Travel Destinations

Peter Greenberg has compiled a roundup of someGolden Travel Guides isn't actually referring to the
of the more interesting options for swingin' senior"golden years"; the company was started in 1997
singles, which run the gamut from safaris toby Rick Golden. But they do have plenty of
small-ship cruises.options for senior travel, providing seniors with a
ELDERTREKSsearch engine for exploring options on their own
If you want some adventure on the road,over the Internet. Alternately, they offer a
ElderTreks has been offering senior-oriented tripstoll-free number to allow you to speak with an
for almost two decades. With both land and seaactual "travel specialist" to help make your plans.
vacations, ElderTreks features some prettyNot all of their trips are singles-oriented; however,
exotic destinations, including Mongolia, Ethiopia, anda significant percentage of their travelers on
Antarctica. Most of the offerings tend toward thenearly every trip are, in fact, single.
strenuous, but the Activity Level rank gives anELDERHOSTEL
idea of just how active a particular tour is.With more than 8,000 all-inclusive trips in all 50
A Level 3 (most physical) voyage in Ethiopia, forstates and more than 90 foreign countries,
example, could include climbing down the base ofElderhostel has a global reach. But a couple of
the Blue Nile Falls, a three-hour hike in Lalibela, andthings make Elderhostel a bit different from other
camping in the Omo Valley after some serioussenior-focused tour companies. First, as a
off-roading. ElderTreks are not for the faint ofnon-profit, Elderhostel is dedicated not to making
heart or the physically unfit, and can range frommoney, but to providing meaningful experiences
about a week to a month or more. If you'rethat help and educate both travelers and their
adventurous, and looking to meet someone elsehosts. Second, Elderhostel maintains a strong
who is, too, consider joining up with ElderTreks.commitment to community service with many of
SINGLES ADVENTURE CRUISESits tours.
While the "Adventure" moniker may be a bitFor example, seniors learn about habitat
misleading considering this company's emphasis onrestoration and biological research by helping
large-ship cruising. Still, for seniors aged 55+, itscientists study endangered Giant Otters and
could be a good way to meet others. SeniorHyacinth Macaws in Brazil's Pantanal. Finally,
singles in need of a buddy or wingman might likeElderhostel is committed to education as a goal
the "Travel Mates" program, which can help tofor travel, with many of their trips having
start friendships and meet up with a roommatesignificant cultural components to show seniors a
to avoid a singles supplement charge. Do bemore meaningful side to the country than they
careful when exploring Singles Adventure Cruisesmight otherwise see. Elderhostel also offers
options, though - seniors should look for cruisesinter-generational trips, for grandparents looking
specifically targeted to them. Otherwise, you couldfor service-oriented vacations for the whole
end up on a cruise full of single, hard-partyingfamily.
twenty-somethings. Their garishly-designedALUMNI CLUBS
website doesn't help, but seniors should look forOne final idea for senior singles vacations...trips for
cruises targeted at the "55+."college alumni. Many university alumni clubs will
They also offer "Ad-Lib Cruises" for folks whosponsor trips that can re-connect seniors to
don't like to be overscheduled with grouplong-lost classmates and spark new relationships.
activities. These cruises allow you to be on a shipThe added bonus of these trips, aside from the
with significant numbers of singles and participatefact that all the participants will have at least their
in group activities when you desire, yet still givecollege in common, is that it will often help the ol'
you the freedom to pursue your own schedule.alma mater, too. Contact your former college for
GOLDEN TRAVEL GUIDESmore information on joining an alumni club.