Joan of Arc’s story ended tragically, but what if she had shot a SmartPhone photo at that historic moment while bravely leading her troops into battle. Then her homies would’ve had an inspiring pic to paste in the family scrapbook. 

Of course, today’s family scrapbooks are mostly virtual, with travel, holiday and other photos and videos saved electronically for future generations. In your wanderings, whether alone or with family members, there are always moments you want to preserve.

The idea of shooting selfies may be new experiences for senior travelers, because in earlier days we’d only take similar shots by handing the camera to someone else to shoot. Now when you have that ability, the photo or video doesn’t always have to be about you alone.

Older people who journey to other countries often have many personal concerns. Unlike young backpackers who can hike non-stop for miles, eat anything and sleep anywhere, traveling seniors must consider their vulnerabilities. Some tips may help you avoid the unexpected during that next venture into the unknown.

Prescriptions: With flight schedules, weather and other unpredictable happenings, you never know when you’ll be delayed getting home. Take enough daily prescription meds to last through your journey. Then add and take along an extra week’s worth.

In Tokyo, London or Monte Carlo, an always-handy car allows senior travelers to see more, get off the tourist track and explore everything at their own pace. On the other hand, renting a car can also bring a lot of hassles and unexpected costs. Here are some tips to help make your international car rental go more smoothly:

Book in the US with a US agency: Hertz, Budget and Avis operate throughout the world. Working with established agencies in the US gives more consumer protection. Pay with a credit card, so you have recourse if there's a problem. You may also find rates are lower when booking in advance in the US, compared to those in some other parts of the world.

The robbery by telephone still works, and unaware senior travelers are some of the most easy marks. Here’s how it happens. You’re in your hotel room early in the morning, possibly after a night of celebrating, and still mentally foggy. You’re awakened by a ringing bedside phone, and the friendly voice claims to be the caller from the hotel’s front desk clerk.

After apologies for the interruption, you’re told that the hotel computer is down. The voice then asks for your credit card number so that your account can be verified when the system is up again.