As international travel becomes increasingly accessible due to globalization, modernization, and ease of transportation, more and more people are traveling beyond middle age. What a fantastic trend! Long-term, long distance travel should by no means be the exclusive realm of young backpackers, and embracing the spirit of adventure is a perfect way to spend your retirement years. Here are some of our top tips to make the experience as easy and rewarding and possible.
Health
As we grow older and find that we aren’t as spry as we used to be, it’s important to take extra care of our personal health. Exercise, diet, proper medication, sufficient rest, and more are necessary to remain fit and capable. This is especially true for those engaging in long distance travel, which often requires unexpected exertions like carrying heavy luggage where sidewalks are limited or non-existent, dodging traffic, digesting exotic and unfamiliar foods, and dealing with extremes of heat, cold, humidity, or other environmental conditions. Take care of your body. Also, don’t be afraid of medical facilities in other countries—in many places, medical treatment is of higher quality and lower cost than what we’re accustomed to at home. It is also important to remember any medication that is needed while on vacation, especially for those who must take it regularly. Those who choose to order their medication online have the opportunity to receive it anywhere in the world, which is handy if this medicine is lost, stolen, or if you fail to bring enough while on vacation. While it might be possible to find this medication elsewhere in the world, when you order your prescriptions online, you do not have to worry about it as your medicine will be brought directly to you when you need it the most.
Finances
Travel can appear dauntingly expensive at first, but there are a lot of factors that can make it much more manageable. The first is that fortunately, the cost of living everywhere outside of the most western and industrialized countries is drastically lower than what we’re used to. If you plan to spend some golden years in a tropical climate, you may be pleasantly surprised to find how far your budget can stretch. The second is that there are plenty of ways to retain an income even in retirement. That may mean holding a job, even while traveling. With that in mind, you may want to find a w-4 calculator to adjust your withholdings for the year. Those that are wise enough to set up an annuity plan with a company like standardlife.ca can enjoy payments for life that can support them quite comfortably. Insurance, investment, and mutual fund plans also make possible passive income high enough to support living out some years on a beach. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Understanding and Integrating Culturally
One of the greatest benefits of travel is the opportunity to immerse oneself in a culture that is entirely alien. For those that are willing to take the time to understand it, this can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. You’re never too old to take language classes or find someone to do a casual language exchange regimen with, to learn a traditional style of dance, or to take a cooking course in local cuisine. Wandering back streets away from tourist sites, taking local buses to rural areas, getting lost in markets and bazaars—these are all ways to give a trip much more meaning than going to the top attractions to take some photos. Appreciating the unique differences of a place will allow you to get so much more out of the experience.
You’re never too old to travel. Some basic common sense and an appreciation for trying new things are all that are really required. Your lifestyle will be greatly enhanced by taking an effort to look out for yourself in health and finance, and exploring new boundaries culturally. What are you waiting for?