You may have heard the terms “staycation” and “babymoon.” But for some reason, “emptynestcation,” hasn’t caught on yet. Maybe it should.
Your kids growing up and leaving home gives you the time — and often the finances — to travel without focusing on kid-friendly places and activities. Another benefit of traveling without children is freedom from the time constraints of school and sports schedules.
From comparing travel insurance companies to suggesting activities, we’ll share tips for how to make the most out of your vacation during your new season of life.
Tip #1 – Travel During the Off Season
You’ll be surprised by how much 18-25 years of traveling with children impacts how you think. You’ll likely automatically plan for summertime travels when you plan a vacation.
Think for a minute. Is there a reason traveling during the summer is better? Of course, it might be, especially if you want to go somewhere that would be too cold and snowy during the winter. But don’t automatically plan a summer trip if winter would be better.
For example, when you plan a trip for October, you can skip the summer crowds and enjoy the beauty of autumn if you choose a destination known for its colorful leaves.
Or you might decide to travel south during the winter. Not only will you escape the cold, but traveling in the off-season will also give you a more authentic experience to appreciate the local vibe.
Tip #2 – Take a Long Trip
If you’re not retired, you won’t have as much freedom to travel for extended periods, but you can start planning for when you can. If you are retired or can work remotely, you can take advantage of your newfound freedom and travel for a month or two.
If you have a camper or RV or can obtain a vacation home or rental, you might even want to consider a snowbird lifestyle and spend the winters in Tombstone, Arizona, Clearwater, Florida, or anywhere else you won’t have to deal with snow and cold for a winter or two.
Tip #3 – Make a Travel Destination Bucket List
Start dreaming of all the places you’d like to visit. Then, once you have made a list of 10 or so destinations, start researching the best time to go, what to do and see while you’re there, and inside tips about the area from locals.
Write down all you discover because without recording it, all your research might get jumbled in your mind. Then, once you know a little bit more about each bucket list vacation spot, whether it’s an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Rico or a cabin outside Zion National Park, you can put them in order of priority and start planning.
Tip #4 – Consider Travel Insurance
Perhaps you’ve considered travel insurance in the past. Or maybe you haven’t ever thought about it.
Many times, family vacations are low-budget excursions that aren’t a good fit for travel insurance. But once you start planning bucket list vacations, you might need a travel insurance policy more than you did before.
There are a variety of coverage levels and types to choose from.
- Annual travel insurance – This type of travel insurance will cover multiple trips in a plan year, so it’s ideal if you plan to travel frequently.
- Cancel for any reason – These are the most comprehensive travel insurance plans and will provide coverage for trip cancellations regardless of the cause. But unfortunately, they’re the most expensive option.
- Luggage compensation – If you fly and the airport loses your suitcases or sends them to the wrong destination, this coverage will help you pay for items you need until you get your bag back. It will also help cover your losses if your suitcase is lost.
- Travel medical insurance – If you’re traveling within the U.S., there’s a good chance your private insurance or Medicare will cover emergency medical treatment. But if you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need a travel medical policy.
As with all types of insurance, it’s best to compare plans to find the one that fits your situation best and offers a competitive premium.
Tip #5 – Try a Different Mode of Travel
Don’t put yourself in a box where you always do the same type of travel. For example, if you’ve always made road trips, don’t assume that’s the only way to vacation.
Cruises, train rides, airplane flights, and road trips each offer different experiences, and once you try them out, you might discover a new favorite.
As new empty nesters, remember that you can travel differently now, and you should take advantage of your freedom and the opportunities it presents.
Melanie Musson writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com. She’s passionate about helping others understand how the right insurance plan can protect their financial stability both now and in the future.
