The short answer
Yes, you can, and some widows do. You can start with a short trip and choose the way of traveling that suits you: alone, with a friend, or in a group. Some moments may be hard.
The places you planned to see together can be the hardest to visit, and they can also be the best.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Take a short trip first, a night or two.
- Decide how you want to travel: alone, with someone, or in a group.
- Ask whether there is a single price, a single supplement or a room-share before you book.
- Leave your itinerary with someone at home, and agree when you will check in.
- Ask your Medigap company, Advantage plan or other insurer what it covers abroad, before any trip outside the United States.
- Read the travel insurance terms, including the exclusions, before you buy.
- Plan one thing each day that you look forward to.
What can wait
- The big trip, until a small one has gone well.
- The trip you planned together. It can wait as long as you want it to.
- Deciding how often to travel, or whether to travel at all.
Who can help
- A travel agent who works with people traveling alone can handle the bookings and ask the price questions for you.
- For coverage abroad: your Medigap company or Advantage plan, or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For a travel insurance complaint, your state insurance department, found through the NAIC.
- For passports, advisories and STEP: the State Department at travel.state.gov. A librarian at your public library can help you use it.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 7: Year Two
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 8. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 15 to 24.
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