Tour During Post-Retirement Life
In my
earlier post “How to make post-retirement life happy and fruitful?” I have
mentioned that during this phase of life one is free to plan vacation tour
(rather I will say leisure tour) any time as per one’s convenience. I also
suggested for leisure tour at reasonable frequency with spouse. Therefore, you
will find previous four posts in my blog on my tour to Jaipur, Udaipur, Mount
Abu and Thar Deserts in Rajasthan, India. You will also find posts on my tour
to Digha, West Bengal, India and Puri, Odisha, India. Very recently I have also
made a short distance tour to Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India which is at a
distance of about 180 kilometers from my home. I have not yet posted any article
on my tour to Shantiniketan.
2. What
should be the frequency of tour? It depends on many factors. Leisure
travel may be short distance tour or long-distance tour, may be domestic or
international. Short distance tours are generally of short duration. One may
have such short duration tour to the nearest destinations on more frequent
intervals, which may be once in a quarter. The frequency of short duration and
short distance tour depends on one’s financial strength as well as health
condition. Long duration and long-distance tour may be conducted at half yearly
or yearly interval, depending on one’s health condition (both physical and
financial).
3.
Planning of tour is an essential element for making your tour enjoyable as
well as cost effective. For long distance tour it is better to plan two to
three months in advance which will help you in finding cheap flight tickets and
hotels at reasonable prices. Planning in advance will help you in preparing
your itinerary after making detail study of the places of interests, available
transport facilities at the destinations, eateries, etc. For short distance tour
planning 15 to 30 days in advance is sufficient. It is better to gather
information on places of interests in and around your destination including
study of map with routes which will help you in planning your tour in a more
effective way. While making tour plan it is very important to keep sufficient
timing for each and every spot as well as sufficient travel time between the two
spots. It is advisable not to make your itinerary too hectic.
4. One
has to ensure the followings before leaving home for leisure tour.
(i)
Luggage should be light weighted containing all the essential items to be
carried during your tour. It is better to carry trolley bag instead of suitcase
as trolley bag is having wheels which can be easily moved from one place to
another without lifting.
(ii)
Please ensure that you have carried all your essential medicines with you
including some other medicines and ointments to be used in case of exigencies. Have
a first-aid box with you.
(iii) While
packing your luggage please ensure that all your essential items are taken leaving sufficient room for accommodating items which you may purchase at
the tourist destinations. While packing your luggage please ensure ‘space for
everything and everything in its place’ so that you can easily trace any item as and when required. To make space for everything
carry the essential and daily need items in small quantities sufficient to
fulfil your requirement during tour. For example, instead of carrying 200-gram
toothpaste you can carry 50-gram toothpaste, instead of carrying shampoo bottle
you can carry shampoo sachets, etc.
(iv) Carry all your travel documents including air
tickets, passport, etc. in your handbag. Carry all your essential medicines and
items required during travel in your handbag. Keep travel documents handy as these are required to be
shown at airport.
(v)
Before leaving your home please ensure that all your electrical gadgets are
switched off, water taps are closed, and regulator of your cooking gas is in off
mode. Ensure locking of your cupboards, almirahs and rooms. The last but not
the least is that the proper locking of main door of your home should be
ensured before leaving.
5.
After proceeding for tour ensure visiting all the places as per your travel
plan or itinerary. Take photographs and videos during tour which will help in
cherishing your memories after finishing your tour. Please do not post your
videos and photos in social media during your tour. It is advisable to posts videos
and photos in social media after coming back to your home.
6. I
hope the above tips will help you in making your tour enjoyable and memorable
forever.
