loisco

Hubby and I are over 70. We are going to France next year. I wonder if any of you know other senior travelers. We are traveling independently. Several relatives feel it will be "too much" for us. Comments.

OK..!! 72 and 77!

nibblette

It all depends on your health and physical status. If you are fit and adventurous, you should have no problem. Just plan out a realistic itinerary and don't rush yourselves (advice good for any age!). What do they mean by too much?
I do active vacations (multisport) and have met people in their 70's and older who were able to keep and sometimes even surpass me (I'm in my 30's).

nibblette

Forgot to add, I really admire those travelers and hope that I will continue to be as adventurous (and healthy) when I am their age.

flanneruk

Trade your relatives in for younger models as fast as you can.

If you were cycling through NWP, across the Karakoram, from Pindi to Kashghar, some of my more risk-averse neighbours might share your relatives' bizarre neuroses. But most would regard it as what sensible people do for an interesting holiday.

But all of us would share the concern you must feel for these weird relations. I'm impressed you've put up with them for so long.

Melissa5

Travel as long as you can...it will keep you young. The man who inspired me to plan our first family trip to Italy independently is 73 and his wife is 72, and they have taken a trip to Italy every year for the past 7 years!!!

The trick is slow down, spend maybe a week in 2 different areas. Arrange day-tours from there. don't go hopping around from hotel to hotel...it's tiring. On-line and using guidebooks you can get the name of many delightful licensed guides who will take you on a private day-tour in their car, and you will really enjoy meeting and talking with a licensed guide who lives in France.

I haven't been to France yet but my friend, who is 73 and has been to Italy 7 times, loves Paris.

Also very important is choose your hotel carefully...make sure it's nice and centrally located, near nice places to walk to, near public transportation (taxis or buses), near interesting neighborhoods and restaurants.

Research, research, research. We had a great trip to Italy because I researched details such as museum hours, I even researched when is the least crowded time to visit museums. All the research really paid off. Plus I found the research to be exciting and enjoyable in itself!

Melissa5

Loisco, another thought for you...you will be 72 and 77 years old in France...but you're the same age in your home!!! Tell your friends you're not going to get any younger by staying home.

I say if you're still young enough to enjoy a trip to France, then you're young enough to go!

Intrepid1

Ask yourself about those "relatives" who are telling you it is "too much"?

WHEN was the last time THEY went anywhere across the state line (and I am not talking about a casino on the gulf or a has-been country singer theatre in the Ozarks).

Ignore them totally..what do THEY know about your own inclinations and abilities? They're probably jealous but make SURE you take lots of pictures because THEY will be the first ones in line to see them when you return.

praline

Loisco, by all means if you are healthy and your husband is as well and willing to travel, by all means then go. I am 22 years younger than you. I hope that I will still have the health and funds to travel at your age. I am so happy for you and your husband. Bon voyage to you two!

Grandma

I'm 66 and my husband 78. (Just). We've found as we get older we plan ahead more and like our creature comforts more..but otherwise we continue on. We "did" Egypt four years ago, etc. AND we have LOTS of friends our vintage who are still very much on the go. Tell you relatives to go fry ice. (A childhood taunt that just popped into my head-

LoveItaly

Ioisco, I believe you asked about whether or not to check luggage (your husband did not want to and you did)?
And after some of us answered your post you said that you two would check your luggage in. Now that is a good start.

First question. Have you been to France or Europe before or is this your first trip? Not that it matters that much but I was wondering if you were use to traveling in France or at least Europe. Are you from the USA for example. If not, where do you reside? Have you flown from your area to Europe before? And if so how long ago? And how did you handle the flight?

For sure I know lots of senior travelers. Think senior travelers are the most energetic people I know.

Do you or your husband have any health problems? If so, have you spoken with your Doctor regarding this trip? If so, and your Doctor feels there is no problem than I would say there is no problem as far as anyone can tell.

Have you considered buying travel/medical insurance? This would probably be a good idea. One website you might want to check out is www.insuremytrip.com.

My dear, I agree with all the other posters who have given you advice.

There are always relatives or friends in my opinion who are always ready to tell one why "something" should not be done.

Only you and your dear husband know what works for the two of you. I am sure your relatives mean well but it is the two of you that truly knows what you desire and what you feel up to.

My very best to you, and have fun planning your trip.

Katie2

My mother was well into her 80's before she had to stop traveling abroad. If she couldn't find a friend to go with her, she would go by herself.

Weadles

I totally agree with Grandmere's post! My 79-year-old mom just returned from a trip to Tuscany, and is already planning a theatre trip to London in the spring. If you're in decent health, go and enjoy yourselves, and leave your fussy relatives behind!!

travelbunny

..go for it! and tell your relatives to "get a life". My mother is slowing down (she just turned 84..though she still has kids in her 40's)but last year did a trip on the rivers of europe-3 weeks! This year she only plans a 1 week cruise getaway .Literally until the last 3 years we (her children) had trouble keeping track of her. I would have to post her whereabouts on the fridge. I think she thinks we should "get a life" and she maybe right...In all seriousness, I think she has been able to do this because she carefully plans and has an excellent travel agent. She sometimes goes on group tours but if she does she makes sure the hotels are central and that there are at least 2 nights in anyone hotel. She loves cruises because she doesnt have to pack and unpack. She always gets travel insurance; vital at any age but even more so as one mellows. Have a great time and set an example for your kids.

Dallas

Health can be a barrier, but even then, you can work around it. I have arthritis in both knees; I have to stop often, and I can't climb a mountain anymore. I refuse to let it stop me! I plan on traveling just as long as I possibly can (I'm only 66, after all), and there's so many places I want to see yet.

artlover

A friend of mine who is 73 is on a plane on her way to Israel as I type this...another good friend who is 81 is planning to (maybe) meet us in Venice in May...she was just in Italy last spring and a man tried to steal her wallet whereupon she started hitting him with her walking cane as the crowd around them cheered her on and he "begged for mercey". Last time she visited me in Seattle and we were doing the town together, I insisted she bring her walking cane for protection!

Besides health, I think attitude has so much to do with it. Have a great trip!
(We'll all cheer you on and help you with the planning here!)

loisco

Thanks all of you for the encouraging words. We are fairly fit. Walked our dogs for years..and when we can, go to fitness center.Our first trips to Europe were about 25 years ago.

Someone mentioned health insurance?...tell me more?..

Rich

We took the MIL to London for her 70th birthday, then two years later to Paris. The London trip was her first outside the US, we had to coach her thru getting passport.

We assumed we would be sightseeing a few hours a day and resting the rest . . no way! . . Bless her little heart, she was so excited about see somany new things that she was going full blast . . bad knee and all!

Medicare will be of no use in Europe, but them most of it has socialized medicine and relatively inexpensive health care. We did visit a Dr. in Paris when she developed a cold and he did not even charge us!

She is 75 now and we are planning a trip to Rome with her this spring . .

Rich

gail

Medicare does not generally cover health care outside of US. Any number of travel insurance companies can provide coverage for health care, but also for trip cancellation, medical evacuation, etc. These are issues any traveler, regardless of age should consider and decide whether to purchase or not. Some Medicare supplements purchased separately will provide health coverage outside US, but many will not. None that I know of provide medical evacuation - and obviously not trip cancellation, etc.

Since this is a travel board, I believe you suspected you would not find anyone to say you were too old to travel. I urge you not to take these posts back to the relatives to use for ammunition against their arguments. If you are old enough to travel, then you are old enough to make your own decisions, smile, and send them a nice postcard from France.

(I head to London in a few months with my 14 year old daughter and 76 year old mother)

Katie2

You should definitely get travel insurance. Most medical plans in the US do not cover health problems when you are abroad. Check out www.insuremytrip.com

bellastar

That phrase "go fry ice" is priceless, I can't wait to share it with my mum, who in her mid 70's took off for Australia on her own, then joined up with a girlfriend to tool around New Zealand. Relatives, shmelatives, go to France and dance!