Not ready to slow down yet? No, of course you’re not. Age is, after all, just a number, and why should young people own all the fun and excitement when it comes to travelling? If your dream is to go scuba diving in The Maldives, sea kayaking off the coast of Vietnam, or trekking through the jungles of Brazil, then who is to stop you?
Besides, later life can be the perfect time to spread your wings and find a little adventure. After years of hard work and raising a family, you owe it to yourself. You just have to bear in mind that being as impulsive as you once were is not so easy, so a little forward planning will always pay off. Here are a handful of tips to get you started on your way.
Listen to your body
If you are feeling fit and well, there is very little stopping you doing most activities you can think of. But ultimately, only you can make that judgement call. If day-to-day aches and pains are getting on top of you, bungee jumping off a bridge in New Zealand may not be the wisest move. Be honest with yourself, look for alternatives, and if you have a diagnosed medical condition, consult with your doctor.
Consider an adventure tour specialist
There is something romantic about the idea of packing your bags, buying a plane ticket, and jetting off into the sunset to discover whatever adventures fate has in store for you. And if DIY travel is your bag, by all means go for it. On the flipside, specialist adventure tour operators can give you the experience you want with none of the hassle of organising it yourself. Plus, you get the added security of professional, experienced guides and instructors, the right equipment, good accommodation and much, much more.
Plan in rest days
Even if you were still in your 20s, three weeks of continuous trekking, diving, hiking and travelling would be absolutely exhausting. You would quickly get to the point where you were no longer getting the most out of your experiences. To really enjoy your chosen adventure activities, you want to be feeling fresh and raring to go, so be sure to plan some R & R into your schedule.
Pack smart
Adventure holidays tend to involve a lot of moving around, which can mean carrying a lot of stuff around with you. There is a fine balance to strike here. Take too much, and you end up weighed down by a heavy bag you soon tire of carrying. Too little, and you might miss something you really need. Think carefully about the absolute essentials for your chosen activity and destination – spare weather appropriate clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, water etc. Then add your personal essentials, for example spare glasses, batteries for a hearing aid, any medication you need.
Get the right insurance
If you are an older person heading off on an adventure holiday, general travel insurance can work against you in two ways. One, it may not cover you if certain things happen because of your age or because of a medical condition you have, and second, it may well not cover the activities you are taking part in. Choose a specialist provider and make sure you are clear about what is and is not covered in the small print of your policy.
About us
Avanti Travel Insurance specialises in bespoke policies for the over-50s, and for people travelling with a pre-existing medical condition. For more information, please visit our website www.avantitravelinsurance.co.uk.