One of the first things many recent retirees embark upon is the dream list of travel. Destinations may include well-established and historical cities like Rome and Rio de Janeiro, or more remote adventures to see Mayan ruins in Belize or the red-crowned cranes of Hokkaido, Japan.
No matter where active adults travel, preparation often includes buying clothes for the trip, comfortable walking shoes, and maybe a new camera.
But have you ever thought about what happens if there is a medical emergency? What if you need a prescription while traveling? What aspects of the weather should you consider? Is the trip within your abilities?
This is the other side of travel planning – preparing for the possibility of the worst happening during a trip.
1. See your primary care doctor
One of the first things to do prior to traveling on a trip of a lifetime is to make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Have a checkup and discuss any concerns about medical conditions for your trip.
Talk to the doctor about any vaccines that may be needed for the destination or preventative medicines against dangerous diseases, such as malaria. Make sure to discuss any contraindications with your current medications or conditions.
Ask them if there are any health restrictions for traveling to a specific destination.
Your primary care doctor can also prescribe medications for motion sickness – something to consider if you have a boat trip planned during your adventure.
For example, if you take a boat tour into Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, where you will see amazing birds and marine mammals, you may have turbulent waters as the boat approaches tall, rock cliffs. The motion of the water sloshing back and forth off that wall combined with the use of binoculars or a camera while on the moving boat sets you up for a rough ride.
Excellent medicinal options exist today to help curb that motion sickness and help you capture unique images of something like a pigeon guillemot, the penguin of the north, while boating on the coast of Alaska.
2. Bring a field travel kit
When you travel remotely, such as to the Amazon rainforest of Peru, it is extremely difficult to pop into a drug store to pick up something for an upset stomach, diarrhea, or an abundance of bug bites.
Instead, prior to your trip, buy a small travel toiletry or makeup bag and fill it with essential items to have in the field with you.
Some recommended items include antacid, hand sanitizer, tissues, sunscreen, lip balm, antihistamines, cortisone cream, anti-diarrheal and a pain reliever. Keep in mind the limitation of 3.4 ounces or less for carry-on liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes.
3. Purchase trip and evacuation insurance
No one wants to consider the possibility of needing to be evacuated out of a remote location while on that dream trip. But it happens and having the right insurance can create peace of mind for you and your family in the event of an emergency.
There are two types of insurance travelers should consider: trip insurance and evacuation insurance.
Trip insurance
This is readily available from a variety of insurance companies. The most important factor to consider is what does the policy cover. An insurance company will happily sell you a policy, but that policy may not cover a safari company closing, paying for a hospital stay in Rome or the replacement of lost or delayed baggage.
The flip side to the best insurance is that it gets expensive. Each traveler needs to assess their risk and needs. Consider factors like trip cost, the remoteness of a destination and your health status.
And always read the fine print. As the buyer of the insurance policy, it is your responsibility to know what you are purchasing.
To find what insurance you need, start with your current health, homeowners/renters, or credit card policies. You may already have some coverage. Then call your insurance agent. They may be able to advise you on what they offer in addition to your current insurance. And finally, research other insurance companies and compare the medical-only, trip cancellation and comprehensive packages.
Emergency evacuation insurance
This is a particular type of policy that many don’t consider. Even residents living in Estes Valley could benefit from this low-cost insurance policy to cover the catastrophic expense of a helicopter, air ambulance or ground transport to a hospital or trauma center. The policy should also cover repatriation to the U.S. to continue treatment and recovery.
4. Be honest about the weather…and your ability to deal with it
The glossy brochure entices travelers to embark on a trip into the Amazon rainforest. But that rainforest more days than not is hot – often reaching temperatures into the 90s – and humid.
Be honest with yourself about your body’s ability to venture into the extreme cold or heat. Poor circulation may cause issues in the cold. People with respiratory issues may struggle at high elevations or their breathing may be exacerbated in heat and humidity.
Being prepared is the best way to enjoy these types of trips, and stop when your body starts to send you signals that it is struggling. For example, wear appropriate clothing for your location. You can always take off clothes if your feel too warm in the cold or stop an activity and go inside if you can’t cool down in the heat.
Wear wide-brimmed hats in sunny destinations, drink plenty of water no matter what the temperature to prevent dehydration, and avoid exposing your skin to cold temperatures.
5. Check for restrictions, reservations, and closures BEFORE you reach your destination
Always review your destination before you arrive to see what restrictions may be in place.
Look for required reservations – even the Louvre in Paris now requires timed-entry reservations.
Check for passport and visa requirements at least six months before your trip. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond when you will be leaving that country.
Always carry a photocopy of your passport or a photo of it on your phone and leave one behind at your hotel in the safe. Don’t carry your actual passport when out on excursions; leave it in the safe in your room instead.
Verify that your cell phone and credit cards will work abroad before your trip.
6. Enjoy your trip
Having peace of mind by properly preparing for all aspects of your trip – from having enough memory cards and batteries for your camera to purchasing trip insurance before you need it – will help ensure you make that trip of a lifetime a proper, memorable adventure.
Creeks and Critters Nature Tours is an Estes Park-based tour company offering private, customized photo tours in Rocky Mountain National Park and numerous photo trips in North and South America. Some of the more adventurous trips include an Amazon riverboat photo tour, a nature tour of Nome, Alaska, a northern lights photo tour along the Dalton Highway in Alaska, and many others. Click here to learn more. Dawn Wilson is an award-winning nature photographer and photojournalist.
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