If the prospect of travelling during your free time is one that interests you, you are probably aware of the expenses that can easily mount when planning any vacation. This may be especially daunting after retirement, when managing money has never been so important.

Whether you are looking for a perfect, relaxing vacation, or wish to visit that resort you’ve heard all about from your family and friends, there are ways to minimise the travel cost without diminishing your enjoyment. Below are ten tips that will help you in doing just that.

Find the right company.If you are planning to go on a tour, you might consider using a company to plan it. This way, you will be able to incorporate all of your costs into one place, and will often times receive a good deal or special senior rate. Finding the right company can also apply to airlines or booking a cruise. In both cases, you want to find one that will offer what you are looking for at a price you can afford. Be sure to compare companies and rates, and ask any questions you feel are pertinent to your trip.

Travel In a Group. Unless you are determined to spend your vacation strictly alone, consider traveling with a group. This can either be a tour group of your peers who also wish to see the same sights as you, or your family and friends. In either case, traveling in a group situation can save you money. Even if you do not wish to participate in all of the group activities, you will still come out ahead this way.

Do your research. Figure out exactly where you want to go, what you want to do when you get there, and how much money you will be able to spend on your trip. Once you have determined these things, you can then begin researching the various activities, resorts, and/or companies you have chosen, as well as find low airfare and good hotel rates. Work out what is most important to you and your companion, and research those elements to see how you can get the most bang for your buck.

Plan your trip in advance. The sooner you are able to plan your trip, the more you will be able to do toward its preparation. Planning a trip is essential in some cases, the sooner you begin doing so, the less you'’ll have to do when it comes time to travel.

Protect your health. For senior citizens, health concerns are among the highest, especially when traveling. That is why it is important to be sure you do everything possible to protect your health. If you take medications regularly, make sure you bring all of them with you, and that you will be able to re-fill any prescriptions that may run out while you are away. Also, make sure you take your medication when you are supposed to, which can sometimes prove difficult if you are crossing over into another time zone, or even several time zones.

Take all the usual health precautions you would at home, and always have your insurance information on-hand in case it is needed.

Keep in touch with loved ones. Make sure you have someone who will know where you will be, and how to get in touch with you should it be necessary. This is also important if you find yourself in a situation where it is necessary to contact that person as well, like in a health crisis or similar situation.

Take Care To Plan Your Activities. When planning your activities, make sure you choose those you will be able to accomplish. If you feel one or more of them may be physically demanding, and you do not feel you will be able to do it, omit that from your list.

Choose your Lodging Carefully. If you plan on staying at a resort, be sure you choose lodging that fits within your travel budget. If you can’t afford a cabin or condo, or wish to use that money on other trip-related activities, choose a hotel instead.

Enjoy your trip. Whatever you do, enjoy your trip. Take enough money with you to have fun and not worry about expenses. Stay within your budget, but don’t be afraid to splurge where you can. After all, these are your golden years, and you want to spend them having fun.

Daniel Wilson
http://www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk/