Have You Ever Been On A Travel Group Vacation?
The benefits of travel, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a month-long trip to a faraway destination, are undeniable. And for retirees who have the time and a travel budget, the opportunities are endless. The world is waiting to be explored.
By the time most people hit 55, they’ve learned a lot about how to make the best use of their travel time.
It’s no accident that older travelers opt for senior travel groups, offering the chance to leave the driving behind, not sweat the details, and be freed up to really enjoy a vacation.
For most seniors, their interests, abilities, values, and habits may differ, but it can safely be said that travel is in their plans. Most tours for the older generation do a good job meeting the needs of people in their 50s and beyond.
But some tour companies for seniors go above and beyond.
And even though age is just one of the many factors that define your travel style, it’s still nice to know you’re traveling with a company that puts in the extra effort to make their tours for seniors work for everyone on the trip.
Here are the 8 best travel group companies that shine exceptionally bright for seniors.
Trafalgar
This travel group caters to the over 55 to 70-year-old crowd and does it well, with over 50,000 5-star reviews to vouch for customer satisfaction.
With over 100 years of experience showing people the world, Trafalgar is one of the tour industry’s biggest and most trusted trademarks. And with 60% of its visitors falling into the 50 to 70 age range, it’s an expert in travel tours for retirees who want to travel.
With its blend of travel directors who oversee all the details and local specialists who bring every destination to life, this travel group creates senior tours that offer both novelty AND comfort.
And recognizing that health and safety are more of a concern now than ever, it pioneered the industry’s first Director Of Wellbeing position, which concentrates wholly on ensuring suppliers and partners follow health protocols and staying up to date on Coronavirus restrictions by area and handling all health-related questions.
Globus
This senior-friendly travel group has been a trusted guided tour specialist for almost a century, ranking among the best tour companies for retirees. One of the keys to their success is realizing that a one-size-fits-all travel tour doesn’t work for everyone.
Its range of touring types particularly boosts the chance of creating personalized matches between destinations and travelers. For example, some of its tours for seniors focus on the significant sights and tourist attractions that first-time travelers won’t want to miss.
But there are also many itineraries in Italy, the Mediterranean, the UK, and the US that earn the company’s Undiscovered designation by concentrating on off-the-beaten-path destinations and experiences that create magical moments for seasoned travelers who want to delve deeper into a vacation.
And for groups with different interests, their new Choice Touring format gives people various choices of activities at each destination so that everyone can find their groove.
Road Scholar
This senior-friendly travel group started as Elderhostel in 1975 but was rebranded in 2010. It recognizes the values and interests of lifelong learners who have participated in their tours, lectures, field trips, and many educational experiences over the years.
People who participate are generally over the age of 50, and they specialize in travel, focusing on a specific interest.
Grandparent travel, cruises, city exploration, national parks, historical trips, and more are described based on duration, activity level, price, and additional details that help clients select the ideal destination and experience.
With its educational focus and tours spanning over 100 countries and all 50 states, this travel group is perfect for curiosity-driven lifelong learners.
Programs are ranked by activity level and go from “Easy Going,” which focuses more on classroom learning, to more physically demanding opportunities like the outdoor-adventure-focused programs.
Intrepid Travel
With its primary focus being on active trips, you might think of this travel group as a tour company geared toward the younger generation.
But Intrepid Travel’s Managing Director sums up the company’s age-inclusive beliefs when he says: Life can be an adventure at any age, and it’s very likely that you’ll find people of similar age and interest sharing and enjoying the trip right alongside you.
In fact, the company reports that senior travelers who fall into the 50-plus age category are among the people most interested in its active trips, which include walking tours, cycling trips, and multi-activity adventures.
This travel group designs journeys that are meant to be enjoyed rather than a constant endurance test, so a general level of health and fitness is all that’s needed to make the most of this experience.
Luxury Gold
Luxury Gold’s tours really lives up to this company’s name, offering their guests five-star accommodations, unique VIP Experiences, including an after-hours visit to the Temple of Luxor, and many fine dining experiences at Michelin-star restaurants.
The average travelers on their group tours are aged between 45 and 80years old, and their group sizes are restricted to 28 guests on most of their trips. But small group departures of just 15 guests are also available.
This makes it a perfect situation if you already have your own group. The company can make your own private group tour tailored to your travel group’s particular interests.
Backroads
Backroads is based in Berkeley, California, and specializes in vacations that are more on the active side. And even though their group tours are open to all ages, most of their guests are over the age of 50.
Although, family group trips obviously have a more comprehensive range of ages. The company offers bike tours to a variety of destinations that are categorized by age group, including “20s and beyond,” “older teens and 20s,” and “teens and kids.”
Their walking and hiking tours are also grouped this way. The new Dolce Tempo tours offer a “casual pace, modern comfort, authentic experiences, and unique access.”
Some examples include the Easygoing E-bike Tour in California wine country and the Easygoing Multi-adventure Tour in Norway.
Smithsonian Journeys
If you have time to really delve deep into a getaway, Smithsonian Journeys might be the perfect fit for you.
Besides its Classic Land Journeys, which mix iconic and hidden gems, and Active Journeys, which shine an adventurous limelight on the great outdoors, the travel group’s programs offer something a bit more unique for a tour provider: the chance just to slow down and stay a while.
While not exclusively senior travel adventures, these three-week stays in Italy, France, and Spain allow travelers to live like locals while offering tour benefits like planning experts, tour managers, and plenty of organized learning opportunities.
And because it’s the Smithsonian we’re talking about, educational enrichment is always front and center, allowing you to experience and understand the world more deeply.
No matter which of these senior-friendly travel groups you choose, we’re positive you’ll have a memorable time. So pack your bags and don’t forget your camera, adventure awaits!
And if you’re looking for some smart travel tips for your next getaway, we highly suggest you read: 8 Things Smart Travelers Always Do Before a Flight
