Travel Q&A

Seniors Travel Q&A

Got a question about travel? In Australia, overseas, anywhere? Perhaps you’d like to learn more about a particluar topic or destination. Here’s your chance to ask @boutSeniors.

Meet the locals

Q. Sally
For me, the best part of traveling is to spend time with local people and learn about how they live. Are there any such opportunities if I visit China later this year with my 60 year old Mum and Dad?

A. Certainly mixing with the local people and enjoying a cultural exchange is one of the biggest highlights when traveling.  There are a number of adventure tour operators that offer trip styles that allow you to do just that.  Whether it’s enjoying a family home-stay, traveling on local transport or volunteering within a community you will be able to find a range of options.  Have a look at eth following:

The Road to Shanghai

Photography tours

Q. Denis
I would like to learn more about travel photography – while travelling – how can I get started?

A. Photography tours are still a very niche market.  There are some domestic tour operators that offer a sightseeing day tours with a photographer in various capital cities around Australia. There are only a couple of international tour operators in Australia offering photography tours that are accommpanied by a professional photographer.  You may also like to try your local photography club as they may organise weekend or long travel-photography trips as well.  For more information, try the following:

Imaginative Traveller Photography Tours

Australia Tourism (type photography tours into the search box)

Australian Photgraphic Society (find your local photography club)

Culinary tours

Q. Rosemary
Are there any culinary tours of Vietnam lasting between 5 and 10 days?

A. A number of tour operators are now offering culinary tours to various destinations around the world.  This style of tour not only gives you the opportunity to taste the local flavour but to also create it and shop for the ingredients at the bustling local markets.  These trips also tour some fabulous regions of the country experiencing local dishes of the particular region along the way.  See your local travel agent for details or have a look at the suggestions below. 

Taste of Vietnam

Vietnam Tourism

North Afrian travels

Q. Elise
I want to visit Northern Africa for a month next year – when is the best time to go?

A. North Africa encompasses quite a large region and depending on which country you would would like to visit the best time to visit may vary.  Generally speaking April to May and September to October would be the ideal months warm but not too hot.  June to August will be the hottest months then areas cool down between November to March. The cooler months can also be ideal to travel depending on the country, as whilst they may be cool at night the days are still quite pleasant. 

Suggest you have a look at the following tours for inspiration

Jewels of Egypt
Deserts and Kasbahs

Peru

Q. Jillian
What is the best time of the year to visit Peru and for how long should one plan to go to cover major attractions?

A. May-October are the ideal months to travel in Peru. Allow 2 to 3 weeks to cover all of the major attractions such as Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, Amazon Jungle, coast line including Nazcar Lines, Ballestas Islands.

Middle East

Q. Amanda
I keep reading about interesting destinations in the Middle East, such as Oman and Jordan and Lebanon and would like to consider travelling there, but am not clear how safe it might be. Apart form checking the DFAT website, do you have any other advice?

A. Jordan and Oman are deemed safe to travel but DFAT suggest a high degree of caution. Lebanon however has a higher level of warning http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Lebanon asking travellers to ‘reconsider’ travel to this country. This is then a personal decision as to whether you travel or not. All tour operators do need to adhere to DFAT warnings and should a country listing be changed to ‘do not travel’ then an Australian registered tour operator cannot operate in that destination. Consider traveling in a tour group where you will have the expertise and knowledge of local operators and staff/management to ensure a level of security in the destination. 

Asia volunteering and touring

Q. Ernie
I would love to combine some short-term volunteering (say a week or two) with cultural touring in Asia. Any ideas?

A. This is still very much a new concept but it will inevitably grow as travelers seek a more rewarding cultural exchange from their travels.

For longer term (1 week minimum) volunteering projects i-to-i is a great company to consider http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer/. They have a wide range of volunteer projects around the world to be part of.  The volunteer projects include: wildlife; community development; teaching; building; conservation; sports coaching; working with children and internships.  You could add on a cultural tour of the region with a tour operator at the end of your volunteering project.

There are also numerous charities that welcome volunteers to participate in their projects abroad. You could contact charities directly and see what opportunities are available to you and then organize a cultural tour of the region to follow with a tour operator. For example The Tabitha Foundation Australia does a fantastic job in Cambodia helping to improve the lives of the poor through their various programs.

To my knowledge Imaginative Traveller are the only Australian tour operator who combine cultural touring with a short term volunteering project.

They offer the opportunity to volunteer within a community or a conservation project as part of a cultural tour to a country.  They have tours in Asia as well as destinations further a field: http://www.imaginative-traveller.com.au/trip-styles/Volunteer

Travel buddies

Fed up paying single supplements when travelling or just looking for a travel buddy? Why not take a look at our personal ads?

One of the most common things we’re asked is how to find a travel companion and we always suggest placing a personal ad on our website.  We currently have someone from the UK looking for a partner to travel the UK and Europe. It’s easy to do, just click here for more info.

Deanna’s Italy tours

Q. I am wondering if you have a list of tour operators who conduct ‘guided, escorted’ Tours in Italy. In Kaye Fallick’s book, Get A New Life, one of the participants mentioned they started a travel company in 1998 doing small, independent tours in Italy under the company Valentine Tours. When searching the web, however, this company doesn’t exist.

Anyway, I thought you may have a good, comprehensive list of operators with choices of tour styles for Italy that might take in such things as walking, cooking, culture, history, sightseeing, etc. I would be travelling solo and am very budget-conscious.

A. It seems that Valentine Tours are not easy to find on the net; however, here is the link to them. http://www.valentinetravel.com/ in addition, her is a link to Tuscany Under the Skin as I think you will find their take on travelling through Italy very interesting. http://www.tuscanyundertheskin.com/

Patricia’s visitor concessions

Q. We are 61-years-old and will be travelling to Australia for five months holiday, visiting relatives in Australia from January 2008. What we are wondering is: do they allow travelllers like us to get senior citizen discounts, like we do in the UK, and if the answer is yes, what ‘proof’ of age would we have to show – a passport?

A. Unfortunately, overseas visitors cannot apply for an Australian Seniors’ Card however, it is common practice, though solely at the discretion of the supplier, to honour overseas Seniors’ Cards and apply the same discounts that would be received by holders of Australian Seniors’ Cards, so it is always worth asking.

Also, check out the ‘Classified’ section of www.aboutseniors.com.au for some fabulous discounts such as 30 per cent off Avis Car Hire. These discounts are available to all members of our site, not only those with Seniors’ Cards.

Travel Q&A – Freighters

Duncan Rogers from Seniors Holiday Travel answers a question about booking travel to Japan by freighter ship.

Q. John
Are there any freighters that go to Japan that carry passengers?

A. There is a company here in Australia Freighter Travel that specialises in such travel and has a wide variety of ships and voyages. To go to their website now click here

Travel Q&A – the UK at 90

The good folk at Emirates Airlines have answered a concerned daughter’s query about the level of assistance airlines offer for more dependent travelers.

Q. Chris
My husband and I have to travel to the UK this year. My father who is 90 has asked us if we would take him too. Although he can still walk, he is very wobbly and slow. After sitting for sometime he finds it very difficult to get up. We could probably manage him with a wheelchair; however, he would have to return to Australia alone. Would you know if airlines have helpers to get him around airports and on and off planes, help with his documentation etc, as he would find it impossible on his own.

A. Most airports around the world have a special services department or they have airport ground handling agents that have a special services area. These departments offer limited services. Wheelchair passengers, if travelling alone, will be escorted through customs and immigration and to the boarding gate. In saying this, both ground handlers, airline staff and cabin crew are not trained carers and cannot assist passengers if they are unable to take care of their own needs on board, i.e. toileting, eating, lifting, etc. Passengers who require assistance of this nature will need to travel escorted at all times.

Wheelchair accommodation

There’s a few places to find out information about traveling with someone who is wheelchair-bound.

Q. Marg
Is there much hotel/motel style accommodation available for an older couple, with one in a wheelchair who may need assistance with a shower but is otherwise OK. We are looking in about a two-hour radius of Melbourne.

A. There are a number of directions to head with this. A little research has come up with Wheelies Rest, at Smiths Beach on Phillip Island. This is an award winning purpose-built facility offering a range of holiday accommodation options. It is specifically designed to provide independent holiday accommodation for people with disabilities. For more information phone (03) 9846 6566 or click here

I have also been able to locate a handbook, The Wheelie’s Handbook of Australia, by Colin James O.A.M., which unfortunately has already sold out, but they are working on CD ROM or DVD for $22.95 and you can email to arrange a copy. Colin is a ’wheelie’ himself and has been researching and writing about travel in Australia.

Tourism Victoria also features a Disability Guide on their website under ‘Special Interest’. Go there now

Ask Duncan

Here our resident travel guru, Duncan Rogers from Seniors Holiday Travel, answers your questions on cargo ships and seniors’ airfare discounts.

Q. Jacqui
I want to travel by on a cargo boat from the UK to Darwin to visit my daughter. I’m trying to keep the cost down so I am not too bothered about stopping off at lots of interesting places on route, although that would be nice Is this possible?

A. This is a very specialised field of travel. In Australia, a company called Freighter Travel may be able to assist. They are located on Level 3, 332 Kent St, Sydney. Telephone them on (02) 8270 4866 or click here. A specific itinerary from the UK to Darwin may be harder to locate as opposed to a departure from a major port such as Sydney or Melbourne.

Q. Bill & Maxine
My wife and I are moving to Scottsdale, east of Launceston in Tasmania. Our house is on the market. There is one hiccup in the plan. My wife has secondary cancer. It has spread to her kidney and we are wondering if cancer can stop a person from flying. We were going to drive, but are told it is long and hard. We would rather fly, and get there much quicker. Also, is there a discount for seniors? I’ll be 69 in April and we probably won`t be leaving until May or June. Maxine is 66. We live in WA. 

A. We are terribly sorry to hear of your wife’s illness, we can only hope that she is able to be treated and have a speedy recovery. To answer your question about travelling with cancer, there is no reason you cannot fly; however, it will depend on the condition of your wife at the time of travel. It will be necessary, and to a degree commonsense, to consult your doctor when the time comes, as to the ability of your wife to travel. I agree that driving would be a very tiresome and lengthy process, so you may even consider rail across in berths on the Indian Pacific to Adelaide and a connecting service to Melbourne with your car on board. It would be possible to then break in Melbourne for a couple of days before taking yourselves and your car across to Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania.

Domestically in Australia, the airlines no longer offer ‘Seniors fares’ with them all now being ‘Best fare of the day. Booking as far as possible in advance and avoiding peak travel times like school holidays and weekends is certainly beneficial while trying to get a good fare. Be aware that almost all cheaper fares these days are non-refundable and have very stringent cancellation and change policies, so at times it may be better to pay a higher fare to allow some flexibility. I hope this information is of some benefit.

Your travel questions answered

Duncan Rogers is handling our Travel Q&A this year – read his feedback on seniors passport discounts here.

Q. Stella
Hi, can you tell me if there are any discounts for pensioner passports please? My husband is 73-years-old and l will be 68-years-old. Many thanks.

A. Yes, there is a reduced passport fee for Seniors over 75 years. This is a shorter duration passport for five years. Pricing for normal and for those over 75 years follows. Unfortunately, there is no ‘pension’ discount at such.

Travel Document Application Fees
Issue of an Australian passport – from 1 July 2006
These application fees are payable on lodgement and are non-refundable.

Seniors Travel Free

Q. Anna: I have heard of free public transport in Victoria for seniors and would like to know more about it. Could you please tell me the conditions and limitations for such travel, and how do I apply for this privilege? 

A. To find all the information on free travel and vouchers available on Metlink’s website.
Go there

Sydney Ticket Travel

Q.  Phil:  Please let me know how far I can travel from Penrith on the $2.50 ticket Phil

A. You can travel all over the “Sydney System” on the Pensioner Excursion ticket.  However City Rail point out that if your trip is a one-way trip of less than 35 kilometres, a single trip Concession ticket will be cheaper.

You can find the info here CityRail

Travel Discounts

Q. Anna: My wife and I are travelling to Sydney on 1/3/2007 for six weeks. I am 74 years of age and my wife is 71, my question is there a senior citizens card that we can purchase for discounted travel facilities or something similar I would appreciate any information you can give us. 

A. Thank you for your email. Unfortunately one of the necessary criteria to obtain a NSW Senior Card is that you have to be a permanent resident of NSW. I, recently, however, had my children’s grandmother visit from the UK, and on production of her UK passport (or similar proof of being a ‘senior’), she was given concessionary fares and admissions in most instances. 

There are a number of tourist passes/special offers that provide excellent value for money, these include the SydneyPass (available for three, five and seven days) provides unlimited travel for the duration of the ticket on all CityRail trains within a bounded area, on Sydney Buses and on all Ferries, including premium services and cruises . Tickets are sold at most CityRail ticket offices and State Transit sales outlets and tourist services, including all Explorer and Airport Express buses. For more information visit: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. Or the Sydney Transport Infoline Website at http://www.131500.com.au

You may also like to have a look at these sites:

• Sydney Ferries: Visitors & Tourists
• Sydney Buses: Visitor & Tourist Tickets

irline Deals For Full Time Carers

Q. Colin and Jan
Could you advise if there are concessions for full time carers on overseas flights? 

A. Companion fares are available on international flights. Discounts vary throughout the industry subject to the airlines’ conditions. If there is a particular destination to which you are interested in travelling, check with all airlines which fly there.

Adelaide to Alice On A Budget

Q. Sarah
I am doing some research for Aunty who is coming over from England and my mother. They are looking at doing a coach tour that departs Adelaide and goes to Alice Springs via Ayres Rock. They don’t really want to camp and would like to keep the price under $1000. Can you recommend a particular tour? They need to be in Alice Springs before 3 July as that is when they are looking at catching the Ghan up to Darwin.

A. Most operators conduct tours from Sydney to Adelaide right up through to the top of Northern Territory. So our option is to see if Evergreen Tours will be able to arrange a costing for your mother and Aunty to join the Sydney to Darwin tour but just do the Adelaide to Alice Springs portion.

Clickhere for the itinerary of the full Sydney to Darwin tour. Please note that your mother and Aunt would start the tour on day three in Adelaide.

Evergreen Tours are a three-and-a-half star standard tour company and therefore are one of the most cost effective in the industry. Their 13-day tour from Adelaide to Darwin costs $3795. The Adelaide to Alice Springs is for seven days so would be approximately just over half of that cost if this is a possibility. It is very unlikely to get a tour from Adelaide to Alice Springs for under $1000 each as the accommodation costs are quite high due to the region plus the cost of the coach and petrol needs to be included as well.

The departure date from Adelaide that would allow your mother and Aunty to arrive into Alice Springs before 3 July is 12 June, which would mean your mother and Aunty would finish their touring in Alice Springs on 18 June.

Fear of Flying

Q. Ewan
My mother lives in Hobart, Tasmania and is afraid of flying.
I want her to come for a holiday in Brisbane, Queensland.
There is a ferry from Devonport to Sydney which takes 24-hours but we would also have to organise travel across Tasmania (four hours by car) to board the ferry, then travel from Sydney to Brisbane (10-12 hrs by car). I would probably have to fly to Tassie to travel with her, so you can see that it will take several days. And she really won’t need her car once she’s here anyway. Then we have to get her back home again! Are there alternatives? Rail travel is limited.
Ideally, travel directly from Hobart to Brisbane by sea would be ideal.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A. I believe the ferry that you are talking about is the Spirit of Tasmania which was recently heavily promoted on TV at the end of last year. I have inspected this ship and found it to be comfortable enough for the duration of the cruise.

This is what I suggest for you.

    1. Your mother can travel by coach from Hobart to Devonport using one of the local coach lines - Seniors Holiday Travel can arrange this for you.

    2. Your mother can then either spend a night in Devonport (if required to connect with the Spirit of Tasmania) or board the Spirit of Tasmania subject to the timetables - Seniors Holiday Travel can arrange this for you.

    3. Upon arrival in Sydney, Seniors Holiday Travel can arrange a coach line to take her from Sydney to Brisbane and you can pick her up from Roma Street Transit Centre.

All of this is of course assuming that she will be happy to travel on her own on the Cruise and Coaches? If not, then we would need to fly to you Hobart and then travel with her the whole way up to Brisbane and then the whole way back to Hobart and then fly you back to Brisbane again.

Freighter Travel

Q. Daniel
Can you advise any shipping line freighter offering passenger service beween Australia and NZ?

A. There are freight ships that go from Melbourne and Sydney and travel to Tauranga which is a few miles out of Auckland. The journey from Sydney to Tauranga is four days and will cost approximately $990 per person twin share. This includes all your meals and soft drinks on board.

There are three ships which do this trip. From Tauranga, they then make their way up to America. There is one ship departing every month.

Cruisin’

Q. Marita
My husband and I are interested in travelling in May 2006 and we want to take my 87-year-old Mum along. We did the Alaska cruise in 2000, but my Mum has aged considerably since then and has some dementia, so we wouldn’t like to venture too far away. Can you recommend something suitable for around eight days?

A. I recommend taking a seven-night cruise with P&O on the Pacific Star or Pacific Sun or taking a smaller ship with Captain Cook. Visit their websites on P&O Cruises and Captain Cook Cruises for a full range of cruise destinations and packages.

Scotland and Ireland

Q. At what age can you be a member of the @boutSeniors? I am now 55. My wife and I are travelling to Scotland/Ireland next year in May/June, and are looking at coach tours of about seven to ten days in each area. Can you help us with some information? 

A.  The following prices are for travel this year. All wholesale companies will generally release their 2006/2007 tour prices within the next four weeks.

There are some packages available to tour Scotland where you can combine a Loch Ness & Inverness Highland Tour (from $340 per person twin share) with an Isle of Skye (from $588 per person twin share) or Essential Glasgow (from $222 per person twin share).

There is a larger variety of tours to Ireland with an Irish Spirit seven-day tour starting at $1102 per person twin share.

A highly recommended brochure for you to read is by Adventure World which has a range of options to travel around Ireland & Scotland. You can choose to take an accommodation pass and add on the day tours you wish to do. Or you can purchase a self drive package and drive where ever you choose to. Or you can opt to take one of the above packages and have everything done for you with no driving.

Coaching Tasmania

Q. Can you please send me some information about coach tours in Tasmania during November? I'm looking for something for my mum and dad (in their early 70s). They want to fly to and from Melbourne and want a fully catered trip of about 10 days' duration, starting around Mid November. Thanks! 

A. November is certainly a great time to visit Tasmania. A company that offers a variety of tours is, Evergreen Tours.

Cheap Airfares

Q. Ben
Hi, I would like to travel to Perth in October and I don’t mind which days. How can I scan all days to find the cheapest flights? It seems I always have to put in a date. 

A. There is no real easy way to find the cheapest fare available. But as a guideline, most airlines such as Virgin Blue will usually have mid week specials. So it is generally cheaper to fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Camping Trip To Alice Springs

Q.  My husband and I are from Canada, aged 63 and 69 respectively in good health.  We are interested in going on a guided camping trip probably in January of 2007.  Approximately how much would a 30 day camping trip cost leaving from Sydney to Alice Springs.  Would the food be included?  Approximately how much extra should we budget for extras in addition to the cost of the trip?  Thank you. 

A. Camping tours currently start at about AUD$1000 for approximately 10 nights worth of touring. Additional expenses would be required if you wish to hire a sleeping bag (approximately AUD$15 per day per person) plus sensible walking shoes, sunscreen, insect sprays, etc. Most tours will include your food, tour escort and entrance fees to the National Parks.

The above prices are for travel this year. If you're planning on travelling in the year 2007, simply add on an extra 15% to 20% for price increase and you will get an estimated cost for your holiday.

Cashing Slovak Crowns

Q. Tom
Any idea where I can cash Slovak crowns (left over from a holiday) in Australia. Travelex and American Express don’t trade in them although they are convertible. 

A. Travelex advised that Slovak Crowns are classified as a ‘Restricted Currency’ which means you’d have to go back for another holiday if you wanted to use them or convert them.

Tamper Proof Luggage

Q. Anna
Just wondered if you could help me, later this year we are travelling to the UK for a holiday and wondered about locking your luggage. I am asking because I heard on the radio that if you are travelling to the USA not to lock your luggage as if its needed to be opened they will break the locks off. So was wondering if this also applied to the UK. Thank you for your help. Joan. 

A. This website which contains information on a suitable lock that can be used for travel to the UK. You can place an order online and they also deliver in Australia.

Tamperseal website

Alternatively, airports have just recently arranged a section where you can have your luggage wrapped in an industrial strength plastic wrap for a few dollars prior to checking in. Be sure to check with your Airport first to see if they have this service available.

Outback By Coach

Q. Wendy
My parents are in their 80s and would like to go on a bus tour to the outback and further eg the Kimberley’s, Darwin, Ord River etc. Is there a company that does this? Neither of them enjoys flying, so that is not a possibility. 

A. Recommended are Scenic Tours who are experienced with coach touring. Their coaches have been classified as a six-star coach.

The following tour departs Sydney by coach and makes its way to Adelaide then up through central Australia then all the way down the West Coast of Australia and then your parents can travel on the Indian Pacific in luxury!

Please refer to the following website for full details on the itinerary.

http://www.scenictours.com/destinations/TourItinerary.aspx?ID=5347

From Coffs By Concession

Q. James
Can you tell me if I can use my concession card to travel from Coffs Harbour to Sydney to Broken Hill to Perth?

A. As requested, please find following the prices for your rail journey. Please note that all prices quoted are utilising your Pension Concession and Rail Vouchers.

• Coffs Harbour to Sydney - $41.80 per person one-way economy seat
• Sydney to Broken Hill to Perth - $158 per person one way day/night seater
• Sydney to Broken Hill to Perth - $723 per person one-way Red Kangaroo Class Twin Berth
• Sydney to Broken Hill to Perth - $1096 per person one-way Gold Kangaroo Class Single Berth with meals

For future reference, quoting your Pension Card will usually get you a better discount when it comes to rail fares.

Supported Travel

Q. Jennifer
I am enquiring about supported travel for my dad who is wheelchair bound. I am thinking about a short three to five-day cruise out of Sydney. Do ships have a carer on board who could get my dad out of bed, and showered and in his wheelchair for the day then at night put him back into bed? Mum is a spry 85-years-old and doesn’t need any help. I am a registered nurse but because I have five rolapsed discs and shoulder injuries (from work) I can’t do this for them. They have not had a holiday for 15 years. Is there any good bus trip holidays set up for physically disabled/elderly around NSW or Australia that has lifts/hoists in the bus and take carers with them? Thanks for your assistance. 

A. I’ve been trying and trying to find a cruise that might offer some assistance but unfortunately I haven’t come across any as yet. There are some cruises available that can cater for wheelchairs but they do not offer a service such as carers so I’ve almost come to a dead end for your search.

The only suggestion I can offer you is perhaps to talk to Blue Care or similar institutions to see what they can offer you.

Travel to Disneyland by Sea

Q. Alison
I am 63-yearrs-old and would like to plan a trip to Disneyland. I wish to take with me a young lad who is nearly 21 as I have promised him this trip for a long time. We both live in Bundaberg, Queensland. I do not like flying; however, I would be willing to fly short distances. Would you please tell me the city where Disneyland is. I would prefer to travel by P & O cruise ship from Brisbane or Sydney {prefer depart Brisbane}. Where would a ship arrive in USA? Would it be close to Disneyland? Where would we disembark? 

A. It is a little difficult, not to say expensive, to cruise all the way on your itinerary. The ships which cruise from Australia to USA and beyond are only here as part of their world voyage in January/February. So you can cruise to the USA but then you may have to wait some time to connect with another cruise going to the UK and then back to Australia at the end of the year. As an example of costs, a one-way cruise from Australia to USA, which may take two weeks, could be approx $10,000 per person depending on the ship. Then add on a cruise to UK and then home, this can make it an expensive exercise. 

The flight from Brisbane to Los Angeles is via Auckland or Sydney.  It takes approx 14 hours. Once you arrive in Los Angeles you would be transferred by coach to the hotel in Anaheim (50 minutes), which is where Disneyland is. Cost of flights start from $1500 and depends on the airline.

Discounted Travel Insurance

Q. Christa
Can you advise if there is a discounted overseas travel insurance for pensioners/senior citizens? 

A. There is no discount for senior or pensioner travel insurance. The rates are based on the age of the passenger and,  the older you are, the higher the cost. 

UK B&Bs

Q. Helen
My husband and I plan to go to UK. We have heard about B&B vouchers but some say it’s cheaper to wait and pay as we go. Is that the case? We are also looking at car hire - should we pay as much as we can before we leave? 

A. B&B are about the came cost brought here or as you go, but pre puschasing has advantages:
    1. you have a fixed exchange rate, and
    2. you do not have to carry cash or credit to pay.
The disadvantage is if you do not use all vouchers there is a cancellation fee. I would buy enough pre paid to cover 80% of the number of nights you need. Note that B&B are not everywhere, and some close in winter, or from late September. 

Cars are best pre booked here and pre paid - a lot cheaper, and you know you have a car available on arrival.

Bali, Single Supplement

Q. Alan
As I would like to travel to Bali on my own in the off season in the future can you tell me if it is cheaper to pay just for the return flight and get accommodation there or buy a package deal and pay a single supplement. 

A. You can do it either way, but usually the special packages work out better than just an airfare, even paying the single supplement. Unless you have been to Bali before and know where to go, you can waste a lot of time trying to find reasonable accommodation on arrival.

Where To Go In Europe

Q. Sean
I would like some information concerning travel in Europe. We are both in our late 50s and would like to spend two weeks in Europe during late August. The problem is that we don’t know where to go. Italy and Switzerland are of interest but would like information on what is available for our age group in these areas. The question is what would you recommend? 

A. The best way to see what there is to do in Europe is start with some coach tour brochures. They include all the places of interest in their itineraries. There are some great tours with two to three night stops which gives you plenty of time to explore the area.

Travel with Handicap

Q. David
My wife and I are contemplating traveling mainly to England and to Holland. Time line would be up to three months depending on costs and flights. The Handicap is me. In 1996 in received a heart transplant which has left me with a large list of tablets that I have to take and also a few problems with my legs and so I would be thinking of short hops instead of long hours in the air. Which is the best way cost wise, to do a around the world trip or go to a destination and return? We are in the planning process at the moment and thinking of traveling sometime next year. 

A. Round world tickets allow you to have 15 to 20 stops but you must travel via Asia in one direction and the USA in the other. You are still going to have to fly for at least six tos even hours on some legs of the journey. Flight time to/from Los Angeles is 14 hours unless you stop at New Zealand, then it is reduced by three hours. You will need to consider travel insurance.

Currency

Q. Glenda
I am shortly to take my first overseas tour. I will be going to Turkey and having a four-day stopover in Singapore on the way. I was planning on taking cash and cheques in US dollars but was wondering if I should also take some in Singapore dollars as I will need a taxi to and from the airport or will they accept US dollars? Also where is the best place to exchange my money, bank or airports or other? 

A. You will need Singapore Dollars cash for when you arrive. You can exchange your Australian Dollars at Singapore airport on arrival or get them at the bank or foreign exchange office before you leave home. Sometimes the airport does not have such a good exchange rate. Don’t forget to have USD$25 cash on arrival in Turkey for a visa.

Car Hire In Europe

Q. Gorica
I’m planning to go to Europe and hire a car for 16 days, starting from Zurich and driving through Italy, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Macedonia. I’ve heard that there are places where you can hire second-hand vehicles as the big companies only offer you the hire of brand new vehicles. This is quite pricey so I was curious to see if there were any ‘lesser known’ companies which may offer cheaper and better deals for second-hand car hire. 

A. I am unable to help you with information on second-hand cars in Europe. This would have to be sourced locally. For your information, other car companies do not allow hire cars to be taken into Bosnia and Serbia. Also if picking up a car in Zurich, it cannot be taken into Eastern Europe.

Bus Travel Around Australia

Q. Sandra
I would like to know if you have any tours that are travelling around Australia for approximately 60 days, or longer. 

A. There is a 31-day camping tour, Outback to Reef, which departs Sydney to Adelaide, Ayers Rock, Darwin, Mt Isa, Cairns, down the coast to Sydney. Cost is $4495 twin share or additional $515 for single supplement.

Another option for around Australia would be to combine tours, 13-day East Coast, 16-day Outback and 21-day West Coast. Cost would be quite high as these tours only total approximately $14,000. 

We can also put together packages including flights to a particular destination and then tours from there.

New Zealand Cabins and Tourist Parks

Q. Judy
Do you have any information please regarding cabins and tourist parks in New Zealand?

A. Here’s a good website with the information you require. Holiday Accomodation Parks New Zealand

Travel Insurance For People 80+

Q. Sam
My grandmother who will be 82 in June is wanting to come to the UK to visit me and her family as she is English. She has had a couple of quotes for travel insurance which have come to around $1500 which seems to be excessive. Can you recommend a policy which might be cheaper than this? 

Gay
My mother-in-law who is 83-years-old is travelling to the US in June for two weeks. Can you please recommend travel insurance for her. 

Anne
My father and I plan to travel to China in September for three weeks. However my father is 85-years-old and I am concerned whether at his age he can get travel insurance. Could you let me know whether your company could provide it or not? 

A. There is no premium listed for travellers 80+ years old. The applicant will need to complete the medical assessment form and application and return to me. The insurance company will then assess the application and will respond with a premium within 48 hours.

More On Bali Visa

Q. Christine
We are regular travelers to Bali and this year is the first that we will be required to pay the new visa US$25. Could you please clarify if this is payable for all travelers regardless of age, as we have two children aged four and 18 months of age and would like to ensure that we have sufficient US money on hand to pay. Also, do all persons have to be present when paying this fee? As there is normally an extensive line at Immigration, we were thinking of one lining up and paying the VISA while the other lines up at Immigration to save time, which would be an advantage after a flight with two small children.

A. Every passport holder is required to pay the Bali visa fee so you will have to pay for the children. All currencies are now accepted, not just USD. They can convert your Australian dollars at the day’s rate (at the same visa window). You will all have to stay together as you cannot go to the next queue without your passport and they must be stamped with the visa. One of you could stand aside so the children can run around but would need to be nearby. 

Cruises From Brisbane

Q. Col
My wife and I would like to take a cruise from Brisbane up the Queensland coast to places like Darwin, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, or even to include the coast of Western Australia. Any suggestions and brouchures please.

A. We have a wonderful new web site for cruising which will give you information on cruises, dates and ships all over the world. Visit Cruiseabout for more information.

Travel Concessions For Overseas Seniors

Q. Cliff
My wife and I (two seniors from England) are staying near Sydney with our son for three months and were wondering is it possible to get concession passes for travel on train/ferries/busses whilst we are here. We are both retired and living on pensions.

A. Unfortunately, there are no reciprocal arrangements for pensioners/seniors concessions with other countries. Even worse, there are generally no reciprocal arrangements between states! You can always try when you buy a ticket for your first journey of the day and show your UK pension/concession card but I would not be too hopeful. You may have better luck with discounts from businesses, most of whom will display a window sticker: ‘Seniors Card welcome’.

MSC Cruise Co.

Q. Betty
Would you please advise us if MSC cruises is a respectable company. Hear a lot about travel companies which go bust and would just like to check if they are registered with a travel agency organisation. We are thinking of going on a Carribean cruise with them.

A. MSC Cruise Co. are licenced and a reputable cruise company. We recommend their cruises and can book any of them at very reasonable rates.  have a look at their cruise website. www.cruiseabout.com.au

Seniors Discounts for Air Travel

Q. Vivien
I am flying to Melbourne and it seems to be about $109 over the net. How do I go about telling them I have a Seniors Card?

A. Unfortunately there is no allowance for Senior Card holders on domestic flights. Everyone pays the same fare, even children. If you need to request special meals or assistance, then you need to phone the airline or ask your travel agent.

DVT

Q. Pam
I will be travelling to New Zealand on a seven-hour non-stop trip Perth to Auckland and am concerned about deep venous thrombosis (DVT). I have no idea on what to purchase re stockings or socks. Can you point me in the right direction please as I know absolutely nothing about them...are there some better than others...is it one size fits all...my sister-in-law, who is a nurse, mentioned something to me the other day about trying to get ones to fit me individually?

A. You should speak to your doctor or a travellers medical service for the correct information about DVT and your personal requirements. The travel doctor, in Brisbane would be able to advise and the email address is:

The airlines also show videos on the aircraft on precautions to take inflight.

Cruises for Elderly

Q. Irene
I am looking for a surprise holiday for my mother. She is single and 70, of European descent and very active. I would like to surprise her and send her on a holiday on board a ship but this is hard for me as she is on her own. I was wondering if there are organised cruises for elderly people or a club that travels especially for single elderly people so as she has some company. Also she is still not at the stage where she will just sit and sip tea...she is a live wire and still likes to tango. Can you help or do you know where or if such cruises exist?

A. There are several cruise ships which allow share two or four berth cabins. Passengers are matched by gender and age, and you avoid paying the single supplement. Ship’s crew are very good in looking after single travellers and make sure they do not miss out on any of the activities.

Slovenia

Q. Hillary
We hope to go to Slovenia next year. We will be staying with relatives so accommodation is not the problem. I do not want to go in the winter season as I think it will be too cold for us. Can you suggest the best time to go and how do the seasons alternate with ours. As he is Yugoslav by birth and will be 50 next October will he be put in the army over there, although he is a naturalised Australian? What are the best airflights to use and which will save us money. We do have medical insurance.

A. The seasons in Europe are opposite to ours so their summer is June to August. A month either side of this would still be ok to travel.

As I understand, if you are a naturalised Australian travelling on an Australian passport you would not be ‘put in the army’ over there. If you still hold a foreign (or Yugoslav) passport then I would suggest checking with the Consulate before travelling. You would also need to check on visa requirements.

Airfares would start from approx $1900 plus taxes.

Your medical insurance in Australia does not cover you overseas. You would need to take travel insurance which gives cover for medical and hospital overseas, as well as cancellation, lost luggage etc.

Care hire in UK

Q. Alison
My two sisters and I are planning a month in England/Scotland. We are planning to hire a car for most of the period. Can you advise if we need additional driving licences for driving in the UK.

A. As long as you have an open Australian drivers licence you will be able to hire a car. If you are pre-booking before you leave Australia we would need to know the age of all drivers as some companies have age restrictions up to 75 years. 

Travel for a Group of Singles

Q. Stan
I live in a aged care facility in Leura, which is in the Blue Mountains in NSW. I am interested in travel from Leura to about a 200 km radius. The difficulty is that we are a mixed bunch (male and female) and no one will share, so we all need a room each with a single supplement or a special deal for bulk bookings. Do you have any ideas to assist us please?

A. I would suggest you contact the Blue Mountains tourist and information centre. They will be able to direct you to local operators who could quote on group tours. Tours and destinations would need to be specially formatted to suit your requirements and group numbers. 

Entering the US with a Criminal Record

Q. Ali
My husband and I are hoping to travel on one of those around the world trips. I understand that there could be a problem entering USA if one has a criminal record (DUI 11 years ago). Can one apply for a USA visa before definite plans are made so that destination changes can be made if necessary?

A. It would be advisable to contact the US Embassy in Sydney. There have been major changes recently in the entry requirements and the visa waiver program. If you are not eligible to enter the US under the visa waiver because of the past, you may have to have an interview with the consulate to apply for a visa. Best to start now as the process could be lengthy. 

Perth Coach Tours

Q. Lianne
My mother-in-law lives in Melbourne and would like to take a trip to Perth. She is separated from her second husband and in her late sixties. My husband and I were wondering what kind of coach tours to Perth are available where she could meet people her own age, that are not too strenuous and she could have fun.

A. Tours from Melbourne would incorporate the Indian Pacific train from Melbourne to Perth then a coach tour of WA. The other alternative would be to fly to Perth and then start a coach tour. 

Medication When Travelling Overseas

Q. Chris
I will be traveling to Cyprus via Dubai very soon. Do I need to have a letter from my GP for any medication I will be taking with me?

A. It is a good idea to have a letter from your doctor for prescribed medication. It may save you some time and explanations at customs, especially with a language barrier. 

Travelling Around Australia

Q. Paul
As I am a senior I would welcome any contact with any other senior who is contemplating a trip of some duration around Australia in the middle of next year.

A. Privacy laws prohibit us from forwarding information on other people so we do not keep a database of prospective travellers looking for travelling companions. A good idea is to post a personal on the @boutSeniors personals page. To go there now, click here

Tasmania By Coach

Q. Wayne
My fit, late-70s parents should be sent to Tasmania for a holiday. It’s OK, they want to go, but they just won’t get around to it. I may just give them a little present to sort it out. So, what is there in the way of bus tours around Tasmania for seniors?

A. There is a good choice of coach tours in Tasmania. Most tours have a wide range of passengers’ ages. If they are pension card holders there is an additional discount. They can choose to fly Launceston and back, or take the Spirit of Tasmania in one direction and fly the other. 

Around Australia

Q. Big Nev
My partner and I aim to circumnavigate Australia by road next year. We believe an anti-clockwise direction is the way to go in our automatic VT Holden Commodore station wagon towing an A-van. In my past long distance travels I have used a Land Rover Defender, hence I am a little aprehensive about the Holden and I wonder whether we should look into another 4WD, as I wish to visit as many National Parks as possible en-route, and do not wish to stay on bitumen highways only. We now live in southern Queensland. When would you leave so as to include the best of the wild flowers in W.A.?

A. I would suggest you contact the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, for expert advice on roads, driving times and suitable vehicles for that type of off road travel. The Western Australia wild flower season is September/October so you could plan to arrive there in time for next year’s blooms. 

Single Senior Travel to Scotland

Q. Arthur
As a single senior citizen I’m looking for a tour to Scotland and I would rather go as part of a group. I’ve been looking at your page and it appears there is no organisation that does this. Am I right?

A. There are coach tours of Scotland but not fully escorted from Australia. We can arrange for you to fly to London where you meet the Tour Leader and join the tour. You can opt for single accommodation or to share with someone to keep the cost down. Scotland only tours range from five to eight days but you may want to consider a longer tour taking in England and Ireland as well. We do have one fully escorted tour from Australia. It is for 30 days and covers England, Wales, Ireland and eight days in Scotland. 

Senior Single Travel

Q. Margaret
I am a senior single female and would like to do a short tour in Australia with a similar friend. We are interested in doing a tour where there are people of similar age on the trip. We are interested in tours that include entertainment geared for single people our age, e.g. dinner/dancing, etc. I have looked at the Murray Paddle Steamer and think this is quite good. I am located in North Queensland and would like something a little closer to reduce the cost of getting to the destination.

A. Cruising is a great way to have a holiday and meet like minded people, and P & O have a variety of cruises to choose from: visit new destinations, dinners where you can dress up if you want, entertainment every night, dancing, movies, daily activities. You can be as active as you like or just laze around on deck. Cruises depart from Sydney, but P & O have several departures from Brisbane. 

Travel Insurance for Elderly People Visiting Australia

Q. Ronnie
My parents live in South Africa and are planning a trip to Australia to visit me and my sister. We are both Australian citizens. My father is having difficulty finding travel insurance. He is 87, but is extremely healthy, has no pre-existing medical conditions and has passed his medicals for his Australian visa. He does have medical cover under his policy with the Professional Provident Society of South Africa, and has received written confirmation from them that they will pay any medical expenses incurred, but this will be paid in term of their schedules and in South African Rands and not Australian dollars. Do you know of any company that will be prepared to cover him for medical expenses while he is in Australia (about 5 to 6 weeks only)?

A. I have checked with several insurance companies and unfortunately they will not cover non-Australian residents over the age of 70 years. 

Bus Tour From Brisbane

Q. Ruth
I’d like to give my 80s but lively father a bus tour somewhere out of Brisbane/Toowoomba as a present. A tour with other people his age seems a good way to meet people. Could you please suggest any options?

A. You have not specified the length of tour so I have given a general description of tours we can book. We have several day coach tours from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and the hinterland.

We also have longer tours from Brisbane from eight days up the coast to North Queensland and to the outback. All of these will have overseas and interstate visitors and a wide range of ages.

Many senior clubs organise day coach tours for members and to meet people of a similar age. This may the best option. 

Travel in Vietnam

Q. Jack
My wife and I are in our mid sixties and are planning independent travel to and within Vietnam. What are your views about booking internal flights and hotels as and when we need them when we arrive.

A. It is not adviseable to travel to Vietnam without having at least your hotels and internal flights prebooked. The operators we use are experienced in these areas and costs are very competitive. Tours are not like the European coach tours that take 40 people. They take a minimum of two and a maximum of 15 people. Other options are city stays which include accommodaton, airport transfers and a sightseeing tour to get you started. I would be happy to send you a brochure to help in your planning, or have a look at a web site - www.travelindochina.com.au

Vietnam Again

Q. Carolyn
My husband, who is a mature traveller and I (a little less mature), are thinking of travelling to Vietnam in 2004 to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Could you please advise the best time to travel? Also, are there any tour operators who like to take travellers, rather than tourists, off the beaten track to experience the culture and lifestyle of Vietnam. We would prefer good clean accommodation with facilities for personal care but a chance to sample the true Vietnamese cuisine. Advice about tours from 8 days to 16 days would be appreciated.

A. Vietnam would be a fantastic trip to celebrate your anniversary. We tend to book most of our tours through an operator called Travel Indochina. They are a very reliable company and are specialists in that part of the world. Their tours are made up of small groups between two and 15. Tours range in length of time away and are graded easy, moderate and adventurous. They also have a brouchure for the independent travellers. It also covers additional accommodation or short city stays. For general Vietnam information and tours you can have a look at their web site - Go there

Guided Tours Around Australia

Q. Rebecca
My partner and I are trying to find a great seniors’ tour operator for our grandfather who has recently lost his wife of over 55 years. He has all this new free time and really wants to travel like he did in his youth. An international trip is unfortunatey not likely to happen as he’s in his late 80s. Other than just being generally slow, he has no other major physical problems and still has a keen sense of adventure. Can you recommend some guided tours or companies that may meet his needs and ensure his safety and comfort? He likes to get off the beaten track so we were hoping to maybe find a rural or educational or train tour.

A. Join your local National Seniors Association, as they have day tours and meetings where he will meet people. There are several East Coast rail holidays, including Canberra, or Alice Springs these are not too long in duration. If you are in a capital city then APT tours also have a range of day and short tours, there are longer tours in all states, with connecting flights.

If you can advise us of your location then we can be more specific, and I can send you some brochures. We can book the APT and rail tours for you.

Travel to Norfolk Island

Q. Anne
A friend and I are planning a trip to Norfolk Island next year. I’ve been told that you need a passport to fly there. Is this true? I thought Norfolk Island was a dependency of Australia?

A. Yes, to travel to Norfolk Island you do need valid Australian passport or a Document of Identity. Ask at your Post Office for the forms. A passport cost $193, or $96 if you are 75 or older. The Document of Identity is free for travel between Norfolk Island and the mainland. Don’t leave it too late to book for Norfolk as it is a very popular destination and flights are limited.

[Editor’s note: Constitutionally Norfolk Island is a distinct and separate colony of the British Crown, supervised by Australia, not owned by Australia.]