Bumming Around the World

It may be too late to leave a good looking corpse it is for me, but I wish you well in your quest for some more fun before you cash in your chips.

Go for it!

I'm probably your age and I strapped on a race car and drove around Phoenix International Raceway last Sunday. Damn near could't climb out of the car afterward, but had a ball!

Do it!

Thanks. Better watch that race car stuff--it's addictive. Here's what I do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlXO3SMbsks&feature=youtu.be

See? Even at age 70 I can make a Viper spin off and a Porsche Carrera blow up in front of me! So can you. The 'Ring is the ultimate track, and I want to run it.

Never mind, you don't need me to tell you how to have fun!

I looked up Eurail passes. It's $1628 per adult for a 90-day pass covering 23 countries.

No discount for seniors.

I wish you good luck with this enterprise. Have you checked out Elderhostels? Even if the hostels don't suit, they might have a lead on low cost travel.

Thanks for the tip. I looked them up, and "Elderhostels" is a tour group, and not cheap. Apparently, we CAN stay at youth hostels, if we want to put up with all the noise.

Googling on elder hostels didn't turn up anything new (since 2008) but I didn't dig too deep.

I'm just getting started on this quest, so I don't know much yet.

Buy a set of noise cancelling headphones.

"As I near the end of my life (I'm pushing 70), ..... " Please don't say that - I'm 71!

I'm certain you can get round-the-world tickets for a whole lot less than that, try these links for a start:

http://www.roundtheworldflights.com/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Round_the_world_flights

Regarding the "outback" - I drove all around Australia back in 1972. We did 17,391 miles in 4 months, much of it on dirt roads, without the benefits of air conditioning and temperatures up to 114F. (No wonder I got kidney stones later). Nowadays it would be a doddle - but we 'ad it tuff!

Thanks for the links, mate. You're right, it's cheaper than I thought, but they don't go everywhere. Another problem may be the time requirements--like, do I have to complete all the trips in 12 months or so? I'll have to investigate further.

my friend I don't believe that you are missing a thing, I have recently gone through some trials in my life and have been wandering what direction to go with it my self. I have a few more years to go than you but have found my self a little more wise than the average 26 year old young man and I place the blame for that on my choice to hang around guys about your age. as far as I am concerned that sounds like a fantastic idea and you should go for it. and for your question about the tickets their are two places that I know of one is : round-the-world fares and the other is : roundtheworldtickets the first can go off of miles and they both want you to plan your trip somewhat. you should look in to them a bit.

Scooter:

You sound like me.

When I was 26, working for NASA, I always hung out with the older guys because they were far more interesting than guys my age. They had been places and done things.

Now that I'm an old fart, I prefer hanging out with younger guys (mostly racers), because they are much more "alive" than people my age, many of whom have given up on life and are just sitting around waiting to die.

You are not an exception. I like to discover new horizons we plan for instance a longer trip to Japan for may be 3 to 4 weeks. We travel on a regular basis in Europe and there are possibilities to obtain reductions for train. I do not believe that facilities for seniors are available as there is for young people. Your budget of $100/day could be is some places a bit too tight. In a capital as Paris a meal can cost at least 12€ (1€= 1.3$). A correct hotel costs over 100 €/night without breakfast in many of them or with a so called "continental breakfast" wich totally different from the English one. An entry to a museum (if are also interested in arts) starts at about 7€.

Nick:

You are right about hotel and meal prices. That's why I plan to stay in hostels, which are about 1/3 the cost of a hotel. We also like to eat where the natives eat, such as in tabacs instead of fancy restaurants. Still, $100 a day might be, as you say, a bit tight.

Meal prices I gave are NOT for fancy restaurants. The lowest cost in pasta shops is around €8.5. Of course out of town prices are 30-50% lower. You have a quite broad choice of sandwiches starting at €2.5 to 3. In a "fancy" dishes start at about €15 starters at €8. A dessert starts around € 3.5 to 6. A subway or bus trip in town is € 1.25 by 10.

For hotel reservations look at "booking" prices are even in good hotels many times low.

Kramarat:

What worries me about those links you found--and the ones I found about hostels--is that they are so old. Many are from 2007 and 2008. There's nothing "new." I can't help but wonder what effect the Eurocrisis has had on prices for travelers.

You may be right about doing it in "stints." Those round-the-world flights are simply a discounted string of commercial flights. It might be smarter to fly to a destination like Europe, buy a Eurail pass, bum around for 90 days, and come home. Then, do it again to a different place, like Africa or South America.

That way, the cats will still remember me.

I have a friend that lives in the Netherlands, and used to be very involved in hostels and the traveling, (on a budget), community. I'll shoot her a message and see what she has to say.

These look promising:

http://www.mindmyhouse.com/

http://www.housesitworld.com/

My eldest son is studying in the Netherlands. He had to stay in a hostel for the first month or so, until he found accomodation. It cost about 11 Euros/night, and anyone can stay there (we might stay there ourselves when we visit next year). This is not at all unusual in northern Europe. In some places hotels are quite expensive, but in others you can get a decent enough room for 25-30 Euros (I have stayed in some, they're ok).

Even in the most expensive cities, like London, you should just about be able to get by on $100/day (hostels about £20/night).

www.booking.com also lists low-cost hotels, including hostels.

Train is a great way to travel around Europe.

Holzfeller:

That's the idea--buy a Eurail pass good for 23 countries, and just bounce around by train to hostels all over Europe. I can't cover all 23 in 90 days but I can always go back and do it again, a few months later.

Thanks for the confirmation on hostel prices--that's what will make this trip do-able.

What I haven't been able to find are similar Eurail passes in places other than mainland Europe. The UK doesn't belong to it, for example, but Ireland does.

I'd love to traipse around the UK for 90 days--as well as South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and so on--but a Eurail-type pass and hostels are the keys to success there, too.

The train is very expensive in the UK. You might be better off using buses. Distances are not great, and they go most places you'll want to know. It used to be much cheaper than the train, but I haven't checked lately.

Hotels are very expensive in Scandinavia (as is alcohol!), but there are lots of hostels everywhere. There are also lots of hostels in Germany/Benelux. Far fewer in southern Europe, but then hotels are much cheaper, particularly chains like Hotel Premiere Classe and Hotel F1 in France, which do rooms from 24 Euros.

You can also get a very good meal for 10-15 Euros, especially in southern Europe.

Buy a sail boat. The cats can ride for free so you won't have to leave them at home. There will be plenty of fish for them. And I'm sure your in no hurry to full fill your bucket list.

And when your done full filling it you will still have place to rest your head.

PS: Can you swim?

Love to do the saiilboat bit, but buying a sailboat capable of crossing oceans would completely eat the budget.

You might try signing up for couchsurfing.

You can usually stay free everywhere you go, and might even score a free meal from time to time.

Plus, you will meet the most interesting locals, who will subsequently take or guide you to the best local spots.

Why the boring old Europe? You will be treated like a king in the whole L.America even more when you know about hostels and so,with that money. Medic care? i guess in the most countries is free of charge when you got a health trouble.Come to the South!

In answerr #16 I mention South America. But how do you get around? Trains? Buses? Mi espousa habla espanol.

My wife and I did (and are still doing) the sailboat thing and bummed around Latin America and South America. We left Canada in 2005 and our sailboat is now in Ecuador waiting for me to finish a contract and then take it on to new destinations. Yes, a sailboat will eat your budget; expect to put in $5000 - 10,000 per year in maintenance and upgrades. Living is cheap though and you can travel very cheaply if you keep your land accomodations and eating to a moderate level. Anchor out and don't stay in expensive marinas all the time. We took Spanish classes in Mexico and Peru to the point where we became quite adequate in Spanish, we travelled on busses with backpacks - some of them chicken busses - and had a great time meeting all sorts of people you would never meet in the rut you may find yourself in now. I'm 65 and, if you are healthy, you can do this kind of travel well into your 70's, just look after yourself. In short, go for it mate, life is short and you never know what will happen tomorrow!

HELLO..nowhere do you say Africa....some nice places to see in Africa..You cannot see a lion in the wild...in Europe...THINK of Africa...when you plan this trip....North, East and South have some great things to see...hotels are cheap..food is good if you eat from the correct places...travel by bus..can make your hair stand on end and up the heart beat....So Please think of Africa on this trip..You might even want to "Be of Service" while on this trip....You do not sound like a guy that can keep still...so go with a mission and enjoy yourself while you make a difference...

See answer #16. Yes, Africa is on the list--but not Morocco. Been there done that and ain't going back. Your scary buses can't be scarier than the Casbah.

Do Europe when you are old mate.

Start your travels in Asia.

Get a ticket and go to Bangkok first. You will not be bored or lonely.

Once you've cleared your pipes there you can travel by land on local transport to all the neighbouirng countries. Lose yourself there for a while and then travel by road to Paris via China and Siberia.

Rail passes and hostels are for the weak. Live a little.

>Rail passes and hostels are for the weak. Live a little.

Rail passes and hostels are for saving money. I druther save money and see a lot than "live a little" and not see much cuz I ran out of money.

That's what David Carradine did, that one night in Bangkok, the last place he visited. He was 70.

All through Europe there are campgrounds. Only people who live here know about these. They accommodate not just the tent stakers and camper/trailer set but most of these, during the warmer season, also have bungalows with real beds. Not great ones, but the bungalow is all yours, even though the drunken campers going by make lots of noise. You can also look into renting a camper, and do the campground route when you can't find hostels. The thing about these places is that they are often found very near or smack dab in the middle of town. From many you can walk to public transport and or major sights. Then, for a step up, there are always bed and breakfasts all over Europe and or farm stays/Agritourism spots - most with internet sights, in Europe, anyway. Eurail can be good if you are young and don't mind fighting your way on and off trains and through stations: in some cities its better to stay away from the station. You can travel with a small camper, nearly everywhere for less than you all are budgeted for if you're not in a hurry. There are also many convents and church run hostels all over Europe that offer quiet and safe accommodations and great food at decent prices. They also allow married couples to stay in the same room. If you do a little more research you can find many of these options. Don't be too much of a stick in the mud, thinking that you must plan everything to the letter. with a good portable PC and WiFi you can set up the next week or two as you go with much less fuss than you think, catching low-cost and last minute flights to places you might not have ever imagined going if you just stuck to trains or buses and Eurail passes. Walking tours are going very strong these days too as are bicycles, which in some parts of Europe are feasible as they are mostly flat. Motorcycle rentals are also an option. Each place I've travelled has had plenty of options to look into without a lot of hassle. Just stop and smell the roses instead of thinking about where you want to go next. Asia and Africa are another story altogether - Even though you might have a little trouble getting around, just don't flash the cash, keep your eyes open and your head calm and you can have a great time. If your good at something, which you probably are, you can also earn a few bucks here and there as a consultant. Be flexible. Keep your options open, you slow old poop, and have a great time.

Sorry--can't do camping. To me "camping" is a Holiday Inn.

Well, you have plan some. In Europe, for example, it might be good to check the Eurail routes to see where the trains go, check a hostel directory to see where they are, and lay out a city-by-city itinerary. It doesn't have to be a rigid time schedule, but it wouuld be nice to know, for example, whether or not there's an hostel in Rota, Spain, or if we have to go all the way to Gibraltar to find a bed.

I want to stand on the wharf where Columbus sailed to the new world, but I don't know if trains go there. If we have to take a bus to get there, where would we go to get one? That kind of planning.

We took Eurail through Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium once (Mmmm! Chocolates in Brugge!), and I don't recall fighting over trains.

Hey Doc:

How does that wi-fi laptop stuff work? I've travelled with a laptop in Europe, but 10 euros a day for Internet service is kind of expensive.

How about a 4G smartphone and a tether or Bluetooth to the PC? Will that work in Europe? Do I need a special (forget what you call it) plug in card for each country to get cell service?

Many hostels, restaurants, coffee-shops, pubs, etc have free wi-fi. This might be the better way to do it.

Well, I have one job that I can do anywhere, as long as I have Internet access. I was thinking about keeping the job in retirement, because it only takes up 2-3 hours a day--but I GOTTA have reliable access to the Internet 5 days a week.

It'd be nice, of course, to sit in a pub or a tapas bar and do my work, but I don't want to HOPE I'll find free wireless everywhere we go. Better to make sure.

So, how well does this 4G smart phone-to-PC deal work in Europe and elsewhere?

Good luck S.O.P. I have a feeling you'll get a lot out of this.

Wellcome back to the River Plate!

One of the wonder of the world is located in India that is Taj Mahal at Agra. Here everything is much cheaper than Europe and other developed countries. You can get 3/4 star hotel accommodation for $50/60 per day. Transport, food etc. is also cheaper, your daily expenses could be managed around $50/70 per day excluding hotel charges.I suggest visit only selected places in various countries as your age will be making you tired soon.

I signed up at a health club today with the goal of getting back in shape for extensive walking (and race car driving), in preparation for these trips (and for driving my track car). I figure I'll be walking A LOT on these trips.

Besides, my legs and ankles cramp up badly after 30 minutes in the track car, so I'll kill two stones with one bird. We're planning to run at the new Formula 1 track in Austin in February, so I better get cracking, eh?

What you do depends on how much energy you have, and whether or not you are a creature of habit and routine. Some of us are free spirits, others plodders.

When I was 30 back in 1970, My wife of 2 years and I travelled for 5 months around Europe in a Morris 1100 (with an inadequate radiator for the hot days). We found after camping with other noisy inmates, particularly fellow Aussies, that after 2 weeks of travel, tourist spots, galleries, museums, we needed a break of several days. After coming down thru rainy Austria, one of the best breaks was a camping site in Thessalonika, where we were welcomed like old comrades-in-arms, we could eat at a different restaurant each night, and I could dismantle the car and do some basic maintenance.

To hell with doing any more than just basic travel planning!

I have found that I have had a gutful of holidays after about 3 weeks, and am ready to go back to work, which in my case nowadays is volunteering with hard labour, a few days a week, I like it and the people, and I stay fit. The rest of the week is reading, visiting and the radio club.

And what matters is people. Make sure you meet and greet and chew the rag. This was brought home, driving back to Rome after a visit to Pompeii. We arrived back at one am to be greeted by a totally dead city that had gone to sleep, and a crank case full of iron filings from disintegrating diff teeth. Never drive a BMC vehicle constantly at 70 to 80MPH on the autostrada.

Yep, go for it, but consider roughly what you would like to do, what you expect, the way you live your life, and then let the fates decide the outcome.

Did you find out about medical insurance?

This sounds like fun! I've been thinking of doing some "short" trips to various places when we retire(again) in about 5 years...we'll be young 70 somethings then.

No, I haven't looked into medical yet. We'll both be on Medicare (assuming Obama doesn't take it away) but I don't know how that works overseas.

We've been taking "short trips" overseas for years, but a week in Sidney or Brussels doesn't quite get it. We did two weeks in Barcelona once, and that was much better.

Cruises don't cut it either. It's stop in Rio for one day, take a bus tour; stop in Sao Paolo for a day, take a bus tour; and so on. You don't really "see" anything, mix with the locals, or eat local food.

You gotta spend some serious time wherever you go. And that's what we plan to do.

In Oz, you can take out private medical travel insurance. It increases once you hit seventy, and stops when you hit 80. The cost will depend on where you travel, and you have to nominate the number of days you will be in each location. You will have to advise pre-existing medical conditions. Not many they are likely to knock you back on.

Ask a travel agent if you can get it. I imagine that as long as it is outside USA, it won't be too expensive, probably about $10 a day.

Is that insurance for Aussies who are leaving the country or for tourists coming in?

For aussies leaving the country.

I did Australia some years back on a bus tour setting up camp each night and sharing duties in the kitchen that was a trailer hauled behind the bus. etc. Met a lot of nice people and had a blast. Cost was great but the interaction was what I wanted. On occasion we stayed in commercial place such as cave hotel in Coober Pety, and Alice Springs. Got to see a lot more than I had worn my self out driving. Did similar in Thailand stayed in small cheap hotels but clean and traveled with the locals although English language was a bit of a problem at times.

Spend some time on the net looking for these kind of accommodations including B&B be sure to put in the price range or just get pricing. Important thing is get er done. You will have no regrets. Once you hit the road you will be meeting others and just ask for the information you desire. In Thailand we traveled several times at night on trains and boats that way we did not miss a day.

Traveling with your wife?

Huh? Too late in life to deal with the inevitable divorce.....

You are worrying too much about the cost of local travel. Just do what the locals do. The only folk that buy rail pa$$e$ are touri$t$.

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but wherever you go in the world, you will always be a tourist and treated as such. With the world economy in a shambles, you will be targeted as an easy mark. Would you like to walk down a street in Mumbai and be surrounded by beggars like a swam of flies, not to mention the filth and pestilence all around you.

I've traveled to many places on earth on business and would take in what I thought would be interesting to see. I have found that once you have seen one Buddhist temple, I have no desire to see another one. I took a trip to the Grand Canyon with my family some 30 years back. After 15 minutes, I was ready to go back home. Just how long can one spend starring at a big hole in the ground.

But that is just my opinion. I just can't see someone spending thousands of dollars and spend a half hour looking at the pyramids or the Sphinx; a postcard would do me just as well. I'm 78 and all I want or need is right here. Although I really don't like traveling, I have been to Japan several times and that is about the only place I would like to see more of; not so much to see, but to experience the culture of the Japanese people. Take care to plan your itinerary carefully. Keep away from potential dangers like terrorists, pirates, disease, etc. I would not feel safe traveling in many countries. Japan is the only exception.

I've been all over the world, too, and the only place I was scared was Morocco--which was just like how you described Mumbai. No Arab countries are on our bucket list for that reason.

The friendliest place was Australia, mate, and I can't wait to spend 90 days there.

I too enjoyed Australia, but that was in my early days when I could run with the big dogs. I've since run out of steam.

I've been to Perth twice. Great place, great people. I love Australians.

Ron, Small had shown desire to see the all wonders of the world. So I suggested him "Taj Mahal" in Agra, India, which is one of the wonder of the world. Yes it is true tourists from western countries are surrounded by beggars. But not at all places wherever they go. I saw beggars in New York city, London, Bangkok etc.They are everywhere around the world.

It is feeling of being in the tourist spot, environment, natural beauty which you will get by taking pains to traveling to the place. You can not get such pleasure from watching merely the post card. It is change of environment which relaxes you. May be at your old age traveling is too taxing for your body.

I came across this website some time ago, and then couldn't find it again, but just now found it again by chance. You might find it quite interesting.

Thanks, mate. Took some hunting around on the site but I finally found a page for Britrail, which has a 30-day pass. It's sorta like a Eurail pass, just more difficult to figure out (Like, why can't I get a 30 day pass good over a 60-day period, but I CAN get a 22-day pass for two months?)

You've answered the question about rail travel in the UK. Thanks again.

planning to visit Japan? lots of beautiful spots here, and a sailboat, only if it comes with a deck gun with all those pirates near Africa and south east Asia

Asia is on my wife's bucket list but not mine. We'll go there after we visit places that are on both our bucket lists.

atThen don't go near Africa (actually the middle east) or South East Asia if that's a problem for you. I've met thousands of off-shore sailors in my voyages and only one was boarded - in Columbia at an isolated anchorage in a dicey area. If you are careful you won't have any problems sailing in 90% of the world.

Get the travel books by Paul Theroux; he has traveled all over the world by train and relates the best and worst experiences. Some of his travels has been 40 years ago, so it would be best to get one of his latest travels book. His latest, "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star" takes place after the Soviet bloc era and is the most up-to-date book around; a great book for the armchair traveler.

Thanks, mate. We gotta buy a bunch of books, and I'll add this to the list.

This thread is fading, as they always do here on CR4. My thanks to all who contributed. I learned a lot, and got plenty of support for this insane idea.

So, here's what we plan to do:

Starting in 2014, when my wife retires, we'll plan two 90-day trips a year, starting in mainland Europe. Why? Because both of our bucket lists contain plenty of places in Europe that we want to see--Portugal, Greece, Western Spain, Austria, Poland, etc. And because my wife speaks Spanish, French and German.

Why 90 days? Because that's how long a Eurail ticket lasts. When we move on to other regions, we'll amend accordingly. For example, a Britrail ticket in the UK is only good for 60 days.

CR4 is an amazing source of current information from experienced people, and I intend to use it to research these trips. For example, how do you get around in South America or Australia? How well do smart phones work for Internet access in Europe? How can I write this off as a business trip? I'll ask these questions of the CR4 group in future posts.

Thanks again.

Australia has a lot of empty space with big distances. The rainfall mostly doesn't get much above 20 ins pa on the coast, so you may not like the dryness. Population about 22 million when I last looked. Two hours time difference from east to west (3 hours in summer). It is further from Brisbane to Cairns than from Brisbane to Melbourne. Cheap airfares flying between capital cities, such as red-eye special overnight Perth to Brisbane, but you need to book months ahead to get the special prices.

Buses are good but to me that's no way to travel.

Trains rather more expensive but comfortable. Queensland (3 times the area of Texas) and WA (even bigger) have 3ft 6in, others 4ft 8in gauge.

For shorter distances, and by that I mean for daily trips that cover 200 to 400 km (120M to 240M) hire a car. If only two of you recommend you get a low end 4 cylinder car. Stay in one place and tour each day or 2 days out from that point.

In summary you might fly between big cities, and then hire a car and /or use public transport from and in the big city.

Brisbane, see Natural Arch, The Needle (Tweed National Park), both south. Return up the Summerland Way and see the Loop (railway drops a quite a few feet by going around a large circle, train comes thru twice a day, so check times). Drive around older suburbs to see wooden houses on stilts (called stumps here).

Sydney, see Jenolan Caves to west. Great beaches, so go swimming but apply SP50 if you stay in the sun more than 20 minutes. Unfortunately Sydney does not do tertiary treatment of sewage, which is pumped miles out to sea, so there is always a possibility of ear and/or stomach infection if you're a tenderfoot. Sydney local trains and buses co-ordinated and cheap. The best of cities for holidays.

Adelaide reminds me of a town from the sixties.

Tasmania is that little chunk of dirt south of Australia. Do this by hire car. See Cradle Mt and the largest contingent of Germans outside Europe, doing the walks (it's less crowded in Oz). There are lots of other things to see.

For some trips may be better to get on a tour eg Uluru (Ayers Rock), Great Barrier Reef. But as has been mentioned, once you've seen a bit of these big things, that's enough eg the reef colours are a lot lighter than the adverts show.

Travel in Autumn or Spring. Winter is cold in the outback (boondocks) especially when the westerlies come off the desert, summer can be up to 40C+ (100F+).

Thanks, mate. We spent a week in Sydney and it just made me want to come back. If I wasn't so old, I'd try to emigrate to Oz--you folks are an America that actually works. You are doing everything we want to do, but can't.

Love yer wine, too. We don't get any of your good stuff here in the US, just the cheap crap that the big distributors bring in by the shipload. We toured your wineries and found you cook up some great stuff!

The only thing wrong with Oz is you drive on the wrong side of the road. I'd need a big Roo Bar to survive.

Thanks for the advice. I'll log it away in my Oz file.

If you want specifics on Holland, just ask away!

Was there once on business, but didn't see much. My hosts were too busy showing me data centers and taking me to Indian and Brazilian restaurants. I had to beg off one night just so I could walk around Amsterdam with my wife and eat some local food. Then it was off to Hannover MESSE. Never really toured Amsterdam or Holland. Yes, I'll go back.

I find that too many of my colleagues go to Europe a lot, but don't see it. They fly in, do their business, and fly back--often without their wives. Not me...I always take my wife, and stay a few extra days after the meetings.

Before I retired I took the wife on trips as much as was feasible. We had some really great times in Paris, London, Vegas, and few other nice spots. When I traveled alone, I learned to take that extra time away from the business dinners and do some sight seeing for myself. (It took a few years before I figured that out! ) I would try to plan trips out of the US such that I had business at the end of one week and the beginning of the next...that way I spent weekends almost where ever I wanted!

Have u been to India. It is full of surprises. You will not find the high tech surrounding all over but u may find Porsche and a bullock cart side by side on these roads. Also it is very cheap here by your standards.

Gajanan Phadte

Mumbai, Delhi is the last place u want to be in India.

Begging is illegal in Goa.

Goa is THE place to be in India, not because I live here, but because I know it is totally different than any other place in India. It is the most relaxed location u can dream of. I remember during a conference, somebody said, when God wants to relax, He comes to Goa.

Gajanan Phadte