There ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.
MARK TWAIN
Are you a keen traveller? Do you relish the thought of going on holiday as often as possible – while you have time, health and money? The over-50s are worth a vast amount to the travel industry, which is probably why there is an ever – increasing choice of holidays on offer to us pensioners. You can forget Sir Ranulph Fiennes: according to The Oldie Magazine (May 2013) the world’s most intrepid traveller is not an ex-British Army officer who auditioned for the role of James Bond, but an 88-year-old widow called Mrs Cole. In expeditions to over 150 countries, she’s faced stampeding Tanzanian elephants (from whom her husband and son fled), stared out six-feet long crocodiles in Venezuela and calmly warded off two silver-back gorillas in the Congo Basin. Her advice to other travellers is: ‘If you’re confronted by a wild animal, try not to run away. Stand still and remain calm. The chances are you will diffuse the situation.’ Mrs Cole, a worldwide explorer and loyal customer of her tour company, has been praised by their management: ‘Her knowledge of the world betters almost everyone; she is fearless. If she ever wanted to go back to work, she would make the best ever tour guide.’
Now whether you count yourself in this bracket or not, holidays should be exciting and full of treasured memories. In retirement, some of us enjoy reading travel articles, watching documentaries about far-flung places in our armchairs, while others carry out extensive research on possible destinations before making holiday plans. What is it about travel that people love and why do we do it? There are many reasons: the way it challenges us, gives us the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, discover new cultures and languages, to party, to have fun, see new sights and eat delicious food. This year perhaps you’ll try something different that will provide unforgettable experiences.
The fact that you’ve retired makes very little difference to what you can do or where you can go. Lots of people combine holidays with a special interest, such as painting or music. There is ample opportunity for you to enrol for summer school, exchange homes with someone in another country or sign on for a working holiday, such as a voluntary conservation activity or home and pet sitting, for which you get paid. The choice is enormous. If you wish to go somewhere exotic, it is likely the prices will be high; but if your budget is limited, with a bit of research you will find some holidays that are extremely reasonable in cost. Whether you are fit and active or require special care, there are plenty of options. Retirement is a time for experimentation, so don’t think about your age being an issue – there’s plenty of opportunity to embrace new experiences.
Here are some top tips from travel experts to keep in mind before you book:
Since there are so many types of holidays to choose from, for ease of reference, entries are listed under subheadings. To avoid repetition, the majority are featured only once, in the most logical place. At the end of the chapter, there is a general information section with brief details about insurance, concessionary fares and other travel tips.
Cultural holidays offer a combination of visits to places of artistic, historic, musical and architectural interest, with lectures given by professional academics, writers and curators. They are carefully researched and provide high standards of customer service including comfortable hotels and authentic restaurants. Here are a few to consider:
Abercrombie & Kent: www.abercrombiekent.com.
Ace Cultural Tours: www.aceculturaltours.co.uk.
Cox and Kings: www.coxandkings.co.uk.
Kirker Holidays: www.kirkerholidays.com.
Martin Randall Travel: www.martinrandall.com.
Opera Tours Italy: www.operatoursitaly.com.
Specialtours: www.specialtours.co.uk.
Ultimate Travel Company: www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk.
Festivals
There is a feast of music, drama and the arts to be found annually all over Britain and you will find a number of lists printed in the national press (Guardian, Telegraph and Times) giving information on the music, poetry, literary and arts festivals taking place throughout the year. To find out what is going on where, in your local area or any other part of the UK, contact the Arts Council or your regional Arts Council office. There are simply too many to list here, but the booklet Go Away Britain – The Oldie’s Guide to Britain through its Festivals provides a comprehensive list: www.theoldie.co.uk.
In this section the focus is on taking courses on such subjects as crochet, knitting, painting, basket making and jewellery making, for those who want to discover new skills. Further suggestions are also given in Chapter 9, Leisure activities. There are plenty of good residential arts and crafts holidays offered by a number of organizations. See:
Field Studies Council: www.field-studies-council.org.
Marlborough College Summer School: www.mcsummerschool.org.uk.
The Crafts Council: www.craftscouncil.org.uk.
West Dean College: www.westdean.org.uk.
Some coach companies organize holidays, as distinct from simply offering a mode of transport. Before embarking on a lengthy coach tour, try a few shorter excursions to see how you cope with the journey. A couple of good websites to get you started are:
Find A Coach Holiday: www.findacoachholiday.com.
National Express: www.nationalexpress.com.
Other websites which offer good choices of coach holidays include:
Holidays with a particular focus on history are becoming increasingly popular. For those with a passion for historic locations there are a number of companies offering to ‘keep the spirit alive’ of what went on in times gone by. Memorable events need to be communicated to future generations and here are a few websites to whet your appetite.
Battlefield Tours: www.battlefieldtours.co.uk.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: www.cwgc.org.
Holts Tours – Battlefields & History: www.holts.co.uk.
Military History Tours: www.militaryhistorytours.co.uk.
Poppy Travel: www.poppytravel.org.uk.
The Cultural Experience: www.theculturalexperience.com.
If you are hoping to travel more when you retire, being able to speak the language when abroad will greatly add to your enjoyment. The quickest and easiest way to learn is undoubtedly in the country itself. Alternatively whether you wish to attend a course, classes or learn via computer, CDs or private tutor, with a bit of research you will find what you need. Here are some suggestions for learning Italian, German, French and Spanish:
British Institute of Florence: www.britishinstitute.it.
Goethe-Institut: www.goethe.de.
Institut-Français: www.institut-francais.org.uk.
Instituto Cervantes: www.londres.cervantes.es.
Living in someone else’s home for free is one of the cheapest ways of enjoying a holiday. There are two ways of doing this: exchange your home with another person in this country or abroad, or become a home sitter and mind someone else’s property while they are away.
Home exchange
With home swap sites, you find a property you like, and if the owners also like yours, then you swap homes for a holiday. Some people even exchange their cars and pets. Here are some websites to look at:
Guardian Home Exchange: www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk.
Happy Home Swap: www.happyhomeswap.com.
Home Base Holidays: www.homebase-hols.com.
Home Exchange: www.homeexchange.com.
Home Exchange Gold: www.homeexchangegold.com.
HomeLink: www.homelink.org.uk.
Simply Home Exchange: www.simplyhomeexchange.com.
Home and pet sitting
Retired people are generally considered ideal home sitters: you provide a caretaking service and get paid for doing so. Duties variously involve light housework, plant watering, care of pets and sometimes tending the garden. Careful vetting of applicants is essential, as are first-class references. See:
Absentia: www.home-and-pets.co.uk.
Animal Angels: www.animalangels.co.uk.
Boateng Homes: www.boatenghomes.co.uk.
Homesitters: www.homesitters.co.uk.
Trusted House Sitters: www.trustedhousesitters.com.
Many big tour operators make a feature of offering special holidays designed for the over-55s. Also included here are companies that specialize in arranging cruises and packaged motoring holidays, and information on timesharing.
Easier.com: www.easier.com/travel.
Explore Worldwide: www.explore.co.uk.
Relais du Silence: www.relaisdusilence.com.
Saga Holidays: www.saga.co.uk/travel.
Silver Travel Advisor: www.silvertraveladvisor.com.
Telegraph Travel: www.telegraph.co.uk/traveladvice.
Travelsphere: www.travelsphere.co.uk.
Some 2 million people in the UK take a cruise holiday every year and that figure is rising. Finding a cruise that suits you has never been easier.
Certain destinations, such as Alaska, lend themselves to a seafaring experience; others can be reached only by ship. And it’s hard to beat a cruise if you want a first taste of the islands of the Caribbean. If you are interested in finding our more, visit
The Cruise Show: www.cruisingshow.com.
Here are some top tips for cruising:
From among the mass of companies offering cruise travel advice and tours, here are just a few websites to look at. Start with:
Alastair MacKenzie’s Travel Lists: www.travel-lists.co.uk.
Avalon Waterways: www.avaloncruises.co.uk.
Blue Water Holidays: www.cruisingholidays.co.uk.
Celebrity Cruises: www.celebritycruises.co.uk.
Cunard: www.cunard.co.uk.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines: www.fredolsencruises.com.
Hebridean Island Cruises: www.hebridean.co.uk.
Hurtigruten Norwegian Cruises: www.hurtigruten.co.uk.
NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line): www.ncl.co.uk.
Noble Caledonian: www.noble-caledonian.co.uk.
P&O Cruises: www.pocruises.com.
Princess Cruises: www.princess.com.
Royal Caribbean International: www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.
SeaDream Yacht Club: www.seadream.com.
Silversea: www.silversea.com.
Six Star Cruises: www.sixstarcruises.co.uk.
Titan River Cruises: www.titantravel.co.uk/rivercruises.
Viking River Cruises: www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk.
Voyages of Discovery: www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.
Voyages to Antiquity: www.voyagestoantiquity.com.
Windstar Cruises: www.windstarcruises.com.
Cargo ship cruises
If price is one of the main considerations, travelling via cargo ship could be the solution. Accommodation and facilities (there is often a swimming pool) vary according to the size and type of vessel.
Cargo Ship Voyages: www.cargoshipvoyages.com.
Strand Voyages: www.strandtravelltd.co.uk.
Possibly the most unusual cruise in the world is on board one of the few Royal Mail ships still working. RMS St Helena is equipped to provide a relaxing cruise experience to the island of St Helena, which is just a speck in the Atlantic ocean, south of the equator. The ship sails there from the UK and South Africa, calling at various islands along the way. See website: www.rms-st-helena.com.
Motoring holidays abroad
A number of organizations, including in particular some ferry operators, offer packages for the motorist that include ferry crossings, accommodation and insurance. While these often provide very good value, some people prefer to make all their own arrangements in order to get exactly what they want. Here are some of the major operators:
AA: www.theaa.com.
Brittany Ferries: www.brittany-ferries.co.uk.
RAC: www.rac.co.uk.
Here are some top tips when motoring abroad, if taking your own vehicle:
Other sources of advice and services are:
Association of British Insurers: www.abi.org.uk.
Aria Assistance: www.aria-assistance.co.uk.
Green Flag: www.greenflag.com.
If instead of taking your own car you plan to hire a vehicle overseas, you will probably have to buy special insurance at the time of hiring the vehicle. Make sure that this is properly comprehensive (check for any excesses or exclusions) or, at the very least, it gives you adequate third-party cover. If in doubt, seek advice from the local motoring organization regarding essential requirements, and do not sign any documents unless you understand them.
How is your driving?
If you’ve recently travelled in a car and been frightened by a friend’s driving, or you think you might be starting to scare others with your driving skills, it is simple enough to get yourself checked. The Institute of Advanced Motorists offers to assess anyone over 55 on their driving skills: it is sensible to take advantage of this exercise every few years or so to maintain confidence and be safe on the road.
IAM Driving Road Safety: www.iam.org.uk.
Short breaks
Many organizations offer short-break holidays all year round, with special bargain prices in spring and autumn. British hotels have winter breaks from November to April, and overseas travel operators slash prices during the off-peak seasons. Here are just a few websites to look at:
City Break Holidays: www.citiesdirect.co.uk.
Responsible Travel: www.responsibletravel.com.
Shortbreaks.com: www.short-breaks.com.
Shortbreak.UK.com: www.shortbreak.uk.com.
Superbreak: www.superbreak.com.
Travel 55: www.travel55.co.uk.
Timesharing is an investment in long-term holidays. The idea is that you buy the use of a property for a specific number of days each year, either for an agreed term or in perpetuity. Most timeshare schemes allow you to swap your week(s) for time in other developments throughout the world for your annual holiday, via one of the exchange companies. A week’s timeshare will vary in price depending on the location, the size of the property, the time of year and the facilities of the resort. There are maintenance charges on top and you should always check that these are linked to some form of cost-of-living index such as the RPI. Another useful point to check is that there is an owners’ association linked to the property. There are still stories about unscrupulous operators, so to avoid getting caught out you should be wary of such enticing promotional gifts as a ‘free’ holiday flight to visit the property. These websites provide information and safeguards:
RCI Europe: www.rci.com.
Interval International: www.intervalworld.com.
Resort Development Organisation: www.rdo.org.
Existing owners wishing to sell their property should be on their guard against unknown resale agents contacting them and offering, in exchange for a registration fee, to act on their behalf. A telephone call to the RDO will establish whether the company is a member body. If not, leave well alone.
Holiday Property Bond
Although it has been in existence for more than 25 years, this remains one of the best-kept secrets in the holiday industry. It is a uniquely flexible alternative to fixed-week timeshare and villa ownership. By securing a financial interest in HPB’s entire portfolio of villas, cottages and apartments, bondholders and their family and friends are entitled to use any bond property at any time – rent free. (It is a privilege that can be passed on, without charge, to holders’ children and grandchildren too.)
Holiday Property Bond: www.hpb.co.uk.
You don’t have to be a rail enthusiast to enjoy a holiday by train. Whether you wish to explore the world, or simply parts of the UK, there are many wonderful routes to travel and here are some useful websites to research:
www.diamondrailholidays.co.uk;
If peace and quiet is what you seek when you are on holiday, a retreat might be the answer. This organization has retreat centres all over Britain and Ireland:
The Retreat Association: www.retreats.org.uk.
Self-catering and low-budget holidays
Should you be interested in self-catering or budget holidays, you may be surprised at the variety and choice available. Camping, caravanning or renting very simple accommodation with friends may suit you, or you might prefer the luxury end of the scale.
Camping and Caravanning Club: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.
English Country Cottages: www.english-country-cottages.co.uk.
Farm Stay UK Ltd: www.farmstayuk.co.uk.
Scottish Country Cottages: www.scottish-country-cottages.co.uk.
Landmark Trust: www.landmarktrust.org.uk.
National Trust Holiday Cottages: www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk.
National Trust for Scotland: www.nts.org.uk/holidays.
Venuemasters: www.venuemasters.co.uk.
YHA (England and Wales) Ltd: www.yha.org.uk.
This section includes weekend courses and more formal summer schools, between them offering a huge variety of subjects. It also includes holidays in the more conventional sense, both in Britain and abroad, but with the accent on a hobby.
Centre for Alternative Technology: www.cat.org.uk.
Denman College: www.denmancollege.org.uk.
Field Studies Council (FSC): www.field-studies-council.org.
HF Holidays Ltd: www.hfholidays.co.uk.
Painting and Cooking in Italy: www.paintinginitaly.com.
Peak District National Park: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk.
Vegi Ventures: www.vegiventures.com.
Holidays with on-site or nearby sporting facilities exist all over the country. The list that follows is limited to organizations that can advise you about organized residential courses or can offer facilities. For wider information, see Chapter 9, Leisure activities, which lists some of the national sports associations.
Boating
The beauty of life aboard a boat is you’re not on a set holiday itinerary. There’s no rushing to the next destination, unless you want to. Whether you choose to holiday abroad or in Britain, you have loads of choice. If you’re new to boating, it’s akin to travelling in a cosy floating villa, with all the comforts of home and each day you wake up in a beautiful new destination.
Beautiful Boating Holidays: www.leboat.co.uk.
Blakes: www.blakes.co.uk.
Hoseasons Boating Holidays: www.hoseasons.co.uk.
Royal Yachting Association (RYA): www.rya.org.uk.
Waterways Holidays: www.waterwaysholidays.com.
Cycling holidays are a great way to explore stunning countryside. If you wish to take to two wheels for your holiday, you can enjoy bike touring in many parts of the world. Depending on age, health and fitness it is advisable to choose suitable terrain for your level of expertise.
CTC Cycling Holidays: www.cyclingholidays.org.
Cycle Breaks: www.cyclebreaks.com.
Cycling for Softies: www.cycling-for-softies.co.uk.
Saddle Skedaddle: www.skedaddle.co.uk.
UK Cycling Holidays: www.ukcyclingholidays.co.uk.
Wheely Wonderful Cycling: www.wheelywonderfulcycling.co.uk.
Golf
There are some amazing holiday destinations for golf players. Whether you wish to travel abroad, or play on a UK course, there is a destination or vacation to suit you, including special golfing weekends and short-break holidays.
Golf Escapes: www.golf-escapes.com.
Golf Holidays.Com: www.golfholidays.com.
Supertravel: www.supertravel.co.uk.
Your Golf Travel: www.yourgolftravel.com.
Rambling
Rambling features on many special interest and other programmes as one of the options on offer. The organizations that specialize in rambling holidays are:
ATG Oxford: www.atg-oxford.co.uk.
Exodus: www.exodus.co.uk.
Rambling Tours: www.ramblingtours.co.uk.
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk.
Why do people love skiing? Some reasons given: the speed is exhilarating; it is exercise without feeling it; the views in the mountains are amazing; you get plenty of fresh air as well as physical and mental challenges. Whether you are a skier or snowboarder there are lots of organizations, tour operators and destinations to choose from:
Ski Club of Great Britain: www.skiclub.co.uk.
CrystalSki: www.crystalski.co.uk.
Disability Snowsport UK: www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk.
Powder White: www.powderwhite.com.
Tennis
The key ingredients of a good tennis holiday are: good weather, a great tennis venue and exceptional accommodation. There are a number of companies who offer tennis holidays to suit your needs, whether you are a single traveller, a family or a group of friends.
ActiveAway: www.activeaway.com.
Discovery Tennis: www.discoverytennistours.com.
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA): www.lta.org.uk.
Roger Walker Travel: www.tennisholidays.co.uk.
The combination of an enjoyable holiday with great wine-tasting experiences is something that appeals to many people. Tours offer plenty of variety with visits, talks, convivial meals, free time for exploring as well as memorable tastings.
Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours: www.winetours.co.uk.
Grape Escapes: www.grapeescapes.net.
Smooth Red: www.smoothred.co.uk.
Winetasting France: www.winetastingfrance.com.
There is scope for volunteers who would like to engage in a worthwhile project during their holidays. Activities vary from helping run play schemes to conservation work. A few are listed here but most are mentioned in Chapter 12, Voluntary work:
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV): www.btcv.org.uk.
National Trust Working Holidays: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Toc H: www.toch-uk.org.uk.
Wwoof France: www.wwoof.fr.
The number of older people taking time out of their normal working life and escaping on a gap year has increased dramatically over the last few years. But so has the number of over-50s and retirees (often referred to as ‘Grey’ or ‘Golden Gappers’) increased as these established individuals can afford to take time out. This group has the time, resources and energy to enjoy doing something completely different, many of them inspired by their children who have already flown the nest. Rather than sit at home, they take the long haul trips not always possible previously. Top 10 destinations for the over-50s are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States, Caribbean, Italy, Seychelles, Ireland, Florida and the Maldives.
If you think escaping on a gap year could be fun and want the latest information and advice, see:
Gapadvice: www.gapadvice.org.
DIY Holidays: www.diydoctorholidays.co.uk.
Many people travel on their own, some may be single, others not. These people, for whatever reason, choose to (or have to) travel alone. If you are single, widowed, divorced or simply having to travel without your partner – you’re probably looking for the opportunity to meet other, like-minded people to share the holiday experience with. If you enjoy holidays but don’t enjoy travelling alone, there are a number of companies which specialize in organising trips for solo holidaymakers.
Exodus: www.exodus.co.uk.
Friendship Travel: www.friendshiptravel.com.
Just You: www.justyou.co.uk.
One Traveller: www.onetraveller.co.uk.
Solitaire: www.solitairhols.co.uk.
Solos: www.solosholidays.co.uk.
Travel One: www.travelone.co.uk.
Holidays for those needing special care
A good holiday is one of life’s greatest pleasures and a vital tonic to body, mind and spirit. The great news is that affordable, accessible and enjoyable holidays for the disabled are on the increase. More airlines, hotels and resorts are providing people with disabilities or mobility issues the opportunities to travel, enjoy holidays and see the world. Specially designed self-catering units are more plentiful and of a higher standard. Also, an increasing number of trains and coaches are installing accessible loos.
Travel and other information
If you need help getting on and off a train or plane, inform your travel agent in advance. Arrangements can be made to have staff and a wheelchair available to help you at both departure and arrival points. If you are travelling independently, you should ring the airline and/or local station and explain what assistance you require, together with details of your journey, so that facilities can be arranged at any interim points, should you need to change trains. Organizations that can help you include:
Age UK: www.ageuk.org.uk.
Accessible Travel & Leisure: www.accessibletravel.co.uk.
Can Do Holidays: www.candoholidays.com.
Choice Care Assisted Holidays: www.choicecareservices.co.uk.
Disabled Access Holidays: www.disabledaccessholidays.com.
Enable Holidays: www.enableholidays.com.
Holidays for the Disabled: www.holidaysforthedisabled.com.
Tourism for All/Vitalise: www.tourismforall.org.uk.
Virgin Holidays: www.virginholidays.co.uk.
Another source to contact is your local social services department. Some local authorities arrange holidays or give financial help to those in real need.
If you plan to holiday within the UK and are looking for hotels and accommodation in Britain, or are simply after UK travel, attractions or event information, you will find everything you need to know at:
Discovering Britain: www.discoveringbritain.org.
Discover Northern Ireland: www.discovernorthernireland.com.
UK Tourist Attractions: www.uktouristattractions.co.uk.
Visit Britain: www.visitbritain.com.
Visit London: www.visitlondon.com.
Visit Scotland: www.visitscotland.com.
Visit Wales: www.visitwales.co.uk.
The specialist organizations listed below can offer a great deal of practical information and help, as well as assist in obtaining low-cost fares, if you are planning to travel independently. Round-the-world air tickets are an excellent buy. Travel agents may also achieve savings by putting together routes using various carriers. Most airlines offer seasonal discounts that sometimes include a couple of nights’ concessionary hotel stay, if you want to break your journey or visit another country at minimum extra travel cost.
Hays Travel: www.haystravel.co.uk.
Trailfinders Travel Centre: www.trailfinders.com.
Voyages Jules Verne: www.vjv.com.
WEXAS: www.wexas.com.
Visa and passport requirements and health and safety advice
It is vital that you check passport and visa requirements as well as any immunization guidelines for the countries you are travelling to (and through) as early as possible as processing necessary documentation can take some time. As a starting point, you should ensure your passport has at least six months validity beyond your length of stay as this is now a mandatory requirement for many countries around the world. The best website for up-to-the-minute travel advice for your destination and guidance on everything from health and immunization to passport and visa requirements is the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
For information on tax and duty free reliefs when bringing goods into the UK, see HM Revenue & Customs: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs.
With people living longer and travelling more than ever before, age should be no barrier to travel. However, there are many pensioners who come up against an upper age limit for travel insurance. Once you are over 65, not only is it more difficult to obtain but also tends to be considerably more expensive. However, were you unfortunate enough to fall ill or experience some other mishap, it would almost certainly cost you very much more than paying a bit extra for decent insurance. With travel insurance you will need to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions fully before you can get a quote. If you are travelling independently, it is even more important to be properly insured. Under these circumstances you will not be protected by the normal compensation that the reputable tour operators provide for claims for which they could be held liable in the event of a mishap.
To check your options and find out more, have a look at the following websites:
Age UK: www.ageuk.org.uk.
American Express: www.americanexpress.com.
Insurance Choice: www.insurancechoice.co.uk.
Laterlife Travel Insurance: www.laterlife.com.
Motability: www.motability.co.uk.
Onestop4:Insurance: www.onestop4.co.uk.
Saga: www.saga.co.uk.
Here are some top tips when buying holiday insurance. Your policy should cover you for:
Before purchasing new insurance, check whether any of the above items are already covered under an existing policy. This might well apply to your personal possessions and to medical insurance. Even if the policy is not sufficiently comprehensive for travel purposes, it will be better and cheaper in the long run to pay a small supplement to give you the extra cover you need than to buy a holiday insurance package from a tour operator. A cost-effective plan may be to extend any existing medical insurance to cover you while abroad. Then take out a separate policy (without medical insurance) to cover you for the rest of your travel needs. Two websites that provide good advice regarding the amount of cover you should be looking for in your travel insurance policy are:
The Association of British Insurers: www.abi.org.uk.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA): www.abta.com.
Compensation for lost baggage
If the airline on which you are travelling loses or damages your baggage, you should be able to claim compensation up to a maximum value of about £850. (The figure may vary slightly up or down, depending on currency fluctuations.)
Cancelled or overbooked flights
Denied Boarding Regulations apply to passengers departing from an airport within the EU, whatever the airline is. The Regulations also apply to passengers departing from an airport outside the EU for an airport within the EU, if the operating air carrier is a Community carrier. Despite the title of the Regulation, its impact is wider than denied boarding, as it also covers cancellation and delay. Where a carrier expects to have to deny boarding, it must first call for volunteers, in exchange for benefits. If there are not enough volunteers, then the carrier can deny boarding to passengers against their will, but must then pay compensation and give assistance. For full details and information on this subject, see:
Air Travel Advisory Bureau (ATAB): www.atab.org.uk.
Aviation Consumer Advocacy Panel: www.caa.co.uk.
This is one area where you should never skimp on insurance. Although many countries now have reciprocal arrangements with the UK for emergency medical treatment, these vary greatly in both quality and generosity. Some treatments are free, as they are on the National Health Service; others, even in some EU countries, may be charged for as if you were a private patient.
The Department of Health has advice for travellers. In particular you should get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card entitles the holder to free or discounted medical treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in any EEA (European Economic Area) country plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. But it is not insurance and will not, for instance, arrange for repatriation, nor pay for a hotel room if you have to extend your stay to look after a sick relative. See European Health Insurance Card: www.ehic.org.uk.
However, even the very best reciprocal arrangements may not be adequate in the event of a real emergency. In the United States the cost of medical treatment is astronomical. For peace of mind, experts recommend cover of £1 million for most of the world and up to £2 million for the United States. Some policies offer higher or even unlimited cover. Although theoretically there is no upper age limit if you want to take out medical insurance, some insurance companies are very difficult about insuring older travellers. Many request a note from a qualified medical practitioner stating that you are fit to travel if you are over 75, or require you to confirm that you are not travelling against medical advice.
Book through a reputable operator
It is essential that holidaymakers check to ensure that their travel agent or tour operator is affiliated to an association with strict regulations that its member companies must follow. No one can guarantee you against every mishap, but a recognized travel company plus adequate insurance should go a long way towards giving you at least some measure of protection. See Air Travel Advisory Bureau (ATAB): www.atab.org.uk.
Buses, coaches, some airline companies and especially the railways offer valuable concessions to people of retirement age.
Trains
Some of the best-value savings that are available to anyone aged 60 and over are provided by train companies. These include:
Disabled Persons Railcard: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.
Family Friends Railcard: www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk.
Network Railcard: www.railcard.co.uk.
Senior Railcard: www.senior-railcard.co.uk.
Buses and coaches
Over 11 million people over 60 in the UK use buses for free travel around the country. Make the most of this while you can: it is reported that the government has plans to raise the eligible age gradually to 65. Bus passes are usually issued free by local authorities. For further information see GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass.
Airlines
Several of the airlines offer attractive discounts to older travellers. The terms and conditions vary, with some carriers offering across-the-board savings and others limiting them to selected destinations. Likewise, in some cases the qualifying age is 60; in others, it is a couple of years older. A particular bonus is that concessions are often extended to include a companion travelling at the same time. Ask your travel agent or the airline at the time of booking what special discounts, if any, are offered.
Overseas
Many countries offer travel and other reductions to retired holidaymakers including, for example, discounts for entry to museums and galleries, day excursions, sporting events and other entertainment. As in Britain, provisions are liable to change, and for up-to-date information probably the best source to contact is the national tourist office of the country to which you are travelling. All EEA countries – as well as most lines in Switzerland – give 25 per cent reductions on international rail fares. These are available to holders of a Railplus Card who are purchasing international rail travel tickets and are applicable to both first- and second-class travel.
Airport meet-and-greet services
With the number of ‘Meet and Greet’ parking services at UK airports on the increase, it can be hard to make a confident choice. While you do leave your vehicle at an airport at your own risk, The British Parking Association provides a few handy hints to follow when selecting a service:
British Parking Association: www.britishparking.co.uk.
Park Mark Safer Parking: www.parkmark.co.uk.
Remember to pack any regular medicines you require: even familiar branded products can be difficult to obtain in some countries. In addition, take a mini first-aid kit with you.
If you are going to any developing country, consult your doctor as to what pills (and any special precautions) you should take.
An overdose of sun can be painful. In some countries it really burns, so take it easy, wear a hat and apply plenty of protective lotion.
Be careful of the water you drink. Beware the water, ice, salads, seafood, ice cream and any fruit that you do not peel yourself. Always wash your hands before eating or handling food, particularly if you are camping or caravanning.
Have any inoculations or vaccinations well in advance of your departure date. When flying, wear loose clothes and above all comfortable shoes, as feet and ankles tend to swell in the air.
To avoid risk of deep vein thrombosis, which can be fatal, medical advice is to do foot exercises and walk around the plane from time to time. For long-haul travel especially, wear compression stockings and, another tip, unless advised otherwise by your doctor, take an aspirin before flying.
For more information and advice, see Safe Travel: www.safetravel.co.uk.