Europe 2010
The challenges of traveling when you’re older

My partner Greta and I love to travel. Our thinking is: we want to travel as much as we can, while we are healthy enough to do so. But now that we’re older (I’m 70, she’s 68), taking trips to other continents presents new challenges and requires more conservative planning than in years past. In Part 1, planning for this trip.

Part 1 - Making preparations to travel

In this section, we talk about the task of getting to Rome, and getting settled into the apartment we rented. Valuable travel tips are included.
http://www.travelafter55.com/travel_preparations.html

Part 2 - Arriving in Rome

A must thing to do in Rome is a tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. That visit is described, as well as discovering a great Italian restaurant and the original gelato factory. Those items are in Part 3.
http://www.travelafter55.com/arriving_in_rome.html

Part 3 - Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel,
real Italian food and gelato

One of the special events of this trip was to get a private peek behind the guarded walls of the Vatican. Greta meets with an old friend who is considered the highest ranking American in the Catholic Church. Details here.
http://www.travelafter55.com/vatican_sistine_italian.html

Part 4 - Private meeting with Cardinal Levada

Part 5 - The Beauty of Rome

Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum, and mastering the Metro System. Planning to go to Rome, read this section for sure.
http://www.findingloveafter50.com/beauty_of_rome.html

Part 6 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Crotia is considered one of the most beautiful seaside cities in Europe. You can walk from one end of the old city to the other in a matter of minutes. It’s all the things you will see in between that you will read about here.
http://www.travelafter55.com/dubrovnik_croatia.html

Part 7 - Santorini, Greece

Santorini is considered one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. You might enjoy the donkey ride to get to the top of the mountain and the city of Thira.
http://www.travelafter55.com/santorini_greece.html

Part 8 - Athens, Marathon Beach and
the remainder of Greece

Greece is getting a bad rap these days. The country is in dire economic straits, there are riots protesting the economy, and the Athens Airport closes from time to time. But, it remains an incredible country, with its beautiful waters and islands. Athens is thriving. The neighborhoods around the Acropolis are alive and full of activities. We spent 9 days on the mainland…
http://www.travelafter55.com/athens_marathon.html

Part 9 - Kusadasi and Ephesus, Turkey

One of the stops on our Holland America cruise was along the western coast of Turkey, at the port of Kusadasi, stepping off point to ancient ruins. Follow our visit to Ephesus, with its vast history and preserved ruins, including the famous Library of Celsus.
http://www.travelafter55.com/kusadasi_ephesus_turkey.html

Part 10 - Istanbul, Turkey

When we planned to visit Istanbul for the first time, we didn’t know what to expect. We were more than pleasantly surprised at this vibrant city of 16 million inhabitants. Enjoy our description of places such as the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, which houses 4,000 shops. Try yogurt milk and musaka. The public transportation system whisks you anywhere in a matter of minutes. But, beware of the pigeons. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
http://www.travelafter55.com/istanbul_turkey.html