International Travel

Welcome to the AboutSeniors international travel page. This page will provide you with extensive information and links to a variety of travel options in a range of countries. Discover beautiful Asia with a variety of tour options and information available, or how about a train trip in Canada, truly a once in a life time experience. Boasting stunning scenery from lush fields and dramatic coastlines to vibrant villages and cosmopolitan cities, Ireland is a great travel option. Have you ever wanted to visit Italy? Why wait! Check our our Italy page for some great tours and travel offers.  You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions regarding International Travel. Also check out our Seniors Travel Insurance page to get the best deal!

US entry fee

The US visa waiver program may make it easier to enter the States but from 8 September, there will be a small charge involved.

As one of the 36 signatory countries to the US visa waiver program, Australia offers the chance for citizens to enter the USA using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). This allows tourists and business travellers to visit the US for 90 days before they require a visa and is valid for two years. Until now, this service has been provided free of charge but from 8 September travellers will be required to pay $US14 ($15.26).

Good news for travellers who already have electronic authorization is that no fee will be charged if you simply need to update travel details. For more information, visit www.esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

Renewing passports

YOURLifeChoices subscribers, Isabel and Tony, are lucky enough to be both Australian and British citizens but this is causing them a headache when it comes to renewing their passport.

Q. Isobel and Tony
My wife and I migrated to Australia from the UK some 30 years ago, and became Australian citizens some 15 years or so ago, so we have dual citizenship.

We have not been back to the UK and Europe for over 10 years, and would like to make one final visit to catch up with relatives before it’s too late.

Our British passports expired in September this year, our Australian passports expired in 2007, and the cost to renew them for both of us is well over $1000, which as age pensioners we find excessive, and which in itself probably makes our trip impossible.

We could renew either the Australian or the British passports at about half the cost.

Renewing only our Australian passports for travel means our travel around Europe would (could) get complicated due to individual countries Visa requirements.

Renewing our British passports only would give us complete freedom of travel in Europe and possibly reduce any health costs by enabling us to access the UK Health system.

Accordingly, we wonder if we renewed our British passports only, and used our (expired) Australian Passports and Citizenship certificates to establish that we are Australian citizens and entitled to full residency here to remove any difficulties in returning to Australia.

We would welcome any advice you might be able to offer.

A. Lucky you heading over to Europe, with the Aussie dollar as strong as it is, now is the perfect time to take the trip.

As a rule, Australian citizens are not permitted to travel without a valid Australian passport.  You will not be granted access to Australia on your return without this, regardless of whether you present your expired passports and citizenship certificates.  The good news is that you will only need to renew your Australian passport, depending on the countries you wish to visit in Europe.  As a rule, you can visit most countries for up to 90 days for tourist reasons without a visa, on a valid Australian passport.  For more details of the countries you can visit, click the link below.

www.smartraveller.gov.au

It is worth noting, if you are over 75-years of age, you can apply for a seniors passport which will only cost $104.

With regards to medical treatment, the Australian Government has reciprocal arrangements in place with certain countries which guarantees a certain level of assistance.  However, you will also need travel insurance.  For details of what is covered in which country, click the link below.

www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

We hope you have a fabulous trip and please let us know if you need any further information.

Online travel guides

Planning a trip can be difficult, there’s so much information around. YOURLifeChoices Webmaster, Drew, details the websites he uses to get the important travel information and guides for free.

Lonely Planet
The leader in travel guides, Lonely Planet provides a large variety of information, places to visit, advise and tips to make your future travel adventures unforgettable!
www.lonelyplanet.com.

Travel Guide
Guides can be useful, but travelguide.tv provides you a short 1-2 minute brief introduction of what there is to see and do in a variety of travel destinations around the world.
travelguide.tv.

Please Take Me To
Covering a wide range of activities and adventures in numerous destinations around the world, Please Take Me To has over 1200 of Australia’s most attractive locations included in their list, so if you are looking to travel within Australia, why not check out their recommendations!
www.pleasetakemeto.com

Travel eguides
Travel eguides has a series of free travel guides with loads of useful information to print out and take with you. They also have a large range of tours and packages for sale if you choose to book through them.
www.traveleguides.com

Turkish treat

It may be a little too late to enjoy a last minute trip to Turkey to celebrate ANZAC Day but a stay at the Ayasofya Hotel is a delight at any time of the year.

Recently taken over by two lovely Australians, Gaye and Michele, the Ayasofya Hotel was originally a wooden edifice built in the 19th century as a private home. In 1980, it was derelict and was rebuilt in its original Ottoman style.  Opened as a hotel in July 1990 it has since offered traditional Turkish hospitality for guests from all over the world.

The hotel is centrally located in the Old City, only a few minutes walk from the Blue Mosque, St.Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome and the other tourist attractions.
Enjoying easy access from Istanbul International Airport (18 km away), the Ayasofa Hotel is an oasis at the end of the long haul flight from Australia.

Being centrally situated, the main railway station (3 km) and the urban tram (2 blocks away), make it a great base for exploring Istanbul, and further a field if you’re feeling adventurous!  Along with the treasure of the past and the charm of an old Ottoman house, Ayasofya Hotel also offers the vital amenities of the modern world.

Gaye and Michele would love to welcome you to their new acquisition and if you wish to find out more or make a booking, visit the Ayasofya Hotel.

Booking made simple

Book your tour/s, flight and travel insurance with Imaginative Traveller’s dedicated reservations team on 1300 135 088. Let them do the groundwork for you when deciding on international flights. They source their flights daily, giving you the best price from a wide range of airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, LAN, South African Airways and Kenyan Airways. Why book with Imaginative Traveller?

Slow train to Shimla

Escape from the hustle and bustle of India and let the train take the strain while you enjoy some of the most stunning vistas this eclectic country has to offer.

The leisurely pace of train travel in India lets you sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing and panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery, as invigorating air whistles through the carriage. As you chug up the hills, passing through little hamlets and colourful fields, the stresses and strains of the city are left far behind you.

The toy train (how the locals refer to the narrow gauge trains) journey from Kalka to Shilma is lots of fun, taking in 107 lofty bridges and tunnels along the six-hour trip.  Stopping at picturesque stations such as Dharmpore, Taksal and Gamma along the way adds to this enjoyable experience.

With a maximum speed of only 33km an hour, the twisty journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty gives you plenty of time to do nothing more than enjoy the trek across plains, plantations and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall bridges on the way, as well as the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty an extraordinary experience!

Possibly the most famous of all the little train journeys in India, is the trip across the plains from New Jalpaiguri, to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. With only a two-foot gauge, the Darjeeling Hill Railway is the narrowest of the regular gauges. The tiny century-old engine is a connoisseur’s delight, making this ‘toy train’ very popular indeed. With no tunnels along this line, you are treated to an uninterrupted view of the Himalayan scenery on the seven and a half hour journey.

Find out more about the full range of Indian toy train journeys.

And Maccu Pichu itself?

Well, what can we say? We had no idea what a special place this is – and suspect it would take many visits, and much scholarship, to understand the importance of this ancient site.
Located high in the “cloud forest” of the Andes, about 30 kilometres from the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, Maccu Pichu was the special citadel created by Incans in the 15th century for royals, astronomers, and scientists. It is often referred to as a ruin, but this is incorrect. Some 60 percent of the buildings are intact, 30 per cent have been restored, and it sis said that 10 per cent are yet to be discovered. Happily for the Peruvians (not to mention the rest of us), their Spanish conquerors did not discover this abandoned settlement during their time of occupation. In fact, it was only discovered by an American, Hiram Bingham, in the early 20th Century and even he was seeking another site.
Today Maccu Pichu is a peaceful and uplifting reminder of an intelligent, sophisticated and humane civilisation which conquered other tribes, but then encouraged them to assimilate and work toward the common good. Many travellers choose to trek up the Inca Trail to the fortifications, but be warned this is a strenuous four-day challenge, often exacerbated by the effects of altitude sickness caused by the location 2970 metres above sea level. For a less punishing, but still rewarding, visit take the train from Ollyantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and stay at one of the hotels in town. Buses leave every ten minutes for Maccu Pichu and your entry fee entitles you to maximum access all day. You will need to purchase another ticket if you return the next day. For those flush with cash the Hiram Bingham explorer from Cusco offers a luxurious package of train travel, brunch, a guided tour, and cocktails and dinner upon return. But as we said, it’s not about the money…whether you trek, train or bus it in you will find this ancient town in the sky a truly uplifting and extraordinary place.

More
Maccu Pichu - http://www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html
Hiram Bingham - http://www.railplus.com.au/pass.cfm?pass=hiram-bingham

Favourite 50 year-old

Christmas Island celebrates 50 years of Australian sovereignty with the honour of being named in Sir David Attenborough’s all time top ten nature experiences.

The migration of red crabs was enough to secure the Top Ten slot for Christmas Island, which has so much more on offer. The island’s tourism association has complied a list of 50 things to do on the island, including swimming with whalesharks, sea kayaking to secret caves and discovering over 200 species that exist nowhere else on the planet.

Named by Captain William Mynors when he arrived, but was unable to land, on the island on Christmas Day, 1643. The rugged coasts protected the island from human habitation until 1688, when the English buccaneering ship Cygnet arrived under Captain Swan, recorded the first land on the island.

For many, Christmas Island remains a dot in the Indian Ocean, but with 63% of the island being national park, there is plenty to keep nature lovers interested.

See for yourself the beauty of its natural wonders and discover Christmas Island.

European treks

It goes without saying that the best and most satisfying way to enjoy the many and varied sights and sounds of Europe is on foot, and is made even more enjoyable when you don’t have to carry your own bags.

Self-guided walking tours are becoming more and more popular as people yearn to see the real countryside, and meet the real people of land they’re visiting.  The logistics can make it difficult but there are companies that will arrange everything for you. Companies such as UTRACKS are ideal for travellers who enjoy independent travel but lack the knowledge or confidence to head off totally on their own

An Australian based company, UTRACKS can arrange walking trekking or cycling tours throughout Europe, either as self guided or small group guided tours. You are provided with maps and itineries which match the pace you wish to travel at, with support on hand for those “just in case” moments. As you enjoy you leisurely, or demanding pathway through untouched areas of Europe, your luggage is transported to wherever you will lay your head that night.

Accommodation is chosen for its comfort, warm welcome and to give you a true taste of the locale you’re visiting.  All you have to do is follow your chosen route, enjoying local hospitality along the way. It really couldn’t be easier, the hardest part will be deciding where to go.

For more information on all the locations and services UTRACK have to offer, visit www.utracks.com.au

Celtic connections

If you’re taking a trip back to Ireland to search for your ancestors then a visit with the Shelbourne Hotel’s Genealogy butler is a must.

Historic Dublin hotel, The Shelbourne has appointed a genealogy butler to help its guests with the tough ntask of tracing their roots. Helen Kelly, a Dublin native, has for the last 13 years been helping people trace their Irish ancestry and has now taken on the role of genealogy butler at the newly restored and refurbished hotel.

Once a reservation has been made at the Shelbourne, ideally situated on St Stephen’s Green, guest can book the services of Ms Kelly online. The cost of this service is approx $160 per hour, which includes initial research from previously completed questionnaire and an appointment with the genealogy butler at your convenience.

Don’t worry if your search takes you out of Dublin to some of the most picturesque countryside in Ireland, the Shelbourne’s genealogy butler will assist with booking you hotel accommodation at any of the six Marriot International Hotels in Ireland.

For more information and bookings, visit The Shelbourne, Dublin.

Discover India – 10 top tips

About to set off on a staggering 30th trip to this fascinating country, Thomas E. King suggests ten memorable experiences that will help any other traveller to the sub-content stay within their budget.

1. Greypower
Travel by caparisoned elephant to the terraced ramparts of Amber Fort, a magnificent sixteenth century fortress-palace near Jaipur in the desert state of Rajasthan. Visit http://www.rajasthantourstravel.com (navigate via ‘Profile’ to ‘Tourist Attractions’ and scroll down to ‘Elephant Safari in Amber Fort’).  You can also elephant-ride in eastern India’s Kaziranga National Park, one of the last refuges of the rare one-horned rhinoceros. Visit www.kaziranga-national-park.com

2. Tea time
Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? A stroll through the lush tea plantations of Darjeeling is a personal favourite, for the incredible panorama it provides of the snow-capped Himalayas. Perched at 2134m, the ridge-hugging town was established by the British as a summer capital in the early nineteenth century. Visit www.indiaprofile.com (click on ‘Tea Tourism in India’)

3. ... or tee time?
The British also introduced golf to India, in 1829 in Calcutta. Today, pocket-pleasing rounds can be played on more than 160 fields of green which range in quality from basic to brilliant. Several western-style sports retreats have been built but I prefer vintage courses where the feel of yesteryear still lingers. Visit http://golfindia.net

4. Hands on
After the game, relax with an aromatic ayurvedic massage. Certified centres are located in many cities although southern Kerala State has virtually cornered the market for picture-perfect ayurvedic spas. It costs around $30 for 45 minutes of fragrant bliss, though some visitors stay for weeks to achieve full benefits from the ‘science of life’. Visit www.incredibleindia.org (navigate via ‘Wellness’ to ‘Ayurveda’) and http://ayurveda.iloveindia.com

5. More in the mind
Yoga centres are also widespread with the Yoga Institute in Mumbai offering week-long residential courses for less than $100. Qualified English-speaking instructors demonstrate time-tested techniques that enhance physical and mental health. Visit www.iloveindia.com/spirituality

6. Food, glorious food
Cooking schools are popular with those who already know that not all Indian food is curry and not all curry is hot. Presented by notables such as Chennai Culinary Institute’s Chandri Bhat (ph 044-28111434), courses in specialities like vegetarian cuisine and Indian sweets cost less than $10 a day.

7. Ride the rails
India has the world’s second largest railway system; although stations in large cities may be somewhat chaotic, the din subsides once you’re cocooned inside a comfortable carriage. Though many domestic airlines across the country, I always look forward to train travel because it’s a great way to savour the countryside and meet like minds. Visit www.seat61.com/India.htm

8. Song and dance
Once at your destination, allocate time for a cultivated evening or three attending a classical music or dance performance. For information and events, visit http://www.artindia.net. If you can go the distance, a marathon length Bollywood epic is an eye opener. Bone up on Bollywood (including cinema locations) at www.indiancinemas.com

9. Just for you
Should you have a specialist interest, devise a personalised itinerary in consultation with a registered tourist guide licensed by the Department of Tourism. Tailor-made tours from $30 a day can incorporate varied interests from exploring British built heritage buildings in major gateways to visiting cottage industry craft centres where artisans still produce masterpieces.

10. Go rural
The current buzz words in India are rural tourism. Designed to alleviate rural poverty, this innovative concept encourages tourists to head into the countryside, to stay in local style lodgings and experience a way of life little changed for centuries. Visit www.exploreruralindia.org

International discounts

Saving money shouldn’t stop as you leave the country. Those who enjoy a Seniors card in Australia might also like to purchase and use cards in the USA and Canada and enjoy the benefits and continue being thrifty even when on that once in a lifetime overseas overseas holiday.

Whilst most Australians are aware of the State-based Seniors card benefits, few realise they are able to purchase a card in America and Canada and receive similar benefits, even though they are not residents. Sadly the reverse is not true, and visitors here have to take pot luck hoping individual businesses will offer a seniors discount.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sells a discount card for international visitors for US $28 per annum. Find out more here

In Canada, the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) hosts a site called 50Plus, which negotiates discounts and offers them online. Find out more here

And in New Zealand, NZ $20 will purchase a Seniors card enabling you multi- discounts. Find out more here