BOOMER TRAVEL DOCTRINE

There’s a lot of us that travel. By us I mean the boomer crowd. And we generally travel in shorter jaunts, a bit more traditional and less nomadic. Albeit those who kick the 9-5 to the curb and travel on a shoestring are an envied bunch. Nothing wrong with it. It sounds like unabashed adventure. If I was younger, with no kids, no grandkids, no aging parents to care for, well, maybe. The freedom it provides is unmatched. But let’s face it. At our age mastering travel is not a goal; rather, planning it, paying for it, getting there, having the time of our lives, AND having the energy to get home in one piece, is. There are ways to do it, that not only energize you, but make you feel like you are a master at it! And boomers do it with panache. Just based on how many birthday parties we planned for our kids over the years, we can snap a budget off at the nub and still travel in style. 

1. STYLE: Determine your travel style. Are you a solo traveler or group traveler? Do you like to explore or settle in a destination city? Are you interested in culture, history, cuisine, archeology, or sun drenched beaches? Do you like going abroad or staying in your own backyard? Or maybe you would like to combine a hobby with a travel opportunity. For example, I’m a writer. So, I found this wonderful Writing Retreat in County Donegal’s wild and wide open northwest coast. We explored during the day and wrote about it in the evening, all from the comfortable and cozy Teac Jack B&B. A family owned accommodation nestled in the heart of Gaelic culture, it  features rooms, dining, a pub, event rooms and a buzzing multi-purpose room where a Cèilidh (Kay-lee) is a regular event. Don’t be surprised if you are pulled to the dance floor by a man, woman, or child. One does not sit-out a Cèilidh. 

What a blessed experience. I took my daughter along for the ride and I even sang a Johnny Cash song for the crowd at Leo’s Tavern in Bunbeg, Co. Donegal, Ireland; the land of Enya. It’s rated Excellent on Tripadvisor. Ireland Writing Retreat also features Travel Writing Retreats and retreats to the South of France. 

1. DESTINATION: Pick your style and choose your destination. What do you want to see and do? If you’re a destination city type, find out what day day tours or walking tours they might have. I just used Tripadvisor to book a Ring of Kerry tour in June 2024. Most places are reserve now and pay later, but some can be pay in advance. I ended up calling and going through Bunratty Castle in Co. Clare, Ireland, to book tickets for their early Mediaeval Dinner experience, but you can get tickets here as well. If you go to Ireland, it’s a must. Many tour companies include it in their itinerary. And don’t forget to stop at Durty Nelly’s!

2. TRAVEL CARD(S): Set your budget and how you will pay. Have a good travel credit card that earns you points. And don’t forget to notify your bank card that you will be traveling. I didn’t once, and was stuck in Hong Kong with zero money. If you plan on using your card for purchases (recommended for $100 or above), make sure it is a “no foreign transaction fee” card. Good idea to always check with the bank holder before you go. And don’t forget to grab some local currency. Beware: Banks require lead time to get it ready, so find out what your bank requires.

3. MODE OF TRAVEL: Decide your mode of travel and book ahead. Plane, Train, Automobile, or a combination of sorts. 

4. ACCOMMODATIONS: Set your itinerary and reserve your accommodations, unless you have booked a tour. 

5. BOOK DESTINATION TOURS: Many places have walking tours that offer a great way to see the city and learn its history and culture. Many are themed and may include a glass of wine or other libation. Find out what your destination has to offer. Two of my favorite go to sites for destination tours are Trip Advisorand Viator. If you prefer a self-guided, at your own pace walking tour, check out Around Tours.

Our clarions call is that we are boomers enjoying the fruit$ of our labor. Reminds me of the line from Fried Green Tomatoes when Kathy Bates’s character, Evelyn Couch, rams into the cheeky girls who stole her parking space. “Face it ladies. I’m older and I have more insurance.” 

Speaking of INSURANCE, never leave home without it. You can dream it, map it, plan it, pay it and take it; but if you don’t protect it, you might regret it. And we should NEVER regret traveling. My friend and I had a trip planned through a travel agency in May 2020, then Covid hit. ‘Nuff said there. Point being, things happen. We were insured and were refunded all of our cost except $150 deposit fee. When travel opened up again, we planned our own itinerary, made our own arrangements, bought our tickets and took off in August of 2022. 

If we really think about it, we are only limited by our hesitation. Can I, should I, what if, and my fave: I’ll wait for a better time. There is no better time than now. If we wait for the clouds to open, the music to play, and the girl to twirl, we will never step outside our front door.

It’s not as easy as when we were 20, but it doesn’t mean we can’t, in most cases. We just change the way we travel. I traveled alone all over Japan and various spots around the global, through airports, and beyond. I have magnets to prove it. I thought nothing of it. Took trains when I couldn’t read a sign, just matched the directions in my hand to the posted directional signs. Taxi’s with no English-speaking drivers. I don’t do that anymore. Not as agile, so fleeing would be a challenge. Safety at any level and type of travel is critical.

In season, off season? It’s less expensive in the off season, but then you have things like weather, shorter daylight hours, early store closures, and some B&Bs may be seasonal—as in not open in winter months. But then again, spending Christmas in places like Ireland, Germany, Japan, Rome, Paris, Madrid could be magical. I did a backyard trip to New Orleans at Christmas. It was extraordinary! The city never sleeps and shops were open because it was Christmas! Christmas music, beignets, muffulettas, and spicy cider! A sensory explosion of Jingle Bell Rock!  

TIDBIT: DID YOU KNOW: Dublin takes its name from a dark tidal pool formed where the River Poddle entered the River Liffey? The Vikings called it Dyflin [deflynn] and the Irish called it Duiblinn [dublynn], both meaning black pool. This area is now marked by the castle gardens at the back of Dublin Castle. To read about it is intriguing, to see it is extraordinary.