There are many travel programs available to seniors. To locate most of these, you can perform simple searches on the Internet or check out your local bureau of tourism for additional program information. Nowadays, it is in the best interest of travel agents to make you very aware of these programs. With the economy being as shaky as it is, some of the only people who can truly afford to travel are seniors who have taken good care of their money. The people in the travel industry need business from seniors to stay afloat during these trying financial times. And even if you are not doing as well financially as you would like, there are options for you, as well. There are ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of our country on a fixed income. A lot of travel companies will now allow you to break up your trip payments into reasonable affordable monthly installments. This way, you get to travel, and the travel economy continues to move. The American Automobile Association (AAA) also has many programs you can take advantage of. You may be able to travel now and pay for it later.
The best way to get the most out of your vacation is to do lots of research beforehand. This will give you more options. During your travels, it is a necessary to keep up with and observe potentially unsafe situations, stay on the major roadways, not carry large amounts of cash, and travel only during daylight hours. Follow these simple rules, and have a great vacation!
One great way to see the world is via Elderhostel's Exploritas (exploritas.org). Elderhostel began as an organization for people age 60 and older, then in the 1990s reduced its minimum age to 55. In 2004, it launched Road Scholar programs, which were geared to baby boomers, but had no age requirement. With the launch of Elderhostel's new program name, Exploritas, in 2009, the organization decided to eliminate any reference to age beyond stating clearly that the programs are intended for adults.
It all began in 1975. Marty Knowlton and David Bianco, two true-blue backpackers at heart, decided to set up an organization aimed at enriching and enhancing the quality of lives of baby boomers. The organization they set up gave participants the opportunity to share individual experiences and foster new ideas, meet challenges, and explore their environment.
The programs last from one day to several weeks. They all share an educational focus, from walking tours through cities, to lectures at universities. Exploritas attempts to create programs in which its participants are granted special access to places and events that tourists could not arrange on their own. Exploritas program offerings include one-day Days of Discovery in cities and towns in the United States, multi-day programs in the U.S. and Canada, international programs ranging from five days in one city to several-week itineraries traveling through multiple countries, and Adventures Afloat cruises on ocean liners, small ships and riverboats. On Intergenerational Exploritas programs, grandparents can bring along their grandchildren, and a few of these programs are designed to accommodate three generations. All programs are graded as to difficulty of mobility, ranging from not having to expend very much energy at all, which may be perfect for the wheelchair-bound or otherwise mobility challenged, to "This is for people who are able to climb hills and walk on trails for more than an hour."
The organization offers scholarships to those learners who would otherwise be unable to attend a program. It awards approximately $300,000 in scholarships towards programs in North America each year.
If you are 55 years or older, and you are on the lookout for genuine educational travel without any hidden costs, then Exploritas is the perfect organization for you. It offers 55+ adults the unique opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore the world together. These hostels are dedicated to offering low-cost, unique learning opportunities to seniors. Dedicated to promoting learning, Exploritas provides great opportunities to participate in stimulating discussions and explore fascinating destinations within the U.S. and across the world. You can learn about history, the environment and the culture of the places you choose to visit from an insider's point of view, while crossing cultural boundaries and making new friends.
The concept of an Elderhostel in the Exploritas program is quite similar to a youth hostel (though a lot more comfortable). You meet fellow travelers from across the globe and go on adventure tours together, in a completely safe environment, without having to think about affordable lodgings and dining; the cost of each program includes reserved rooms and some meals. There's also a cost-saving "commuter" program for those who want to participate in a program offered in their own home town or close by, and wish to sleep at home.
Elderhostel/Exploritas, pioneered as a not-for-profit organization, is today the largest educational travel organization in the world. It provides excellent learning adventures to as many as 160,000 older adults each year in more than 90 countries around the world. It's never too late to check out the approximately 8,000 programs that Exploritas offers within the U.S. throughout the year and find one that you like.
The expert instructors of the Elderhostel travel programs share in-depth information through lectures and field excursions. These sessions get progressively livelier and interactive when you join in with your own input.
Some of the activities included in Elderhostel programs are:
Outdoor activities: hiking, skiing, cycling, dog sledding, water sports
Exploring major cities of the world
Exploring national parks
Improving individual skills: art, music, languages, cooking
Traveling with family and grandchildren
Short courses in social sciences, philosophy, psychology and world religion
Community service projects
Conserving natural habitat for wildlife
Assisted programs for the visually impaired
RV-ing
Another great trip idea is a cruise (insightcruises.com). There are several types of cruises. Just pick one that fits you best, and bon voyage. There are adventure cruises, where you can head out to a remote island on smaller ships and go places that other boats can’t reach because of their size. It’ll take you back to the time when you were a kid reading Treasure Island, hoping it would be you who found the buried loot. The clear blue water is more welcoming than you ever could have imagined. Some cruises include the services of on-board Park Service guides, who give lectures and explanations as you sail along—a big change from dress-up dances.
Then there is the luxury cruise, where your every whim and need is catered to by a staff of highly skilled professionals. These cruises are filled with gorgeous decor, great restaurants, game rooms, grand ballrooms and exquisite splendor. This is where you come to relax, your calm after the storm. It is here that you can play shuffleboard or miniature golf as long as you want. There are also places to shop, on board ship and in port. If what you are looking for is pure relaxation, these cruises offer fully equipped spas as well.
Steamboat cruises can be likened to a pleasant, smooth trip along the rivers of yesterday, taking us back to the time when folks dressed up on Sundays and went "up river" for a nice time visiting friends and family, enjoying the changing scenery as you went. Now. this is where you can play cards, spend time with friends and maybe, if you're lucky, they'll have a game of bingo going. They usually serve some good dinners along with nice music on most of these boats. Steamboat cruises, generally through more southern states, can be day trips, or last a week or more. Could it be time to for you to take that cruise? This is a great trip to plan for the entire family. There are even activities for kids, so you can rest in peace. Go for it--you could have the time of your life.
How about Hawaii?? (www.gohawaii.com)
Do you enjoy palm trees, coconuts, and Don Ho? The best part of a trip there is that the lovely islands of Hawaii are a domestic destination. No passports to fool with, no changing dollars into foreign currency. Not only are these islands great places to visit, they can be very affordable.
Hawaii is the fiftieth state in the union and arguably the most beautiful. Hawaii has a multi-racial, multi-ethnic culture. Its society is a melting pot of the various races that have made their way to the islands: the Polynesians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Filipinos, and many more. Even the sand in Hawaii is multicolored (white, green, red, and black).
Hawaii is composed of six main islands (the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, and Kauai) and countless smaller ones. All are waiting for you to explore.
The activities on the islands are too numerous to name them all, but you can swim with the fish, soak up the sun, whale watch, hike to a volcano and even explore caverns. Or you can sit under an umbrella and soak up the Mai-Tais, if that's your pleasure. You name it, it's here. And while Hawaii is known mostly for its scenery, it offers opportunities for those interested in history as well, notably the U.S.S. Arizona memorial and Pearl Harbor.
Most hotels and lodges in Hawaii offer nice discounts to seniors, so if you’ve ever thought about going there, now might be the time. The Hawaiian Tourist Authority (www.hawaiitourismauthority.org) can keep you up to date on the most recent bargains available. They may be able to provide you with a senior travel package that includes airfare, lodging, food and travel for one very reasonable price. This can really come in handy when you are traveling on a fixed income. Remember that The Islands are much more affordable off-season, and this is the time to travel there. Aloha!
So there you have it, three travel ideas for summer. Whether it’s an educational adventure you’re looking for, a relaxing cruise for yourself or the family, or a visit to a tropical paradise like Hawaii, I can promise you one thing... you won't be sorry. Memories last a lifetime. And as a smart man by the name of Mark Train once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Happy Travels!
With summer about to burst upon us, it is a good time to consider increasing our physical activity. Studies have shown that increased activity may help in reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases. Results from a NIH-AARP Diet and Health study show that men and women who do regular vigorous physical activity had a 10% - 20% lower risk of developing cancers of the colon, rectum, lung, and kidney. Also, women who were physically active after menopause had a lower risk of breast cancer than women who were not physically active.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed guidelines, 
Summer is upon us. It's time to dust off that suitcase and hit the road. If you're like me, you're wondering "Where should I go, what trips are senior-friendly, and where can I get a good deal?" Sit back, relax and envision where your next trip might be.
