Osaka is a great destination for senior travelers. The city has a great mix of modern life and traditional Japanese culture without the big-city crowding of Tokyo.

The subway and train systems are excellent and cover just about the entire city area. The subway offers a one-day pass for $12, and has a great website in English offering detailed schedules and maps.

The Osaka Aqua-Liner tourist boat sails the Okawa River. Among the many historic sights along the route is Osaka Castle, an ancient fortress, featuring a museum with fascinating examples of Japan's feudal past.

While Tokyo may have more fancy Western-style restaurants, Osaka has more authentic Japanese cuisine, along with Asian-influenced flavors. The classic Dotonbori restaurant district offers a great variety of traditional Japanese food choices.

First Person Report: Loyal Beatles fans since we first saw the Fab Four 51 years ago on a small, black-and-white TV screen. It was on that February 9th night when they performed live on the Ed Sullivan TV Show.

Several years ago, on a visit to London, we took the journey north to see the city where the mop-haired quartet got their start. It’s a two-hour train ride from London Euston Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Cruising is statistically much safer than flying and driving. However, cruise ship problems, such as health and cleanliness issues, always make the news.

Seniors cruise because they’re very convenient. Once aboard, everything is just a few steps away: entertainment, pools, spas, sunning, scenery and dining. When visiting ports, there are excursions, shopping, and other diversions.

A cruise vacation can be even more enjoyable when you’re constantly aware of safety. These five key tips help make your sailings a pleasant experience:

Bring All Daily Meds x 2: Check with your physician before sailing and stock up for double the number of days of the cruise. This allows for unexpected delays that could result in running out of meds.

In case of emergency illness or injury aboard, carry proof of insurance, Medicare, and other applicable IDs. If you take special med equipment, be sure it's in good working condition.