The high number of senior vacation packages sold each year just may be a sign many retired folks are making the golden years the best years of their lives. While traveling certainly has its benefits, there are some cautions that should be taken to insure you have a safe, memorable experience.

Learn About the Countries You Plan to Visit

Long before you vacation date arrives, take some time to read up on the culture, people and history of the places you will travel. There are many places to find information including travel magazines, the travel sections of major newspapers, the Internet and the local library just to mention a few.

The advertisements will give you an idea of prices on vacation packages and the articles will provide information on things to do and see while traveling. Another place to find some great ideas is a online tour company like Viator. News sites can fill you in on current events.

Don’t Over Program Your Vacation

Allow time to relax and really enjoy yourself. Even if this may be your once-in-a-lifetime trip, don’t feel you have to fill every available minute. There is no sense in running yourself ragged.

When visiting a country such as China, physical activity can be quite strenuous and sudden changes in diet and climate can have serious health consequences for the unprepared traveler. Consult your physician before you depart.

Obtain Your Travel Documents

There is no document more important for international travel that your passport. While other documents may or may not be accepted, a valid U.S. passport is definitive proof of your identity and accepted worldwide. The process for acquiring a new passport or renewing an old one is not complicated although it does require caution to details. Visit U.S. Passport Service Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Besides a passport, many foreign countries require you to have a travel visa to be able to enter. To find out if you need one and how to obtain it, visit the travel visa page. Some of the most popular destinations that require a visa are Brazil, China, India and Russia.

Pack as Light as You Can

Carefully consider the clothing you take. Don’t pack more than you need and end up lugging around heavy suitcases. Wash-and-wear clothing and sturdy walking shoes are good ideas. Consider the climate and season in the countries you will visit and bring an extra outfit for unexpectedly warm or cool weather. A sweater or shawl is always useful for cooler evenings and air-conditioned planes and hotels. Dress conservatively—a wardrobe that is flashy or too casual may attract the attention of thieves or con artists.

Include a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage. Otherwise, if your bags are lost, you could be wearing the same clothes you were traveling in during the entire time it takes to locate your luggage—an average of 72 hours.

Do not pack anything that you would hate to lose such as valuable jewelry, family photographs, or objects of sentimental value.

Review Your Health Insurance Policy

U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States. You should review your health insurance policy before leaving on vacation to find out if it is accepted at your travel destination. In some places, particularly at resorts, medical costs can be as high as or higher than in the United States

Don’t Forget Your Medicine

If you require medication, bring an ample supply in its original containers. Don’t use pill cases. Because of strict laws concerning narcotics throughout the world, bring along copies of your prescriptions and, if possible, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for the medication. As an extra precaution, carry the generic names of your medications with you because pharmaceutical companies overseas may use different names from those used in the United States.

If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair with you. Pack medicines and extra eyeglasses in your hand luggage so they will be available in case your checked luggage is lost. To be extra secure, pack a backup supply of medicines and an additional pair of eyeglasses in your checked luggage.

If you have allergies, reactions to certain medications, foods, or insect bites, or other unique medical problems, consider wearing a “medical alert” bracelet. You may also wish to carry a letter from your physician explaining required treatment should you become ill.

Consider Trip Insurance

One sure way to ruin a vacation is to lose money because an emergency forces you to postpone or cancel your trip. Except for tickets on regularly scheduled airlines, almost any travel package you purchase will have a penalty for cancellation and some companies will give no refund at all. Regularly scheduled airlines usually give a refund if an illness or death in the family forces you to cancel. Airlines require a note from the doctor or a death certificate. Take careful note of the cancellation penalty for any other large travel purchase you make, such as a tour package, charter flight, or cruise. Unless you can afford to lose the purchase amount, protect yourself by buying trip insurance.

Don’t Take Your Money in Cash

Depending on your destination, bring most of your money in traveler’s checks. Have a reasonable amount of cash with you, but not more than you’ll need for a day or two. Convert your traveler’s checks to local currency as you use them rather than all at once.

You may also wish to bring at least one internationally recognized credit card. Before you leave, find out what your credit card limit is and do not exceed it. In some countries, travelers who have innocently exceeded their limit have been arrested for fraud.

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