Senior Travel Tours
Fifty is the new thirty, so some say, and if you find yourself with time on your hands and a zeal for life, traveling across the US and all over the world may be the best way for you to spend your silver years. Whether you want to dig up bones in Egypt or go on a learning safari in Africa, the possibilities are endless with senior travel tours.
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Function
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Senior travel tours provide the opportunity for those 50 and over to travel both domestically and abroad. Senior travel tours take into account individual health and fitness levels and arrange for any special accommodations along the way. Seniors won't be subjected to heavy drinking or a party atmosphere sometimes prevalent among travel tours and will benefit from a more relaxed travel pace.
Types
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There are a few basic types of senior travel tours available, including European tours, cruises, adventure vacations, educational tours and road trips across the United States.
For the adventure seekers, small group adventure tours (see Resources) take clients 50 and older to exotic locations like Kenya, Laos, Costa Rica and New Zealand. Trips are planned for older travelers but that doesn't mean you can't ride a camel or explore ancient temples.
European tours for seniors are plentiful and provide guided tours of places like Venice, Athens, Paris and London. Tours are arranged at a leisurely pace and provide safety and comfort for older tourists. Some tour companies offer further specialty tours, such as cooking lessons across Italy or art classes in Paris.
Lifelong learners can travel through an Elder hostel program that pairs travel and educational experiences for seniors. You can learn to be a comedian in California or explore Chinese history while floating down the Yangtze River. Nearly anything is possible and this tourist program will take you deeper than most travel tours, enhancing your life and your mind at the same time.
There are also plenty of bus or cruise tours available for seniors, and some tour companies plan for very special groups such as grandparents and grandkids bonding tours. Referred to as Grandtravel, seniors and their kin get a multi generational tour of such places as Venice, Alaska or nearly anywhere near or far. A great chance to make a connection between the ages, both seniors and kids enjoy the structured tour made to accommodate everyone involved. -
Features
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Senior travel tours feature all the regular travel tour accommodations, but also consider any special requirements of older guests. They structure of the tour allows for individual excursions and often include an educational component older tourists crave.
Tour guides are also trained to deal with medical emergencies and other needs that seniors may have and offer more assistance overall with things such as passport acquisition and special needs accommodations.
Benefits
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Senior tours allow participants to enjoy traveling with others their age who have similar life experiences and levels of personal maturity. They do not need to deal with crying babies or testy two year olds, nor do they need to tolerate college students who may be looking for a different type of vacation experience. Tour guides are specially trained to deal with older adults and are prepared to deal with any difficulty that may arise overseas.
Considerations
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When booking a tour, be realistic about your fitness and energy levels. Although some people may look forward to walking around Egypt in the heat, others may prefer to learn to cook in Italy. Discuss the options with traveling companions before making final decisions.
Also, be sure to check with your doctor before traveling and bring any needed prescriptions for your extended trip.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Eustaquio Santimano flickr.com
