The Federal government has published a list of "Travel Tips for Older Americans" who venture outside the United States. It’s available in printed form or through the Web site www.pueblo.gsa.gov (once on, hit the "travel" button, then scroll down to "Travel Tips for Older Americans"). Most of the suggestions there are sound, if not pedestrian. However, almost all apply to travelers of any age; only a few are specific to seniors. Here’s a quick summary of those tips — and my reality check on how well they suit senior travelers:

PREPARATION. Start early; learn about the countries you plan to visit; find information sheets, warnings, and other useful government publications; leave a detailed itinerary; don’t overprogram; don’t pack more than you need. That’s mostly obvious — but true.

Senior travelers, especially, should heed the points about overprogramming and packing too much stuff. It’s all too easy to tire yourself out or lose interest if your trip is nothing more than ticking a series of museums, churches and other sites off a long checklist, or spending too much time coping with the clothes and other items you pack. In fact, I’d go further and suggest that you limit the number of stops within your destination region to just one or two per week. Packing, checking out of a hotel, moving, checking into another hotel, and unpacking — with the attendant on-and-off transportation — can eat up a surprising number of your scarce trip hours, to say nothing of adding to fatigue. And repeatedly getting on and off tour buses — one of the most senior-unfriendly devices ever built — is really tiring.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS. Standard "how and where" material for travelers of any age.

HEALTH. Make sure you have medical insurance; consider trip insurance; get necessary immunizations; how to find medical assistance; how to carry medications; take precautions about food, water and altitude, avoid problems with charter flights.

Amid mostly any-age material, two points stand out for seniors. (1) Medicare doesn’t apply outside the United States: If your Medicare supplement doesn’t cover you outside the United States, you’ll have to buy travel insurance with medical coverage. (2) Older seniors should be especially careful at high-altitude destinations (such as Aspen or Mexico City) — if you go at all, acclimate yourself slowly and take it very easy the first few days.

MONEY AND VALUABLES. Carry traveler’s checks; store jewelry and other unnecessary valuables in hotel safes or leave them at home. Although most of the (any-age) suggestions are sound, I flatly disagree with the statement "Bring most of your money in traveler’s checks."

You’ll get a better rate using an ATM card (but not a credit card), and you find ATMs almost anywhere you’re likely to go these days. If you aren’t sure, ask your bank before you leave.

YOUR TRIP. Find out if you need extra auto insurance overseas; keep comfortable while flying; reconfirm ongoing reservations; register with a consulate (in some cases). Nothing specific to seniors.

The list omits one important driving consideration: Some overseas car-rental offices impose a maximum age limit as low as 70 years. If you’re 70 or over and want to rent a car, check before you leave to find a rental company that won’t reject you because of age.

PRACTICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Respect local laws and customs; guard your passport; prevent theft by carrying your belongings securely. Old stuff.

ASSISTANCE FROM EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. Finding help in case of emergency. General but useful.

SHOPPING. Mainly avoiding the usual list of prohibited items. What the tips don’t tell you is to learn, before you leave, the U.S. prices of anything (other than simple souvenirs) you’re interested in buying overseas. In my experience, you’ll find little that you can’t buy for less back in the United States.

WHEN YOU RETURN. Be ready for the immigration paperwork; don’t exceed the limits (very high) on the amount of currency you can return to this country. More general stuff.

Overall, the government’s tips are worth a look. But don’t expect any astounding revelations — or much that is specific to seniors.

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