Enjoying your retirement can include traveling. Travel allows seniors to broaden their perspective while providing fun at the same time. Many seniors have saved for a long time in order to enjoy traveling when retirement starts. The dream of being able to travel after retirement is something that got them through the tough spots while working, so hitting the travel trail is well deserved.

Should this be what you had in mind for retirement pleasure, it will pay to travel wisely by planning ahead. Making adequate plans ahead prior to a lengthy trip should be done by anyone, but if the trips you are taking are the trips of your dreams, you certainly do not want them to turn be nightmares.

A large portion of smarter traveling is to know in advance what the needs of the trip are. Conversely, of more importance, is knowing what is NOT needed. If you pack light, the exercise of hauling large luggage pieces through airports is much less problematic. As well, should you be going to many different places during your trip, packing on the light side means easier repacking too.

It does take a bit of experience to discover what will work for your traveling situations in order to know the best way to pack. You might try to build a specific wardrobe for travel which includes garments that do not wrinkle, ones that stress well, and those that are able to be rinsed and reused. These garment qualities for the road extend usefulness and also cut down on having too much clothing. An additional way to reduce the bulk on your trip is by not taking items which can be purchased at your destination. By reducing the amount of toiletries, you also reduce potential problems with airport security as well as a chance the toiletries could leak in the baggage.

Traveling smart for seniors also should include having personal prescriptions currently updated and documented well. Obtain good readable copies of your drug prescriptions, prescriptions for eyeglasses, and any additional documents that might be needed to obtain refills while traveling in case you run out of or lose your medications. Advise your pharmacy that you will be traveling in case they have to communicate with a travel destination pharmacy, so a phone call will not surprise them. Lastly, give copies of all medical documentation to a relative, loved one or trusted friend in case you lose all your stuff, you will still be able to get the documents emailed or faxed to you. Taking these precautions will eliminate a panic situation should a problem occur during your trip.

Similarly be sure passport copies, credit card copies, and itinerary copies are placed in safe places and also in the hands of a relative or trusted friend. Search through your purse or wallet and figure out how you would handle having each document and card replaced and canceled in case you lose your purse or wallet. By having those numbers quickly accessible, you will be able move rapidly to cancel your credit and bank cards and get some replacements (usually Visa, MasterCard, American Express only) almost immediately from the hotel if you should lose valuables or be robbed during your travels.

By using this strategy of thinking and planning ahead and visualizing every potential problem and knowing the correct response, you will eliminate any chance that a trip could be halted and your enjoyment ended as a result of a surprise difficult situation. So if things do happen to go bad, you will be able shift to an alternative A,B,C or D plan and be back on track.

Robert has been writing articles on various topics for 3 years. Visit his latest websites at http://www.powerwashbusiness.com and http://www.guttercleaningbiz.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Markovsky

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Family day trips are a great alternative to the traditional one or two week summer vacations. Families can go on their own schedule to many interesting and fun places that are inexpensive or even free.

State parks are a good place to get out of doors all year long. They offer activities for the whole family. In Wisconsin a free booklet has age group activities parents and grandparents can do with children such as nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes and crafts. Children as young as age three have the opportunity to earn state Explorer Patches.

Most states have a vehicle sticker fee for the day, or an annual fee which is a better bargain if you use the parks four or five times a year. Each state sets their own fees. There may be extra user fees for specific activities. Do a computer search typing in your state name followed by state parks. Is there a fee for hiking or biking though the park if you do not bring your vehicle?

Other search words for outdoor nature activities in your state are; nature preserves, nature centers, marshes, wildlife areas and discovery centers. Do the same search in bordering states if you live close enough for a day trip. Some states also have Audubon Centers which focuses on everything having to do with birds.

Most of the places on the list, whether or not they are under the management of the Department of Natural Resources, have their own unique activities for children. They may be offered daily, weekly or randomly though out the summer. All of them are geared toward nature education such as, Kids Birding Basics, How Flowers Grow, Raising Fish, and Kids Basic Tree ID where it is noted, participants should bring a tee shirt for leaf printing. Contact the place you would like to visit if you have any questions about the program and any associated fees.

Most state parks have at least one volunteer day during the summer to help fix trails. If you have older children it would be fun and educational to be a part of physically caring for these great state resources beyond paying taxes for their upkeep.

If you like fresh fruits and vegetables search your state for, Pick Your Own Fruit. You will find orchards in your state where you can pick your own fruit and farms that allow you to pick vegetables. Most of them charge by the pound although it can vary. Find out what they charge before you start picking.

Each state has unique features such as caves, deserts, mountains, everglades, glacier lakes, moraines or sand dunes. Take advantage of your states beautiful natural resources and spend a family day exploring them. If your children have questions you cannot answer, write them down and tell them you will find the answer together when you get home. Not all learning experiences have to be planned.

On trip day make sure everyone eats a big breakfast. Pack a large picnic basket including beverages and snacks. Being outside all day seems to bring out big appetites, or maybe the food just tastes better on a picnic especially in natural surroundings.

Even if you have been in a park all day, allow time for free play before heading home. There is always another day to enjoy another part of your state.

Febe VanZanten, Free-lance writer, Director for Families and Children; Sports Coach. http://picnictoday.com