The Mature Traveller

Everyone is different (ages, gender, nationality) and also goes on holiday for many different reasons. Picking the best travel insurance is a challenge. There are many money comparison sites that differentiate between the price of packages but a wise traveller will look into the details of each package delicately to work out which is a perfect match.

The Post Office has many insurance options available to all types of travellers, including people going on gap years. These explorers can get cover from 2 months to a year with over 90 activities approved of. Plus, the Post Office will provide cover if the traveller returns home to see family.

Insure And Go have a specialised package for travellers having a Winter Sports holiday. Whether you are a skier or snowboarder, off and on-piste,  Insure And Go will cover medical expenses, equipment and personal accidents. If you are satisfied with the service, feel free to renew the package annually.

Saga provide tailor-made insurance for travellers over 65 years old and will allow a 5% discount if organised online.  Add a partner or friend to your policy and Saga will give an additional discount. There is no upper age limit of packages and if you are stranded abroad, Saga will give you £100 a day benefit.

If you are going on holiday on a strict budget, take the following steps to save money.

Before leaving, plan your holiday with an internet search. You can find events going on, discounted restaurants and cheap offers. Renting a bike, for example, in Amsterdam is a very expensive must-do but doing a quick investigation will locate the cheapest bike shop in town.

Eating local food instead of opting for ‘safe’ western restaurants not only saves you money but opens your eyes to eating culture, local etiquette and language. Ordering food in a foreign language takes patience and confidence but can provide rewarding results.

Keep credit cards separate from cash. If a wallet of cash goes missing, your credit card will be available and vice versa.

Try not to spend so much exrta money if you go for all inclusive holidays. I went on an all inclusive holiday last year, did not need to spend much extra money and it worked out quite affordable.

Take buses, trams or trains instead of taxis or a rented car. Better still, walk around instead, which is free. The rewards include people watching, seeing parts of the holiday you wouldn’t have seen otherwise and having the opportunity to be spontaneous (e.g. going into a random park or eating street food).

If you want to go shopping, learn how to bargain. Souvenirs can be ridiculously overpriced but by standing your ground and not paying more than the items are worth then you can return home with some real treats.

Resort  Holiday

There are only three different shoe types that are essential. These are: Birkenstocks, trainers, smart shoes or high heels. These basics keep your suitcase emptier for souvenir purposes and any more shoes you may buy on holiday.

Even if you’re not going to a beach resort, taking a swimming costume is essential so you can take advantage of the hotel swimming pool. If you’re going skiing, there will be plenty of heated pools around. Again, take advantage!

Take a mirror so you can check your hair and makeup before you get off the plane so you feel fabulous going through immigration as that’s when your holiday really begins!

Backpacking

Toilet roll is the number one most crucial item to take away, no justification needed.

Hostels don’t provide towels, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste or toothbrushes for free and some don’t provide any at all. Don’t be caught out without these – but then again, seeking them out could be a conversation starter!

Traveller’s headscarf doesn’t run out like a spray can of dry shampoo and can be versatile. For those 24 hour sleep train journeys, a scarf can turn into a blindfold or a pillowcase and will hide your dirty locks on arrival.

You’ll never regret stuffing some zip lock bags into your backpack. Use them for: securing loose tea leaves, protecting toilet paper, storing hairclips together and keeping toothbrushes clean.

Travelling is an important way to understand life. Everyone lives life in a different way but it is impossible to see it if you stay behind closed door. Even by travelling up the road for just an hour will exemplify a change in culture. Exposing yourself to these ways of life, your own life can improve; perhaps in the following ways:

Diet and exercise

When you travel to foreign countries, often you have no choice but to eat local cuisine. If the food is oily and full of carbs but the general population seem fit and healthy, what is their secret? What drinks accompany the food that flushes all the fat out? What could you apply to your own routine?

Hobbies

Taking part in activities abroad may ignite your interest with particular hobbies that you never realised you enjoyed or that you quit for no good reason. Horse riding, musical instruments, painting, learning a language, cooking or sports could come back into your consciousness.

Seeing new landscapes

The earth is a mystical place where environments can contrast so dramatically in a small area. In the UK alone, you can be in a forest then a short drive later can be on a barren mountain then sweeps down onto a beach. Learning about the earth is something that never grows old.