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The Importance of Senior Tourism
Beyond the pandemic, the travel sector is greatly impacted by the senior tourist segment (those over 50). Over 593 million foreign visitors in 1999 were 60 years of age or over, making up about one-third of all holiday expenditures. And by 2050, it's expected that this number would increase to 2 billion journeys every year. (Steeves & Steeves, 2022)

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What are the typical clients in Senior Tourism?

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What are the typical clients in Senior Tourism?

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A few essential characteristics of a typical senior traveler are for:

Leisurely Pace: Senior tourists prefer a relaxed and leisurely pace during their travels (Steeves & Steeves, 2022).

Small Group Sizes or Kid-Free: They often enjoy traveling in small groups or in environments that are free from children (Steeves & Steeves, 2022).

Opportunity to Meet New People: Senior tourists appreciate the chance to socialize and meet new people during their trips (Steeves & Steeves, 2022).

Range of Activity Levels: Catering to different activity levels is important as seniors have varying preferences and capabilities (Steeves & Steeves, 2022).

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What age group travels the most?

For the past fifteen or so years, Millennials (1981-1996) were most likely to go into debt for travel with an average of 35 vacation days per year. But the Baby Boomers (1946-1964) travel an average of 4-5 times per year and are more likely to afford it comfortably.

And now that the world is slowly opening up again, we're seeing some surprising senior tourism statistics.

According to a recent survey by Silver Travel Advisor, 77% of senior travelers plan to book and travel within 6 months of getting vaccinated and 46% of respondents said they will make the most of it by traveling as much as possible. Even going as far as saying that they've missed overseas travel more than hugging their grandchildren.

And Skift says numerous tour operators have seen an increase in bookings from older travelers already, such as Quasar Expeditions who are receiving inquiries for June onward with 70% of guests being over 65 or Wild Terrains who have seen a 40% jump in bookings, largely from women older than 55.

So, if your ideal guest is on the younger side, perhaps you might want to try targeting the often overlooked, yet incredibly valuable senior market segment for the opportunity to boost your bookings and stand out from the competition.

The importance of senior tourists

Beyond the pandemic, the senior tourism segment (ages 50+) has a huge impact on the travel industry. In 1999, over 593 million international travelers were 60 years and older, which accounted for around 1/3 of holiday spending. And this number is projected to reach 2 billion trips annually by 2050 - according to the World Tourism Organization.

That's because it's estimated seniors will comprise nearly a quarter of the world's population by 2050, compared to only 10% in 2000. Meaning that they will be responsible for more holiday spending in the future than all of the younger age groups combined.

This is already proving to be true in the United Kingdom where people over 50 drive close to 60% of travel and tourism spend - spending $3 billion more than their Millennial counterparts. And it makes sense. Older travelers have a higher average disposable income and if retired, the free time to go on extended trips (8 weeks or longer).

So as the ageing population grows and becomes the most important tourist group due to their purchasing power and trip frequency, there will be a call for senior-friendly tourism products. Luckily for tour and activity operators, Baby Boomers love leisure travel, often seeking enriching and meaningful experiences, particularly sightseeing.

Why older people like to travel

There are many reasons why seniors choose to spend more of their income on travel and less on other things. Just like most other travelers, they too enjoy the rest and relaxation, sense of adventure, meeting new people, and seeing bucket list places.

So, this tourism segment isn't exactly homogeneous. Not in any way, shape, or form. Often, when we think of senior travelers, we picture cruise ship passengers, retiring at sea while traveling the world. But if you want to be successful in targeting them as part of your tour and travel marketing strategy, you must avoid resorting to stereotypes and instead find a niche within this demographic that makes sense for your business.

Because once you have a more accurate understanding of their travel motive - not a generalized assumption - you can better align your tours and marketing messaging.

While there is a broad spectrum of senior travelers, we can essentially break down this travel segment into two categories:

1. Young at heart

Senior travelers who are young-at-heart don't let their age hold them back. Packing along great physical health and a zest for life, they shatter traditional assumptions by seeking out challenging experiences to push their limits and prove they've still got it.

Valuing a sense of accomplishment and embracing life to the fullest, they are the ones who want to explore the ends of the Earth, immerse themselves into different cultures, and face their fears by doing things they never thought they could do before.

So, you might see them staying at guest houses and mingling with younger travelers, visiting remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations, or participating in adrenalin-filled and adventurous activities, like rafting, canyoning, scuba diving, and skiing.

2. Old at heart

On the other hand, senior travelers who are old-at-heart travel for the benefits it provides to their physical, mental, and social well-being. As a change up to their daily routine, they enjoy tourist activities that involve moving at a leisurely pace, learning new skills, expanding their knowledge, indulging in the finer things, and interacting with people.

That's why they tend to lean towards staying in luxury hotels or cozy BnBs, taking history tours, cooking classes, or dance lessons, and booking travel packages that guarantee the chance to socialize with other senior travelers while having transport, food, and other trip arrangements taken care of for them.

And since they might have some type of disability - almost 38% of people over 65 do - they are usually more concerned about security and danger, travel plans falling through, and hurting themselves or getting sick in an unfamiliar destination.

So, this type of senior traveler often takes a more nostalgic approach to travel, visiting destinations they already know and love from a childhood vacation, honeymoon, or ancestry ties. Or, you'll see them travelling with companions, such as friends, family, or senior clubs, ensuring that if anything were to happen, they'd have support.

Senior-friendly tourism products

According to this study, the most popular tourist activities amongst the senior age group are city sightseeing (89.3%), visiting historical places (88.1%), restaurant dining (85.7%) and shopping (77.4%). Less popular tourist activities include hunting and fishing (1.2%), water sports and sunbathing (1.2%) and camping and hiking (3.5%).

But these senior tourism statistics don't tell the whole picture. As I pointed out, not every senior traveler is the same. On one side, you might have someone who prefers adventure travel and on the other, someone who wants a more upscale experience.

For example, a young-at-heart senior traveler might be more inclined to book a ranger-led nature walk in Yellowstone or a horseback riding tour along the beaches of Costa Rica. Whereas a senior in the old-at-heart group might opt for low physical activities, like wine tasting in Italy, taking a pottery class in Sante Fe, or going on a bus tour in Scotland.

In other words, no tourism product's a one-size-fits-all for senior travelers. Sure, there might be commonalities they look for - such as all-inclusive packages, hassle-free transport, quality over utility, and well-balanced food options. But for the most part, what appeals to them individually will vary across niches within this demographic.

So, whether you offer budget vs luxury experiences, guided vs self-guided tours, or adventurous vs cultural activities, you already have the best tourism product for the right senior traveler. You just have to know how to reach them and speak their language.

That is unless you offer something totally extreme, like heli-skiing.

Senior tourism trends for marketing

Most senior travelers don't like to think of themselves as senior travelers - unlike solo travelers who can't stop talking about being solo travelers. That's why they don't respond well to ageist marketing. I'm referring to stock images showing their limited abilities or use of outdated technology.

Instead, they need to see imagery of mature adults living their full lives. And who's better than a tour or activity operator to promote that? You can share photos of seniors kayaking, hiking, dancing, socializing, learning, cooking, doing all the things they imagined doing more of as empty-nesters and retirees.

But the real magic lies in your copy. Just as you'd point out specific benefits in your tour descriptions for your ideal guest, you can focus on a niche within the senior demographic and highlight the things they care about most in the experience, like:

A leisurely pace

Small group sizes or kid-free

Chance to meet new people

Range of activity levels

Included travel arrangements

A rewarding challenge

Authentic cultural experience

Accessibility

Wildlife photo opportunities

Learning new skills

Deep dive into history

Grandkid-friendly

Flexible food choices

Walking in ancestor's footsteps

Bucket list experience

TourRadar does this flawlessly in their senior messaging. Look at how they target both the young-at-heart and old-at-heart in the below tour description.

At the same time, you'll want to make sure to answer any questions they may have on your FAQ page. Since senior tourism is linked to accessible tourism, this will also help you be a more inclusive operator. Here are a few examples:

Do I need to be physically fit to go on the tour?

I am a solo traveler, will I need to pay a single supplement?

I am over 75 years old, can I still join the tour?

Are there bathrooms?

Am I able to travel with a wheelchair?

Can I take my medication with me?

Can I reserve a specific seat on the coach bus?

I have a sleep apnea machine, can I bring this with me?

Okay, but how do you reach the senior traveler once you have all of that in place? What marketing channels will you find the most success?

While Millenials are most influenced by online travel marketing, Baby Boomers come second as the group most influenced by travel ads, especially on Facebook, which is the most popular social media platform for seniors. For instance, History Well Traveled discovered that the older generation engages most with their Facebook ads.

But seniors still spend less time on the internet than their younger counterparts. And many of them still prefer booking their trips through travel agencies. So, you might also want to consider expanding your travel partner network, including reaching out to hotels, DMOs, or other local businesses and promoting your tourism products through offline channels as well, such as newspapers, radio, or brochures.

Final thoughts

The senior tourism market is often overlooked by tour and activity operators. But as the ageing population grows, they'll be the top travel spenders in the future, and frankly, they already are. So, if you want to make the most of the upcoming travel boom and beyond, this might be one audience you should pay attention to.

Are you ready for senior tourists to come back?

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Why You Should Target the Senior Tourism Market

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Is your ideal guest on the younger side? Here's why you're missing out if you aren't tailoring your tours and activities for senior tourism.

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Seniors prefer social travel and group travel, staying longer due to leisure time and disposable income. Hotels are preferred due to amenities and familiarity. The elder tourism market can benefit the travel sector by catering to these needs, giving a competitive advantage as the group increases. (Afonso, 2021).

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Senior tourism: Demographic analysis and case studies

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Destinations that are popular to Senior Tourism

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Destinations that are popular to Senior Tourism

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1. Istanbul, Turkey: Istanbul is recognized as one of the best destinations for senior citizens, offering rich heritage and attractions (Klurman, 2023).

2. Japan: Japan is considered one of the most senior-friendly countries in the world, providing a mix of rich heritage and exotic experiences for seniors (Top 10 Senior Travel Destinations Voted by Seniors, 2023).

3. Bangkok, Thailand: Bangkok ranks fourth in senior-friendly destinations, offering a vibrant city experience for older travelers (Lane, 2023).

4. Athens and Rome: These cities are among the top destinations for senior travel according to recent data (Lane, 2023).

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Over 60 and ready for an adventure? These cities are the best in the world for trips for seniors.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

Getaways for your golden years

One of the wonderful things about hitting retirement age is having the flexibility in your schedule to go out and explore the world. If you're looking for trips for seniors, you're in luck: InsureMyTrip recently released its list of the top 10 cities around the world for senior travel, making it easier than ever for people over age 60 to find the ideal spot for their next vacation. (We think some of them sound like the best places to retire too.)

To determine the top 10 trips for seniors, the folks at InsureMyTrip evaluated a handful of travel considerations for cities around the world. Those included the ease of walking in the city, access to health care, public transportation, the number of tours for seniors and peacefulness. You'll notice that many of the best places to travel in your golden years are also great for traveling on a budget.

And before you ask: Yes, travel is a good idea for anyone who's able, regardless of whether they're age 60, 70 or beyond. In fact, travel helps keep us young. "We know loneliness affects older Americans disproportionately, and the importance of social connections only increases as we age," says James Moses, president and CEO of Road Scholar, one of our favorite tour companies. "[Travel provides] enriching, meaningful, stimulating social connections to hundreds of thousands of older adults."

Ready to find out which trips for seniors over 60 made the cut? Read on for the top picks, in order.
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1. Istanbul, Turkey

Best for: Activities

Coming in at No. 1 in InsureMyTrip's list of trips for seniors is Istanbul. "Istanbul's recognition as the best destination for senior citizens highlights its cultural richness with highly rated things to do and high-quality health-care services," says Sarah Webber of InsureMyTrip. Cosmopolitan Istanbul is a cultural and ethnic melting pot, a unique city straddling two continents (Europe and Asia), with Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Turkish structures-it's a skyline of domes and minarets made up of mosques, churches and synagogues, palaces, castles and towers-and of course, incredible cultural landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.
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The Turkish city scored highly across many of the metrics, particularly for its quality of things to do (a rating of 4.63 out of 5), health care and ease of walking.

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The 10 Best Trips for Seniors and Retirees Who Love to Travel

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Are you over 60 and ready for an adventure? These cities are the best in the world for trips for seniors and retirees.

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Istanbul Turkey, is one of the destinations that best represents Senior Tourism

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Istanbul Turkey, is one of the destinations that best represents Senior Tourism

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For a senior niche tourism blog focusing on Istanbul, Turkey, you can explore various aspects of this vibrant city that cater to older travelers. Consider highlighting experiences like Turkish baths, the picturesque mountaintop village of Şirince, and the best activities in Istanbul. You can also delve into hidden gems and unique cultural experiences that would appeal to senior tourists looking for a more immersive and authentic travel experience. Additionally, you may want to cover topics such as historical sites, local cuisine, and leisurely activities that are well-suited for seniors visiting Istanbul.

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On my recent trip to Turkey I was amazed to find Turkish words and verb tenses bubbling up from the nether reaches of my brain. Turkish is a difficult language, but it makes up for that by being a kind one. Some of its daily niceties warm my heart:

When you see someone working, you say "Kolay gelsin." as you pass. "May it come easy to you." I know of no similar sentiment in English,

Or how about when the young woman you met recently is sick to her stomach? The Turkish kindness for difficult situations is "Geçmiş Olsun." "May you leave it behind you." Isn't that sweet?

When someone sets a meal before you, Turks say "Afiyet Olsun." "May this nourish you." Then you respond with "Elinez Sağlic." "Health to your hands."

The list goes on, but enough of that. I want to explain Turkish baths.

Our second city on this tour was the mountaintop village of Şirince.

When I visited fifteen years ago, typical village transport was donkeys, but many of the narrow streets have been upgraded from various-sized rocks to large, flat ones for cars. Disappointing, but what can you do? Progress. Most of the streets are barely wide enough for a small car. Thankfully, the little shops have retained their small-village charm, from fruit wine vendors to jewelry and craft stores. On every street we encountered women in şhalvar (skirt-like pantaloons) selling herbs, baked goods, and crafts.

Our hotel, the Nişanyan, was perched at the top of the village, something of a botanical garden dotted with cottages and ancient Ottoman houses. We stayed in a 500-year-old whitewashed stone cottage with foot-thick walls. It had a sitting room that featured a low cushioned bench festooned with colorful embroidered pillows, a carved stone fireplace, and a single platform bed. Both that and our bedroom/sitting room had small cupboard niches with carved wooden doors, Turkish carpets, and charming wall decorations.

Our bathroom was a traditional hamam (Turkish bath)-a wonder. It was a large marble room with a domed ceiling emitting light through round glass "eyes." Two windows were set into the rounded back wall. A low marble basin with a faucet sat on the far end, beside it a low stool with a metal bowl for scooping water from the basin. That's how hamams are everywhere-you sit on a stool or bench, then repeatedly scoop hot water and pour it over yourself. A drain across the entire floor transports it to the sewer.

We visited a community hamam in Ürgüp, Cappadocia. We were first ushered into locker rooms to undress and don slippers and peştemal (PESH-ta-mal), plaid cotton towels. Women wore two (one on top and one on the bottom), while the men only got one. The six of us were then ushered into a steam room with marble benches and a marble sink. We took turns pouring hot water over each other, soaking ourselves through.

Twenty minutes later the masseuses (women draped in peştemal) brought us out into the main part of the hamam, where a massive heated marble slab dominated the room.

There were side rooms, too, each with its own high marble bench (heated) and marble sinks. My masseuse poured warm water over me, then scrubbed every inch of skin with a textured mitten-like scrubber. It felt a little like sandpaper, only nicer. After that, more hot water and a seaweed facial mask.

Then the soap suds. Oh, the soap suds. She took a long, net bag and soaked it in a tub of soapy water. Then she swung it back and forth a few times before squeezing suds over me, coating my body with what felt like a warm blanket. She repeated this a few more times until I was completely covered.
Link to a video of the soapsuds technique-amazing!
Rather than oil, the suds from olive oil soap provide a slippery surface for massage. And what a massage it was! By the time she'd finished, I was a noodle. She helped me sit up and poured bowl after bowl of hot water over me.

The Turkish Hamam is a unique, relaxing experience. Once dried and dressed, we were offered tea or water (Turks frown on drinking cold water, but we insisted) as we relaxed on cushions in an outer room. Wet noodles all.

Posted in Tagged Cappadocia, Cappadocia, hamam, Sirince, Turkey, Turkish language, Urgup hamam, TRAVELS

As my friends back home struggled with yet another snowstorm, I sat in the Istanbul airport reminiscing about our last three (sunny) days in the city. Though I lived here for years and know the city well, each day brought new experiences, new history, new insights.

It was Ramadan, so a good percentage of the population fast from sunrise to sunset. We'd arranged to enjoy an iftar (breaking of the fast) dinner on our first night, so we strolled down to the Matbah restaurant eager to see what lay ahead. Our table for six was set with mouth-watering mezes (appetizers), a traditional fruit juice, and water. We sat salivating over a feast of eggplant salad, humus, tapenade, pickled beets, vegetables, fresh, crusty bread, and other delicacies as we waited for the sunset call to prayer. At the first strains from nearby minarets, we loaded our plates with mezes as waiters swept in with steaming bowls of soup. Food never tasted so good.

We visited the usual Istanbul sites-the Hippodrome (from Roman times), the Blue Mosque (closed for renovation), Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia, which has gone from a Christian Church (532-1453) to a mosque (1453-1931) to a museum (1931-2020) and now, sadly, back to a mosque.

We also had some surprises. As we strolled along the imposing Byzantine walls that encircle the old city, we encountered men gingerly toting boxes, bags, and cages. What? Our guide Elif explained that many Turkish men are passionate about pigeons, and the Sunday Pigeon Market was up the hill. Well, why not? She paid our admission (about 50¢) to a fenced-in market, a menagerie of pigeons and purchasers.

Though we were the only women among scores of men, they hardly noticed us as they inspected birds, prodding and turning them as they decided whether they were worth the price ($5 to $100). It was fascinating.

A soccer game was in progress between the pigeon market and the imposing city wall. Few paid attention, though. They were all about pigeons.
VIDEO: I caught a few minutes of exercise before we visited the Tekfur palace. Narration by our wonderful guide, Elif.
Our next stop was the newly-restored Tekfur Palace, a Byzantine palace where artists once created colorful ceramic tiles for the Ottomans through the Renaissance and beyond.

Who knew? I'd never even heard of it. From the ramparts we saw the city wall marching down to the Marmara Sea.

Our big treat on the third day was a cooking class at Cooking Alaturka. We were welcomed by a Sicilian chef, Roco, who offered us drinks and conversation before explaining our menu-five mezes (appetizers) and what they called the most lethal of Turkish desserts, künefe. I couldn't have been happier, as mezes are my favorite part of every Turkish meal.

Roco's assistant chef Nazlı handed out aprons and had us wash our hands before she led us through the intricacies of making sarma (grape leaves wrapped tightly around a mixture of rice, currants, and spices).

We also prepared grilled eggplant salad (my long-time favorite), spiced lentil "meatballs," Circassian chicken, and baked hummus. The künefe was a cheesy, creamy, buttery dessert that crunched with every bite. It's shredded pasta (a little like shredded wheat, only finer and white), a quarter pound of butter, a pound of sugar, a quarter pound of string cheese, lemon and water. Jerry said it was delicious. I had to pass on that because of a milk allergy. They baked stuffed figs for me, so I did get some dessert.

Let me tell you, my greatest challenge was wrapping softened grape leaves around a tiny dab of spiced rice.

The next worst was peeling hot eggplant straight off the grill. Wait-maybe it was peeling a big bowl of cooked chickpeas. Well, whatever was worst, it was well worth the effort. The payoff for all our work was a fabulous meal-with wine. YUM!!!

Posted in Tagged TRAVELS, Cooking ala Turka, iftar, Istanbul, Pigeon Market, ramadan, Tekfur Palace, Turkey Uncategorized

Want to know how kind the Turks are? This street sign is clear evidence:

DİKKAT YAVAŞ means "ATTENTION. GO SLOWLY."Sweet, huh? Most of the dogs and cats in Turkey run free, and people feed them everywhere. You'll never see a starving animal in Turkey. That's kindness.

Our third Turkish city was Göreme, my favorite of Cappadocia's cities. I have to admit, though, it's changed. The sleepy little town I visited twelve years ago is now a thriving metropolis, but I still love it. We stayed in the Kelebek Cave Hotel, and most of us had luxurious rooms. So different from the backpacker's paradise it was fifteen years ago. Everyone raved about their accommodations (sitting rooms and huge bathrooms), and a few of us entertained resident cats as well. (Don't leave your windows open.)

We were awakened at 6 AM by the whoosh-whoosh of balloons skimming over the hotel-150 of them. Our guide explained that so many balloons every day have a huge impact on the environment and have driven off many animals and raptors. He said he hasn't seen an eagle in years.
Jini toasts the ballooners with a morning cup of java. Filtered at the Kelebek!
Breakfast at the Kelebek is phenomenal-a vast array of olives (my favorite), vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheeses meats, breads and custom-made eggs and omelets. Fresh-squeezed orange juice puts it over the top. It was also our first hotel with actual filtered coffee rather than Nescafe instant. Woo-woo!

The first day was a whirlwind. Our guide Mehmet brought us up to Uç Hısarı to visit the cave home of Ismael, a sweet man who looked 80. I guessed (I thought Kindly) that he was 75, and he finally said he was 61. Evidence that Turks age faster. Tougher life?

At any rate, we all enjoyed sipping tea and touring his family's home for centuries. It's now part of a national park reserve, so he has to pay rent to use it as a business. He spent nearly an hour with us, and our guide treated us to tea during his 45-minute lecture on the history of the area. Fascinating, but by the time he finished, we were frozen.

Mehmet understood and took us to a quiet little cave hotel for Turkish coffee, cake, and treats. It was wonderful to see that there are still some serene spots in Cappadocia. With clean toilets, no less.

We went from there to the Open Air Museum, a series of ancient cave churches dating back to 1000 AD. Our guide Mehmet had book-size photos of the frescoes inside the churches, which helped us understand what we were seeing. The last time I was there we could take photos, but now it's forbidden.

We got a big charge out of Asian tourists who love to pose dramatically in front of every site. The Chinese are a generation of singletons, and it shows.

My friend Susie ended up getting a camel ride, though she's not just sure how. It was a highlight for all of us, though, and we thanked her for a good laugh.

We all went from there to the Dibek Restaurant, a lovely little spot in Göreme that's one of my favorites. We were joined by Chris Vannoy, the owner of our tour company, and together we enjoyed a lunch of all the local dishes, served family style: mezes, çoban salata (shepherd's salad), fasuliye (beans with lamb), mantı (tiny Turkish ravioli in a spiced yogurt sauce), and the crowning glory, testi Kebab (a hot meat dish cooked with vegetables in a pottery container that's cracked open to serve). Every meal here is finished with either Turkish coffee or tea. Sigh.

We opted out of another tour in favor of a visit to a scenic overlook and then a Turkish winery. I must admit, I was once very critical of Turkish wine, but they're doing MUCH better-as can be attested to by most of us in the group. With these fabulous lunches, we often end up finishing our day by gathering for snacks and wine (as well as the occasional rakı-the local anise liquor).

The next morning we were up early and it was nice enough to eat breakfast on the outdoor terrace. Sally, Tom, Rondi, Jane and Jane all finagled balloon ride that morning and returned at 7:30, breathless with excitement. Ballooning in Cappadocia is impressive, at the least.

Mehmet and Erdal (our bus driver) picked us up at 8:45 for a visit to an underground city. Apparently there was an ant-colony-like city carved beneath every city in the area, and entire communities would move underground when attackers came, from the Romans to the Hittites to the Mongols. They'd push mammoth wheel-shaped stones over the entrance and sometimes stay underground for months at a time. There were stables, storage rooms, kitchens, and sleeping rooms, usually at least eight levels deep. Amazing. Most of us started the tour, but some of us fled to the surface when we reached down to the second level. Four of our ten finished the tour.

Next we drove an hour to the Ihlara Valley for a 3-mile hike along a river. The valley was home for a huge settlement of Christians many centuries ago, and there are about sixteen cave churches along the way. We weren't so thrilled about the 400 stairs down into the valley (Turkey's Grand Canyon), but we were entranced with the lovely river walk. We went into three of the churches, which were very much like the ones we'd seen at the Open Air Museum the previous day. Here we could take photos.

We were served a delicious lunch in outdoor tables along the river. Sojourn Travel included lunches every day on our tour, and their choices have been fabulous. This meal included bread and mezes, lentil soup, a fresh lettuce and vegetable salad, and our choice of fresh trout, köfte (meatballs), chicken shish-ka-bob, or güveç-lamb, beef, or vegetarian. (Güveç is one of my favorite dishes, a baked open casserole of meat and vegetables, often with cheese melted on top.)

We were supposed to tour another cave monastery, but everyone cried "Uncle!" Everyone but Jini, that is. She's game for anything that requires exercise, but we were toured out. We headed back to the hotel for naps (or hikes), and some of us opted for the Turkish bath. The women's treatment ($30) included a face mask, a 15-minute sauna, a scrub and soap massage on a heated marble slab, then a shower, a screeching dip in a cool pool (closes the pores?), and finally a glass of apple tea while we relaxed and chatted on lounge chairs. Heaven!

Mercimek (lentil soup), Ayran (a yogurt drink) and pide (mini-pizzas) finished off our evening. Well-except for our wine gathering in the courtyard. Short but sweet.

Farewell, Mehmet and your beautiful community!

Posted in Tagged Cappadocia, Turkey TRAVELS

I've been in Norway a week now, though it seems longer-so much activity, so much beauty, so much information!

I came for a family reunion of the descendants of Johannes Olsen, my great-great-great grandfather. Not just me, but my brother Steve and sister Laura (and their spouses) as well as my niece Cortney came as well. Sadly, my husband Jerry had to cancel at the last minute because of a serious back problem. It broke both our hearts, as the second week was a planned kayak trip around one of the Lofoten islands. Sigh...

After a lonesome night at a Bodø B&B, I hit the road for Bø i Vester å len, a 6 1-2 hour drive including a ferry ride. I got up at 5 AM to be sure I caught the ferry, then sat in the ferry line playing sudoku on my phone as I waited. Another sigh...

I found my way to the village of Bø (in the kommune of Bø), and turned in to Bøhallen, the community center. You can probably figure out the meaning. In spite of a light rain, the parking lot was packed with LOTS of people who look like me (and my uncles and aunts) grilling hot dogs and speaking Norwegian. I found my way to the registration table and picked up our t-shirts and a schedule.

Marit, one of the organizers, made a big fuss over me, hugging me like an old friend. She hunted around for her brother Øyvind, who had instigated and planned the whole event, and he welcomed me with a brilliant smile and another hug. It wasn't long before Laura and Rob found me. Whew! English.

After milling the crowd a bit, they drove me to see their sweet little room in a boathouse B & B down the road. Then we found our way to the afternoon event, a fishing boat ride out to the island of Gaukværøya, which used to be a fishing village. We asked our captain (a fisherman named Tom, also a relative) to wait for our niece Cortney, who was minutes away. Since it was a small group, he agreed. Lucky Cortney. Lucky us.

Arne, a local historian, shared the history of Gaukværøya, settlement that began in the middle ages and lasted until the early fifties, when hundreds of residents had to dismantle their homes and move them to the mainland (also an island). Everything in Vesterålen is an island. Go figure. The entire area is an archipelago, I guess. The government wasn't willing to run electricity or offer government services to such remote residents, so they offered them a payment in exchange for giving up their rights to return to their little island, which is now littered with foundations, both ancient and modern (stone and concrete).

Anyway, it was fascinating to learn about life on Gaukværøya. In addition to Arne's descriptions, Tom's father Arne shared stories about growing up there. Luckily, Ingor sat beside me and translated; most everything was in Norwegian. The island is rugged- all rocks and bumpy ground, so apparently the children had a heyday while their parents worked. They attended school on the island when it was convenient, because they often had to help with fishing and household responsibilities.

My brother's family and I were hosted by my fourth cousin, Sonja Klaussen, and once we finally got home after dinner, we sat up until the wee hours talking. It was light all night, and it's energizing. The whole time I was with family I was up until 2 AM. (At home I start yawning around 9:00.)

Saturday morning we woke to see four moose grazing in Sonja's back yard. They're smaller than our Minnesota moose, but delightful to watch nonetheless.

The day was filled with reunion events-an orientation, a coffee hour, a presentation on the lineage from our great-great-great grandfather, then photos outdoors.

They organized a group photo for the descendants of each of Johann's twelve children, then we had a mass photo of all 300 relatives. Shocking. It was fun, though, to see who had descended from my great-great grandmother Johanna Sophie (1818-1889).

Too much information, I know.

The day ended with a catered buffet banquet and a dance at the community center. Pretty much the kind of music my grandparents liked dancing to, but we did our best. I needed the exercise.

On Sunday my sister Laura, Rob and I skipped out to go on a whale watching tour in Andenes, at the north end of Vesterålen. The drive was spectacular, and the event started with a museum tour that astonished and enlightened us. We learned how the whales use sonar, and that only male whales come up north. The ladies stay behind in the mid-Atlantic raising their young and waiting for the next round of mating.

Oh, I nearly lost my finger on the boat, too. After we got on we were standing along the side of the boat, and I had my hand over the edge. Little did I know there were huge plastic bumpers that meet the edge of the boat at low tide. ARAUGHHH!!! I screamed when I felt my fingers squeezed, then yelled for everyone to PUSH! People came to my rescue, and I was able to extricate a very smushed finger. By the end of the ride it had recovered.

The captain of the ship wears headphones to pick up the clicks of the whale's sonar system, then he follows them until the whale surfaces for air. Amazing.

We got to see a whale surface twice. He's a local resident sperm whale, and they call him Glenn. Imagine a boat with 60 people who've waited hours to see a whale, everyone with their cameras at the ready."People at the railing bend down so everyone can see!" (in Norwegian, German and English) This old lady ended up sitting on the deck with my camera, snapping, snapping, snapping photos of Glenn as he spouted over and over and finally dove. So who got the best photos? My sister Laura, who pulled out her iPhone at the last minute and got spectacular shots of the flukes as Glenn headed down. Go figure!

We rented a stunning 3-bedroom airbnb on a peninsula between mini-fjords, just down the road from Bøhallen.

It was a joy to have time with my siblings to process the information about our ancestors. Our second cousin AnnBjorg invited us to her house for a reindeer feast on Monday, and it ended up being an eight-hour affair, including a delectable meal, a visit to my great-grandparents' graves, and a long drive to Nyksund, a restored fishing village about an hour from AnnBjorg's house.

We also learned that AnnBjorg's house stands beside the one where my grandfather grew up. Who knew?

The next day Laura and Rob left, and Steve, Ann and I walked to the Bø historical and outdoor museum. Fascinating. It included a famous statue of a man holding a crystal that catches the light from the midnight sun and the northern lights.

After that we rented kayaks to paddle along the coast by our house.

That night we were treated to a brilliant sunset, and here in the land of the midnight sun, it lasted about three hours. What a show it was! Once again, I got to bed around 2 AM. Oh, well.

On Wednesday morning we parted ways after a walk to the end of the road. Steve and Ann were heading to Trømsø, and I was heading for Reine on Lofoten. My drive was supposed to take about 4 1-2 hours, but I'd decided that I would stop at some of the waysides to take photos. I did it a lot. So much that my drive took seven hours, especially since it was the first totally sunny day since I'd arrived.

I stayed in the Lofoten Bed and Breakfast, which wasn't as nice as I'd expected-and it cost nearly as much as our beautiful rental in Bø. It was just a room with a few chairs and little hot pot. Luckily, there was a refrigerator outside my door to store all the food I'd purchased for my week alone.

It was a long, lonesome day. After I checked in I walked through the town of Reine, which is lovely but a bit too congested and commercialized for my tastes. They've stuck with the red boathouse theme, so it's cute, but a little too busy.

I was thankful that the rest of my stay would be in Å, the town at the far end of Lofoten. More about that later.

Posted in Tagged TRAVELS, Norway, Vesteralen Uncategorized

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On my recent trip to Turkey I was amazed to find Turkish words and verb tenses bubbling up from the nether reaches of my brain. Turkish is a difficult language, but it makes up for that by being a kind one. Some of its daily niceties warm my heart: When you see someone working, you say "Kolay gelsin."

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Senior tourism is a growing trend that caters to older travelers seeking various experiences. This demographic often prefers guided tours, especially coach tours, for security and companionship. Health considerations play a significant role in senior tourism, influencing choices like conservative eating habits and the pace of activities (Senior Tourism, n.d.).

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Road Scholar offers customized group travel excursions for seniors aged 50-90, accompanied by knowledgeable teachers. Participants can visit educational and artistically inspired destinations with a maximum of 12 other travelers (Small Group Travel for Seniors, n.d.).

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With so many places in the world to visit, sometimes the best way to make the most out of your adventures is in an educational small group tour . At Road Scholar, our micro group tours place you in cohorts of no more than 12 fellow adventurers, so you can gain unique access to your instructor while still enjoying a group that provides a special camaraderie. Take a look at our small group travel experiences below that includes special dates created specifically for micro groups.

Choosing a Micro Group Tour

The world is filled with iconic destinations, beautiful landscapes, and unique cultures. So, which is the right micro group tour for you? At Road Scholar, we curate a wide range of small group tours to choose from, so you can find an educational learning adventure that matches your interests.

To choose the right small group travel experience, there are a few key factors to keep in mind, such as:

Budget: How much do you plan on spending?

Destination: What area of the world are you interested in learning more about?

Time frame: How long do you want to travel for, and what dates?

Activity level: Are you looking for a calm and relaxing educational experience or one that is more involved with physical activity like walking, biking, or kayaking?

At Road Scholar, you can filter through our intimate group tours and travel experience based on these criteria, so you can choose a micro group tour that meets your needs.

The Benefits of an Intimate Group Tour

Traveling with a small group is an excellent way to the world's cultures, ecosystems, and traditions in a more intimate way. Some of the top benefits of intimate group tours and travel include:

Flexibility: In smaller groups, making decisions is often much easier, allowing you to enjoy a wider range of accommodations together, such as restaurants, lodging, and activities.

Lasting friendships: Micro group tours place you in an intimate cohort that allows you to have spirited conversations and discover new things together. At the end of your adventure, you'll leave with lasting memories and friendships.

Better time management: Small group travel also helps with time management. With fewer people to corral, you'll be able to spend more time exploring your chosen destination.

Unique access to your instructor: When exploring the world in smaller groups, you'll be able to build a more intimate relationship with your expert instructor, allowing you to ask more thoughtful questions and learn more about the area you're visiting.

These are just some of the many benefits of micro group tours through Road Scholar. If you're ready to gain privileged access to some of the world's most iconic destinations, browse our recommended group tours today.

Small Group Travel Options with 12 People

At Road Scholar, our micro group tours will place you in intimate groups of 12 people or less. Depending on your preferences, we have a great selection of unique educational adventure options, including senior group tours and women-only group tours . No matter the experience you choose, you'll enjoy expert-led guided tours, great conversations with your small group, and local cuisine, traditions, and history.

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With so many places in the world to visit, sometimes the best way to make the most out of your adventures is in an educational small group tour . At Road Scholar, our micro group tours place you in cohorts of no more than 12 fellow adventurers, so you can gain unique access to your instructor while still enjoying a group that provides a special camaraderie.

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Types of Activities that are included in Road Scholar Senior Tours

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Types of Activities that are included in Road Scholar Senior Tours

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Road Scholar senior tours offer a wide range of activities tailored to promote lifelong learning and cultural immersion for older adults. These activities include:

Educational lectures and field trips led by expert instructors (Sarkis, 2024).

Immersive cultural experiences in destinations like National Parks, New Zealand, Italy, and more (Road Scholar | Life-Long Learning Program | Senior Travel | 50 Plus | Adventure Travel | Travel Tours, n.d.).

Adventures focused on specific interests such as Military History, Native American Studies, Birding, and Pickleball (Sarkis, 2024).

Small group tours with activities ranging from 'Easy' to 'Let's go!' based on five activity levels (Road Scholar, 2024).

All-inclusive programs with accommodations, experienced group leaders, expert-led lectures, most meals, gratuities, and the Road Scholar Assurance Plan (Sarkis, 2024).

Opportunities for international travel with arrangements made by Road Scholar at competitive prices (Sarkis, 2024).

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Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel, is a non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Marty Knowlton and David Bianco and offers affordable lodging and non-credit classes for older adults, inspired by European travels. (Road Scholar, n.d.).

Road Scholars is an adult learning and discovery platform that fosters active discourse and friendship among adults through professional instructors. (Road Scholar, n.d.).

Road Scholar contributes 300 scholarships each year, investing in projects to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere to counter the impact of travel and providing grants to those who could not afford it through Anne's scholarships and fundraising activities. (Road Scholar, n.d.).

Our Values | Road Scholar

https://www.instagram.com/roadscholar/

https://www.youtube.com/user/roadscholarorg

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1. Solo trip trends are gaining popularity among travelers, who may be concerned about loneliness and cost. This resource page offers tips and inspiration to navigate the world of solo travel, addressing questions and concerns about the experience. It's essential for those who have never traveled solo (Solo Travel Tips | Road Scholar, n.d.).

2. Road Scholar understands the pain of a person who acts as a sick or disabled family caregiver. As a result, Road Scholar provides the characteristics of a warm and friendly learning adventure for them who desperately need emotional or physical rest (Caregiver Grants | Road Scholar, n.d.).

3. Road Scholar At Home provides an online learning experience suitable for adult learners. This has the advantage of being able to learn without leaving home because you can participate in a three- or four-day Adventures Online program, explore interesting places, and take about an hour of online lectures (Road Scholar at Home, n.d.).

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Solo travel Blog. (Road Scholar, n.d.)

Road Scholar Blog

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Read it straight from the experts and leaders in educational travel.

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Online Learning Experience suitable for adult learners.

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Online Learning Experience suitable for adult learners.

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Road Scholar At Home

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Discover the world from the comfort of your home through Road Scholar's collection of online adventures . Through these digital experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and landscape around you. Sign up for any of our virtual learning adventures and experience the world of Road Scholar at home.

What Are Educational Adventures Online With Road Scholar?

Road Scholar offers a wide range of online adventures that give you the opportunity to learn more about the world without the need to catch a flight. Through our virtual adventures , you'll be able to engage with a week's worth of live lectures, performances, discussions, and more that will re-create the Road Scholar experience online.

When you sign up for one of our adventures online , you'll join a group of learners from various backgrounds, such as intellectuals, farmers, retirees, students, business professionals, and more. Led by expert instructors, our adventures open up the world around you in a way that gives you the chance to make lasting relationships and build lifelong knowledge.

If you're ready to embark on a virtual learning adventure , browse our online lecture library . Here, you'll find a vast collection of online adventures, such as the history and botany in Bermuda , an introduction to falconry , the history of Native American cuisine , or the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh . In our online lecture library, you'll find virtual adventures that match any interest, whether it's a deep dive into the history of a specific country or an analysis of a prominent figure in history.

No matter the online excursion you choose, you can rest assured knowing you'll partake in an engaging and educational discussion with expert instructors and like-minded peers. To prepare for your online lecture , you'll need the following equipment:

All of our adventures online take place via Zoom, which is a video conferencing software that allows you to chat and interact online. Through Zoom, we can make learning accessible to all so that everyone can have the opportunity to partake in the Road Scholar experience.

What Are the Advantages of Online Adventures ?

For those looking to learn more about the people, cultures, history, and environments of the world but can't commit to several days or weeks of travel, it's time to look into virtual learning adventures . Online adventures offer many attractive benefits, including:

Accessibility: Adventures online are extremely accessible, and you can learn from anywhere in the world through our virtual learning adventures as long as you have a stable internet connection, mobile device or computer, and a microphone and camera.

Affordability: Learning online is a budget-friendly way to learn about a specific destination without some of the more expensive costs that come with traveling.

Relationships: Through our online adventures , you'll be able to interact with peers from various backgrounds and anywhere in the world, giving you the chance to build friendships and meet people from different walks of life.

Self-Pacing Options: Our virtual adventures allow you to learn at your own pace, so you can digest and process the information in a way that works for you.

These are just some of the many benefits of online adventures . Sign up for a Road Scholar virtual learning adventure today to learn more about a topic or destination that interests you.

Enroll in virtual adventures online today!

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Virtual Educational Travel Adventures Online | Road Scholar

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Discover the world from the comfort of your home through Road Scholar's collection of online adventures . Through these digital experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and landscape around you. Sign up for any of our virtual learning adventures and experience the world of Road Scholar at home.

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Key Fact

Seniors tend to travel more intensively, making longer trips.

Data

Due to available time following their retirements (Steeves, 2022).

Statistical Analysis

Mostly seniors ages around 65 to 70 (Steeves, 2022).

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Key Fact

The senior tourism segment (ages50+) has a huge impact on the travel industry.

Date

In 1999, over 593 million international travelers were 60 years and older, which accounted for around 1/3 of holiday spending. And this number is projected to reach 2 billion trips annually by

2050 (Steeves, 2022).

Statistical Analysis

According to WTO, the senior tourism industry will increase more than 3 times in 2050. It shows that the senior tourism segment impacts more than before (World Population Prospects,

2017).

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Key Fact

Recognizing the unique travel behavior, preferences, and needs of older adults, typically those aged 65 and above, as a significant and growing segment of the tourism market.

Data

a young-at-heart senior traveler might be more inclined to book a ranger-led nature walk in Yellowstone or a horseback riding tour along the beaches of Costa Rica. Whereas a senior in the old-at-heart group might opt for low physical activities, like wine tasting in Italy, taking a pottery class in Sante Fe, or going on a bus tour in Scotland (Steeves, 2022).

Statistical Analysis

the most popular tourist activities amongst the senior age group are city sightseeing (89.3%), visiting historical places (88.1%), restaurant dining (85.7%) and shopping (77.4%). Less popular tourist activities include hunting and fishing (1.2%), water sports and sunbathing (1.2%) and camping and hiking (3.5%) (Steeves, 2022).

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About Us | Road Scholar. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/about/

Afonso, B. (2021, October 6). The Benefits of Investing in Senior Tourism. LODGING Magazine. https://lodgingmagazine.com/the-benefits-of-investing-in-senior-tourism/

Caregiver Grants | Road Scholar. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/about/financial-assistance/caregiver-grants/

Duffy, S. (2018, March 5). 27 Helpful Life Hacks and Tips from My Mom - Of Life and Lisa. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/322218548335115014/

Klurman, M. (2023, September 18). The 10 Best Trips for Seniors and Retirees Who Love to Travel. Reader’s Digest; Reader’s Digest. https://www.rd.com/list/trips-for-seniors/

Lane, L. (2023, June 30). Best (And Worst) Destinations For Senior Travel According To New Data. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2023/06/30/best-and-worst-destinations-for-senior-travel-according-to-new-data/?sh=6744631567b4

Ok, boomers, Gen X’ers: Where are they now in their property journeys? (n.d.). https://www.asiarealestatesummit.com/ok-boomers-gen-xers-where-are-they-now-in-their-property-journeys/

Our values. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/why-go-with-us/values/

Road Scholar At Home. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/rs-at-home/#as-featured-on-bbccom

Road Scholar | Life-Long Learning Program | Senior Travel | 50 Plus | Adventure Travel | Travel Tours. (n.d.). https://www.programsforelderly.com/seniordiscounts-road-scholar.php

Road Scholar. (2024, January 23). Grandfolk. https://grandfolk.com/service/vacation-tours/road-scholar/

Sarkis, C. (2024, February 24). The Scoop: What to Know About Road Scholar. Tour Scoop. https://tourscoop.com/road-scholar-review/

Senior Tourism. (n.d.). https://www.acsedu.co.uk/info/hospitality-and-tourism/tourism/senior-tourism.aspx

Small Group Travel for Seniors. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/collections/micro-groups/

Solo Travel Tips | Road Scholar. (n.d.). Road Scholar. https://www.roadscholar.org/travel-tips/solo-travel/

Steeves, K., & Steeves, K. (2022, April 28). Why You Should Target the Senior Tourism Market. Checkfront. https://www.checkfront.com/blog/senior-tourism-trends/

Top 10 Senior Travel Destinations Voted By Seniors. (2023, April 21). https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-senior-travel-destinations-voted-seniors-seniorworld/

Travel Groups for Seniors: Groups for Women, Singles, AARP, Adventure. (n.d.). https://www.seniortravelcentral.com/travel-groups-for-seniors.html

T. (2023, January 18). Group Travel Specialists for Small & Large Groups - PT Travel. PT Travel. https://www.picturethistravel.com/group-travel/