Great information ^. FWIW - the airline agent who told me about not needing a Visa is the same one who got us the super FF award tickets that weren't on the website. Perhaps she doesn't have a clue - but that seems to have at least partially worked to our advantage. And we have plenty of time to get a Visa (have to renew our passports first).

WRT the hep A and B vaccinations. Noted that it's good to have them and will get them. My husband and I are on Medicare. Medicare covers the hep B under Part B (which we have). Our Medigap policy should cover the Medicare co-pay/deductible. The hep A vaccination is covered by our Medicare Part D (drug) policy. To what extent - I don't know. Sometimes coverage for shots under Part D is a lot less than what a particular provider charges for them. I'll have to look into this (will ask my husband to do so - this is pretty much his department).

Note that the hep A vaccine comes in both a "dead" and an "attenuated" form. Attenuated virus vaccines are not recommended for people with immuno-compromising diseases like multiple sclerosis (which my husband has). I'll have him call his primary care and MS docs (both at Mayo here in JAX) - and find out the vaccine that's best for him. Guess he should probably get medical clearance too - see if there are any contraindications to the trip. Don't want to put him at risk. I've taken a quick look at the medical stuff - and it's pretty much over my head:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbo...ised-travelers

This worries me a little. More than Golden Week. Will have to check things out with our doctors.

Also - good thing I asked about this now. Takes a while to get the necessary shots.

Doubt the water will be a problem. We should be able to get bottles at the hotel. If there's a problem - we can always buy some. Carry it around with us.

What's the senior age in China? In Japan - it was often > 70 (or there were no senior discounts at all - too many seniors!). We are > 65 and < 70. We'll make multiple copies of our passports before we leave. And ask the hotel concierge whether the originals are necessary or whether copies will do when we go out on day trips.

China is starting to look somewhat more complicated than a place like Japan. Robyn