Travel is probably the one activity most associated with retirement. In fact, according to a poll from the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies, traveling is the number one goal of retirees! We all spend our working lives dreaming of the day we have time to travel. For some older adults, it’s already a reality.

Different Types of Travel Opportunities for Older Adults

1. Day Trippers Group

No, this is not a reference to a Beatles song. Day trippers are exactly what the name implies—people who take trips completed in a day or less. At our active adult community, day trippers do one excursion each We go to places within a 150-mile radius from the community.  With 700 members, trips fill up fast!

2. Independent Travel Group

An independent travel group is perfect for people who want to plan their own vacation itinerary. In other words, a great fit for all my Type A folks out there. If you don’t like being beholden to a large group, then find some like-minded friends and create your own. You get to pick everything, from the location to the duration of the trip to the activities you do.

3. Travel Group

Do you like to travel? Do you want to travel with a large group of people? Well then, this may be the right group for you! This type of group is perfect for travel enthusiasts. You can take a walking tour through Utah or explore the European countryside with fellow backpackers. Of course, there are more relaxing, luxurious groups for the more sophisticated traveler. This group is a great fit for anyone who loves traveling in all its forms.

Robert’s Recommendations

My wife Mary Ann and I will be on the Daniel Discovery Tours ten-day trip in October for the New England Fall Foliage. Escorted motor coach tours provide high-quality, comfortable trips to destinations throughout the United States and Canada.

• Road Scholar learning adventures are designed to enrich, thrill, and challenge you. Several of my friends have recommended this to me. Their tours aren’t cheap. But, if my friends’ glowing recommendations are any indication, they’re worth it.
• Collette Tours is probably the top senior travel company offering guided tours worldwide. They will have tours leaving from your Active Adult Community. With over 150 years of experience in the travel game, they’re sure to deliver a top-of-the-line experience.

Cruises

I’ve written quite a bit on cruises. It goes without saying that I’m a big fan. I happen to feel cruises have a little of something for everyone—regardless of your age. Here are some articles that may be of interest to you if you’re considering taking a cruise:

• Royal Princess Cruise Ship Review
• How to Outsmart Cruise Lines and Get the Best Deals
• A Baby Boomer’s Guide to Planning a Cruise
• Review: Princess Cruise British Isles Getaway
• 6 Cruise Lines You Didn’t Know Offer Military Discounts

Other Helpful Travel Resources

This week, one of our neighbors is in New Orleans attending a retired teacher association meeting.  Another neighbor told me he went to a retired military group meeting in St. Louis. With my track club association, I’ve traveled to Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Alabama—all sites of the National Senior Games. You may be able to find travel opportunities through associations just like that. Living in an active adult community definitely helps one enjoy their dream of retirement travel. So, if you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, don’t delay. Now is the best time to make all your travel dreams come true!

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