Senior Travel Basics

If something goes wrong on your vacation, how can you file a complaint and resolve your problem? We'll take you through complaint process, step by step. Learn more about how and where to file your travel complaints.

Once you've decided to visit another country, the travel planning begins in earnest. You will need to learn about travel documents, travel money, etiquette and even electrical current. Our handy foreign travel checklist will help you through the process of researching and planning for your overseas travel adventure.

Whether you are taking a cruise or traveling independently,renting a mobility scooter can help you get around without assistance and give you access to places and sights you might not otherwise see. Find out more about mobility scooter rentals.

AccessibleNiagara.com CEO Linda Crabtree shares her travel planning tips for persons with disabilities and her thoughts on accessible travel in her interview with Senior Travel Guide Nancy Parode.

Travel annoyances, particularly those caused by cultural differences, don't have to ruin your trip. Take a look at some common travel annoyances and learn how to cope with them.

Taking a nap while on vacation might seem counterproductive. After all, you can't see the sights and rest at the same time. It turns out, though, that taking a nap once in a while might just make your vacation experience better.

When your sunny vacation destination is affected by bad weather, what should you do? If rainstorms are predicted for your destination, you can still create a memorable experience. Here are some suggestions for coping with rainy vacation weather.

Linda Crabtree, CEO of AccessibleNiagara.com, offers tips for planning a completely accessible trip to Canada's Niagara region in our exclusive interview.

Find out whether you will need to get a yellow fever shot before you travel.

Traveling abroad is typically a wonderful experience, but returning from your overseas trip involves one last scheduled stop – at the Customs and Border Protection booth. If you know what to expect and how to prepare in advance, your meeting with a Customs and Border Protection agent will be brief and businesslike.

Many travelers take advantage of duty-free shopping opportunities at airports and international borders. But what does "duty-free" really mean? Learn more about buying alcoholic beverages at duty-free shops and whether or not you will need to pay customs duty on these items at your port of entry.

If you are a US citizen planning to travel outside the country, consider registering your trip via the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering your trip will help the State Department find and assist you if an emergency occurs.

Were your winter travel plans affected by a snowstorm or other issue? How did you handle the delay? Share your winter travel story and pass along your winter travel tips.

Sometimes our travel complaints fall on deaf ears, and other times they are resolved quickly and professionally. Have you filed a travel complaint? Share your experiences with your fellow travelers.

The U.S. Transportation Safety Administration is testing whole body imaging technology in airports around the country. This controversial technology allows screeners to see every part of a traveler's body,including concealed objects. Find out about whole body imaging and what it means for you.

As the holidays approach, it's time to think about gifts for the senior travelers on your list. Fortunately, there are many products and travel services that make excellent gifts for both avid travel buffs and first-time travelers.

Do you recycle when you're on vacation? It isn't always easy to find recycling centers when you are away from home. If you routinely recycle while on vacation, share your tips here and help your fellow travelers protect the environment.

When you're on the road, finding recycling stations can be a real challenge. You'll need to plan ahead if you want to recycle during your vacation. Our vacation recycling tips can help you find drop-off locations and environmentally-friendly hotels. Learn more about recycling while on vacation.

Traveling with electronic devices, such as laptops, e-readers, PDAs and cell phones, is a mixed blessing. You have the convenience of instant communication and information, but you also have to recharge and protect your electronic items. Take a look at our tips for traveling with electronic devices.

Pet owners planning vacations need to carefully consider their pet care options. Pet boarding is one of the most popular options; your pet stays at a professionally-run pet kennel while you travel. Find out more about pet boarding kennels and other pet boarding options.

Will your cell phone work in another country? If you're from the U.S., it may not. You'll need to rent or buy a GSM cell phone if you want to call the States while you're on an international vacation. Find out about GSM cell phones and take a look at your options for renting or buying an unlocked GSM phone and SIM card.

Do you use Skype to make telephone calls from your computer? Does VoIP technology work for you, or do you have problems with it? Share your Skype experiences, both good and bad, with your fellow travelers.

If you regularly travel with your laptop computer and need to make long distance or international telephone calls, consider setting up a Skype account. Using your laptop and high-speed internet access, you can use Skype make inexpensive or even free international telephone calls.

If you're traveling by air, it's a good idea to read your airline's Contract of Carriage before your trip. Find out what a Contract of Carriage is and how to get a copy from your airline.

What is a single supplement, and why do hotels and cruise lines charge extra for single occupancy?

Give your favorite travelers a gift card they can use for airfare, accommodations, restaurants or sightseeing. You can buy a plastic, electronic or even a customized travel gift card for that special someone. Find out about the different types of travel gift cards.

Mark Kahler, About.com's Guide to Budget Travel, presents a comprehensive list of travel scam warning signs.