulranney.
Several months of travel later, the world was shut down by COVID-19, and my passport was slammed shut. I focused on photography, art, and various other projects during the lockdown.
My first significant excursion post-COVID was three weeks in the Mediterranean when the world reopened. It has been my lifelong dream to see Turkey and Greece. I traveled with a good friend. We celebrated surviving the past ten years of our lives, her master’s in nursing degree, and me relaunching my travel writing and photography career.
It was during this trip I observed several women traveling alone. I want to strike up a conversation with them about their travel.
Traveling alone was never an issue; I’d done it all my life. During this time, I determined that while I still wanted to do travel writing and photography, my passion has evolved into helping older women live vibrant, fulfilling lives in their later …and travel is (in my opinion) essential to those plans.
In talking with these women and my own experiences, I began developing topics that would be important for women planning their first solo travel. Here are some things that every traveler, especially an older traveler, needs to have in place before you grab your passport and go. Review these and ensure you’re ready for a great travel adventure.
1. Prioritize Your Health; Ensuring Wellness Before embarking on your journey, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider to ensure you are physically prepared, particularly if you have existing medical conditions. Discuss vaccinations and medications tailored to your destination. If you have diabetes, epilepsy, or a heart condition, ask your doctor for any extra prescriptions, medical records, and travel tips.
2. Buy Travel Insurance; Guard Your Safety This is the most important advice for older travelers. Invest in a travel insurance policy; particularly, you need a policy that provides medical trips home. If you do, covering a medical flight home could cost tens of thousands of dollars. This is an essential purchase. Look for policies that cover emergencies, trip cancellations, and baggage concerns while also catering to any existing conditions you may have. Also, check to see what your health insurance covers abroad.
3. Begin researching and planning your destination. I love photography trips to different places around the globe. These trips are booked months and years in advance. Consider your number one destination, the trip you want, and begin researching tour packages or locations.
4. Consider Mobility; Travel with Ease. Plan your travels while keeping mobility in mind for accommodations and transportation options that are easily accessible. If necessary, consider renting mobility aids to ensure navigation in places. If you have mobility issues, some travel tours focus on your specific needs.
5. Medications and Records: An Essential Aspect of Planning Always list your medications and their dosages. Keep a copy of your medical records within reach. Packing extra medications can be helpful in case of travel delays.
6. Pack Wisely; Light and Practical When packing for your trip, be smart about it by considering the climate and terrain of your destination. Prioritize comfort when selecting clothing and opt for footwear for various activities. Remember to bring along medications and an organized medical kit.
7. Pace Yourself: The Art of Balanced Itineraries Create a travel itinerary for relaxation. Find the balance between sightseeing and downtime. Feel free to adjust your plans based on how you feel. Remember, the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
8. Cultural Sensitivity: Embrace and honor the culture of the country you’re visiting. Dress appropriately when required, learn some phrases, and be mindful of cultural norms and etiquette. It’s made very clear that women must cover themselves when entering the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. I remember some women on our cruise who refused to do so. They were not allowed entry and were very indignant about it. Don’t be the ugly, loud American.
9 . Stay Safe: Keep your valuables secure, ask which areas to avoid, and stay alert. Choose transportation services. Exercise caution when interacting with strangers. Keep your purse close to you. Tourist locations are a pickpocket’s dream.
10. Hydration and Nutrition: Fueling Your Adventures Stay hydrated and nourished during your travels. Carry water with you, opt for meals, and take any dietary supplements you require. Remember, proper nutrition and water are critical to your enjoyment.
11. Stay in Touch; Keep your friends and family up to date on your location. There are a couple of tricks I always use on the road. Upon arrival, I used a credit card so people would always know where I was on a particular day and time. I post on social media daily so they know where I am. If you have any issue at all, if your passport is stolen, immediately notify your nation’s embassy for assistance.
12. Just do it. You may never find someone who wants to photograph Ecuador’s hummingbird migration. Locate a tour company and make the trip on your own. I promise you will make new friends along the way. Don’t wait for others to fulfill your dreams.