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Smart Planning Helps Seniors to Avoid Travel Pitfalls
Vantage Is Offering Free "151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers" Booklet
BOSTON (September 27, 2006) - While there's no better way to spend retirement
than visiting exotic locales, paradise can sour quickly for those who haven't
planned properly. Often, travelers focus on learning about their destination,
and don't spend enough time planning for day-to-day practicalities. Here are a
few planning tips that senior travel experts offer to prevent problems and
ensure maximum comfort while traveling.
Start an exercise regimen several weeks before your trip. Carrying suitcases,
prolonged sitting, standing or walking; unfamiliar beds; and other activities
that you're not accustomed to can aggravate aches and pains. Build your
flexibility and stamina gradually - before you leave.
See your dentist. Many people never think of their dental health until they need
help. Since nothing can take the charm out of foreign travel faster than a
toothache, get a "tune up" before you go.
Prescription duplicates. Foreign trade names are different than those in the
U.S. and Canada, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for the generic drug name
rather than the brand name. You should also carry a prescription for you
eyeglasses. Bring along a traveling medical kit which should consist of
aspirin, vitamins, cold tablets, antacids, bowel regulators, spray anesthetic,
bandage strips and elastic bandage, and an antibiotic.
Assemble an "information file." Put all important information - such as
telephone numbers at home, flight numbers, traveler's check numbers, and
insurance policy information - on credit card sized cards to carry in your
wallet. That way, the information is readily available in a convenient format.
You might even consider laminating the card.
Carry "new" money. Be sure that any small amounts of U.S. currency you take
abroad is "new" money - the new design $20 or $100 bills, for example. "old"
bills abroad are now considered highly susceptible to counterfeiting. Carry
U.S. small bills for tipping.
For more useful travel tips, Vantage Deluxe World Travel offers a free
publication - Going Smart: 151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers - to anyone who
calls or visits the website and submits a request. In addition, excerpts can be
used by travel, leisure, and general interest publications with appropriate
attribution. Call 1-800-993-1593 to get a free copy of Going Smart: 151 Travel
Tips for Mature Travelers or visit www.vantagetravel.com/151tips.
"We wrote the booklet to address recurring questions from our travelers," said
David Gevanthor Vice President. "Thousands of seniors travel with us each year
so we've made it our business to ferret out the details and tips that will help
our guests make the most of their travels." He adds that local program managers
in several of the Vantage destinations also contributed to the publication.
The booklet is broken into six sections, covering pre-trip planning, useful tips
for the trip itself, specific cruise-related tips, well-being and fitness tips,
information on obtaining low-cost maps and destination information, and tips
for getting through customs problem-free. Other useful elements include tipping
guidelines, travel glossaries, a chart for clothing sizes in various countries,
and conversion formulas for weights and measures.
About Vantage Deluxe World Travel
Vantage Deluxe World Travel creates upscale, affordable travel programs for
mature travelers. The company has headquarters in Boston, Mass, with subsidiary
offices in London, England; Passau, Germany; Beijing, China; Buenos Aires,
Argentina; and Opatija, Croatia.
Media contact: Helen Knight, APR King Knight Communications,
813-961-6051; helen@kingknight.com
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