Travel isn’t just for the young, in fact, travelling the world is one of the most popular pursuits after retiring. It can be easy to dream of travelling the world, but have you made a plan? With so many places to see it can become overwhelming. Take a look through this article for some key advice when it comes to travelling later in life.
Mode and Length of Travel
Firstly, decide on the length of your trip; will it be a month, 3 months, or a year? Planning a trip can be exciting, but it can be easy to get carried away. You need to consider how you will feel; will a year be too long, will you start to miss family, or become tired of moving around a lot? If these are thoughts that can turn to worry, think about breaking your trip into manageable time slots; two weeks or a month, throughout the year.
Secondly, decide on the type of travel you wish to do – will it be a cruise, a road trip or flying to different countries? Each method of travel has its pros and cons, cruises are more relaxing, but you are tied to a set itinerary. A road trip gives you freedom but relies on you driving. Flying to different countries gives you endless possibilities, but can also be tiring, especially long-haul flights.
Once you have decided on the length of travel and method, it’s time to choose the destinations.
Choose The Destination
Narrowing down your bucket list can be the hardest part when it comes to planning. With so many places to travel to around the world, it can also be a little daunting. Start by picking your top 10 must-see places, then break it down by distance. If you live in the UK and want to visit New Zealand, for example, choose to do this sooner rather than later, as long-haul flights are harder to do as you get older.
Budget
It’s no secret – travelling the world isn’t cheap! However, it is doable with good budgeting. If you are coming up to retirement and know that travel is what you want to pursue, start putting money into a travel fund account. Or if you are already retired and have decided that travel is for you, releasing equity from your property will provide you with a way of financing your trip. If you have decided that you wish to travel long term, downsizing or selling up and investing in a motor home could be for you.
Insurance
This is something that cannot be skipped. Once you have a plan and the money to finance it, it’s time to buy travel insurance to cover the length of your trip and any activities you might do. Make sure to read the policy and ask a friend or relative to read through it too if you’re not sure.
Even if this seems like a long way off for you, if you want to travel the world during retirement, it is never too early to start planning.
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