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