Before I retired, my company conference & travel department always booked my flights business or first class. Nice, comfy and relaxing. But now that I’m on my own, I’m not too willing to pay double or triple the tourist airfare, and just do it by cheapest.

However, that doesn’t mean I must be miserable back there with all the other flying peasants. There are ways to make the flight more bearable, and be almost as comfy as those rich yoyos up there in the plush seats sipping free champagne, while paying three times as much for the flight as you are. Here are just a few hints.

1. When you’ll be traveling with a disability, or as a companion of a disabled person, we suggest you call airports and airlines well ahead of your departure time to find out about services, including wheelchairs, escorts, seating arrangements, special meals and shuttle services.

2. Make all the necessary detailed reservations long in advance to avoid possible delays and misunderstandings. When schedules are accounted for, several hours before leaving home, check all contacts by phone one more time.

3. Make sure to book non-stop or direct flights wherever you can. If you must change planes, give yourself plenty of time, and arrange in advance for wheelchairs, electric carts and other items for all necessary transfers to get through airports between planes.

One of the most beautiful cities in California is Santa Barbara, some 90 miles up the coast highway from Los Angeles. For decades, it has been primary or secondary home to celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, Michael Douglas and others.

Surrounded by the Santa Ynez mountains, residents enjoy year-round weather similar to Capri, Sorrento and Monte Carlo. The Mediterranean look is emphasized by red-tile roofs of both modest and super-million-dollar hillside estates.

It coastal location gives Santa Barbara restaurants the daily opportunity to serve fresh-caught seafood, including oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters, prawns and many species of game fish. As at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, many of the best seafood restaurants in Santa Barbara are concentrated on a long seaside pier, called Stearns Wharf. Here are just five we reluctantly list as the best, although many locals and vacationers may disagree vehemently.

1. If your previous vacations have been with escorted groups, consider doing a freestyle one this season. Pick a compatible companion or two, pals in good physical shape (as you are), and who share the same interests. This is much better than being herded around in lock-step crowds to meet tight tour schedules. Do what you want, when you want, where you choose.

2. Travel lite, with one wheeled carry-on, and if necessary, a back pack. Dragging big suitcases through airports, train stations and cobbled streets is a real drag. Before you leave home, put everything you’ll absolutely need on your bed next to your carry-on. Then put away half of the stuff and leave it home. Take only wash’n’wear clothing, and every night while traveling, bring the day’s dirty laundry into the shower with you. Wash it, squeeze it dry and let it hang until morning.