Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 8, 1994 TAG: 9409020002
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARCIA SCHNEDLER UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Here are some of the new generation of organizations with tours and programs just for senior travelers, as well as resources for more information:
STUDY TRAVEL
A major trend in senior travel has been in the development of study tours and programs with an educational component. In addition to organizations listed below, you'll also find travel and education combined in trips sponsored by museums, zoos, universities and professional organizations.
Elderhostel, 75 Federal St., Third Floor, Boston, Mass. 02110-1941; (617) 426-7788. The best-known organization combining travel and study is Elderhostel, a nonprofit organization that links 60-plus people with short-term, low-cost study programs at universities, conference centers, museums and other spots in North America and overseas.
Close Up Foundation Program for Older Americans, 44 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, Va. 22314; (800) 232-2000. This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization sponsors weeks in Washington, D.C., for behind-the-scenes civic education for those 50 and older. Close Up also has intergenerational programs.
Interhostel, University of New Hampshire Continuing Education, 6 Garrison Ave., Durham, N.H. 03824; (800) 733-9753. On overseas trips, lectures and seminars are combined with excursions, entertainment and opportunities to meet residents, and are co-sponsored by host-country educational institutions.
National Registration Center for Study Abroad, 823 N. 2nd St., P.O. Box 1393, Milwaukee, Wis. 53201; (414) 278-0631. NRCSA is a centralized information and reservations point for learning and study programs in 12 countries, including universities, adult education colleges, foreign language institutes and language centers, some catering to mature adults. Send a stamped, self-addressed business envelope for its latest newsletter with dates and fees.
The Smithsonian Odyssey Tours, c/o Saga Holidays, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, Mass. 02116; (800) 258-5885. The Smithsonian Institution's Associates Program has teamed up with Saga Holidays to offer reasonably priced study tours in the U.S., and overseas traveling with an expert study leader as well as a tour escort.
Saga Holidays also has Road Scholar Programs in fine arts, history and civilization, and nature and the environment.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PROGRAMS
Seniors interested in learning from other cultures will find people-to-people programs a stimulating way to travel.
Seniors Abroad, 12533 Pacato Circle North, San Diego, Calif. 92128; (619) 485-1696. Seniors Abroad sponsors homestays abroad for those over 50, plus a program of hosting similarly aged people from overseas. Current programs are in Japan, Scandinavia, and Australia and New Zealand.
Folkways Institute, 14600 S.E. Aldridge Road, Portland, Ore. 97236-6518; (800) 225-4666. Folkways has lecture tours, treks and programs enabling personal exchanges with individuals.
Friendship Force, 57 Forsyth St., Suite 900, Atlanta, Ga. 30303; (404) 522-9494, for reference to the local chapter nearest you. Chapter members take turns hosting and visiting those from other chapters around the world. Host families provide lodging and food as well as experiences in everyday aspects of their lives and culture. Members, mostly seniors, are screened in written applications and interviews.
Eldertreks, 597 Markam St., Toronto, Ontario M6G 2L7; (416) 588-5000. Eldertreks has tours to Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Ecuador/Galapagos Islands focusing on fragile cultures and environments, often with choices of activities for those with differing stamina levels or interests.
VOLUNTEERING
Seniors can share their skills and interests on a stimulating volunteer vacation that lets them get to know other cultures or natural history.
Elderhostel, 75 Federal St., Third Floor, Boston, Mass. 02110-1941; (617) 426-7788. In addition to its educational programs, Elderhostel has launched Service Programs in cooperation with nonprofit organizations in which those 60-plus can volunteer. They include Global Volunteers, which works in rural communities in developing and Eastern Bloc countries; Oceanic Society Expeditions, which assists studies related to marine mammals, howler monkeys and environmental issues; Habitat for Humanity, which helps replace poverty housing with decent shelter; the Double ``H'' - Hole in the Woods Ranch, a residential camp with therapeutic experiences for children with life-threatening diseases; and San Bernardino National Forest Association, developing a section of forest to become an environmental outdoor laboratory for school children.
HOUSE SWAPPING
For senior travelers who own their own home or condominium, swapping houses is a bargain-basement way to visit another part of the country or world. It's a cultural exchange, too. Home exchanges work best for those with flexible schedules, however, and making arrangements can be a lengthy process lasting six months or more.
First get a copy of ``Trading Places,'' by Bill and Mary Barbour ($9.95, Rutledge Hill Press), a guide on how to go about it. Then choose one of the home exchange agencies listed in the book. One type charges a fee to publish your listing in a catalog; you then contact those whose ads interest you. A second type does the searching and matching you, for a fee that may run several hundred dollars.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST CLUBS
The kids are grown and you have extra bedrooms. You enjoy meeting new people, and like to travel yourself. You may want to join a bed-and-breakfast cooperative for seniors.
Evergreen/Travel Club, 404 N. Galena Ave., L-20, Dixon, Ill. 61021; (815) 288-9600. Members in this cooperative host each other in their own homes, also providing a hearty breakfast. A nominal charge offsets expenses for food and any other amenities. There are more than 700 hosting members throughout the U.S. and Canada; special membership is available for those who prefer not to host, though the gratuity they must pay is slightly higher. Members receive a directory and make their own reservations. Members pay annual dues. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for more information.
Affordable Travel Club, 6656 Snug Harbor Lane, Gig Harbor, Wash. 98335; (206) 858-2172. This newer and smaller club operates similarly to Evergreen. About 200 members are scattered throughout the U.S. and Canada, with a few overseas. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for details.
SOFT ADVENTURE
Adventure travel has traditionally appealed to people who want physical challenges. But many senior travelers prefer the adventure of experiencing and learning about the out-of-doors, without having to keep up with lithe 20- or 30-year-olds or camping out in the rain. ``Soft'' adventure at least provides the comforts of indoor plumbing and a hot shower, and is especially popular among mature travelers. Here are some of the companies offering soft adventure for seniors (you'll see other trips for skiing, snowmobiling, canoeing, bicycling and women only below):
Mount Robson Adventure Holidays, Box 687, Valemount, B.C. V0E 2Z0; (604) 566-4386. Headquartered at a guest ranch in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson has five-day Fifty Plus Adventures with nature-watching plus easygoing hiking, canoeing and rafting.
Walking the World, P.O. Box 1186, Fort Collins, Colo. 80522; (303) 225-0500. The company takes groups of 12 to 18 people 50 and older, with two instructors/guides, on hiking trips in the U.S., Canada, Europe, New Zealand and South America. Some include tent camping, but most stay in bed-and-breakfasts or a combination of camping and inns.
Alaska Wildland Adventures, P.O. Box 389, Girdwood, Alaska 99587; (800) 334-8730. This ecologically sensitive company has eight-day Senior Safaris to the Kenai Peninsula and Fjord, the bush town of Talkeetna, and Denali National Park featuring adventurous yet nonexertive activity in off-the-beaten-path spots, and in-room bathroom facilities every night.
OUTDOOR VACATIONS FOR MATURE WOMEN
A new breed of tour operator caters to mature women who travel together on active, outdoor vacations that might involve canoeing, llama trekking, hands-on sailing, hiking, cross-country skiing and similar activities. Small groups reach both U.S. and overseas destinations. About half the participants are married.
Rainbow Adventures, 1308 Sherman Ave., Evanston, Ill. 60201; (708) 864-4570.
Outdoor Vacations for Women Over 40, P.O. Box 200, Groton, Mass. 01450; (508) 448-3331.
OUTWARD BOUND
Outward Bound, 384 Field Point Road, Greenwich, Conn. 06830; (800) 243-8520. Traditionally aimed at young people, this adventure-based education program has leadership training and self-discovery programs adapted for physically fit men and women in their 40s and older. Participants learn outdoor skills, enhance fitness and solve problems as a group. This office can direct you to local programs for mature travelers.
DOWNHILL AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
There are more than 300,000 skiers over age 55, an increase of 40 percent since 1987. The older you are, the greater the discounts available for both downhill and cross-country skiers at an increasing number of resorts. In addition to programs listed here, Elderhostel has courses for those who want to learn downhill and cross-country skiing.
Over the Hill Gang, 3310 Cedar Heights Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80904; (719) 685-4656. The club was begun by downhill skiers 50 and older. The national organization as well as local chapters have a wide-range of trips also including cross-country skiing and active warm-weather excursions.
70-Plus Ski Club, 104 East Side Drive, Ballston Lake, N.Y. 12019; (518) 399-5458. For downhill skiers, the club offers get-togethers and tours as well as listings of resorts with senior discounts.
SNOWMOBILING
Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road S.E., Ada, Mich. 49301-9328; (616) 676-5885. The company has five-day 55-plus snowmobile trips, as fun for beginners as those who are experienced, in and around Yellowstone National Park.
BICYCLING
Bicycling is not only good exercise, but also a way to see the countryside up close. Bicycle clubs and tour companies often have programs geared for all ages and levels of stamina, often with daily routes of varying length and difficulty. You can find them in ``Bicycle USA'' and other cycling magazines. If you're a beginning bicycler, your bicycle shop can probably put you in touch with the nearest club, whose members can give good advice on such things as finding a bicycle of the correct size, and safety factors. These two companies have developed tours specifically for mature bikers:
Backroads, 1516 Fifth St., Suite L101, Berkeley, Calif. 94710-1740; (800) 462-2848. Some of the company's shorter California trips are limited to those 50 and older.
International Bicycle Tours, 7 Champlin Square, P.O. Box 754, Essex, Conn. 06426; (203) 767-7005. The majority of participants on all their European and domestic tours are over 50, but some dates have been set aside specifically for that age group.
GOLF AND TENNIS
National Senior Sports Association, 1248 Post Road, Fairfield, Conn. 06430; (800) 282-6772. This nonprofit organization for people 50 and older organizes travel programs for golfers and tennis players that take advantage of group and off-season rates at resorts in the U.S. and overseas. Members compete in events, but the atmosphere is more recreational than competitive.
Van der Meer Tennis University, P.O. Box 5902, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29938; (800) 845-6138. This tennis center, a block from the beach, sponsors a tennis school for seniors, with no advance physical preparation necessary.
CANOEING, KAYAKING AND RAFTING
Canoes, kayaks and river rafts allow seniors to commune with nature close up.
River Odysseys West, P.O. Box 579, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83816; (800) 451-6034. The company offers 55-plus river-rafting trips along the Salmon River.
Canoe Country Escapes, 194 S. Franklin St., Denver, Colo. 80209; (303) 722-6482. This firm has lodge-to-lodge and wildlife exploration trips for seniors from Gunflint Lodge in northern Minnesota.
New Zealand Adventures, 11701 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle, Wash. 98113; (206) 364-0160. Here you'll find kayaking trips for seniors off the warm and scenic north coast of New Zealand.
EXTENDED-STAY TRIPS
Extended-stay trips allow seniors to stay put for a minimum of a week in the same location, allowing them to delve into an area in depth and, in many cases, enjoy balmy weather.
Aerotours International, 9841 Airport Blvd., Suite 1402, Los Angeles, Calif. 90045; (800) 223-4555. Australian resorts.
Grand Circle Travel, 347 Congress St., Boston, Mass. 02201; (800) 795-7890. It has stay-put programs in Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy and Austria in addition to group tours and cruises.
Idyll Ltd., P.O. Box 405, Media, Pa., 19063; (215) 565-5242. In Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland and Vienna/Budapest/Prague, Idyll places you in locally owned apartments for three weeks, with support staff providing orientation and assistance and extensive planning guides and events calendars.
Saga Holidays, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, Mass. 02116; (800) 258-5885. Programs in Spain, Portugal, Malta, Madiera, Majorca, Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Turkey and various cities.
VETERANS TOURS
This year, a special emphasis has been placed on the return of World War II veterans to Normandy to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landing. Through September 1995, the anniversaries of other major battles and events are spurring veterans to return to the sites where they served in Europe and the Pacific. Increasingly, their children and grandchildren are accompanying them, or going in their stead. Several specialists in military tours, all operated by World War II veterans, also work with individual travelers as well as veterans organizations.
Valor Tours, P.O. Box 1617, Sausalito, Calif. 94966; (415) 332-7850.
Galaxy Tours, P.O. Box 234, Wayne, Pa. 19087; (800) 523-7287.
Tours of Historic and Important Places, 1281 Patterson Plank Road, Secaucus, N.J. 07094; (800) 869-9576.
GRANDPARENT-GRANDCHILD TOURS
Traveling together can give grandchildren and grandparents time to become better friends. It's also a way to celebrate a special event, or for the two generations to get together when parents are divorced. Elderhostel (address above) has intergenerational programs, and several companies have tours with itineraries and activities designed for grandparents and grandchildren (surrogates welcome, too).
Grandtravel, 6900 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 706, Chevy Chase, Md. 20815; (800) 247-7651. Offers both U.S. and overseas destinations.
American Jewish Congress, 15 E. 84th St., New York, N.Y. 10028-0458; (800) 221-4694. Intergenerational trips to Israel.
Vistatours, 1923 N. Carson St., Suite 105, Carson City, Nev. 89701; (800) 248-4782. The most popular trip is to the South Dakota badlands.
Warren River Expeditions, P.O. Box 1375, Salmon, Idaho; (800) 765-0421. Easygoing river-rafting trips on the Main Salmon River.
RECREATION VEHICLES
Mature Americans are among the most devoted recreation vehicle travelers. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association offers the Go Camping America Camping Vacation Planner with extensive lists of resources to help choose an RV, plan an RV vacation yourself, or to join an RV organization that sponsors rallies and caravans.
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, P.O. Box 2999, Reston, Va. 22090; (800) 477-8669.
SOLO TRAVEL
Seniors who travel solo can find companions through organizations whose newsletters contain confidential ads from members looking for people to share cabins on cruises, hotel rooms on tours, RVs or other travel plans. Some sponsor trips for members.
Golden Companions, P.O. Box 754, Pullman, Wash. 99163; (208) 858-2183.
Travel Companion Exchange, Box 833, Amityville, N.Y. 11701; (800) 392-1256.
Loners of America, Route 2, Box 85-E, Ellsinore, Mo. 63937; (314) 322-5548.
Loners on Wheels, 808 Lester St., Poplar Bluff, Mo. 63901; (817) 626-4538.
RVing Women, P.O. Box 82606, Kenmore, Wash. 98028; (800) 333-9992.
by CNB