In recent news reports, Aussie scientists hinted that some day time travel will actually be possible. In response, we asked several of our very seasoned readers to choose their first return trip to the 1950s:

JJL, Los Angeles CA: I’d go back to Disneyland on opening day, July 17, 1955. I’d be a kid again, and enjoy It’s A Small World, Pirates Of The Caribbean and other rides. I’d also get to meet Walt Disney and the actor who narrated the event on black and white TV, Ronald Reagan.

When making travel plans, request friends, family and/or neighbors to visit your empty home or apartment often while you’re away. Also ask them to pick up telltale signs that you’re absent, such as trash, daily newspapers, flyers, mail and packages. Be sure to notify all services to stop deliveries while you’re away.

Additionally, consider setting up electronics in your home to imitate normal activity. Have lights go on and off periodically at night, as well as recorded music and other sounds of activity. Remember those scenes in the movie, Home Alone?

If you use Facebook or other social media, don’t post anyone-can-read online messages that you’ll be away for a specific period of time. There are numerous cases where clever online thieves scan digital postings to target empty houses and apartments.

In our travels, we’ve sometimes been where streets are full of noisy people because of a festive holiday or the local sports team had just won a tournament.

Other gatherings were more dangerous, such as angry political, religious or social protests. Unfortunately, stories about dangers of uncontrolled street violence seem to be in the news almost every day.

It Happened In London: At a Piccadilly restaurant one night recently with other senior tourists, we heard shouting. We went outside to see what was happening. Lesson 1: Not a smart idea. A large group of foreign students marched by with signs and banners to protest increased tuition at the nearby British university.

Some demonstrators rushed along the sidewalk handing out printed material to bystanders. In his eagerness, one ran into and knocked me down. Startled, he reached to help the old guy up. Suddenly, two London bobbies appeared and dragged the student away. I yelled it was an accident, but they were gone. Lesson 2: When things may become violent, older tourists should seek safety.

Travel4seniors.com editor pauses to enjoy the beautiful scenery.