5 reasons why travel just gets better with age
Just because you’re a little older doesn’t mean you’re slowing down any time soon. Now you’re in a new stage of life, what can you expect when you’re on the road?
1. Spend more, suffer less
To the young traveller on a budget, the 2am flight that’s $100 cheaper seems like a great deal. So too the overnight bus journey to save on a night’s accommodation. As you age, your travel budget tends to increase so you can focus more on the experience rather than on stretching every penny. That doesn’t mean you have to fly first class or stay five-star, it just means you understand the value in spending a little more money if it means you travel in comfort.
2. Take your time
As you mature, you start to realise that running for your plane isn’t exciting, it’s downright annoying. With the benefit of your years of travel know-how you can book flights with a reasonable connection time, arrive at the airport early or give yourself plenty of time to explore a destination. Holidays should be about relaxation, so give yourself the time to really enjoy the experience rather than trying to cram too much in to a super tight schedule.
3. Let’s make a plan
Sure, it’s exhilarating to pull up at a new destination with no plans and hope for the best – but it can also be really disappointing. Rather than wandering the streets looking for a great hotel that just happens to have a free room, you can now do your research and book online. That way, you know exactly where you’re going and can arrive with the confidence that there’s a soft bed and a hot shower just waiting for you.
4. Spoil yourself
You’ve worked hard, so now is the time to reward yourself with a luxury hotel or fantastic restaurant. Once you’re travelling on your own (without the kids or grandkids) you can lash out on all those expensive indulgences that you denied yourself in your younger years. Go on, you deserve it.
5. Think of the practicalities
One of the downsides of aging is the fact that your health can become an issue. When travelling, you’ll need to take into consideration things like medication, mobility and managing any ongoing illnesses. Whereas you may have walked the Inca Trail in your 30s, now you’ll probably be looking for a holiday that involves more sitting down. Know your limitations and plan accordingly – there are still some fantastic travel options that don’t require you to push yourself to the limit. You’ll also need to think about insurance. You might need a higher level of cover or need to declare any pre-existing conditions.
What do you think? Do you think travel has changed as you’ve gotten older? Do you find yourself more attracted to certain types of trips? Let us know in the comments below.
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