Many seniors are looking to spend their increased leisure time traveling; and the internet is a convenient and comprehensive way to get ideas, learn about new destinations and book
In a recent survey, seniors were asked what kind of travel they most enjoy. Although resort vacations and golf tours ranked high, the most popular choice was cruising.
Cruises tend to appeal to mature travelers because they cater to a broad range of interests and provide a variety of activities and entertainment. You can relax by the pool or choose to participate in sports, dancing, wine tasting and cooking classes, casinos, lectures, musical performances, movies, etc. Cruises provide full service, all organized with your comfort in mind, so you can enjoy a stress free vacation.
Cruise ships also have fully equipped medical facilities and can accommodate passengers with special needs. There are different types of cruises to suit individual interests. If you are interested in lots of sightseeing you could arrange a pre or post cruise extension of a couple of nights in a hotel. Or, you might combine a cruise with a land based tour for several days. Cruise lines provide senior discounts to passengers 55 years of age or older. One nice feature of this program is that only one passenger in a stateroom needs to be over 55, the other occupant will automatically receive the discounted rate.
Maybe you have a hobby or interest and would like to go on a specialty cruise. For example, you could take a golf cruise where a golf game is prearranged at every stop and there is a golf pro on board to help you improve your swing. The variety of cruise options is amazing so go online and find one that is just right for you.
Besides cruises, many seniors are taking advantage of their increased leisure time to travel to interesting and exotic destinations. Choosing an organized tour instead of independent travel has some advantages including: greater feeling of security, organized transportation and accommodation, and a guide who can arrange your sightseeing and share the history and culture with you. You will meet other travelers and often make lasting friendships as well.
But, tours can also be a disaster if you are not careful to select one that closely meets your travel goals. Before signing on do lots of research about your destination and what it has to offer and check out what the tour will provide. Some of the following suggestions may be helpful.
- Can you organize your own flights or are your restricted to group travel? A flexible tour will accommodate participants who want to use their air mile points or extend their trip after the tour is over.
- Check out the hotels where you will be staying in advance. The internet has many sites that provide comprehensive listings and reviews of hotels worldwide. You can read the reviews of the ones on your itinerary to make sure the accommodations are to the standards you expect and that they are conveniently situated.
- Will there be enough time to do everything in the proposed itinerary without feeling rushed and overwhelmed? Is there enough free time so participants are not exhausted from the pace of the sightseeing. Too many new experiences in a short time can make it difficult to integrate and enjoy them.
- Is your itinerary flexible and does it offer choices of activities? For example if you would rather not hike to the top of a scenic viewpoint could you go to an art gallery instead? This is particularly relevant if you have restricted mobility for any reason.
- Are you going to be pressured into buying overpriced merchandise at frequent stops for unwanted shopping opportunities? Tour guides are often poorly paid and make commissions from bringing tourists to shops and factories. One tour member noted that he had spent 20 minutes at the Great Wall of China and two hours in a jade factory en route. Make sure you know and approve all the stops you will make each day.
Adventure travel has caught on with everyone, and senior travelers are no exception. Elderhostel offers over 8,000 learning adventure programs worldwide. This is such an interesting site to visit and if you are into educational travel and the opportunity to help others at the same time, this is for you. Another interesting website is ElderTrek which specializes in adventure travel exclusively for those over 50. The company has a 20 year history of providing personalized, innovative and flexible tours for active senior travelers. They offer both land and sea adventures and have a maximum of 16 people on each of their land trips. Also, there is no penalty for single travelers and they are not required to share accommodation.
Renting a privately owned house, villa or condo can be a very interesting option. The rates are often less than a hotel and you get all the space and convenience of a private home, usually with extras like a pool, car, entertainment centers and internet connections. Some even have free housekeeping service. There are a number of websites that have vacation home listings worldwide. It is fun just to go there and browse about all the possibilities.
Another excellent travel resource for seniors is the Seniors Home Exchange online which is the only home exchange exclusively for the over 50 age group. The way it works is that you exchange your home for a vacation in someone else’s home. The selection is amazing and best of all it provides affordable vacations where you have no accommodation expenses. A fun site to explore! See who wants to come a visit your town or city!
These are just a few of the many travel options you can explore on the internet. Because travel is such an individual experience, it is interesting to visit lots of different travel sites, read forums and reviews and take the time to look for that perfect fit for you.
Visit my Beijing Olympic blog for articles and information about the 2008 Olympic Games. I was fortunate enough to live in Beijing until recently and my blog will add that perspective. http://www.beijingolympicschina.blogspot.com
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