Just as in sports stadiums, theaters and cruise ships, some items in airport gift shops can cost twice as much as you’d pay elsewhere. It’s a gotcha policy, knowing you’re trapped and need last-minute purchases, no matter the cost. You just gotta have that $75 gift package, $50 bottle of wine, $10 bottle of water, $10 bag of candy and $40 souvenir t-shirts as gifts for your grandkids!

You don’t really need to pay those prices if you plan ahead. To save money, before you travel hit a local store and buy the same stuff. While away, before reboarding your ship or on your way to the airport for flights home, check out local stores and street markets for souvenirs and other items at much lower prices.

Several years ago, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in the movie, The Bucket List. They portrayed retirees who wanted to enjoy exotic adventures before they kicked the bucket. We’ve asked several seasoned readers to offer their own bucket lists of places they’ve always wanted to see, but just never got around to visit ... yet.

Monument Valley AZ: Sam R, Newark NJ: I’d get close up to the soaring red rock formations where many John Wayne movies were shot. A Jeep tour or horseback trek through this unusual Arizona desert landscape has been a dream of mine for years. Recording this fantastic scenery with my camera would be the experience of a lifetime. gosw.about.com/od/arizonatravelguide

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Jim K, Boston MA: I want to feel the warm tropical sand of Impanema Beach between my toes, listen to the strolling musicians and ogle the girls who wear the tiniest bikinis in the world. Then, after the sun sets behind Sugarloaf Mountain, stroll into a samba bar for an evening of Brazilian food and fun. www.viator.com/Rio-de-Janeiro/d712-ttd

Sailing the ocean blue is usually much safer than flying, railroading and driving. However, whenever a ship has a rare, but highly-publicized accident or passenger sickness problem, it can frighten seniors away from cruising.

Cruises are very attractive to seniors, because once aboard, everything is conveniently just a few steps away. You experience entertainment, pool, spa and unlimited fine dining. When visiting ports, there are excursions, shopping and other diversions.

Those pleasures can be even more enjoyable when you’re totally aware of personal safety throughout your cruise. We hope these tips may help make your next sailing an untroubled, pleasant experience.

When planning your travel schedule, you can expect to pay more for airfare, restaurants and hotel rooms than you did on your last journey. However, there are places in the world where you can enjoy at least part of your visit absolutely free.

We asked some travel-savvy readers for their favorite freebees. Here are some sites you can enjoy without needing to put out cash.

Las Vegas NV: Gambling is the main industry of Sin City, so to lure you to visit the town and into the casinos, there are many freebees. Enjoy strolling around on Las Vegas Boulevard and downtown to enjoy all the free fun things happening all around you.

Just a few of the free shows include the dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio Resort, the downtown Fremont Street Experience and the Volcano at the Mirage Hotel.

British Museum, London, England: Founded in 1753, it’s the world’s first national public museum, and free to visitors. It contains thousands of historic and art examples from Pre-Historic Africa, Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece, the early Middle East and Renaissance Europe.