Traveling in Retirement is Wonderful!

We looked forward to it for over forty years and the good news is that traveling in retirement has been wonderful.  It has lived up to every expectation we had and exceeded most of them.  Our most important learning has been to do it while you can!  The reality is that no one is getting any younger and, with each passing year, we have become more sensitive to the increasing number of people who just can’t get around anymore.  But that doesn't mean you have to stop traveling.  It just means you have to go about it a little differently.

We have been very fortunate to have experienced good health, and we never take that for granted.  We have also been able to save some money through the years and are very glad that we did.  Putting as much as we could towards savings and retirement funds has paid off for us.  I don’t say this to brag but, rather, to emphasize that we are very grateful for our good fortune and know that not everyone is in this situation.  But we also know that there are things that you can do if you find yourself physically impaired, financially challenged or without a travel partner.  It is worth making adjustments if you have to because, without a doubt, traveling in retirement has been wonderful for us.

Even if your physically challenged,
you can still enjoy Traveling in Retirement

There are some things that you can do to overcome some physical problems.  We have greatly enjoyed some cruises and, recently, took note of how many guests opt out of the many excursions that are offered.  While many arrange their own special tours, there are some people who just stay on board and relax because they’re no longer able to keep up.  The ones who have arranged their own tours have done so to see more with less effort even if it costs a little more money.  What it taught us is that we can customize how we travel and, as we grow older, taking the pace down a notch saves wear and tear on the body and, as is so often true, slowing things down makes them even more enjoyable.  We have found out that this doesn’t just apply to cruising or other travel tours.  We spend our winters in warmer climates and have now added to the time that it takes to get to our destination.  Our journey south from the Hudson Valley in New York down to Florida or out to Arizona or California now includes shorter driving days and side trips to locations of interest on our way (or even a little out of the way).  I love historical sites so our trip to Florida last year included a stop in Warm Springs, Georgia where Franklin Roosevelt had his summer White House.  Traveling in retirement has been wonderful because we now have the time to do these sorts of detours that were not possible when we worked.  The history of some of these small towns is fascinating and it constantly reinforces our belief that learning new things is the biggest benefit of travel.  Seeing new places and trying new foods and meeting new people has made us realize what a remarkable world we live in and, when you get right down to it, most people want the same thing out of life: the happiness found in a safe home with family and friends.

Traveling in retirement doesn’t have to be expensive either.  You do not have to go to faraway places to have a wonderful experience.  You don’t have to eat out every day and you don’t have to travel first class.  With the freedom to travel in the less busy times of the year, you can find real bargains in accommodations, cruise packages and discounted attractions.  Check out happy hours in the local pubs and restaurants if you’re determined to take a vacation from cooking.  By doing a little research you will be very surprised at how much money you can save and the interesting dining experiences you can have.  We have found a couple of “under the radar” places that we still go back to each year and part of the fun of traveling is when you discover these hidden gems.

In my time as a prisoner of Corporate America, I was part of the food industry and I still make it a point to visit the local grocery stores and to see the differences between the various regions of the country not to mention the world.  It’s amazing to see the size of the SPAM aisle in Hawaii, the cheese aisle in any Parisian market or the incredible produce selection in Napa Valley.  Exploring the country or region you’re in is an experience that can be enjoyed on almost any budget.  It’s amazing how just a little knowledge can make a difference.  Forty years ago, news about a California wildfire would have gotten very little attention from us.  The floods from a hurricane would not have made that much of an impression on us.  Yes, we would have felt terrible for the poor people on the news but it wouldn’t have gotten the reaction that we have now when we see some of these items on the news.  The difference is that we have now experienced those areas.  We have seen the wineries in California that could see flames of the fires in the distance and we have taken a tour in New Orleans where the damage of Katrina is still being felt.  It reminds us that we are all part of one planet and that our futures are linked together.  That is the biggest benefit of travel.  It is a wonderful part of retirement.  Why not start planning your next trip?  It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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