| Peter Greenberg has compiled a roundup of some | | | | Golden 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 to | | | | by Rick Golden. But they do have plenty of |
| small-ship cruises. | | | | options for senior travel, providing seniors with a |
| ELDERTREKS | | | | search 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 trips | | | | toll-free number to allow you to speak with an |
| for almost two decades. With both land and sea | | | | actual "travel specialist" to help make your plans. |
| vacations, ElderTreks features some pretty | | | | Not all of their trips are singles-oriented; however, |
| exotic destinations, including Mongolia, Ethiopia, and | | | | a significant percentage of their travelers on |
| Antarctica. Most of the offerings tend toward the | | | | nearly every trip are, in fact, single. |
| strenuous, but the Activity Level rank gives an | | | | ELDERHOSTEL |
| 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, for | | | | states and more than 90 foreign countries, |
| example, could include climbing down the base of | | | | Elderhostel has a global reach. But a couple of |
| the Blue Nile Falls, a three-hour hike in Lalibela, and | | | | things make Elderhostel a bit different from other |
| camping in the Omo Valley after some serious | | | | senior-focused tour companies. First, as a |
| off-roading. ElderTreks are not for the faint of | | | | non-profit, Elderhostel is dedicated not to making |
| heart or the physically unfit, and can range from | | | | money, but to providing meaningful experiences |
| about a week to a month or more. If you're | | | | that help and educate both travelers and their |
| adventurous, and looking to meet someone else | | | | hosts. Second, Elderhostel maintains a strong |
| who is, too, consider joining up with ElderTreks. | | | | commitment to community service with many of |
| SINGLES ADVENTURE CRUISES | | | | its tours. |
| While the "Adventure" moniker may be a bit | | | | For example, seniors learn about habitat |
| misleading considering this company's emphasis on | | | | restoration and biological research by helping |
| large-ship cruising. Still, for seniors aged 55+, it | | | | scientists study endangered Giant Otters and |
| could be a good way to meet others. Senior | | | | Hyacinth Macaws in Brazil's Pantanal. Finally, |
| singles in need of a buddy or wingman might like | | | | Elderhostel is committed to education as a goal |
| the "Travel Mates" program, which can help to | | | | for travel, with many of their trips having |
| start friendships and meet up with a roommate | | | | significant cultural components to show seniors a |
| to avoid a singles supplement charge. Do be | | | | more meaningful side to the country than they |
| careful when exploring Singles Adventure Cruises | | | | might otherwise see. Elderhostel also offers |
| options, though - seniors should look for cruises | | | | inter-generational trips, for grandparents looking |
| specifically targeted to them. Otherwise, you could | | | | for service-oriented vacations for the whole |
| end up on a cruise full of single, hard-partying | | | | family. |
| twenty-somethings. Their garishly-designed | | | | ALUMNI CLUBS |
| website doesn't help, but seniors should look for | | | | One 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 who | | | | sponsor trips that can re-connect seniors to |
| don't like to be overscheduled with group | | | | long-lost classmates and spark new relationships. |
| activities. These cruises allow you to be on a ship | | | | The added bonus of these trips, aside from the |
| with significant numbers of singles and participate | | | | fact that all the participants will have at least their |
| in group activities when you desire, yet still give | | | | college 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 GUIDES | | | | more information on joining an alumni club. |