Top 5 Senior Travel Blogs

Reading about people’s adventures is almost as good as traveling yourself…right? Meet some of the world’s best-known boomer travel bloggers who share their stories and experiences on the road. Follow along as they adventure around the world, sharing photos, memories and tips along the way.

Here are some of our favorite blogs:

More Time to Travel

More Time to Travel was recently named one of the best boomer travel blogs by FlipKey and is written by Irene S. Levine and Jerome Levine. She worked most of her career as a respected and highly-regarded journalist in the health field before transitioning to travel. Her blog has destination information, books and gear, and lots of tips!

www.moretimetotravel.com/

Where in the World is Kate?

Focusing on solo travel for women over 50, Kate is a smart and refreshing voice who focuses primarily on travels in Asia. The Middle East and Europe. She has lots of stories from her transition from Microsoft exec to full-time traveler! She's got great stories, tips and advice for solo women (and men) traveling the world. 

whereintheworldiskate.com

My Itchy Travel Feet

Married pair Donna & Alan Hull are a writing and photographer duo who record their travel experiences through blogs so that the boomer population will be better informed for their next trips. They even have an exhaustive series of boomer-travel resources to share. Donna says that “the travel bug is like an itch you can’t quite scratch. I call it itchy feet”. Do you have itchy feet?

myitchytravelfeet.com/

Never Stop Traveling

This blog is “the source for travelers who want to go beyond the typical trip”. (Sounds like us ElderTrekkers!). They focus mostly on Europe, South & North America. Jim Ferri, the editor of the blog says he wants to highlight real experiences while traveling the world and couple it with great photography. He’s also got some great travel tips on this blog.

www.neverstoptraveling.com

Travel Past 50

Tom Bartel & Kristin Henning write and photograph destinations across the world, sharing tips, and stories geared to older adults “primed to pack up and travel”. They’ve got a great slogan – “ for those who’ve been around”. They sold all of their possessions in 2010 and now explore the world. Canada, Bali, Nebraska, and Paris are just a few of the most recent articles they’ve written about, but since they’ve been to over 40 countries, you will have no shortage of destinations to enjoy reading about!

travelpast50.com

Do you have any other travel bloggers that you like to follow? Share them with us in the comments below!

Guest Blog: Is Jet-Lag Unavoidable? Top Tips for Beating Jet-Lag

IS JET LAG UNAVOIDABLE?

Some people get an exceptionally severe case of jet lag no matter what they do. My humble opinion is jet lag just happens. Lots of blogs address the question. Even medical sites give jet lag advice. I think, like many people, no matter what I do, I can’t avoid jet lag. The definition for Jet lag is excessive sleepiness, but my primary symptom is getting dizzy.

FOR ME JET LAG IS UNAVOIDABLE.

I get vertigo as well as being tired. That’s how I can tell that lack of proper rest weakens my system. Jet lag comes on when a traveler goes to a new time zone by airplane. My radar is now on alert for jet lag symptoms. My body clock sometimes doesn’t have a chance to adjust to the sunrise/sunset rhythms in a new time zone.

When I am traveling, I am physically careful for the first few days. These are some tips that help me. I stay up until a normal bedtime hour, walk as much as I can and stay out in the sun whenever possible. I suggest drinking a lot of water and never taking a deep nap. Rest is helpful, but sleeping before bedtime doesn’t help me. Even if jet lag is unavoidable, there are things you can do to improve the symptoms.

JET LAG IS INEVITABLE FOR ME, BUT I KEEP TRAVELING

I have tried a lot of remedies, and nothing works. The one thing that sort of works for me is a cat nap. Cat naps feel like you are just about to fall asleep, but you catch yourself and wake before you fully go to sleep. Staying up as long as possible while my adrenaline is pumping helps me adjust to the new time zone. Unfortunately, when I arrive home – nothing works.

THE REAL DEFINITION FOR JET LAG

Jet lag, medically referred to as desynchronosis, and rarely as circadian dysrhythmia, is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body’s circadian rhythms resulting from rapid long-distance transmeridian travel on high-speed aircraft. For example, someone traveling from New York to California feels as if the time were three hours later than local time. Jet lag was previously classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. source: Wikipedia

ONE DAY FOR EACH TIME ZONE FOR YOUR BODY TO ADAPT

But, when I get home I notice my Jet lag. Nothing can take my mind off of the upset stomach and sleepiness.

The bad thing about jet lag for me is it brings on vertigo. I fell in Africa, collapsed downstairs in Jordan, and tripped in Rhodes. The African fall injured my right foot. In Jordan, I broke my camera lens, lens cover and hurt my wrist. My Jordan header made me oblivious; I was out of it for a few minutes. In Rhodes, when I noticed something was wrong, I sat down at a restaurant. The restaurant manager was helpful. He could tell I wasn’t feeling well. He helped me out and gave me tea. For me, things get disoriented. I can feel jet lag coming on in my vision. I believe vertigo goes hand-in-hand with jet lag. However, it doesn’t bother me enough to stop me from traveling.

Think about the possibilities, because you might also get vertigo. According to my doctor, vertigo is triggered by jet lag, PTSD, lack of sleep and/or a virus. My advice is to be aware and know your body. I think knowing about jet lag or any medical condition helps you recognize the cause if you experience them. Hopefully, my story helps you.

AVOID JET LAG BY BUILDING A SLEEP SCHEDULE

Create a custom sleep schedule, make a coping plan to deal with Jet lag. Jet Lag Rooster-A free website to help reduce jet lag so you can enjoy your trip.

COPING WITH JET LAG

•    Start by resetting your biological clock before leaving by getting up an hour early for a few days before departure

•    Eat well, drink a lot of water

•    Be relaxed and comfortable, avoiding worry and stress (anything you forget can buy there)

•    Take cat naps and sleep on the plane

•    Stay up and go to your furthest destination so you are busy until you drop into bed

•    Burn up your energy and get exhausted

•    Some think exercise and the sun will help; see if it works for you

IS JET LAG UNAVOIDABLE?

WHAT DOESN'T WORK

•    Ambien and other sleeping aids only make it worse for me

•    Melatonin and No More jet lag don’t work for me. They did, but they stopped working. Give them a try and see if they work for you.

•    Drinking makes my jet lag worse, and my sleep is full of crazy dreams

•    To sleep or not to sleep?  Try taking a nap, it might work for you.

Remember, travel comes at a cost, but it’s worth it.

Thanks to Kate at Where in the World is Kate for being this week's Guest Blogger. To read more, visit Kate's website here.

Should You Travel in a Small Group?

Many adventure travelers have spent most of their lives traveling solo, avoiding groups and touristy experiences. As you age, your expectations and needs change, and you may ask yourself, “Should I travel in a small group?”

As times change, and as travel experiences change with them, travelers have begun to expect authentic experiences, but with the safety and security of being with a group. Small groups have the opportunity to take your travel to the next level (if you travel with the right company!). Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are considering taking a small group adventure tour:

1)   Are you concerned about safety?

Safety nowadays is a big concern for many travelers. Traveling in a small group helps you stay safe in remote places in the world. Your Tour Leader is well versed in the destination, knowing where to go and where to avoid. They understand the area, know the nearby hospitals or clinics, and are well versed in handling any situation that arises. This means you will always be in good hands.

2)    Are you traveling on your own?


Traveling solo is a reality for many people who want to see the world. Small groups are perfect for solo travelers because you get to meet great travel companions and share the travel experience with other people. Avoid single supplements by sharing a room with another person and it’ll stay affordable as well.

3)    Do you want the small details taken care of for you?


Everyone loves to travel! Not everyone loves the nitty-gritty details, logistics and organization of a multi-day tour across countries. There are visas, paperwork, hotel bookings, bus schedules and so much more when booking on your own. Trust your vacation experience to the experts! These are the ones who know exactly how to deal with all the details so that you don’t have to!

4)    Do you like a planned itinerary?

If you are the type of traveler who likes knowing where you’re going and what you’re going to see, a small group is perfect for you. Having an itinerary for your travels allows you the security in knowing what you will do and see, but also the flexibility of allowing for time for unplanned experiences. You never know what you might encounter on the side of the road, or you might stop at a traditional Indian wedding or view wildlife in their natural habitat. Small groups allow for those spontaneous moments, while still allowing you to do and see what you traveled across the world to do.

5)    Do you enjoy learning from other people?

When you travel with a small group, you never know who might be traveling with you! The beauty of adventure tours is the fact that you spend time with like-minded individuals who are curious about the world and seeing the same destinations. You might meet a photographer, who can teach you about lighting the shot well, or a teacher who’s been to all the countries in the Western Hemisphere, or the Tour Leader who speaks 5 languages. The experiences you have with your group mates are sure to last a lifetime.

If you’ve answered YES to all these questions, you should travel in a small group! Consider ElderTreks for your next small group adventure. Check out these great itineraries HERE.

Is it Safe to Travel?

Reading the papers and listening to the news can be somewhat disheartening these days. We are often surrounded with terrible news from places all over the world, both near and far.

After reading these stories,  the question remains: do we continue to travel?  We’d like to think yes. The world is nothing short of amazing, awe-inspiring and astounding. It needs to be explored.

Travel allows you to meet warm, compassionate people from different places than your own. When you travel, you realize that most people are innately kind and good. You realize that even if other people live thousands of miles away and maybe don’t speak the same language; they have more in common with you than you think.

Even with all the dangers that surround us in our day-to-day lives, we can’t allow fear in any capacity to alter the course of our lives or stop us from doing the things we want to do. (Within reason of course).

Here are some of our suggestions to continue to travel the world, safely and comfortably:

Be Smart

No matter when and where you travel, you have to be smart. Being aware of your surroundings, and taking steps to ensure your safety are always important. Making copies of passports and leaving them with family members goes a long way too. Also consider not wandering alone at night. These are simple ways to ensure you’re safer.  Another tip is knowing who to contact in case of emergencies wherever you go.

Do Your Homework

We encourage everyone to do their homework before travelling anywhere. It's important to not always take what the media tells you at face value. There are many places in the world that the tensions are a bit high, and the State Department and other country governments recommend you avoid visiting. But, you can decide for yourself. Sadly, sometimes these warnings are there more for political reasons than just safety. Do your research on the destinations by talking to people who have traveled there, reading articles and by using your best judgment.

Be Flexible

If in the unlikely event something happens, be flexible. Have a plan B & C in case you need to change your plans. If you are understanding, you will still be able to make the best of your itinerary. Travel insurance is always recommended just in case you need to move things around. Make sure to research policies that cover different situations. You might pay a little more, but it’s worth it to have a backup. You might want to consider a small group tour. One of the benefits is your tour leader always has a Plan B, all the way to Z just in case!

Lastly, rely on facts – not just opinions. For some reason, the global media has been set up to scare us. Make sure to trust YOUR gut and do what you feel comfortable with.

If you are reading to (safely) pack your bags, make sure to reach out to the ElderTreks team to chat about the best places to go. They love to talk travel! 

Tour Leader Jeff's Must-Sees in Madagascar

Madagascar is a unique destinations that inspires wildlife seekers from near and far to visit. It is home to thousands of species of animals, some of which are found nowhere else.

Jeff is ElderTreks’ Tour Leader in the incredible country of Madagascar. This week he is sharing some of the must-sees to discover when traveling to Madagascar.

Ambositra

In Ambositra you can find an abundant selection of Malagasy (rosewood, ebony, etc.) carved figures and marquetry. It is incredible artwork, and you will be amazed at the skill that goes into creating these masterpieces.

Photo Credit: Paul Laforest

The Golden Bamboo Lemur

The Golden Bamboo Lemur (for those who like mammals) or the Rufous Headed ground roller (for birders) is definitely one of the wildlife highlights here in Madagascar.

Isalo National Park

In Isalo National Park you can find the Jurassic-like scenery where the dinosaurs used to live and its endemic bird: the Benson Rock Thrush. It’s a unique landscape with flat grassy plains, and sandstone ridges. There are also many superstitions that must be observed as you walk through the park!

Berenty Private Reserve

Here you can find the famous Ring tailed lemur of Berenty Private Reserve and, if you are lucky, the insect-eating pitcher plant "Nepenthes". This is Madagascar’s best known reserve.

Photo Credit: Paul Laforest

The Indri

Catch a glimpse of the Indri, which is actually the biggest Lemur alive. They can be up to 3 feet tall, and jump upwards of 30 feet! 

Feeling inspired? Explore this diverse country on ElderTreks’ 18 day itinerary to Madagascar.