Smart Planning Helps Seniors to Avoid Travel Pitfalls; Vantage Deluxe World Travel Is Offering Free "151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers" Booklet

Vantage World Travel, which caters to mature travelers, offers travel tips and free "151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers" booklet.

BOSTON (PRWEB) September 30, 2006 -- While there's no better way to spend retirement than visiting exotic locales, paradise can sour quickly for those who haven't planned properly. Often, travelers focus on learning about their destination, and don't spend enough time planning for day-to-day practicalities. Here are a few planning tips from Vantage World Travel that senior travel experts offer to prevent problems and ensure maximum comfort while traveling.

Start an exercise regimen several weeks before your trip. Carrying suitcases, prolonged sitting, standing or walking; unfamiliar beds; and other activities that you're not accustomed to can aggravate aches and pains. Build your flexibility and stamina gradually – before you leave. Walking and stretching exercises will help you get ready.

See your dentist. Many people never think of their dental health until they need help. Since nothing can take the charm out of foreign travel faster than a toothache, get a "tune up" before you go.

Prescription duplicates. Foreign trade names are different than those in the U.S. and Canada, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for the generic drug name rather than the brand name. You should also carry a prescription for you eyeglasses. Bring along a traveling medical kit which should consist of aspirin, vitamins, cold tablets, antacids, bowel regulators, spray anesthetic, bandage strips and elastic bandage, and an antibiotic.

Assemble an "information file." Put all important information – such as telephone numbers at home, flight numbers, traveler's check numbers, and insurance policy information – on credit card sized cards to carry in your wallet. That way, the information is readily available in a convenient format. You might even consider laminating the card.

Carry "new" money. Be sure that any small amounts of U.S. currency you take abroad is "new" money – the new design $20 or $100 bills, for example. "Old" bills abroad are now considered highly susceptible to counterfeiting. Carry U.S. small bills for tipping.

For more useful travel tips, Vantage Deluxe World Travel offers a free publication – Going Smart: 151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers – to anyone who calls or visits the website and submits a request. In addition, excerpts can be used by travel, leisure, and general interest publications with appropriate attribution.

"We wrote the booklet to address recurring questions from our travelers," said Vantage Vice President David Gevanthor. "Thousands of seniors travel with us each year so we've made it our business to ferret out the details and tips that will help our guests make the most of their travels. Little did we know that the booklet would become so popular." He adds that local program managers in several of the Vantage destinations also contributed to the publication.

The booklet is broken into six sections, covering pre-trip planning, useful tips for the trip itself, specific cruise-related tips, well-being and fitness tips, information on obtaining low-cost maps and destination information, and tips for getting through customs problem-free. Other useful elements include tipping guidelines, travel glossaries, a chart for clothing sizes in various countries, and conversion formulas for weights and measures. The booklet is designed to be portable for travel, and includes space so that travelers can include their own notes.

Call 1-800-993-1593 to get a free copy of Going Smart: 151 Travel Tips for Mature Travelers or visit www.vantagetravel.com/151tips.

About Vantage Deluxe World Travel
Vantage Deluxe World Travel creates upscale, affordable travel programs for mature travelers. Escorted itineraries are unique to Vantage, providing complete packages - including airfare, many meals, and sightseeing. Founded in 1983 as a part of The Vantage Group, Inc., Vantage is a $200 million, diversified travel/direct marketing company that has escorted more than 400,000 travelers to global destinations. The company has headquarters in Boston, Mass, with subsidiary offices in London, England; Passau, Germany; Beijing, China; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Opatija, Croatia.

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