Savvy Seniors: 2004
More and more retirees are tackling Europe. Is Europe friendly to older globetrotters? Please share any special deals, tricks, or advice.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Wheeled luggage
Seniors, In addition to wearing comfortable walking shoes, I suggest getting wheeled luggage. The kind you see airline personel using. If your suitcase has in line skate wheels it will hold up fine in Europe and it is so much easier than trying to carry a bag, even a light one. I have never had trouble getting mine up stairs or onto trains. They are great!!
USA Tue 08/24/2004
Istanbul
We are in our late 70's and have been doing Europe on our own for forty years. Much has changed but go to learn, admire and be courteous and you will be loved everywhere. The helpfulness of the man-in-street is amazing. We spent a week in Istanbul this spring and those things held true there. It is a very clean city! We felt exceedingly safe even in the most crowded bazaars. Many small (10 rooms or so) family run boutique hotels exist and are still reasonably priced. While not universal English is spoken almost everywhere in the city.
Doug Bly <email>
Rockville, MD USA Wed 07/28/2004
Taxi vs Tube in London
RE taking a taxi vs no elevators in London Underground stations: Elevators *are* available in Tube stations, but you have to ask to be shown or taken to them. Instead of running all over the station looking for a Tube employee, what worked for me, a senior woman traveling alone, was simply standing at the bottom of an impossible flight of stairs with my rolling carry-on, and within minutes a TE came along and took me to the elevator. In one instance, however, a very polite young gentleman carried the bag up the stairs for me! Also, don't believe the travel "tips" that say 'don't take luggage onto a London bus'. If the bus doesn't have a bin for luggage, your one "Rick carry-on" will fit between the seats, or you can put it in the seat-less area near the front of the bus "reserved" for baby strollers. (But make sure you can see it from your seat.)
Joanna <email>
Topeka, KS USA Sat 07/17/2004
Mid-50's travelers
We're in our mid-50's, and just made our first, but not last, trip to Europe. Had a travel agent for awhile, but she was doing nothing, and wanted us to stay in Holiday Inns, Mestre instead of Venice, etc. Fired her and planned entire trip via Rick and the internet.
It was absolutely great! Stayed with former foreign exchange student in Nuremberg, but otherwise used Rick-recommended hotels the entire way: Gastehaus Flemming in Rothenburg, Hotel Uhland in Munich, Pension Jedermann in Salzburg, Locanda San Trovaso in Venice, Villa Cipressi in Varenna, and Hotel Cervo at the Milan airport -- all very satisfactory. Did a rail/drive package, which was also fine.
The only place we deviated from Rick's philosophy was by using small wheeled suitcases, which we'd recommend for people our age, instead of backpacks. Learned a little German and a little Italian, which were helpful. Be friendly, keep your sense of humor, and you'll receive good treatment in return.
Bob & Suzanne
Wilder, KY USA Fri 06/04/2004
Web of Univ. of London, Kings College vacation housing
The web-site for Univ. of London (Kings College) mentioned earlier is www.kcl.ac.uk/kcvb. This is not only for seniors. Their e-mail address is vacations.at.kings@kcl.uk
I think there must be other universities with similar programs. I would try to find a web-site and look at "vacation bureau" or similar.
Shana
Calistoga, CA USA Sat 05/22/2004
Cruising Europe
My Mother, a retired teacher, traveled a lot with my Father. After his
death, she continued to travel abroad but mostly in groups. Alas, the
time came in her 80s when she was suffering from early Parkinson's and
needed a companion and thoughtful planning to continue her travels. I
became her travel companion and we had 3 delightful trips together before
her death.
We went on three Grand Circle tours: QEII & London; Cruise to Scandinavia & Baltic Ports including London; and a Rhone Valley Cruise including Paris and Nice. In each case, the amount of walking was minimal; cruise ships usually offer shore excursions for those with difficulty walking. Sometimes my Mother would opt out of tours and stay aboard, as in St. Petersburg which she had visited twice previously. We discussed this when planning the trips.
The most delightful surprise was the reception my Mother received everywhere in France. French people have a great respect for older family members and often go out of their way to be helpful. It truly was remarkable.
After each organized trip, we planned a week on own. This is where the internet was most helpful. Obviously you want a hotel large enough to have a elavator/lift and with a fairly convenient location. Plan on taking frequent taxis. Most major museums have wheelchairs available and you will find this information on their websites. If they don't mention it, send them an email. I am pretty familiar with both London and Paris which was helpful in planning. You want to have a gameplan for each day to minimize taxi fares and fatigue. If you do not know the city you intend to visit, I suggest asking someone to assist you in planning what is feasible.
Don't forget travel insurance,
[including emergency evacuation coverage]! Medicare does not cover travel
outside the USA. Also, be sure to request, in advance, assistance at the
airport. This is a free service that the airlines (and cruise ships) are
happy to provide. Believe me, you need it. Happy Traveling!
Mary-Anne Helms <email>
Princeton, NJ USA Sun 01/18/2004