Senior Travel
From LoveToKnow Seniors
There are literally thousands of senior travel options. The entire world caters to this elite group, set on continuing life enrichment through the experience of recreation, cultural exploration, and the pursuit of relaxing under a palm tree with piña coladas.
Resources for Senior Travel
Explore a solitary desert trail. Gather with friends for a day trip to an exclusive art exhibition. Take the family camping. Run on a wild weekend in Las Vegas. Island-hop on a mid-winter cruise. Ride bikes along a wine trail in Italy. Live it up for New Year’s Eve in New York City.
Whatever your preference, there are numerous senior travel resources to help match up budget, interest, and even company, so that solo travelers still have someone with whom to break bread and share stories if they like.
Elderhostel
The premier senior travel organization, Elderhostel, can take you anywhere in the world or right around the corner. Group trips, grandparent/grandchild trips, one-of-kind adventures, learning programs, volunteer-vacation excursions: it’s all available through Elderhostel. This non-profit organization coordinates almost 8,000 trips a year. Programs are all-inclusive, featuring room, board, activities, and primary transportation.
The comprehensive website allows you to search by location, by interest, or, for the more thrill-seeking, by map. Order a free catalogue here.
Smithsonian Journeys
Another popular senior travel experience is Smithsonian Journeys. Designed for connoisseurs of the arts, history, philosophy, the sciences, architecture and gardens, food and wine, Smithsonian Journeys’ study experts lead travelers on various types of all-inclusive travel opportunities, including cruises, in-field excursions, festivals, family programs, seminars, and holiday programs.
You must be a Smithsonian member to participate, but membership is only $29 annually and includes many other amenities. Go online or order a catalogue.
TraveLearn
Many seniors enjoy the programs offered by TraveLearn. More than 70 percent of this organization’s travelers are between the ages of 50-80. The tours are more international in scope, including Antarctica and select cruises, as well as options to traverse along the America coastline and through wine country. TraveLearn offers a free catalogue or video.
Shaw Guides
To really expand on the learning vacation/workshop experience, plan your next getaway around what you find in Shaw Guides.
Staying Close-to-Home
A travel agent is a wonderful guide to senior travel close-to-home. A good travel agent can uncover myriad opportunities to match your interests, such as museum treks, biking, outlet shopping, golf packages, special performing arts performances, historical recreations, and food and wine festivals.
Women-Only Travel
Solo women travelers over age 50 have a great alternative in Senior Women’s Travel. This tour provider arranges travel for groups of 10 women or less to Europe and select American destinations. It’s an intimate experience among like-minded individuals.
Enrich Your Spirituality through Travel
Sacred Destinations is a one-stop source of spiritual travel opportunities. Whether you’re seeking a special mosque, interested in cathedral architecture, eager to stand on the ground where miracles happened, or curious about the mysticism of Stonehenge, this site provides comprehensive information, travel tips, maps, and other helpful guidelines.
Senior Travel Discounts
One of the many perks of passing 50 is receiving discounts on hotel, cruises, museums, and other elements of senior travel. As you plan your trip, scan for hot deals from:
- AAA – The granddaddy of travel discount programs, it steps up with even more deals for senior travel.
- AARP – Membership in this organization entitles you to many travel deals.
- National parks – If you’re over 62, $10 buys a Golden Age Passport, permitting lifetime free access to all American national parks.
- Various airlines – Many regularly scheduled flights have an additional 10-15 percent senior discount.
- Amtrak offers 15 percent off fares to persons over 62.
- Senior Discounts. The site is dedicated to finding discounts on senior travel and other benefits.
- 50 Plus Discounts has hundreds of printable online coupons, rebates, and other offers to help feed and entertain you on your trip.
Additional Resources
The LoveToKnow Travel site has wonderful articles and resources to help plan your next senior travel excursion.
Before you pack, it’s always recommended to consult the Transportation Security Administration website for updated requirements and guidelines. Checking TSA procedures ahead of time helps prepare you for the embarrassing shoe removal and toothpaste check prior to boarding, know why chocolate sets off the screening scans, and plan for how many souvenirs you can bring back.
Experts often advise that certain adventurers get travel insurance. Insure My Trip is a comparison site to help you find the right coverage.
Armed with all this knowledge, pull out your best luggage, grab a compass, and some good walking shoes. The world is waiting!
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This page has been accessed 2,236 times. This page was last modified 07:26, 7 June 2008.
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