Aging Baby Boomers tend to travel differently and I would say somewhat smarter. We look for conveniences that pamper us on our long or short journeys.
We are shoppers when it comes to travel. We like a short flight, the best seat at the lowest fare. Personally I pay a little extra for the quickest flights with the shortest layovers. We can travel off season as we are not typically restricted to children’s school vacations unless of course you travel with your grandchildren. Off season usually gets us bigger and better accommodations for longer periods of time for less money.
Hopefully, we no longer over pack. We find the lightest weight luggage for the best price. If we travel often, we learn that heavy luggage only leads to backaches and more chiropractic visits than we care to admit. We no longer pack heavy carry on luggage or pretty bags that weigh a ton. We opt for good looking and practical. Everything gets lighter as we tend to have to get our stiff bodies from terminal to terminal and if we lug stuff with us, we always swear we will never do it again. It takes us a few times to get this. If we have anything at all with us, it has wheels or fits in an appropriate looking back pack.
The travel clothes available for us middle age folks has improved tremendously over the years. I personally like one company’s travel collection. It allows me a great up to date look all the time. Wash, dry and roll it up and I’m on my way. Most areas or places have accommodations for laundry and a load here or there while having breakfast or watching a movie works right into the schedule (most of the time). Comfortable shoes are a must also. No more walking long distances in heels. The agony isn’t worth it. How pretty can you look when you’re dragging yourself along with an agonizing look on your face. I have invested in correctly proportioned great fashion savvy looking walking shoes and it was worth the money and I‘m much better looking with a smile and straighter posture. If I can put tires on my car, I can put expensive, good looking shoes on my feet. I consider it a necessary travel expense.
We tend to want rooms with a view. We like to take our time and enjoy our surroundings. Personally, I love a lanai where I can sit and sip a glass of good wine and indulge in reading an awesome mystery. I enjoy the ability to sit outside in wonderful weather and write articles like this. I prefer the comforts of home away from home. We aging baby boomers tend to pick scenery, fabulous dining experiences, delectable wine and some of us, golf courses that create an ambiance of sport and visual delight.
We all have our dreams of travel. We all have something we enjoy. How many of you are creating them as your reality? Are you making any of them happen or are you waiting to retire? I vote on these experiences now in my life. How about you?