Affordable and accessible travel tips for retirees: Top destinations in the U.S. and abroad | Racine County Eye

RACINE, WI — Retirees want to travel. And many want to find the most affordable, accessible destinations to visit. Well, we’ve got some essential travel tips to help. 

Thankfully, there are many ways to save money to ensure you get the most for your money, allowing local seniors to explore the world well into their golden years. 

Amid skyrocketing inflation, some retirees have opted to keep their trips within the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report. Top domestic travel destinations for retirees include Florida, California, Las Vegas, Texas, Arizona, and New York. 

Other top designations outside the U.S. include Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Bahamas, Aruba, and France, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

Kiplinger offers some great travel tips to help save money while traveling. Those tips include: 

• Be aware of the dollar index and look into countries where you can get more bang for your buck. Countries where the U.S. dollar has been strong include Vietnam, Peru, Columbia, Argentina, South Korea, and South Africa. 
• Make the most of your flexible schedule and keep an eye on airfare prices: Start researching flights well before your trip so you can spot a good deal when it becomes available. Typically, the best time to book a domestic flight is one to three months before your trip and, for an international flight, between two and eight months before your trip. You can fly on days that are typically cheaper (Tuesday and Wednesday) and scour prices for different airports in the area. 
• Skip the car rental (and possibly the hotel): Instead of a costly car rental, public transportation, biking, and walking are great options for getting around in most major cities. When it comes to lodging, look into options other than hotels, including vacation rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Staying at a hostel is also an option. Rose De Vore, a wellness travel coach and founder of The Travel Coach Network, suggested taking a peak at  hostelworld.com and booking.com. 

Many local travel agencies can help seniors accommodate their dream vacations. Here is a list of local options: 

• Looking Glass Travel, 2507 Green St., Racine: 262-989-1341
• Travel Market Vacations, 6220 Washington Avenue, Suite A, Mount Pleasant: 262-456-5727
• Cruise Planners, 6335 E. River Road, Racine: 262-344-0697
• LovinAway, 618 55th St., Kenosha: 844-568-2929