Traveling Well at Every Age

Plan the Pace Around You

I don't believe everyone needs one activity a day and an afternoon rest.

Some travelers would be bored.

Other travelers would absolutely love it.

The important thing is knowing the pace before we book.

When I'm looking at an itinerary, I want to pay attention to things like early mornings, long touring days, walking distances, stairs, uneven surfaces, hotel changes and back-to-back transportation days.

A slower itinerary isn't a lesser vacation.

And a faster itinerary isn't automatically a better one.

The right pace is the one that still leaves you enjoying the trip instead of just trying to get through the itinerary.

Tell Me What You Need Early

Accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought.

If you need wheelchair assistance at the airport, an accessible room, fewer stairs, a walk-in or roll-in shower, elevator access, seating during tours, accessible transportation, or a certain level of mobility support, I want to know that while we're planning.

Not because any of those things should stop you from traveling.

Because they can affect which hotel, ship, tour, excursion, transportation option or itinerary makes the most sense.

And I don't want to assume something is accessible just because a website uses the word.

If something matters to your ability to enjoy the trip, it's important enough to ask about before we book it.

Look Beyond the Words “Easy” and “Moderate”

Tour and excursion descriptions can be surprisingly vague.

“Easy,” “moderate” and “active” don't necessarily tell me enough.

I'd rather know:

How much walking is involved?

Are there stairs?

Is the ground uneven?

How long will you be standing?

How far is it from transportation to the attraction?

Can mobility equipment be accommodated?

Are there places to sit?

Is getting in and out of a boat, train, vehicle or other transportation part of the experience?

Those details tell us much more than an activity label does.

Build in Independence

Traveling together doesn't mean everyone has to do everything together.

This is especially important on multigenerational trips.

Maybe part of the family wants the morning hike while someone else wants a sightseeing tour.

Maybe the grandchildren want the water park while the grandparents want a quiet morning.

Or maybe Grandma is the one headed for the zipline while everybody else is looking for a chair.

That's why I don't plan by age.

When possible, I like trips that give people choices and opportunities to come back together without requiring everyone to have the exact same energy level or interests.

Think About Health and Travel Needs Before You Leave

If you take medications, use medical equipment, need mobility assistance, or have other personal travel needs, those are things to think through before departure.

What you need to carry, how medication or equipment should be transported, whether special arrangements are required, and what medical coverage you have can depend on your individual situation and destination.

Travel insurance and travel medical coverage also vary by policy, so I don't want to make blanket promises about what will be covered.

This is one of those areas where planning ahead matters more than trying to follow somebody else's checklist.

For medical questions or requirements, travelers should work with their healthcare provider, insurer and appropriate official travel resources.

Comfort Is Not Giving Something Up

Sometimes people hesitate to ask for an accessible room, airport wheelchair assistance, a slower excursion or an extra day because they feel like they're somehow doing travel “wrong.”

You're not.

If something helps you enjoy your vacation, let's talk about it.

And if you don't need any of those things, I'm not going to assume you do because of your age.

Good travel planning isn't about making the trip younger, older, faster or slower. It's about making it yours.