By Omar Kaywan

Senior snowbird season is approaching, and with COVID-19 restrictions lifting nationwide and internationally, the 2022 travel season is expected to be huge. But traveling to escape the cold this fall and winter isn’t going to look the same. There’s a new set of risks, COVID-19 requirements, and many more preparations that need to take place before seniors can confidently hit the road or the skies.

Check health advisories.

You can stay up to date with health notices and advisories at cdc.gov/travel (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Advisory). Not only does this site provide insights on COVID-19 travel health information, but environmental, political, and other virus information that is crucial to staying safe.

Purchase travel insurance.

Original Medicare plans travel with you between states, but if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll have to check if your policy will make you face higher costs for a doctor visit out of network. A travel medical insurance policy can help cover unexpected medical bills, hospital visits, prescriptions, etc.

If you plan on flying, look for a trip cancellation/interruption travel insurance that can cover the cost of unexpected issues like an airline canceling your flight or unexpected illness.

Keep someone in the loop.

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a spouse or friends, it’s crucial to keep someone in the loop about your safety. Let someone such as a close friend or family member who isn’t going with you know your departure time and when you should arrive. There’s a variety of apps on the market that can let someone track your location while you’re road-tripping and be sure you arrive safely. If you’re flying, giving someone your flight number and airline can allow them to track when the plane takes off and lands.

If a designated person hasn’t heard from you in a long amount of time, or you haven’t arrived to your destination on time, they can alert authorities to make sure you’re okay.

Be safe, not sorry.

 Many of us have daily medications we rely on for our health. If you’re driving and have your medications delivered to your warmer-weather home instead, be sure you have enough to last a few extra days in case there are delays.

For snowbirds flying to warm temps, pack medication in your carry-on and checked bags. This way, if your luggage is lost or your flight was delayed, you don’t need to take your medication late and can have enough for a few days until you can get to a pharmacy.

 

Omar Kaywan is a travel expert with Goose Insurance, an insurance app for the U.S. and Canada markets.

Cheapest U.S. destinations for beat-the-winter trips

When the mercury drops, some folks welcome the chill, while others follow the sun. This year, winter could be intense. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts below-average temperatures across most of the U.S., along with heavy rain, sleet and snow. Some regions, though, have forecasts calling for milder-than-average weather, particularly on the West Coast.

Either way, to help snowbirds plan their travels over the colder months, WalletHub, a financial and consumer services website, ranked the cheapest U.S. destinations that are also the easiest to reach. Seventy of the largest metro areas — grouped as “warm” or “cold” — were analyzed based on metrics such as flights, safety, and weather predictions. The top-10 (including three apiece in California and Texas) warm winter-break destinations, in order: Las Vegas, Nev.; Austin, Texas; San Diego, Calif.; Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Phoenix, Ariz.; Houston, Texas; San Francisco, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; and Charleston, N.C.

The bright lights and affordability of Las Vegas make it a popular winter destination.

WalletHub’s full report is at wallethub.com.

Where to brighten winter with ‘best’ sunsets

Where in the world are the most picturesque sunsets? Travel experts with StressFreeCarRental.com have come up with the following top seven:

  1. The Wheel at Icon Park, Orlando, Fla.

At 400 feet high, the observation wheel at Icon Park is the perfect way to experience breathtaking views of Orlando’s natural lakes, theme parks and central Orlando itself. Time your arrival correctly and the incredible vista will be bathed in one of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever watch.

  1. Long Beach, Calif.

California boasts too many outstanding locations to mention here, but anyone hoping to see that iconic west coast sunset of pinks, oranges, and purples can be sure that Long Beach will put on a show. Visitors can see the sun lower into the Pacific Ocean from designated viewpoints, including Hilltop Park.

  1. Taj Mahal, Agra

Agra is a magnet for global travelers seeking a vision of the oranges and pinks of an Indian sunset framing the white-walled perfection that is the Taj Mahal. Head across the Yamuna River to Mehtab Bagh to take in the scene from the tranquil gardens with the moon overhead.

  1. El Golfo, Lanzarote

As the busloads of tourists leave El Golfo after a day on the stunning beach, stay behind and sit facing out, with a camera in hand, to capture the incredible colors as the sun slips into the sea.

  1. Mount Teide, Tenerife

It is a little-known fact that the relatively small sun-toasted Canary Islands are home to four national parks, with soulful Tenerife leading the way thanks to its 43 designated natural areas. Head to Teide National Park and watch the incredible sunset from atop Mount Teide.

  1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Dubai is most famous for glitz, glamor, and its burgeoning city skyline. Take in the romantic pinks, warm oranges, and royal purples of a Middle Eastern sunset from the observation deck of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

The Taj Mahal in Agra, framed by an Indian sunset, is a magnet for global travelers.
  1. Table Mountain, Cape Town

The view is incomparable, with sweeping views of Cape Town, the ocean and the sun as it descends at the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Take the cable car up or hike to the top, take a seat, and wait for the magic to begin.

 

Plan ahead. That’s always wise for road trips.

Surviving a long-distance car journey can be challenging but car rental experts from StressFreeCarRental.com, an online rental-car booking service, have put together a list of good tips that can help you plan the perfect road trip.

You should still leave some room for unexpected adventures and the thrill of uncertainty but a good plan will make it more likely that you’ll get through the trip without a hassle.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said, “Although they’re all about fun and spontaneity, the secret for a good road trip is preparation. You can’t enjoy the ride if you’re constantly stressing about things you could have easily avoided. At the end of the day, when you think back on the journey you want to remember the happy memories and exciting adventures you had with your family or friends, not the stress and petty arguments.”

Have a look at some tips for a stress-free road trip that help you make the most of your experience:

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

There’s nothing worse than setting off for a fun road trip, only to be stuck by the road because of a mechanical issue. Make sure you check your tire pressure, oil and wiper fluid levels and don’t forget to fill the tank.

Clean out your car.

Decluttering your vehicle before you head out on your journey is a good starting point because rubbish will inevitably start to pile up when you spend a long time on the road. So it’s good to at least have a ‘clean slate’ at the outset. Throughout the trip you should also make an effort to clear out the pockets and floor of the car at least once a day.

Agree on the budget.

This one may not be as relevant when you’re travelling with your family members but it’s a crucial step when you’re planning a trip with your friends or anyone else who’s not in your household. You should take into account how much each passenger is willing to spend on the trip to avoid people being upset. Decide whether you’re just buying meals from gas stations or going to restaurants, do you want to stay in hotels or camp out in tents?

Put together a playlist.

Good tunes are one of the most important aspects of a good road trip. Blasting music and singing along with the windows down and hair flying in the wind – that’s a road trip essential. To cater to everyone’s music tastes, you could create a specific playlist for the road trip that includes all of the passengers’ favorite songs.

Bring healthy snacks and water.

Snacks are another road trip necessity and that is one thing you definitely shouldn’t hold back with. However, you should try to pack some healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, granola bars etc, as constant junk food indulgence will make people feel more fatigued. Don’t also forget to bring loads of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Have stops to stretch your legs.

Experts suggest that you should get out of your car and stretch your legs in every two hours. This can be planned in an effective way – for example time stops for when you’re going to get meals or want to do some sight-seeing.

Bring your charger.

Nowadays everything is done from smartphones, which means you won’t have to bring a map or GPS device, you are able to Google different places to go and use a translation app to help you communicate when you travel abroad. To rely on this powerful tool on your trip, you must definitely remember to bring your phone charger and a battery bank.

Agree on sight-seeing stops.

When you set out on your journey there may be many interesting sights to see on the way, but if you have a set timeframe for your trip then you might have to prioritise some places over others. Make sure to discuss with your fellow passengers which are your must-see sites to avoid seeing disappointed faces in the car.

Don’t drive when you’re tired.

Driving while you’re tired is extremely dangerous because fatigue lowers your reaction time and reduces your ability to focus. It’s important to take turns when driving, make regular stops and have enough sleep before you get behind the wheel.

Pack an emergency kit.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Although hopefully you’ll never have to use it, packing an emergency kit including some essential tools and a first aid kit is something very simple, yet it can have a massive impact when an accident should occur.