Having Trouble Booking Your Holidays Online? A Guide to Planning and Booking the Perfect Trip for Mature Travelers

Embark on your next journey with confidence! Our comprehensive guide for mature travelers demystifies the process of planning and booking your dream trip. Learn how to select the perfect destination, manage your budget effectively, and prepare for your travels with essential safety tips and packing advice. Whether you're exploring ancient ruins or relaxing on a secluded beach, our tips ensure you're well-equipped for an enriching travel experience.

Traveling is one of our biggest passions. Together, we have traveled around the world for over two years, visiting nearly 30 countries and mastering countless travel hacks, including devising our own. We recently realized that many people still struggle to plan and book their trips. Therefore, we have created this guide that will assist you in discovering and evaluating new destinations and navigating the various booking options. Additionally, we have included some essential tips and tricks to consider when planning and traveling. 

Destination Research: A Key Step in Travel Planning for Mature Travelers 

Going on a trip can be an overwhelming experience because there are so many destinations to choose from. We created a bucket list before planning our trip to make it easier. This list included everything we wanted to do and see while on the road, such as visiting China, Machu Picchu, and scuba diving. You can do the same thing for short trips by sitting down and writing a list of countries, places, and activities you want to experience. Once you have a rough idea of what you want, you can start researching your options. 

Start your research by doing a simple Google search of your desired destinations. This will give you a rough idea of what the place looks like, but remember that you might only see the good sides of it. For instance, Cuba may seem touristy and vibrant in photos, but in reality, it may be run down and not function well. This can be frustrating if you plan on staying longer or being on a budget.  

You can check out websites like Culture Trip, TripAdvisor, and Lonely Planet to learn more about your destination. These sites offer a wealth of information, guides, and reviews about nearly every place on the planet. Additionally, search for recent in-depth reviews from other travelers. Many travelers have blogs, which you can find by searching for terms like "What to do in XYZ" or "Things to see in XYZ." The more specific your search terms, the better your results will be. Also, don't forget to check out the "Related Searches" section at the bottom of Google's search result page, which often contains other excellent search terms.  

Another great source of information is word-of-mouth from family and friends who have traveled to similar destinations.  

By the end of your research, you should understand the climate, culture, safety, accessibility, and the best time to visit your destination. This allows you to make informed decisions before and during your trip. 

How much to spend on a trip? 

Regarding travel planning, budgeting is a crucial but often tedious task. Start by determining how much money you can allocate to your trip. Then, break down your expenses into basic categories such as transportation, accommodation, food and beverages, activities, and insurance. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don't overspend during your travels. 

Transportation includes: 

• The cost of your plane and/or local transportation tickets. 

• Fuel expenses for your trip. 

• The cost of renting a car or bike to get around at your destination. 

Depending on where you go, renting a car or bike is almost necessary to get from one place to another. That's why it's essential to research different transportation options. You can book your flights early or at the last minute to save money or consider a relocation rental car deal, which is much cheaper but usually has time constraints. For instance, we once rented a car for a few dollars a day and drove from Brisbane to Melbourne in Australia, but we had to be there within seven days, or we would have had to pay a premium.  

You can use websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, or similar apps to find affordable flights. Most apps also allow you to set up alerts for price drops, so use them. Remember to check the airline websites directly, as some airlines offer exclusive deals that may be cheaper than those found on other platforms. Also, check your credit card loyalty program to see if you can use your accumulated points for a cheaper flight or accommodation. 

When searching for flights, there are a few things you can do to find cheaper options: 

1. Flexible dates and times can save you money. For instance, weekdays are usually cheaper than weekends. The same is true for early-morning and late-night flights compared to daytime flights. Also, consider flights on holidays like Christmas Day, they can be significantly cheaper.  

2. Booking at the last minute or as far in advance as possible can also help you save. 

3. It's a good idea to clear your browsing history and cookies, as some websites track your searches and may increase the prices. 

To find better deals, consider using incognito mode and non-Apple devices. Websites tend to associate Apple devices with a higher disposable income and may allegedly hike prices for them. We have yet to test this ourselves, so please let us know if you have any experience with this. 

When it comes to finding accommodation, you can start by checking out Booking.com and Expedia to get an idea of the prices. Keep in mind that the location of the accommodation can have a significant impact on the price. Generally, the better the location, the higher the price. If you are willing to stay a bit further out from the city center or the beach, you can save a substantial amount of money. In our experience, we found it much cheaper to stay a bit further out but still close to public transport or rent a car or scooter to get around. However, make sure to research the area to make sure you're in a safe neighborhood.

Additionally, it's always a good idea to check the prices directly on the accommodation's website since they may offer a slightly lower price than what is advertised on the booking websites. Finally, if you have enough time and are not traveling during peak season, consider contacting the accommodation directly and asking for their best price. You might be able to snag a better deal this way. 

AirBnB is another alternative for accommodation. You can rent a room, apartment, house, or more, and sometimes even access locations that are not usually available. We stayed in luxurious places in Mexico at a significantly lower price than a mediocre hotel. However, be cautious of the cleaning fees and carefully check the reviews, as some dishonest hosts may try to collect additional charges from you. 

As part of your budgeting process, it's important to consider both exchange and card fees. When exchanging cash in a foreign country, make sure to negotiate with the exchange office and don't accept a difference larger than 5-10%, depending on the currency and the location of the exchange office. Don't be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. Additionally, it's a good idea to research reputable exchange offices and their locations to ensure a safe and fair transaction. 

We usually preferred to pay with our card while traveling as it felt safer. Several card options, from Chase, Capital One, or Wells Fargo, have no annual and foreign transaction fees. Therefore, check with your bank and consider opening a new account with better conditions if needed. This is because bank and ATM fees can significantly reduce your budget. 

It's always surprising to see how many people travel without proper insurance coverage. Even if you're only going away for a few days, you must check with your insurer about your coverage. Carefully read and understand the policies and terms, especially the exclusions. Activities like skiing and scuba diving are often excluded from coverage. It's worth taking the time and spending a few extra dollars to ensure that your coverage is sufficient for any worst-case scenarios and the activities you plan to do. We highly recommend seeking independent advice since everyone's situation and needs differ. 

What are the visa requirements? 

If you plan to travel to a different country, the visa requirements may vary depending on your citizenship. As a US citizen, you can check the US Department of State website [link] to find out if you need a visa. In many cases, you will be granted a visa on arrival, but if your stay is longer than 30, 60, or 90 days, you must apply for a visa. Suppose you are traveling to a less touristy and less developed country. In that case, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a travel agent to avoid any issues that might arise during the visa process. 

In most cases, you can apply for your visa online. You can also extend your visa for some countries, but this process can be complex. We extended our visas in places like Thailand and Cuba without any issues. However, ensure you don't overstay and allocate enough time for the renewal process since it might take a few days. 

Better safe than sorry 

It is recommended to visit your GP and get a health check-up before embarking on a trip, especially if traveling to a new destination for an extended period. This will help you obtain the necessary vaccinations for the country you plan to visit, some of which you may need proof of. Additionally, bringing any special medication you require is essential, as it may not be available at your destination. We suggest packing a basic travel pharmacy kit with important items such as bandages, medication for diarrhea and headaches, and disinfectants. While traveling, we have experienced illness a few times but were always able to obtain the required medication inexpensively. Our travel insurance covered everything.  

When traveling, using common sense and taking precautions is essential to ensure your health and safety. For example, avoid drinking tap water if it's not recommended, or you have a sensitive stomach. In some places, we even used drinking water to brush our teeth. Additionally, be careful with food if you're not used to spicy dishes or the local cuisine. Eating the wrong thing can quickly ruin your trip. While diving into the local food scene is tempting, give your stomach a few days to adjust and try small portions first. 

It is recommended to research common scams before visiting a new place. Every country has its own variations of scams and other fraudulent activities. Knowing about these scams beforehand can help you avoid them. Also, it is advisable to research which areas to avoid and when, as some places may be safe during the daytime but not at night. Guided tours can also be booked in most places, which can help you stay safe. If you feel something is wrong, it is always better to walk away and seek help in a public place or call the police. You can also call an Uber or taxi to leave the area quickly. To ensure that you can call for help if needed, it is recommended that you get a local SIM card or make sure your mobile plan works at your destination. 

Traveling in groups is generally safer and more fun, so avoid traveling alone. Also, avoid flaunting your expensive camera and phone, as it can make you a target for theft. We always kept our money in a belt and distributed it in different places on our bodies, just in case we got robbed. Remember, if you get robbed, do not resist, as your travel insurance will cover at least some of your losses. No camera or phone is worth risking your safety or life. You should also have the emergency contact details with you in case of an emergency. Also, share your travel itinerary with your family and friends and keep them updated via WhatsApp or any other messaging app so they can help you from home and contact the authorities if needed. 

Ensure you know your essentials - the things you absolutely need in an emergency. For me, those essential items included my passport, wallet, phone, and, of course, Christina. Everything else didn't matter much to me, even my phone, since all my pictures were saved on the cloud anyway. However, communicating was still important, so I always kept these three things close to me or in a safe in the hotel if it felt secure. I recommend keeping your essentials down to less than five things to make it easier to track them. At the end of the day, it's just stuff, and if it gets lost or stolen, it doesn't matter much. We also always kept a copy of our passports in the cloud and a hard copy separately. So, even if our passports were stolen, we would still have been able to identify ourselves. 

It's crucial to research, understand, and respect the cultural norms of the place you're traveling to. I've witnessed several instances where tourists got upset with the locals, although they were clearly violating the cultural norms. For example, if you're visiting a Muslim country, make sure you follow their religious rules. Many of them allow tourists to visit sacred sites, provided they wear long pants and females cover their heads with a scarf. From their perspective, showing up half-naked is disrespectful and can lead to negative comments or even worse consequences. If you can't comply with their rules, choosing another country is better. We've come across people who got into serious trouble because of this. Therefore, investing time in researching and understanding the cultural norms will be well worth it. 

What should you pack and bring with you on a trip? 

I recommend bringing only carry-on luggage when traveling. Often, we tend to pack too much unnecessary stuff. Have you ever brought items that you didn't use during your trip? Carrying less luggage simplifies your travels and makes moving from one place to another easier. Also, you can wash your clothes or have them cleaned everywhere. However, it depends on the type of trip you are taking and the cost of items at your destination. Buying essential items like toothpaste at your destination is often cheaper, especially if you plan to stay for several weeks. So pack only a few supplies and remember to bring a travel charger. 

Things you should do after arrival 

After checking in to your accommodation, we highly recommend you inspect the rooms for unwelcome guests, such as bugs. It is advisable to go through all the rooms and check if they are clean enough to settle in. If you find that the room needs to be cleaned and you are staying in a hotel, we suggest you request another room instead of asking for it to be cleaned. If the second room is also dirty, consider canceling your booking and finding another place to stay. 

Once you have settled in, it is essential to keep your loved ones at home updated by sending them a quick message. They will surely appreciate it. 

Conclusion 

You're never too old for adventure, and the experiences you collect will be worth more than any souvenir. Remember, it's not about the destination; it's about the journey, experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and stepping out of your comfort zone. With proper planning, you can create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime or revive previous memories by visiting a place you have been to many years ago. In addition, the benefits from traveling are plentiful. Traveling can boost your mental health by fostering a sense of independence and empowerment; the advantages extend well beyond the trip itself.  

That's why our guide aims to equip you with the tools and knowledge to confidently plan and execute your own adventures, regardless of age. We hope the insights shared will inspire you to embrace the joys and challenges of travel. We encourage you to not only dream about your next destination but to take the leap and make it a reality. Whether exploring ancient ruins, basking in the sun on a remote beach, or immersing yourself in a bustling city, the world is your playground. 

In conclusion, we invite you to embrace the adventure that awaits you. The world is vast, diverse, and full of wonders, and it's never too late to explore it. So pack your bags, set your sights on new horizons, embark on the journey, and create new memories. Happy travels! 

Have questions or want to share your own travel tips and experiences? Leave a comment below! We love hearing from our community!  

 Additional Resources and Tips 

• When traveling to a new place, it's always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the local language. Duolingo is an excellent language-learning app that can help you get started. It's best to begin the learning process at least 2-3 months before your trip.  

• Bring a few simple games or books to avoid boredom during downtime. We always had a travel version of Scrabble, chess, and poker cards with us in case we needed to pass the time. 

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html