Now that you are a senior and retired, it is time to see the world. Knowing where to start or how to narrow down your choices in a reasonable way can be difficult, however. One way to do this is to go with a tour group. A tour company can handle all the details, so all you have to do is enjoy the ride. You could do all the research yourself, but a tour company has the expertise to find the best places for you to enjoy. Often tour companies can offer group tours at a lower price than what you would pay going on your own. The best companies for senior travel are Adventures Abroad, Wild Planet Adventures and Kensington Tours. If you're ready to start your next adventure, check out the following questions and answers for more information.
This company has been in business since 1987, and specializes in travel for seniors and group travel. They know all the ins and outs of getting you to other countries. One of their packages is to visit untouched Pacific Islands. Trips like this are scheduled in advance.
Kensington is a British company specializing in senior group travel. The difference, they also offer private tours for individuals and small groups In a private guided tour to France, for instance, you can create your own itinerary with your guide. You have a personal guide and a personal vehicle in most cases. They offer trips all around the world.
This is another senior group travel company that does trips for all ages. This company specializes in remote locations and seeing wildlife in its natural habitat You might see colorful birds in the Brazilian jungle, or Elephants in the wild in Africa. Wildlife experiences is what this company does best.
They have very detailed knowledge of the area you will be visiting. They know how to make arrangements. Often when you visit another country you must negotiate traffic, planning and finding places before you even get to the language problem. With a tour group you have none of those concerns.
Of particular interest to seniors may be the level of activity required. Senior tours usually have a scale of difficulty that is called by different names. The lowest level is one that requires very little activity, usually mostly riding on a bus or other vehicle. Short walks would be the hardest part. The second level would be one that requires some movement and walking. A highest level would be those requiring some long walks and maybe even some climbing. It is a good idea to check out the activity level before you go.
The better tour groups can work with you to give you what you need. You can be part of a tour group for a few days, then be on your own for a few days, for instance. This needs to be worked out before your trip starts though to avoid extra charges. Start with one of their existing trip plans, and then go from there to design your trip.
Some tour companies break their trips into segments, that some call modules. This allows greater flexibility for the traveler. For instance, a two-week trip could be broken into two modules, and you could choose one or the other or both, depending on the trip you want.
Tour companies offer a variety of styles of travel. Cultural journeys try to get you in touch with the culture as much as possible, staying in local hotels and eating in local restaurants. Theses are also called "soft adventures" as you will be walking around among the people. Active adventures are just more physical, including hiking and more physical activity. There are also family friendly tours that cater to families. Most quality tour groups can give you the trip you want even if you are in a group that has a variety of interests.