The Senior Scene

Joseph Rosendo’s globe-trotting adventures have brought television viewers breathtaking vistas, astonishing wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences with local inhabitants on the Emmy-winning PBS series, “Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope.” His goal is to give a taste of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and demonstrate the value of opening our minds and senses to the world around us.

And now, he has assembled a written collection of his favorite expeditions and added new reflections and insights in his latest book, “Musings – The Short Happy Pursuit of Pleasure and Other Journeys.” The stories about travel and life’s other enjoyable pursuits cover decades of Rosendo’s travel observations, offering how-to tips on bargaining, packing, planning, and other nuts-and-bolts travel topics. Other stories are less solidly connected to travel as an activity, and explore topics such as his childhood adventures, his Cuban grandparents, his brunch-conquering brother, and other so on.

Rosendo reveals his secrets for happy travels and a happy life, noting, “We should keep our sense of humor and be as adaptable as possible. And we should never, ever isolate ourselves from the experience and just observe — sightsee — from a place apart.”

He said he hopes his stories in his book (available from Amazon) will inspire readers to commit to what’s happening in the moment and relish the good, the bad and the ugly of it. “’May you live all the days of your life,’” author Jonathan Swift once said. “And,” Rosendo adds, “may you savor the journey along the way.”

A four-time Emmy-winning director and host, Rosendo has been a travel journalist and broadcaster since 1980. Since 2007, he has hosted, directed and written “Travelscope.” He’s the consulting editor for DK Eyewitness Travel Guides’ “Where To Go When and Where To Go When – the Americas,” and is the author of “Insider’s Guide to Los Angeles.”

Snowbirds, as certain retirees and other active older adults are known, aren’t letting the pandemic stop them from migrating south to warmer climate this winter.

A national survey of 6,261 snowbirds in September by 55places.com, a real estate platform for seniors, found at least 70 percent were going ahead with plans for their temporary transplants.

When asked about destinations, Florida was the most frequent response at 63 percent. Other popular destinations include Arizona (13 percent), South Carolina (5 percent), Texas (5 percent), and North Carolina (3 percent).

Car is the form of transportation for 65 percent of snowbirds, while 30 percent will fly. The rest will get there in an RV or a train.

As for when they’ll head south, 5 percent said before October, 23 percent between October and November, and 24 percent between November and December. The remainder plan to go between December and March.

Close to one third of snowbirds plan to stay in their sunnier environs destination for two to three months, and another third for three to six months or more. The remaining third expect to stay for one month.

“Many things” in relation to the pandemic “have progressed since last year, driving an improved sense of security for travelers in this age demographic,” said Danny Goodman, chief operating officer of 55places.com.

On the other hand, the pandemic is the primary reason for keeping 7 percent of snowbirds at home this year. The biggest reason for staying put is that they dom’t want to risk getting COVID-19 by traveling. Other frequently cited reasons include staying closer to family and friends.

At the time of the survey, snowbirds who were undecided listed concern about COVID-19 variants and case rates within their destination, plus other health and safety factors.

Full results of the survey, which was conducted Sept. 14-20 online and by e-mail, are at 55places.com/snowbird.

Meanwhile, a separate survey by ProMoverReviews.com ranks the best cities for snowbirds in the United States. The rankings are based on 13 factors which include average fall/winter temperature, percent of population over age 60, COVID vulnerability, and quality of healthcare centers.

Not surprisingly, most of the top-10 cities are in Florida. The Sunshine State’s been welcoming snowbirds for decades and is a popular destination for winter getaways, thanks to beautiful beaches, world-famous theme parks, golf courses, and world-class amenities.

The best of the best in Florida, according to the survey, is Fort Myers, for all the general reasons boasted by the state as a whole. Right behind is Orlando, perhaps best-known as the home to Disneyworld. In third place is Naples, known for world-class shopping and high-end dining. In fourth place is Sarasota, followed by Melbourne

The first non-Florida city cracking the top 10 is all the way over in Hawaii–Honolulu, with Diamond Head surfing, and so on.

Rounding out the top 10 are Pensacola, Fla., McAllen, Texas (a border town featuring museums and an urban vibe), and two more Florida locales–Lakeland and Daytona Beach.

Could you face life without your dog? International travelers and people looking to move abroad with their furry friends may find out that their dog’s breed is banned in other countries.

International Citizens Insurance offers a rundown of some of the countries which have restrictions in place if people want to enter with their four-legged companion.

Dogs being bred for dangerous activities and dog attacks pose significant concern worldwide – meaning some pets must be left behind, which can be heart-breaking. But although many in the list of banned breeds are completely calm and tender pups, if bred under the wrong circumstances or brought up with the intention to fight and be aggressive, they can cause major safety concerns.

In an attempt to minimize possible attacks by dogs and safeguard the public and other animals, many countries place bans or restrictions on the entry of aggressive dog breeds. So pet travel guidance differs between countries, depending on laws and security regulations.

It’s important for pet owners to travel to learn the laws and regulations in a specific country, have the correct insurance, and follow all rules for their breed , said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, which keeps a list of banned breeds and other information about traveling with pets.

“Many people may be shocked to find out that if they own a dog which comes from a traditionally aggressive breed or a breed known for fighting, no matter how trained or calm they are, they may not be able to travel with them to certain countries,” Cronin said.

Here is what some countries allow or don’t allow:

Australia has a ban on breeds that were specifically bred for fighting. Prohibited breeds are Pitbull Terriers, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Toso, and Presa Canario.

Australia also prohibits the entry of domestic or non-domestic hybrid breeds (such as wolf crosses). Travelers, expats or émigres traveling with a dog must sign a declaration stating that their dog is not an ineligible breed.

Canada

Unlike many countries, Canada doesn’t have a blanket ban on dog breeds. Instead, certain provinces prohibit certain breeds. Expats planning to relocate to Canada should ensure they are up to date with the most recent legislation for their destination. And travelers should ensure their route through the country doesn’t include certain provinces that ban their type of pooch. Manitoba, for instance, bans the American Pitbull, American Staffordshire, and Staffordshire Bull terriers, as well as other dogs that have similar physical attributes.

France

Similar to the ones outlawed in Australia, France also prohibits dangerous dogs from entering. They’re defined as attack dog. A separate category allows entry by certain dogs that are registered with a pedigree recognized by the French government.

Mexico

No blanket ban across the country, but dog-owning travelers, expats and émigres must obey certain regulations, including microchipping, rabies vaccinations and a parasite treatment for their dogs.

Switzerland

Switzerland bans the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails except for vacations or other short stays by their owners. Breeds perceived as attack dogs are allowed into the country only if they pass a behavioral test, are neutered, and are covered pet insurance. Among them: American Staffordshire Terrier, English Mastiff, pitbulls, and Rottweilers.

United Kingdom

Expats and travelers coming in or out of the U.K. won’t be able to bring any of the breeds that have been banned there since 1991–Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Any other dogs that have visual characteristics of the banned canines could also be banned, even if they’re a different breed. Whether or not the dog is to be banned could be decided in court, and if the dog is already in the country, it could be euthanized.