Traveling can be a rejuvenating and enlightening experience for seniors. Older adults can benefit physically and mentally from exploring new places, cultures, and adventures. If you’ve been considering traveling more in your golden years, this article is for you. We’ll explore the benefits of senior travel, popular travel locations, cost-effective tours for seniors, and how to leverage GoGoGrandparent for a safe trip.
What are the benefits of senior travel?
Travel is an opportunity to see the world while enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Some benefits of senior travel include:
- Physical health: Many travel tours for elderly involve physical activities like walking, hiking, and exploring, which promote cardiovascular health and increased mobility. Periods of intense exercise – like while adventuring through a new city – can greatly boost your overall health.
- Mental stimulation: Experiencing new cultures, historical sites, museums, and geographies can improve cognitive function. Travel tours for seniors that include educational components are especially beneficial to keep the mind sharp and agile.
- Social interaction: Travel tours for elderly are an excellent chance to bond with like-minded individuals. Meeting other seniors who love to travel is a great way to foster new friendships and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Reduced stress: A change of environment can help lower stress levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies show that taking vacations is critical to reducing stress – and lower stress has proven positive impacts on physical markers like l heart attack and hypertension.
- Sense of achievement: Travel isn’t easy – and that’s one of the advantages. Overcoming challenges and discovering new places will give you a sense of accomplishment and confidence that will inspire everyday living as well.
Popular travel destinations for seniors
The world is an exciting playground filled with wonders waiting to be explored. Travel preferences vary based on what sorts of benefits of senior travel you’re looking for, so you’ll need to research what will work best for you. That said, some destinations and tours for seniors rank high on the list of favorites thanks to their accessibility, cultural richness, and captivating landscapes. Below are some popular travel tours for elderly destinations.
- European river cruises: Europe has long been a favorite among senior travelers for its history, art, culture, and picturesque landscapes. River cruises are popular travel tours for elderly because they provide a relaxed, comfortable way to visit multiple cities as well as easy access to activities, tours, and educational content. Plus, cruising along the river allows you to witness the beauty of scenic towns from a new, unique perspective.
- Alaska Cruises: Other popular river tours for seniors are in Alaska. These trips allow travelers to witness the marvels of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife from the comfort of a cruise ship.
- Mediterranean coast: The Mediterranean includes many popular travel tours for seniors because of its mild climate, beautiful coastline, and rich history. The Italian Amalfi Coast, the Greek Islands, and the southern coast of Spain are beloved destinations for seniors to relax, learn, and enjoy delicious food.
- U.S. National Parks: If you love nature and want the benefits of senior travel right in your own backyard, America’s National Parks offer a plethora of options to connect with the great outdoors. The U.S. National Park system offers a lifetime Senior Pass for a one-time $80 fee, making this an affordable option as well.
- Australia and New Zealand: If you’re looking for adventure, Australia and New Zealand have many exciting travel tours for elderly. See the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, New Zealand mountains, and more.
- Hawaii: Aloha spirit awaits senior travelers in Hawaii. Hawaii is the perfect destination if you’re looking for all the benefits of senior travel without the headache. Stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes, and Polynesian culture create an idyllic, stunning escape.
Best travel tour company for older adults
There are lots of companies that offer travel tours for elderly in particular. These tours specialize in creating senior-friendly travel experiences with crafted itineraries, accessible options, comfortable accommodations, and expert guides. Everything is designed to give you the best experience – without any stress. These popular tours for seniors cater to varying interests, activity levels, and budgets, so you’re sure to find your perfect getaway. We’ll delve into some of the best travel tour company options below.
ElderTreks
ElderTreks caters exclusively to travelers 50 and over. These small-group tours for seniors provide unique, exotic adventures that are off-the-beaten-path. You can visit the ice caps of Antarctica, the Amazon Rainforest, or the African savannah. You can check out lions and tigers in India, hike Machu Picchu, or investigate the medieval treasures of Eastern Europe. If you’re looking for educational, heart-pumping benefits of senior travel, consider ElderTreks.
Road Scholar
Road Scholar is a not-for-profit company that offers small-group tours for seniors looking to combine learning with travel. Their trips are led by expert guides and cover a wide range of academic pursuits, from history and culture to nature and adventure. They even offer learning programs designed for the whole family – from grandparent to grandkid. And their “Choose Your Pace” option lets you customize your trip based on what’s important to you. With destinations in over 100 countries, Road Scholar is the best travel tour company if you want a focus on learning, an affordable trip, and all the details taken care of for you.
Overseas Adventure Travel
Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) offers tours for seniors over 50. If you have any accessibility needs, O.A.T. is the best travel tour company to ensure a comfortable, accessible trip. And if you’re traveling alone, O.A.T. is a leader in solo travel; in 2023, they’ve traveled with over 42,000 solo travelers on tours for seniors. Their small-group trips will help you make friends while exploring the world’s most beautiful, culturally-rich locations.
Abercrombie & Kent
Although not exclusive to seniors, Abercrombie & Kent is often considered the best travel tour company for those looking for a premium experience. This luxury tour operator offers personalized service and comfortable accommodations with an emphasis on exclusive, intimate cultural encounters. This might be the right option if you’d prefer to splurge on a tailor-made, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Grand Circle Travel
Grand Circle Travel is the best travel tour company for seniors seeking budget-friendly options. Their small-group adventures foster a friendly atmosphere to connect with fellow travelers, especially if you’re traveling solo. They offer river cruises and land tours to worldwide destinations, and they have a best-price guarantee, so you can feel confident knowing you’re getting the best experience for your money.
National Geographic
National Geographic is the best travel tour company if you’re looking for once-in-a-lifetime trips for seniors and families. Travel to Antarctica, swim with whale sharks, explore the Canadian Rockies, and so much more. Scientists, photographers, and experts curate tours for seniors that celebrate the spirit of discovery. They make it easy to find a trip that speaks to you based on the different types of experiences like expedition cruises, family journeys, private jet trips, train trips, cruises, and land voyages. They also curate tours based on your preferred interests and desired benefits of senior travel like birdwatching, history, hiking, kayaking, wildlife, culture, snorkeling, or photography.
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys offers unique excursions like the chance to “live” in a country for weeks or months. They have more than 350 departures across all seven contents, heavily emphasizing education thanks to world-class Smithsonian Journeys Experts and local guides. Whether you’re looking for an active journey, a family trip, a cultural stay, or something tailor-made for you, Smithsonian is the best travel tour company with a reputation for high-quality travel. If you’re unsure where you want to travel, their Trip Finder tool will help you browse and discover the perfect tours for seniors based on your interests and hobbies.
EF Go Ahead Tours
EF Go Ahead offers over 200 destinations with many travel styles, including senior-specific trips. They offer guided tours for senior travelers, so you don’t have to worry about planning all the details of your journey. They specialize in group trips, so you can go with a few friends – or by yourself and make new friends along the way. They also have a constant rotation of travel deals to find affordable, budget-friendly tours for seniors.
Globus
Globus offers a variety of tours for seniors, so you can discover a trip that perfectly fits your tastes, passions, and pursuits. They even have a Travel Quiz to help you determine what kind of adventure suits your fancy. Whether you like visiting the must-see sights or want to explore off-the-beaten path locations, Globus has something for everyone. They’re also known for their faith-based excursions and special events trips, like California’s Tournament of Roses Parade and Southern Lights of Tasmania.
How to find affordable tours for seniors
Travel tours for elderly can vary in price, so you’ll want to look at different companies to find the right match for you. However, here are some cost-saving strategies when planning your next adventure:
- Early bird discounts: Many tour companies offer discounts if you book early. If you plan in advance, you’re more likely to secure good travel deals on hotels, airfare, and tours for seniors.
- Off-peak travel: If you have wiggle room in your schedule to travel, consider traveling in the shoulder period or off-season for your destination. Traveling during downtimes can lead to significant cost savings and a less crowded, less stressful trip. However, make sure you don’t travel during those “off-seasons” that are “off” due to severe weather or unsafe circumstances.
- Group travel: Some tour companies offer additional discounts for group bookings. If you and some friends all want to experience the benefits of senior travel together, consider booking as a group and score extra savings.
- All-inclusive packages: Some travel tours for elderly are all- or mostly-inclusive. Many of the best travel tour company options listed above may include several meals, accommodations, and activities included in the itinerary and cost.
- Membership organizations: Many organizations offer exclusive deals and benefits for senior travelers. For example, AARP’s travel center provides a selection of travel deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages for AARP members.
- Credit card travel: Your credit card company may offer discounts or deals on travel. You may have to book your trip through the credit card company directly, or you may get extra points or cash back regardless of how you book your trip.
- GoGoGrandparent: GoGo Rides is an affordable alternative to taxis, car rentals, and traditional rideshare in North America. You can feel confident knowing that GoGoGuardians are monitoring your rides, and you have a convenient way to travel without breaking the bank.
GoGo simplifies tours for seniors
GoGoGrandparent is available in all 50 states and Canada. If your travel tours for elderly take you to American National Parks, the Canadian Rockies, Napa Valley, the Florida Keys, or thousands of other destinations, keep GoGo in your back pocket for safe, affordable rides.
GoGoGrandparent ensures seamless, reliable transportation to and from your destinations. You can use GoGo Rides for trips to the airport, local activities, restaurants, and so much more. All you have to do is call our phone number, and a friendly operator will help set up your Rides wherever you are, with around-the-clock care. If you like to plan your trips in advance, you can even arrange scheduled rides to ensure your travel itinerary goes off without a hitch. Learn more about GoGo Rides here.
Our GoGoGuardians prioritize safety. We screen and vet all drivers and cars and monitor rides from start to finish. That means you can feel confident that – even in a new city – you have someone always looking out for you.
Enjoying travel tours for elderly
Traveling can be a fulfilling and transformative experience with a plethora of physical, mental, and health benefits of senior travel. Specifically-designed tours for seniors open up a world of opportunities for exploration, growth, and fun. The best travel tour company will offer carefully designed itineraries and enriching experiences based on the benefits of senior travel you’re looking for. Whether you want a heart-pumping hike or a relaxed encounter with an old-world city, there are plenty of tours for seniors to choose from that’ll fit the bill. By choosing travel tours for elderly and considering cost-effective options like GoGo Rides, you can embark on an incredible journey that will enrich your life with lasting, beautiful memories. Pack your bags, register with GoGo, and take on the adventure that the world has in store for you!
