How to Plan (and Still Enjoy) Retirement Trips in a Time of COVID Monday, August 30, 2021

For many seniors, their retirement years mean a time when they eagerly look forward to doing whatever they want, whenever they want—and that often means seeing the world, unencumbered by work or family obligations. That plan, of course, was abruptly put on hold by Covid-19, which socially isolated most of us for months, and shuttered much of our economy, hitting the travel and hospitality industry especially hard. In recent months, life has returned— sort of—to normal, but this new normal is still filled with uncertainty and anxiety, as the pandemic has taken unexpected turns with the Delta variant and large portions of our population who remain unvaccinated. Clearly, we’re seeing a pent-up desire to travel, but how do we do so, when health requirements, government policies and industry protocols seem to change from week to week? In today’s episode, Bruce Frankel, the President of The Mindful Traveler, tackles the many challenges facing the today’s traveler, offering a wealth of sound, pragmatic advice, the latest technology, resources and information, and ways to plan rewarding vacations—while managing the inevitable things you DIDN’T plan for. Bruce first entered the travel industry in 1989, but he brings a broad perspective to the field, with a career that has included running retail storefront businesses and home-based companies, as well as a 10-year stint in corporate banking industry, specializing in marketing and management. He sees himself as a travel “consumer advocate,” working closely with clients to help them choose vacation options that are best for them—never mind what the reviewers and pundits say on social media. In today’s conversation, Bruce will outline key steps to being well-prepared for today’s shifting travel protocols, health and safety requirements, masks, testing and other documentation, whether going abroad or across the country. And he will talk about the latest consumer travel trends, from small, personalized “bubble groups,” to self-drive country tours and “city stays” that focus on one urban location, with day trips to other places Whether his travelers are over-45 or under, Bruce’s ultimate goal is not simply to arrange trips, but help them fulfill dreams, creating unique, enduring experiences, wherever they may go.