I was recently asked this question and I thought of sharing it here in my blog…

Backpacking: What is the best advice you can share about backpacking through Europe?

• I would use the train system in Europe. You can get passes that can take you though several countries. It is efficient and inexpensive for as much as it allows you to see.
• Bring money and a credit card.
• A copy of any medication prescriptions, eyeglass prescription, doctor’s names and phone # or medical information a hospital or doctor might need if you needed medical attention.
• Have a plan for where you want to go.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home and let them know if you are making any changes to it along the way.
• Keep your money in two different places. Make sure it is secure. Check out my free printable packing list for tips at www.boomerandseniortravel.tv
• Spend time getting to know places. Don’t just run from one place to another trying to see everything. Experiencing a place in a little depth will make it more memorable.

We love working and we love our vacations but we seem to like to take our work with us on our vacations. This is another example of how integrated we are with our work. I know that I take mine with me. My favorite vacation down time is to work on articles or organize photos of the trip I am on for my website and show.

San Francisco is a place where there is so much to do that you would need a couple weeks to fully experience it. There are many ways to see San Francisco. Some of the most popular are by car, on the famous cable cars, and various tour companies that provide narrated tours. Try something different and see San Francisco by bike. You can rent them and even ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Sausalito is another close interesting place to see, shop at and have a dining experience next to the water. One of my favorite shopping sprees was in Sausalito where my husband bought a piano purse for my daughter.

Most frustrations in travel occur when the traveler is delayed, late or put in an embarrassing position. There are many ways to avoid this. As you can see from this info graphic most of the frustrations shown here are either from going through customs or security checkpoints. I think most people are nervous that they will be stopped or get in trouble for something that they did not know they were doing wrong.

Just the mere fact that the passport officials look at you like you are a criminal and the images from movies of them detaining people and putting people in prison is frightening. I remember when we were going with our teenagers through the Paris airport that they detained our son and made us get on the plane. We were terrified. It was good that we had explained to our kids to always cooperate with the officials and stay calm. They checked his backpack and then let him go. But those few minutes were a lifetime for us. Now, we arrange ourselves so that we are the last to go through the checkpoint so that we can be where the children are if they are stopped.

Checking your passport to be sure that there is six months or more left on your passport will end most of your worries about clearing the passport stations. If you have any trouble there are people in the airport that will help you.

Check out all the new apps available to help you in your travel. They will suggest restaurants with ratings and visitor comments, attractions near you, even tell you who will be visiting in the same city and airport and hook you up.

I love cloud computing because I do have access to all my data and everything that I would have on my home computer at any computing location that I am at. I carry a computer notebook so that I can hook up securely where ever I have internet access.

Most frustrations can be eliminated with proper prior planning. You can enjoy your vacation with little frustration or fear if you get the right information before you begin your trip.

True wilderness still exists. Take an Alaska land tour and see for yourself. Boomer & Senior Travel TV and Debbie Gerber share tips, travel information, videos and photos of a trip from Anchorage Alaska to Denali Park Alaska on the Alaskan Railroad. A train ride through Alaska is an economical and a great way to see the scenery, animals, and hear the history as you relax and watch out the large picture windows.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime Version.