Newswise — As baby boomers become empty nesters, their thoughts turn to flights of fancy. Or at least, flights to distant destinations. And that's where Drury Bagwell comes in. He is a retired assistant vice president for student affairs at the University of Maryland who does an annual seminar for college students who are planning trips to Europe. By his count, he's been to 71 countries around the world.
Recently, Newsdesk asked him to apply his expertise to help baby boomers as they plan their own expeditions. Bagwell says, "As baby boomers, we have had a lot of opportunities to travel over the past years. Maybe as young adults, we did the 'backpack around Europe" thing. And, as we get older, we look more at the packaged tours which make things extremely easy for us. But, before we give up our flexibility, here are a few tips if you want to still try and see Europe on your own." (The tips are primarily for Europe, but many are still applicable no matter where you go.)
NOTE: The online release offers an extended list of tips and other information at http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/sociss/release.cfm?ArticleID=1239.
Before You Go
Check all the countries you even THINK that you might visit in order to see if they require a visa that you must get before you leave. In a post 9/11 world, many countries have started requiring visas. A good travel book for we baby boomers is Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. And, there is a lot of information for just about anything on the internet that you can access before you leave. ATM machines are now commonplace, but don't always work. I suggest that you take a credit/debit card AND traveler's checks.
Packing
Take the very minimum. Take only those things that you think you are going to need and lay them out on a big bed. Then go through and take out everything except the bare essentials. And, then go through and eliminate 50% of everything left. Travel light. Everything you take - you have to carry. Style is out. Comfort/Practicality are in. Drip-dry, wrinkle-free fabrics are ideal. Choose basic outfits that can be transformed with a few accessories.
The Trip Over
Taking melatonin may help with jet lag going over. Jet lag on the return is less important! I suggest taking at least .5 mg at 2:00 P.M. for three days before leaving and then at least .5 mg at about 5:00 P.M. for three days after arriving. Get your seat on the plane well in advance to avoid getting stuck in a middle seat.
Getting Around In Europe
Eurail passes are the best bets for getting around, even for the "older crowd." But check out the various types of Eurail passes and where they go, making sure to look at the FlexiPass which lets you travel a limited amount of days within a 1 or 2 month period. And, they offer significant discounts if you buy two at the same time. You must get your Eurail pass before you leave home. Don't forget Britrail and European East Pass for England or Eastern Europe. And, be careful, Eurail passes may not be the cheapest way to travel.
European Trains
There are a variety of Eurail passes available to you. Check them out. And, while they have both first and second class passes, first class is only a little more expensive and well worth it, mainly because you can reserve a seat. Otherwise, in either class, you could find yourself on the train, but sitting in the hallway. So, if you go first class, get a reserved seat. They are cheap (a couple more dollars) and worth it to know that you have a place to sit down. Be sure to get a written copy of your seat reservation, and you may want to see that your seat is headed forward.
Where To Stay
Don't forget the Pensions as an alternative to hotels. Pensions are similar to B&Bs, where someone rents out a room in their home, or turns an entire house over to just renters. And, in the Greek isles, you will wind up staying in a native's home because they meet you at the ferry and lock you in. It is very common, even expected, to ask to see a room before you take it, even in better hotels.
How To Win Friends And Influence People
Learn enough to let people know that you cared enough to learn their language. Good words to know - Hello, thank you, please, good-bye. Also, pronounce the names of their cities the way that they do - Praha, Roma, Firenze, Munchen, Wien.
Safety
The same rules about safety that you apply here, should apply in Europe. Clearly most countries are as safe as the U.S. Just keep your eyes open and try not to wind up alone at night. Watch out for "street cons" - cheap goods, black market money, etc. Almost always you lose, and the con wins. The most bewildering can be the children in some countries who come up to you and beg. Watch your cameras and belongings. The kids should know how to grab and run.
Miscellaneous Pointers
DO NOT agree to bring things home for friends. They can order what they need through the internet! All gifts should meet two criteria - SMALL and LIGHT. DO NOT buy posters no matter how great they look. They are very difficult to carry without folding and tubes are big and awkward. Remember, anything that you buy at the beginning of the trip, you have to carry for the rest of the trip. If you plan to send postcards, print up some labels and take them with you. It will save you a lot of time and will make it a lot more likely that you will indeed remember those of us at home suffering with envy.
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