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14 Best Senior-friendly Travel Groups

Joining a tour can take the guesswork out of planning, making adventures safer, more affordable, and fun.

Whether you’re ready to take the trip of a lifetime after retirement or just want to make new friends on a relaxed walking vacation, there are many reasons to book with a specialist travel company. Senior-friendly travel groups take the time-consuming research and guesswork out of planning, especially if you want to go to multiple destinations or experience a place from a local perspective. Group travel is safer for mature adventurers, and options are often categorized by activity level, so you can be sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew. There are also trips specially designed for singles.

These travel companies offer a range of tours for every budget and mode of transportation, from bikes to cruises. Some are specifically aimed at seniors, while others feature experiences that are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of travelers.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Road Scholar emphasizes the value of "lifelong learning" with affordable, educational journeys.
• Choose an "easygoing" Dolce Tempo walking tour or a more challenging adventure with Backroads.
• With expertise in more than 100 destinations worldwide, Kensington Tours can craft the perfect itinerary for your group.
• Senior Cycling offers intermediate and advanced bike tours for active over-50s, which are always accompanied by a "sag wagon."
• Despite the name, the AARP-approved Grand European Travel extends beyond the continent with a wide range of destinations, budget options, and modes of transportation.

Road Scholar

Originally launched as Elderhostel in 1975, this nonprofit organization rebranded in 2010 as Road Scholar , recognizing the values and interests of "lifelong learners" who have participated in their lectures, tours, field trips, and immersive educational experiences over the years. Participants are typically over the age of 50 and ready to learn from travel or focus on a specific subject. Trip themes such as grandparent adventures (special types of trips you can take with your grandchild), cruises, urban exploration, art and history, historical sites, and academic topics can be browsed by destination, activity level, and interest to help clients select their ideal itinerary.

Seniors interested in active vacations should check out Backroads , based out of Berkeley, California. Tours typically include participants in a variety of age groups, with an average age of 55. The company offers guided biking, walking, and "multi-adventure" tours to destinations across the globe, including Antarctica. There are women-only trips and options for families traveling with "teens and kids," "older teens and 20s," and those in their "20s and beyond." The company's Dolce Tempo tours offer a more relaxed pace, and include an Easygoing E-bike Tour in California wine country and Easygoing Multi-adventure Tour in New Zealand.

Kensington Tours

If you're looking to create a fully customized, privately guided trip based on your group's specific needs and travel preferences, look no further than Kensington Tours . Their expertise in more than 100 destinations worldwide makes planning easy, whether the goal is a culturally immersive experience, enjoying fine wine and dining, discovering the history of a place, or relaxation. While these arrangements are ideal for mature travelers who appreciate ease and luxury, the company also provides family trips to countries like Thailand, Japan, Iceland, and South Africa that come with private vehicles, local guides, and kid-friendly dining options.

Senior Cycling

Specializing in bicycle tours for active adults ages 50 and up, Senior Cycling typically limits groups to 13 participants. And they are always accompanied by the "sag wagon" in case someone needs a break from riding. Trips are rated at two levels: intermediate (for the occasional rider who prefers bike paths and flat terrain for 20–35 miles per day) and advanced (for those who are at ease with up to 50 miles per day, hills, and traffic). Custom tours can also be arranged for families or groups of friends.

Grand European Travel

Grand European Travel is an AARP-preferred travel provider (check the website for members-only discounts) that promotes itself as a one-stop shop to help clients plan their desired travel experiences. The company is part of The Travel Corporation , which represents more than 40 brands, including the likes of Trafalgar and Insight Tours. Despite the name, offerings extend far beyond the continent and range from budget to luxury getaways, and everything from cruises to land tours. The company also creates itineraries specifically for women over 55 so solo travelers can feel secure in far-flung destinations (or those closer to home).

Walking the World

Operating out of Grand Junction, Colorado, Walking the World offers walking and hiking tours mainly for travelers over the age of 50 who want to be immersed in the destinations they choose. Experienced hikers will enjoy its Rocky Mountain National Park tour , for example, with treks of up to 10 miles on some days during the eight-day itinerary. Meanwhile, the Ireland trip covers 11 days of exploring fishing villages, rolling green hills, the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney National Park. Daily walks range from five to eight miles and are described as easy to moderate.

Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

Adventures Abroad

While Adventures Abroad largely caters to travelers over 50, tours are open to adults of all ages, and operate on every continent except for Antarctica. The company's "soft adventure" trips, which focus on the culture and history of a destination, don't include strenuous activities, though a reasonable degree of fitness and the ability to walk are required. Trips are rated from one to three based on physical activity, with the first level featuring only leisurely walks and level two meaning more time on your feet each day. Level-three trips might include walks or hikes on uneven ground for three to seven hours, though at a leisurely pace. Specific trips are suggested for each activity level for easy planning.

An adventure travel company designed for people ages 50 and over, ElderTreks offers small-group adventures — think wildlife safaris, hiking trips, cultural journeys, and other unique expeditions — in more than 100 countries. The tours are rated by activity level, ranging from one to five. At level one, travelers should be able to walk for one to two hours, whereas at level five, they'll need to be capable of hiking for more than five hours.

Firebird Tours

Firebird Tours offers small group trips to destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that deliver value, comfort, and quality. Themes for guided tours include gastronomy, history, architecture, and the northern lights , as well as theater and opera. Seniors might want to check out a sightseeing highlights tour of Italy , or a two-week rail journey across Scandinavia with guided tours in cities like Copenhagen and Stockholm and an overnight in a scenic Norwegian fjord town.

Overseas Adventure Travel

With a variety of trips available to destinations on every continent, Overseas Adventure Travel makes a great choice if you're interested in seeing the world via small-ship cruises. In addition to guided land tours for groups of eight to 16, OAT offers sailings through the Norwegian fjords, along West Africa's coast, and throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. Mature travelers are often attracted to the flexibility of the trips and the ability to personalize activities. Recognizing that many of its customers travel alone (half are solo women), O.A.T. has created getaways with single travelers in mind, whether they're first-timers or experienced adventurers.

EF Go Ahead Tours

Operating out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, EF Go Ahead Tours offers a selection of small group tours for 10 to 22 guests. The senior-friendly trips focus on interests such as food and wine, adventure, and safaris, as well as specific destinations and seasonal events (think Oktoberfest in Germany, holiday markets in Europe , or St. Patrick's Day in Ireland). Looking for travel groups geared toward singles? The company's solo tours provide private rooms, social events, and personalized experiences like yoga and cooking classes. Clients can also gather their own group and take advantage of the services of EF's professional coordinators.

Intrepid Travel

A leading adventure tour operator known for its efforts to make travel accessible to all, Intrepid Travel offers a good mix of bespoke and ready-made options, from walking tours in U.S. national parks to Galápagos Islands cruises . Seniors might want to check out the Premium or Comfort trips, which offer more upscale accommodations and private transportation. Each trip is given a physical rating between one and five to help you determine its strenuousness, and consultants can help travelers with disabilities choose the perfect itinerary.

YMT Vacations

In business since 1967, YMT Vacations designs all-inclusive trips with mature travelers in mind. Prices cover hotel accommodations, guided sightseeing tours, baggage handling, and the expertise of tour directors and driver guides. Destinations are scattered around the world, with a particularly wide choice in the U.S. and Europe, including a variety of cruise options. The company also arranges travel for popular events such as the Rose Parade in California.

Country Walkers

Country Walkers aims to introduce travelers to new landscapes and cultures around the world by traveling on foot. Established in 1979, the Vermont-based operator offers walking tours in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. Tour types include guided (in a small group of up to 18) and self-guided (in a private group of up to 12), providing a great option for independent exploration. Travelers can choose from five levels, starting at "easy walking," which includes a daily distance of two to six miles for up to four hours per day. "Moderate walking," the mid-range option, typically entails four to 10 miles and up to six hours of walking per day. Trips at the "challenging walking" level might go up to seven hours a day on foot, covering anywhere from six to 14 miles. Guests of all ages should be able to find a destination and tour that's best suited for their interests and fitness level.

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With tours around the world and experiences that are hard to replicate as an independent traveler, senior-friendly tour companies are a great vacation option for anyone over the age of 50. The best senior travel tour companies offer a wide range of formats to fit the varied needs, preferences, and interests of older travelers, too. And if you’re a senior who’s traveling solo, some of these tour companies also offer discounts so you don’t have to pay full price for a double room.

2024’s Best Senior Travel Tour Companies

The best tour companies for seniors stand out for a variety of reasons. They all have robust plans and protocols in place for such things as cancellations, changes, and other unforeseen circumstances; are very clear about the psychical requirements for each tour; and offer seniors tours to meet the interests all kinds of older travelers. Most also offer flight reservations and optional travel insurance. Here are the highest-rated and most trusted senior travel tour companies in the world.

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1. Trafalgar Tours

One of the oldest and most respected names in group travel, Trafalgar Tours has logged more than 75 years in the travel business and offers a wide variety of destinations and travel styles: guided tours, river cruising, next-gen and family tours , luxury and customized private tours, and safari and adventure travel.

Trafalgar’s “Be My Guest” experiences allow you to visit and dine with local families in homes, farms, and restaurants. “Mini-stays” of three to five days appeal to the busy traveler or to those who want an “add-on” to a longer tour or stay. “At Leisure” trips have a relaxed pace, longer stays at each accommodation, and later starts in the mornings.

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Because Trafalgar’s customer base is international, tour participants are likely to be English-speaking citizens of a variety of countries—a plus for North Americans who would enjoy traveling with people from all over the globe. A travel director accompanies each tour group and coordinates with local tour guides at each destination. Many of the travel directors have five years’ experience or more.

Trafalgar has a “Very Important Traveler” program that offers 5% savings on selected trips. For solo travelers, the cost of a single supplement depends on the trip. Optional experiences on each tour cost extra but also offer the flexibility to create your own custom tour: You may opt out of the activity and choose to do something else—or just relax.

THE SCOOP: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours Before You Book

Trafalgar is the anchor brand of The Travel Corporation (TTC), which comprises 42 travel brands, including tour operations that specialize in different destinations, age groups, price range, and travel styles. For example, the CostSaver brand is very inexpensive, while  Insight Vacations  is a premium tour company, and  Luxury Gold  is TTC’s high-end tour company.

Quick Facts about Senior Tours with Trafalgar

• Average group size: 22 to 29 people on small group tours; 40 to 50 on classic tours.
• Price range: Moderately inexpensive but “optional experiences” are not included and can be expensive.
• What’s included: All accommodations, meals as stated in itinerary, and most tips.
• What’s not included: Optional excursions, some meals and tips.
• Primary audience: Travelers from around the world; 60% of clients are ages 50 to 71.
• Destinations: 303 trips in 72 countries across six continents.
• How to book: Directly through Trafalgar ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar , all which are tour specialist online travel agents (OTAs) that offer hundreds of Trafalgar trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

2. Tauck Tours

Tauck Tours offers deluxe and highly inclusive tours to more than 100 destinations on all seven continents. With nearly 100 years in the tour business, Tauck prides itself on quality and on the experience of its Tour Directors, who come from 40 countries and average 10 years of experience. The hotels it selects are always excellent and well-located.

Tauck aims to appeal to people of all ages by offering land journeys, European river cruises, small ship ocean cruises, and multi-generational “Tauck Bridges” family travel. Each tour has ratings for activity level and pace (rated one through four), but, like many tour companies, Tauck warns that travelers with mobility issues must bring their own assistance.

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Seniors who prefer to have the majority of their experience planned for them will appreciate the full itineraries and the many included meals in fine hotels and restaurants. With individual excursions included rather than optional, Tauck travelers are encouraged to try experiences (e.g., a raft trip or a helicopter ride) they might not otherwise have considered.

Tauck promises to “manage the unexpected—big and small,” with its Global Response Team, a comprehensive support system that takes care of all details, including such exigencies as accidents and quarantines.  The company has a frequent traveler savings program and offers some savings for solo travelers on selected journeys.

Quick Facts about Senior Travel Tours with Tauck Tours

• Average group size: 35 to 44 people for land trips; 24 for small group journeys; river boat and small ship group sizes depend on size of ship but shore excursions are in smaller groups.
• Price range: Upscale/Premium with many inclusions.
• What’s included: All accommodations (generally upscale), tips, most meals, luggage handling, airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, entertainment, local excursions and visits, any taxes or surcharges.
• What’s not included: Tips for Tour Director (and bus driver, where applicable), some meals (usually lunch).
• Primary audience: “People of all ages,” but the company caters to seniors.
• Destinations: More than 70 countries on seven continents (with land journeys on six); river cruises in Europe.
• How to book: Directly through Tauck ; via Travelstride , a tour specialist OTA that offers hundreds of Tauck trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

3. Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT)

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), part of the Grand Circle Corporation since 1978, focuses on active travelers over 50 who are looking for hands-on experiences in destinations around the world. The seniors-only company prides itself in taking travelers off the beaten track with immersive “Day in the Life” experiences such as shopping at local markets, visiting children at school, and taking part in home-hosted meals. OAT opts for accommodations that offer authentic local experiences—think smaller family-run hotels, paradores , and hotels close to city centers.

Both land and small-ship tours for seniors are available. Most trips last two weeks or more, with optional pre- and post-trip extensions, appealing to retirees and working people who have saved vacation time as well as travel funds. The physical requirements of each tour are described in detail, with an activity level rating system of one (easy) to five (strenuous). Each itinerary outlines the included meals and local tours; optional tours require an additional fee, but the itineraries also recommend many free or inexpensive options for your free time.

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OAT has made itself a leader in solo travel: More than a quarter of its senior citizen clients are solo travelers, and of those, 85% are women. Roughly 92% of its single spaces are free of any singles surcharge, others are heavily discounted, and the company also offers a roommate matching program. In 2019, OAT began offering some women-only departures.

While not a cut-rate tour company, OAT works hard to provide senior tours at low per diems—giving you more for your travel dollar. The Travel Channel recognized it as a top provider for budget-conscious travelers, and the Grand Circle Foundation received a Global Vision award for leadership in tourism and philanthropy.

Quick Facts about Over-50 Tours with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT)

• Average group size: Small-group land tours have no more than 16 travelers; small-ship adventures have no more than 25 participants.
• Price range: Moderate.
• What’s included: All accommodations (comfortable hotels), most meals, daily cultural activities, some tips, and airport transfers.
• What’s not included: Some optional tours, meals, and tips.
• Primary audience: “Curious lifelong learners” age 50+.
• Destinations: 76 countries on six continents; no tours in North America
• How to book: Directly through OAT

4. Road Scholar

Road Scholar is a senior travel tour company that emphasizes lifelong learning and educational travel for older travelers. Founded in 1975 as the nonprofit Elderhostel, the organization changed its name in 2010 and now provides study tours throughout the U.S., Canada, and in more than 100 other countries. All of its senior-focused tours include guidance and lectures by Road Scholar faculty who are experts on topics relevant to the destination. Lodgings are always comfortable and “sometimes even iconic.”

Road Scholar programs include theme-based travel (such as arts, philosophy and religion, and nature studies), outdoor adventures, service learning trips, adventures afloat, intergenerational tours, and independent city discoveries. The “Choose Your Pace” feature allows you to choose among multiple options of tour length, challenge, and pace. Extended-stay programs range from eight days in Florence to 45 days in southern Spain.

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Activity levels for tours range from “easy-going” to “outdoor: challenging,” with the physical demands of each tour described in its itinerary. An “easy” tour might cover a week of Chautauqua lectures in New York, while a “challenging” tour might include hiking and kayaking in Alaska.

Nearly 25% of Road Scholars are traveling solo; the senior tour company offers some discounts on single rooms, provides supportive advice to women traveling solo, and emphasizes “learning in the company of a small group of individual friends, rather than traveling with a collection of couples.”  Road Scholar travelers tend to be curious and open to new ideas and cultures. The travel company recently added a virtual Adventures Online series of in-depth lectures for those who wish to supplement an in-person journey or simply learn from home.

Quick Facts about Senior Travel Tours with Road Scholar

• Average group size: 13 to 24 people on “small group” tours; 12 or fewer on “micro group” tours; other group sizes vary by tour type and destination.
• Price range: Moderate to expensive, but with lots of included perks that other tour companies charge extra for.
• What’s included: All accommodations, most meals, tips, excursions, expert lectures (in addition to your tour director), and airport transfers if you book flights through Road Scholar.
• What’s not included: Porterage and airport transfers if you arrange your own flights.
• Primary audience: Lifelong learners over the age of 50.
• Destinations: Road Scholar’s senior tours cover all 50 U.S. states as well as 100 countries on all continents; the emphasis is on North America.
• How to Book: Directly through Road Scholar ; via Travelstride , a tour specialist OTA that offers more than 1,500 Road Scholar trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

5. Smithsonian Journeys

Like Road Scholar, Smithsonian Journeys is a group travel company for seniors that focuses on educational travel. It offers specialized land journeys, active outdoor journeys, small ship cruises, and cultural stays. At least one expert accompanies each tour or stay, providing lectures and local tours appropriate to the destination. Tours include culturally immersive experiences like visits to homes, meals with locals, and demonstrations of local crafts and cuisines. High-quality accommodations are included in the price and reflect the character of the local culture.

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Smithsonian also provides special interest tours for older travelers, including study at Oxford, cave art exploration, and observation of the total solar eclipse in 2024. Its Cultural Stays allow travelers to “unpack once” and spend from one to three weeks exploring and learning in and around a single destination.

A branch of the 175-year-old Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Journeys has operated tours for more than 50 years. Its wide range of travel options appeals to many age groups, but the average age of travelers with this company is 55+. (The typical age range on active tours is 45 to 70; on special interest tours, it’s 55 to 80.) Smithsonian’s five activity level ratings are somewhat more demanding than Road Scholar’s, ranging from “Easy” (easy walking and shorter travel days) to “Challenging” (e.g., climbing Kilimanjaro).

Quick Facts about Senior Tours with Smithsonian Journeys

• Average group size: 12 to 24 people for most land journeys; cruises from 36 people (river boat) to 264 (small ship cruise).
• Price range: Moderate to expensive, but with lots of included perks.
• What’s included: Excellent accommodations, most meals, most tips, excursions, experts and lectures, and airport transfers. Some itineraries also offer airfare-inclusive pricing
• What’s not included: Some meals and some tips.
• Primary audience: Travelers 45 to 80 years old who want to better understand the world.
• Destinations: 130 itineraries on seven continents (with an emphasis on Europe).
• How to Book: Directly through Smithsonian Journeys or through a travel agent such as AAA .

Established more than 90 years ago, Globus heads a family of travel brands that also includes Avalon Waterways (river tours) and Cosmos (budget tours). The company offers travel styles for a variety of fitness levels and interests, with an emphasis on freedom and flexibility that works especially well for seniors. It ranks among the best escorted tour companies for the 55+ age group because it recognizes that the one-size-fits-all mentality does not work for everyone, especially older travelers.

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Free time on every tour allows for “adventure a la carte.” A wide array of optional excursions and activities is offered on each itinerary: some are extra-cost activities provided by the company, while others are simply helpful suggestions for independent exploration. Globus provides tour directors and local guides from the region for every tour, as well as “skip the lines” access to sites, centrally located first-class hotels, opportunities to meet local families, and some “experiential dining” meals.

Globus tours come in many different formats. Globus Undiscovered tours take you off the beaten path where there are fewer crowds; this option is attractive to seasoned travelers who have already seen famous sights like the Tower of Pisa and the Mona Lisa. Escapes by Globus offers up to a 40% discount on tours taken between November and March. Choice Touring and Independence by Globus provide itineraries that allow you to choose excursions and have more “I-time” while the company provides lodging and the help of a tour director.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours for Older Travelers with Globus

• Average group size: 24 people (small-group discovery) to 36 people (average size of a coach tour).
• Price range: Inexpensive, but optional excursions cost extra.
• What’s included: All accommodations, some meals, airport transfers on published tour departure and return dates, and admission to sites included in tour.
• What’s not included: Optional experiences (may be $50 to $100 each), tips, and some meals.
• Primary audience: Adults who want a wide variety of travel options.
• Destinations: More than 50 countries on six continents.
• How to Book: Directly through Globus ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar , all which are tour specialist OTAs; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

7. Intrepid Travel

Founded in 1988 in Australia and now employee-owned, Intrepid Travel offers 1,100 escorted tours worldwide, with an average of 10 travelers per tour. The company focuses on small group active trips off the beaten track. Its tours often use public transportation and stay at locally owned accommodations.

Intrepid has an age-inclusive philosophy (“18 to 70”) and aims to provide tours for all interests and comfort levels. Tour styles include “ Basix ” for the budget travel crowd and “ Comfort ,” which tends to attract older travelers. The travel tour company also offers retreats and tours for women, solo travelers, and the 18-29 age group. Note that while Intrepid tours are active, its tours are “not a constant endurance test.” A general level of health and fitness is adequate for its trips.

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Examples of Intrepid tours include a winter journey to Iceland to view the Aurora Borealis, a hiking-cycling trip in Sri Lanka, snorkeling in Bali, kayaking in Alaska, and enjoying the Naadam Festival in Mongolia or Day of the Dead in Mexico. A “Comfort” trip to Jordan might include some moderate hiking to sites, floating in the Dead Sea, a stay in a desert camp, and snorkeling in the Red Sea. Intrepid also offers small ship adventure cruising to such places as the Galapagos Island, the Greek and Turkish Islands, Antarctica, and French Polynesia.  

Intrepid conducts safety assessments of all included and optional activities; experienced local leaders provide instruction and advice to travelers who are new to an activity or area. It also has an excellent record of corporate responsibility. Intrepid focuses on sustainable travel and has been carbon neutral since 2010.

Quick Facts about Guided Tours with Intrepid Travel

• Average group size: 10 people.
• Price range: Moderately inexpensive but extra cost for premium upgrades.
• What’s included: On general tours, you get accommodations, breakfasts, and local experiences. On premium tours, you can expect additions like breakfast and some other meals, tips, and airport and luggage transfer.
• What’s not included: See above.
• Primary audience: Active adult travelers of all ages.
• Destinations: More than 100 countries on seven continents, including polar regions and more South Pacific destinations than most other senior tour companies.
• How to Book: Directly through Intrepid ; via Travelstride , Tourhub , or TourRadar all which are tour specialist OTAs (online travel agents) that offer hundreds of Intrepid trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

8. Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises specializes in European river touring, but it also offers small ship ocean cruises and expedition voyages. The company is more than 25 years old and is among the most awarded river cruise lines worldwide. Viking owns and operates its own ships; it also owns some dock locations.

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Viking does not try to be all things to all people. There are no casinos on its river boats, for example, nor are children under 18 allowed. Viking also has a “no nickel and diming and no umbrella drinks” policy. However, you can expect outside rooms, onboard enrichment lectures, destination performances, onshore excursions in every port, introductions to local life and people, and an experienced staff. (In fact, 90% of the company’s river cruise staff returns each year.) Optional pre- and post-tour land extensions are offered.

With a philosophy that travel “should be a doorway to cultural insight and personal enrichment,” Viking could be regarded as a waterborne version of Road Scholar or Smithsonian Journeys. The company owns a learning channel (Viking TV) and provides recommended readings and other materials before you depart.

Quick Facts about Cruises for Seniors with Viking

• Passenger limit on river boats: 190 people  (up to 930 on ocean ships)
• Price range: Moderately expensive but inclusive.
• What’s included: Onboard accommodations, meals, shore excursions, entertainment, tips; and transfers with air purchase through Viking. Some tours also include free international airfare.
• What’s not included: Transfers and porterage for those not using Viking for air reservations, some tips.
• Primary audience: Adults, but primarily older adults.
• Destinations: Mostly Europe for river tours, also cruises on the Nile, Mississippi, and Mekong Rivers; expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Great Lakes; ocean cruises to various destinations.
• How to Book: Directly through Viking ; via CruiseCritic ; or through a travel agent such as AAA .

More Senior Travel Tour Company Options for Older Travelers

If you can’t see yourself in any of the senior tour styles I’ve mentioned above—or maybe you just want even more options—I have a few more recommendations.

1) Those who loved travel experiences in their student days and prefer an inexpensive tour may want to look at EF Go Ahead Tours .

2) Those who are physically fit and want active travel like cycling tours and walking tours with a mixed age group have many good options, including Backroads and Country Walkers , which can be a good fit for senior cycling and walking enthusiasts.

College graduates should check to see if their alumni association sponsors any tours: AHI , Odysseys Unlimited , and other companies work with these associations to provide excellent tours at good prices.

Finally, seniors planning a multigenerational family vacation or skip-gen trip with the grandkids should consider a company like Adventures by Disney , which is a hit with all ages.

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The Best Tour Groups for Seniors

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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Group tours can be a great way to explore the world and meet new people, and if you’re looking to make friends who are your own age, finding an operator that caters to your peers can be helpful. These are the five best group tour companies for seniors. 

Trafalgar caters to the over 55-70 crowd and does it well, with over 50,000 5-star reviews to vouch for customer happiness. 

In 2021, Trafalgar implemented a three-step COVID-19 travel protocol. These new measures add a dedicated Wellbeing Director to trips of 21 or more, increase distancing and hygiene protocols, and feature well-thought out incident response plans.

All of Trafalgar’s tours can be booked with just a $200 deposit, and can be cancelled within 30 days of booking for a full refund. Trips can also be changed up to 30 days before your trip without penalty. 

Tours are offered across all seven continents, and there are themed tours to suit almost any interest—including national park tours, religious tours, and battlefield tours.

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Road Scholar

Formerly known as Elderhostel, Road Scholar offers over 5,500 “learning adventures” across 150 countries that are targeted for travelers aged 50 and up. Tours are grouped by interest (like birding, art history, or opera), destination, and activity level.

Activity levels range from “easy going” to “let’s go” to help you pick the tour that will best suit your needs.

All of Road Scholar’s trips focus on learning and value. As a not-for-profit organization, Road Scholar promises that their tours save an average of 20 percent per night to comparable commercial trips. 

Senior Cycling

Looking to explore by bike with your fellow seniors? Senior Cycling , whose motto is “fun folks on spokes” specializes in bicycle tours for seniors and active adults, defined by the company as “50 years of age or better.”

These small group tours around the United States and Canada are limited to just 13 participants, and include options for easy, intermediate, and advanced rides. Regular bikes or class one “pedal assist only” eBikes are permitted on the trips.

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Insight Vacations

Prefer to travel at your own pace? Insight Vacations offers “Easy Pace” group tours that feature 3-night minimum stays at each hotel, plenty of free time, and “relaxed starts” in the morning. 

Or, go the opposite direction with one of Insight Vacations’ Discovery Journeys , which showcase multiple countries in one itinerary—think: Italy, Paris, and Switzerland in nine days. 

Trips are easily sorted by activity levels (which range from “leisurely” to “dynamic”) to help you find the one that’s best for you.

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Luxury Gold

Luxury Gold’s tours live up to the company’s name, offering five-star accommodations, unique VIP Experiences (like an after-hours visit to the Temple of Luxor), and fine dining experiences at a Michelin star restaurant or equivalent. The average travelers on their tours are aged between 45-80.

Group sizes are limited to 28 guests on most trips, but small group departures of just 15 guests are also available. Or, if you already have your own group, Luxury Gold can make your own private group tour tailored to your interests. 

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Join us at Adventures Abroad for senior travel tours that offer outstanding value in small-group packages, spanning over 120 countries including Asia Travel , Africa Travel , Americas Travel , Middle East Travel , Europe Travel , Oceania Travel and beyond. While our tours have been a favourite for all manner of travellers for more than thirty years, they are thoughtfully designed to suit the needs and interests of senior adventurers.

Our tours feature over 350 unique itineraries, expertly blending top sightseeing spots with hidden gems. These tours are especially considerate of the preferences of travellers over 50, offering a balanced combination of adventure and relaxation. Adventures Abroad's signature tours are ideal for seniors who enjoy exploring the world in the company of like-minded people.

We focus on creating culturally immersive experiences, perfect for seniors who wish to deeply engage with local communities, enjoy diverse culinary experiences, and truly understand the cultures they visit. Our itineraries are carefully graded for physical activity, allowing seniors to choose a tour that best fits their activity level and interests.

For active seniors, our series of Active Tours offers an ideal blend of city or nature explorations at a leisurely pace. These tours are designed for over 50s and provide detailed estimates of walking distances and times, offering a unique alternative to traditional tours.

For those seeking a more customized experience, our travel experts are on hand to create Custom Tours that meet your unique needs and interests, with a particular focus on senior travellers.

Adventures Abroad tours, ranging from 7 to 45 days, are particularly suited for travellers aged 50 and above. These "soft adventure" trips focus on cultural, historical, and natural aspects of destinations. Our flexible tour modules allow seniors to select the duration that best fits their schedule, from short stays to extended adventures.

Unlike typical large bus tours, our groups are limited to 18 participants, ensuring a more intimate and interactive experience. This small-group setting enhances learning and social interaction, and ensures every question is heard and answered by the guide.

With over three decades of expertise, Adventures Abroad is a leader in senior tours . We meticulously plan each itinerary and oversee every aspect of the tour. Our tours are regularly updated to include new attractions and exclude those that no longer shine.

Our commitment to a no-shopping policy ensures that our tours focus exclusively on educational experiences, aligning with the preferences of travellers who prioritize learning and cultural engagement over shopping.

Explore the world with Adventures Abroad's senior tours , where every journey is an adventure crafted to suit the experienced traveller, promising new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

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13 Best Senior-Friendly Travel Groups

Did you know that according to AARP’s 2022 Travel Trends report , 66% of people aged 70 and older anticipated traveling that calendar year? Now, in 2023, we reckon those statistics haven’t changed! If you’re an older adult who’s part of the 66% percent, we’ve got good news for you. Many travel companies exist specifically to meet the needs and budgets of seniors. So, if you’re been bitten by the travel bug, you’re in the right place. Here are 13 of the best senior-friendly travel groups!

Adventures Abroad

Named “One of the Best Adventure Travel Companies” by National Geographic and “One of the Best Senior-Friendly Travel Companies” by Travel+ Leisure, Adventures Aboard can accommodate adventurers of all ages. Whether you want to explore the Australian Outback or see cherry blossoms in Japan, this company can make all your travel wishes come true! Groups are smaller and close-knit, making for a more personalized travel experience. Tours range from Level 1 to Level 3, so you can enjoy a fabulous vacation, regardless of your fitness level!

Berkeley-based Backroads is perfect for grandparents who want to give their grandchildren the gift of travel. This family-oriented company specializes in designing trips that the whole family can enjoy. From biking across Europe to snowshoeing through the snow-covered Canadian Rockies, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had or memories to be made!

Country Walkers

Featured in the New York Times, Forbes, and Outside, Country Walkers offers both guided and self-guided tours across a wide range of destinations in North America. All you need are your walking shoes and a sense of adventure. You can enjoy luxurious accommodations and exceptional cuisine that will fuel your walk from town to town. Plus, if you have a group of fifteen or more travel buddies, Country Walkers will issue a $100 check for every guest with you. No wonder it made National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” list!

EF Go Ahead Tours

With over 200 immersive tours across more than 80 countries, EF Go Ahead Tours has something for every travel enthusiast. Travel alone or in a group of like-minded individuals. Enjoy a safari adventure or a tour of our very own national parks. So, if you want a one-of-a-kind, personalized travel experience, then head on over to EF Go Ahead Tours and let the professionals handle the rest.

Designed exclusively for the 50 and over crowd, Eldertreks is ready to help you check off all the items on your travel wishlist. They offer all-inclusive land and sea packages and ClubTrek, a loyalty program that begins the moment you book your first trip.

 Firebird Tours 

This award-winning, BBB-accredited company is known for its amazing private tours to some of the world’s most incredible destinations. With over 40,000 trips under its belt, Firebird Tours knows a thing or two about the travel business. So, whether you want to explore the vineyards of Tuscany or roam the unforgettable Scottish Highlands, this company can make it happen!

Grand European Travel

As an AARP-preferred travel provider, Grand European Travel is an excellent choice for any senior with incurable wanderlust. Whether your perfect vacation is a European adventure with the grandkids or a luxurious cruise with people of all ages, Grand European Travel will take all the stress out of planning. They handle every aspect of travel, from booking flights to securing travel insurance and everything in between. All you need to do is pack your suitcases and get ready to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Intrepid Travel

Named one of TIME Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential Companies”, you can travel with confidence when you choose Intrepid Travel. They tailor travel experiences to each individual, making it a wonderful choice for any older adult. Destinations sprawl across all the continents, including Antarctica!

Kensington Tours

Kensington Tours boasts its very own app, with 24/7 support and live updates that will help you travel with the peace of mind you deserve. Choose from over 100 destinations, from Germany to The Bahamas. They even offer Personal Heritage journeys, created in partnership with Ancestory.com, that are perfect for anyone seeking to get in touch with their roots. With amazing offerings like that, it’s no surprise that Kensington Tours made Travel Leisure+’s 2023 “A-List.”

Overseas Adventure Travel

With Overseas Adventure Travel, you get to set the rules, from the size of your travel group to your destination and more. Not into traveling in packs? No problem! Overseas Adventure Travel has adventures for lone wolves, too. They even have special tour groups just for female travelers!

Road Scholar

If you’re a lifelong learner, then you’ll love Road Scholar. Since 1975, they’ve been catering to the 50-plus crowd. When you book with Road Scholar, you’re getting more than just a vacation. You’ll get an immersive, educational experience that will allow you to go home with the best souvenir of all—knowledge. Additionally, they offer low prices with great value, thanks to donations from their supporters.

Senior Cycling

Senior Cycling is perfect for active seniors who love being on the go! Of course, even cycling novices can enjoy themselves, as all tours are self-paced. So, if you’ve ever wanted to see Niagra Falls in person or pedal your way to Cape Cod, now’s your chance! Senior Cycling can even design your own, one-of-a-kind bike tour, ideal for families and friends.

 Walking the World

If you’re a hiking enthusiast, then Walking the World might have the perfect guided tour for you! They, too, cater to the 50 and over crowd. Since 1987, they’ve been planning one-of-a-kind walking tours across Europe, America, and South America. Of course, safety is the top priority, so you can rest assured you’ll always be in expert hands.

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Originally published June 17, 2024

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What Is the Best Travel Company for Seniors? These 9 Tour Companies Are Perfect for You

These tour companies for seniors go the extra mile with special offers and amenities on trips for travelers 50 and over..

For many travelers, turning 50 is a sign you’re in your travel prime. By your sixth decade you’ve learned a lot about how to make the best use of vacation time, so it’s no accident that older and wiser travelers tend toward senior travel tours. Tours for seniors offer the chance to leave the driving to someone else, not sweat the details, and be freed up to really enjoy a destination. 

It’s a tour-industry truth that most guests skew older, and most tour companies do a good job meeting the needs of travelers in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s. But there are a few tour companies for seniors that truly go above and beyond. And while age is just one of the many factors that defines your travel style, it’s still nice to know you’re traveling with a company that puts in the extra effort to make their trips for seniors really work for everyone on the tour. 

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Here are the travel tour companies for seniors that shine especially bright when it comes to the offerings, amenities and details that serve older travelers.

1. Road Scholar

The tour company Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) is a great fit for curiosity-driven lifelong learners over 50. Its strong educational focus (it attracts a lot of retired educators) fuels its tours to more than 100 countries. Most Road Scholar guests fall in the 50s to 90s range, with an average traveler age of 72. 

As you’re browsing tours, you’ll see a big “activity level” bar that shows how physically demanding an itinerary is. On the least physically demanding side are “Easy Going” trips that maximize learning but minimize walking and stairs. The most physically active trips can include public transit, lots of walking, and uneven surfaces. There are also some “Choose Your Pace” trips where you can opt in or out of the more physically rigorous activities. 

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Road Scholar is a great choice for grandparents looking to travel with grandkids on a “ skip-gen vacations ” (grandparent-grandchild vacations that “skip” the generation in-between). Its Grandparent Programs are designed for grandparents traveling with grandchildren, and include tours of Yellowstone, Paris, and the Galapagos. And if your adult kids don’t want to be left out of the fun, include them too on a “ three generation ” tour. 

More details about Road Scholar:

• Average group size: Regular tour groups range from 13 to 24 guests; micro group trips are 12 people or fewer
• Popular with: Lifelong learners over the age of 50

With nearly a century of experience under its belt, Globus has the wisdom of age. It’s a trusted guided tour specialist that ranks among the best travel tour companies for seniors by understanding that a one-size-fits-all tour doesn’t work for everyone. And by offering both a wide range of tours and the ability to customize your experiences, Globus ups the chance travelers can find the tour that’s a just-right fit. 

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Globus does this by offering a range of tour types, many of them ideal for senior travel groups. There are itineraries that focus on those can’t-miss tourist attractions for first-time visitors, Undiscovered tours with more off-the-beaten-path attractions and experiences, and Choice Touring itineraries that provide guests with a selection of activity choices at destinations. Globus’ sister brand, Avalon Waterways , is another option to consider, since its small ship river cruises feel a bit like a tour where you only have to unpack once.

More details about Globus:

• Average group size: Coach tours average 36 people while small-group tours have around 24 people
• Popular with: Older adults seeking a wide variety of experience options

3. Intrepid Travel

With its active-tour focus, it would be easy to mistake Intrepid Travel for a tour company geared only toward younger people. But the company’s North America Managing Director Matt Berna says the company is committed to being age-inclusive: “Life is an adventure at any age and it’s highly likely you’ll find people of similar age and interest sharing—and enjoying—the trip right alongside you.”

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In fact, Intrepid reports that its senior travelers (people who fall into the 50+ age category) are among the most interested in travel experiences like walking and trekking tours, cycling trips , and multi-activity adventures in national parks and other areas of great natural beauty. 

And while these are definitely trips where you need to be in pretty good shape (Berna recommends “a general level of health and fitness”), Intrepid works hard to create itineraries that are about enjoyment over endurance. 

More details about Intrepid Travel:

• Average group size: Most trips average about 10 people
• Popular with: Active travelers of any age looking for interesting trips

4. Trafalgar

Trafalgar isn’t just one of the tour industry’s largest and most trusted brands , it’s also an expert in travel tours for seniors, with well over half of its guests falling in that 50-to-71-year-old sweet spot for travel. 

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Trafalgar works with its travel directors and local specialists to create tours with a mix of novelty and comfort. You’re likely to see both famous sights and have unique experiences you couldn’t recreate on your own on a Trafalgar tour. 

And while it’s not only senior travelers who want to stay well on vacation, travel health is a big concern for older adventurers. Recognizing that, Trafalgar has the tour industry’s first Wellbeing Directors , who focus on making sure all Trafalgar’s partners are following proper health protocols and overseeing all health-related questions from guests. 

More details about Trafalgar:

• Average group size: Classic coach tours average 40 to 50 guests, while small-group tours are generally in the 22-29 range.
• Popular with: Senior travelers looking for a mix of familiarity and novelty

5. Smithsonian Journeys

Tour operator Smithsonian Journeys gives seniors the perfect way to go deep on a destination. might be the perfect fit. Travelers of all ages like the company’s Classic Land Journeys that mix iconic and less-known attractions and its Active Journeys that focus on adventurous itineraries in nature. But for seniors who have the time to slow down and settle in to soak up local life, there’s no beating Smithsonian Journeys’ Living In programs. 

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These three-week stays in Europe (Florence, Italy; France’s Provence region, and Andalusia in Spain) give travelers the chance to live like locals, but also build in tour perks like planning experts, tour directors, and organized learning opportunities. And in keeping with the mission of the company, education is at the heart of everything, which gives travelers the opportunity to not just experience the world but to also understand it more deeply.

More details about Smithsonian Journeys:

• Average group size: Most land-based tours with Smithsonian Journeys have between 12 and 24 guests
• Popular with: Curious travelers (mostly between the ages of 45 and 80) who want to learn more about the world

6. Adventures by Disney

Though it has adult-only departures that welcome seniors, the real magic of Adventures by Disney is how perfect it is for multi-generational vacations. These upscale-leaning tours to destinations around the world create experiences that hit on different levels simultaneously, which means that kids, parents, and grandparents can all share special vacation moments without one generation feeling like they’re just playing along. 

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Before my first Adventures by Disney tour, I was worried that the Disney part would eclipse the destination focus. But it turns out that the main Disney element on the tours is the incredible storytelling, the true stories of a place’s history and culture. 

Older travelers will appreciate the luxury hotels, the comfortable transportation options, and the Tour Leaders who work hard to meet the needs of each individual traveler. Built into each tour is the chance for the adults and the kids to enjoy different activities sometimes. For instance, on a Peru tour I was on, adults had dinner on their own while kids enjoyed dinner and a movie with the Tour Leaders. 

More details about Adventures by Disney:

• Average guided tour group size: 35 to 44 guests
• Popular with: Multi-generational groups

7. Backroads

Building and maintaining muscle is an important part of aging well, and there are plenty of travelers who are stronger than ever (even if there are a few more aches and pains) in their 50s and 60s. So it makes perfect sense that guided tour specialist Backroads —which specializes in cycling , hiking , and multi-sport vacations—knows that a love of athletic pursuits is a lifelong passion for many. The active tour company has trips that range from active to easygoing, with a lot of flexibility built in to make them especially appropriate as senior travel tours.

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Backroads even has options for couples or traveling companions in which one partner is sportier than the other. On many of its cycling tours, the company includes an e-bike option so that groups with mixed abilities can ride together. Most departures include two support vehicles, so guests can bike as much or as little as they want each day. Backroads’ Dolce Tempo trips are also geared to be more easygoing tours for seniors, but still offer plenty of fun and adventure along the way.

More details about Backroads:

• Average group size: Hiking and walking trips tend to average 16 guests
• Popular with: Active travelers looking to see the world beyond the confines of a coach 

8. Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)

True to its name, Overseas Adventure Travel (often just called O.A.T.), supports older adventurers. Focused mostly on travelers 50 and older, the company has a variety of trip types, but two things in particular make it particularly great for senior travelers. The first is that it recognizes that retired travelers tend to have the flexibility for longer trips, so many of O.A.T’s adventures are two weeks or longer. A number of them also include optional pre-trip and post-trip extensions to extend trips even longer.

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The second standout feature is the way O.A.T. caters to solo travelers, who can take advantage of the company’s free and heavily discounted single supplements on trips. Most spots for solo travelers on O.A.T.’s tours are offered without a single supplement fee. Bonus: O.A.T.’s Activity Level rating system makes it easier to understand the demands of a trip and match energy level and accessibility needs with specific itineraries.  

More details about Overseas Adventure Travel:

• Average group size: Small-group tours average about 13 people
• Popular with: Curious lifelong learners, many of whom are 50 or older

9. Odysseys Unlimited

Odysseys Unlimited has a great reputation for tours that cater to the needs of senior travelers, but that’s only part of the reason the tour operator is on this list. I like this small-group tour operator because it’s the go-to partner for more than 100 alumni associations and other organizations that offer tours to members. If you get alumni association tour brochures from your alma mater, you may already know the brand. But what you may not know is that you don’t have to go through an alumni group; you can also book with the company directly. 

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The company’s small-group focus keeps tour group sizes down to 12 to 24 guests, which the company says allows groups to be flexible, efficient, and spontaneous. It builds in time for independent exploration, which can be particularly appealing to tour guests who are used to traveling independently.

Most Odysseys Unlimited tour travelers are between the ages of 50 and 80, and guests must be able to get on and off buses and be up for a fair amount of walking (including uphill or on uneven terrain). 

More details about Odysseys Unlimited:

• Average guided tour group size: 12 to 24 people
• Popular with: Alumni association members and active older travelers

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From all-inclusive island destinations to beautiful towns off the beaten path, we’ll help you plan fun, memorable trips for groups aged 55+.

No matter what type of vacation you’re looking for, we’re here to make sure you have an amazing experience without a hitch – let us help plan a trip you’ll never forget!

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Planning a vacation can be difficult as-is, but planning travel for a whole group is even more challenging. When juggling multiple accommodation bookings, transportation schedules, flight prices, and more, everything becomes overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be!

At Key to the World Travel®, we take the hardest parts of planning off your plate so you can focus on the fun aspects of travel. We plan custom itineraries catered to the interests of your group while keeping you within your trip budget.

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9 Best Senior Travel Groups in 2023

Are you retired and looking for an epic travel adventure ?

If so, look no further.

We’ve got the best senior travel groups for you to join.

And we’ve done the research to compile a list of the nine best senior travel groups out there with highlights about each, so you can have the time of your life. 

Instead of going solo , look into these groups that offer amazing itineraries and plenty of opportunities for exploration. 

What are you waiting for? Start planning your next group vacation today.

#1 Adventures Abroad

Adventures Abroad offers small group tours specifically designed for senior travelers. Their tour options include destinations all over the world, from Europe and Asia to Africa and South America. 

Some of the features that make Adventures Abroad stand out are their experienced guides, comprehensive itineraries, and focus on cultural immersion. And if you’re not interested in their Active Tours, Adventures Abroad also offers customized tour packages for those who have specific interests or needs.

If you’re looking for an epic adventure abroad, this is definitely a senior travel group worth checking out.

#2 ElderTreks

ElderTreks tours are typically educational in nature, with an emphasis on history, culture, and natural wonders. And their tours are designed exclusively for travelers who are 50 and over.

If you’re looking for an educational and culturally enriching travel experience, ElderTreks is a great senior tour company to consider. Their small group sizes make it easy to meet new friends and bond with your fellow travelers, and their knowledgeable guides will ensure that you have a truly memorable experience. 

ElderTreks also offers a variety of trip lengths, from one-week vacations to longer expeditions, so you can find the perfect adventure for your schedule and interests.

#3 Firebird Tours

If you’re looking for a senior travel group that specializes in international tours, Firebird Tours is a great option. They offer a variety of tour options, including themes like local cuisine, opera, history, architecture, theater, and much more. 

Apart from organized senior travel tours, Firebird also can also create a custom tour just for you and your family or friends. What sets them apart is their expert guides who craft tours and journeys off the beaten path. 

No matter what type of tour you’re looking for, Firebird Tours is sure to have something that will suit your needs. 

#4 Overseas Adventure Travel

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) offers small group adventures specifically for senior travelers. With an average group size of just 13 and a focus on authentic cultural experiences, OAT is a great option for seniors looking to explore the world with like-minded individuals. 

This is another great option if you’re looking for an adventure that’s a little more off the beaten path, as OAT also offers a number of “expedition” style trips that take you to less-visited destinations, like Antarctica and Svalbard.

Best of all? You can personalize the activities you participate in on each trip, so you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

#5 ROW Adventures

ROW Adventures is a senior travel group that offers both international and domestic trip options, mainly in Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

They offer a variety of trip options for seniors, including river rafting, kayaking, and hiking. ROW Adventures is a great option for older adults who are looking for an active, outdoorsy vacation.

But one thing that makes ROW stand out is their focus on sustainable and eco-friendly travel. So, if you’re looking for an exciting way to see the world and enjoy the wilderness and the outdoors, while also making a difference, ROW Adventures should be at the top of your list of senior travel groups.

#6 Road Scholar

Road Scholar is a senior travel group unlike the others on our list. Why? They’re a non-profit organization that values learning above all else. 

Their trips are designed for lifelong learners in mind — those who want to learn about the world and explore new cultures. Road Scholar also offers a variety of trip lengths, so you can find one that fits your calendar and unique interests. 

Plus, their prices are very reasonable, making them a great option for budget-minded travelers .

#7 Senior Cycling

Do you enjoy feeling the wind in your hair as you zip down country roads? If so, then Senior Cycling may be the perfect travel group for you.

With Senior Cycling, you can explore some of the most beautiful scenery in the US while getting a great workout. The group offers three different tour difficulties – from easy to advanced. 

What’s more, senior cyclists love the fact that all of the equipment can be provided for them. That means no worrying about lugging a bike on an airplane. All you need to do is show up and have fun. 

If you’re an avid cyclist looking for an active adventure, consider Senior Cycling — it may be right up your alley.

#8 Vacations By Rail

For older adults looking to explore by train, Vacations By Rail is an ideal option. With senior discounts and group tour packages, this company makes it easy and affordable to see the travel by rail. 

Plus, with expert tips and itineraries, you can be sure you’re making the most of your trip. You can choose from a variety of tour types, such as cultural, scenic, historical, and more. And, if you’re a member of AARP , you’ll get a discount on your tour in the US and Canada.

What’s great about traveling by rail is that you can sit back and relax while enjoying the scenery. You’ll also have plenty of time to socialize with your fellow travelers while onboard your train ride. So, if you’re looking for an adventure that’s a little bit slower-paced, then this is the group for you.

#9 Walking the World

Walking the World is a senior travel group that, as the name suggests, specializes in walking tours. They offer tours to more than 30 destinations worldwide, so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you. 

Their experienced guides have been taking adventurers like you on unforgettable trips for more than 30 years now, so you can rest assured knowing you’re in good hands. 

What’s more, Walking the World is a senior-owned and operated company of fellow travelers that specializes in offering the best experience for older adults. They offer a variety of tours to suit all fitness levels, so regardless of your step count, everyone can join in on the fun.

Better in a Group

Traveling in a guided tour gives access to experienced guides who will show you the best sites and make sure your trip is unforgettable. 

What’s more, group travel is a great way to meet new friends and explore new destinations with people who share your interest in exploring the world. 

To recap the nine best senior travel groups:

• #1 Adventures Abroad — prepare for an epic adventure with a comprehensive itinerary
• #2 ElderTreks — the perfect opportunity to make friends and deepen knowledge about local cultures 
• #3 Firebird Tours — enjoy themed tours and forge connections with like-minded older adults
• #4 Overseas Adventure Travel — tour even the most remote places on earth
• #5 ROW Adventures — action-packed adventures for nature-lovers
• #6 Road Scholar — perfect for lifelong learners who always want to know more
• #7 Senior Cycling — best for active cyclists who enjoy exploring nature with their bike
• #8 Vacations By Rail — explore your desired destination by train and enjoy the leisurely trip
• #9 Walking the World — gentle and immersive trips for those who love walking 

Now that you know about some of the best senior travel groups out there, it’s time to start planning your next epic adventure . 

Whether you’re looking for a group that focuses on cultural experiences or one that loves to explore the great outdoors, there’s sure to be a group that’s perfect for you. 

Don’t wait any longer – get started on planning your dream trip.

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Travel Groups for Seniors

The Best Travel groups for seniors available to senior women, single seniors, the handicapped, various interests, hobbies, AARP members, cultural and educational preferences.

Travel groups are a great way for retirees or senior travelers to travel. 

Not to be confused with Travel Clubs , Clubs usually require membership and can be hosted by large companies or social groups such as religious organizations or senior citizen centers. 

The benefits of seniors traveling in groups are making new friends, simplifying planning, cheaper cost, finding new interests and safety in numbers.

Whatever your travel goals or health capacity, there are groups well-suited to your interests, activity level and needs.

Traveling in a group is an inviting way to travel for solo travelers who are senior citizens. 

Many groups offer an escorted tour that are small group tours with a tour guide or tour operators. In many cases, local guides are provided who know the area of a destination with an insight into the best attractions.

Group travel will pave the way for new experiences and making new friends with other travel companions. 

You can find groups near you by searching for “senior travel groups near me” in Google.

You can also find senior women groups specifically for older or retired women.

There are senior travel groups for singles and AARP travel groups.

If you are new to traveling or consider yourself to be a seasoned traveler,  there are good reasons to take group trips.

Social Benefits of Senior Travel Groups

It can definitely be more fun to travel with a group, especially a group of like-minded individuals. When a common interest is shared, there is more enjoyment to be had.

Finding topics to talk and laugh about will be second nature. Many lasting friendships have begun this way.

Types of Travel Groups for Seniors

The range of possibilities is enormous. There are travel clubs, groups tours, and freelance groups.

Perhaps you are looking for a simple day trip or a vacation lasting for months.

You might be a bird watcher, mushroom forager, hiker or someone who is looking to relax on the beaches of the Caribbean.

If you are a women looking for travel companions there are specific travel groups for women.

More Information on Travel Groups for Women .

Is a volunteer opportunity group your dream or has an African Safari always been on your bucket list? There is no lack of availability.

The types of travel are just as plentiful.

How do you prefer to travel?

"Travel With Benefits"! Walking Groups have so many benefits besides meeting new friends. The exercise from walking is so beneficial to our health, both mind and body!

More Information on   Walking Tours for Seniors .

Along with walking groups, there those such as biking, snowmobiling, skiing, plane, car, bus, boat and ship group trips.

NOTE: Travel Groups differ from Travel Clubs for Seniors in that clubs usually charge a fee to offset the resources provided by the club. 

More Information on   Travel Clubs for Seniors

Walking Groups

• Walking Adventures International - Walking Adventures International (WAI) is a family-owned travel planner and tour operator offering travel programs on all 7 continents. They have offered walking tours as the optimal way to connect with the world since 1989. WAI had its beginnings fifty years ago when George Friesen, a high school history and foreign language teacher, began organizing and directing tours to Europe. In 1989, he started basing all his tours on the winning combination of motorcoach sightseeing blended with two to four hour walks. This concept grew in popularity, and in 1992, his son Dan, current owner of WAI, joined George to help expand the WAI travel philosophy to new areas of the planet.
• Country Walkers - Country Walkers was launched in 1979 from an old barn in Vermont. Although they were small (and our office space rustic), their love for the beauty of the surrounding Green Mountains became contagious. Soon they expanded from local to international destinations, introducing travelers to new landscapes and cultures around the world on foot. Today, Country Walkers is recognized as one of the leading providers of walking adventures worldwide.
• Walking the World -  Walking the World started in 1987, designing and leading small group walking tours to more than 30 destinations worldwide. For more than 30 years now they’ve been guiding adventurous souls to those places you’ve always wanted to visit and experience first-hand. Their goal has been developing adventures for that incorporate active travel in the great outdoors, cultural immersion, and the sampling of some of the world’s best food and drink. 

More Information on Walking Tours for Seniors

Safari Groups - Wildlife Safaris

• Rothschild Safaris -  Rothschild Safaris has Travel Designers that personally travel to the destinations that they specialize in. They have tried out the various styles of accommodations, from the ultra-luxury to the more intimate, off the beaten track camps. They ensure the guides placed with travelers are the very best in the industry. They claim to have spent weeks driving, instead of flying, to test a particular route or to stay at an off the grid property. This, they say, is how they find those little gems that may not be listed in every glossy magazine that end up being a highlight for their travelers.
• Lights on Africa -  Lights on Africa Safaris provides safari adventure group trips to the National Parks, Game Reserves, Conservation Areas, Historical and Cultural sites

Adventure Groups

• Eldertreks - Has small group exotic adventure travel. The world's first adventure travel company designed exclusively for people 50 and over. Established in 1987, ElderTreks offers active, off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventures by both land and sea in over 100 countries. ElderTreks offers wildlife and tribal African safaris, active hiking trips to the Rockies, Himalayas and Andes, expeditions by icebreakers to the Arctic and Antarctic and cultural journeys throughout Asia, South America and much of the world.
• Adventures Abroad - Senior Travel Tours by Adventures Abroad has tours in 120 countries with itineraries that focus on cultural immersion. Their groups comprise no more than 18 participants with an average of 12 to 14 plus one of Adventures Abroad's Tour Group Leaders. Although family groups (minimum age 15) are welcome to join most of their tours, they do offer custom trips specifically for parents or grandparents travelling with younger children.  They offer 3 activity levels which are great for older travelers. Level 1 - No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large. Level 2 - These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of their cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category. Level 3 - These tours are considerably more strenuous than their Level 1 & 2 "cultural" tours and feature walks/hikes on undulating and uneven pathways for 3-7 hours at a leisurely pace. They don't hike every day, but participants should be fit and active and accustomed to trail walking, possibly in remote locations, and be prepared to engage in a conditioning regimen prior to the trip. Altitude may also be a factor on some tours, though none of their hiking tours currently occur above 3000m/10,000 ft. These are hotel-based tours with no camping, and you are required to only carry what you need for the day.

Cruise Groups

• Croisieurope -  CroisiEurope is an international River and Ocean Cruise Company. They began in 1976 and have established themselves as the European leader in river cruises and specialize in intimate-sized cruises on rivers, canals and seas. The fleet is expanded and modernized every year allowing them to offer innovative itineraries and cruise programs. They now operate 50 company-owned ships and five chartered vessels. New products are scheduled each year. Although the Rhine and its tributaries and the Danube remain the major river cruise destinations in Europe, they also expanded their cruises to unique destinations. These include the Seine and the Rhône, of course, but also the Tisza in Hungary, the Guadalquivir in Spain, the Douro in Portugal, the Dordogne and the Garonne in Bordeaux and their more exotic destinations as well: the Mekong in Vietnam and the lake Kariba in Southern Africa.
• Viking Cruises - Viking was founded in 1997 with the vision that travel could be more destination focused and culturally immersive. In 2000, the company purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises in order to grow its fleet, to leverage 40 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities. The company expanded into the American market in 2000. Viking has grown to be the leading small ship travel company, offering river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents. 

Women's Groups

• Overseas Travel Adventure - Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1978 by a 28-year old high school teacher named Judi Wineland. Her inspiration came after a trip to Africa, where she identified a need for a more authentic, adventurous, and affordable safari experience than the typical ones available at the time. She targeted unspoiled Tanzania as the first destination for her fledgling company, and in so doing, became the first US tour operator to offer tented safaris there. From this beginning O.A.T. began offering custom small group tours to exotic destinations around the world, with O.A.T.-designed and operated trips to East Africa, Nepal, Turkey, and Peru. Overseas Adventure Travel became a member of the Grand Circle family in 1993. Grand Circle family became the first US travel company to create, operate, and sell adventure trips to Americans aged 50 and over. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high school principal Ethel Andrus in 1958, to serve members of her new association, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
• AdventureWomen - AdventureWomen is a women-owned and women-run company founded in 1982 by travel pioneer Susan Eckert. In 2016, Judi Wineland and her two daughters, Nicole and Erica, purchased the company, ensuring the spirit of AdventureWomen continues forward. In 1978, Judi was one of the first women to launch and run an adventure travel company, Overseas Adventure Travel. A few years later, she founded Tanzanian safari operator Thomson Safaris and subsequently created Thomson Treks, Thomson Family Adventures, and Thomson Collection. Judi, her daughters, passionate staff, and a worldwide Ambassador team have led  AdventureWomen to the forefront of women’s adventure travel. AdventureWomen has offered more than 50 exciting trips, traveling to 65 countries worldwide for over 40 years. Their adventure travel collection includes treasured classic destinations, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and closer-to-home escapes.

See Our Best Travel Groups for Women .

 Single Senior Groups

• Adventures Abroad -  Senior Travel Tours by Adventures Abroad has tours in 120 countries with itineraries that focus on cultural immersion. Their groups comprise no more than 18 participants with an average of 12 to 14 plus an Adventures Abroad Tour Leader. Although family groups (minimum age 15) are welcome to join most of their tours, they do offer custom trips specifically for parents or grandparents travelling with younger children.  They offer 3 activity levels which are great for older travelers: Level 1 - No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large. Level 2 - These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of their cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category. Level 3 - These tours are considerably more strenuous than their Level 1 & 2 "cultural" tours and feature walks/hikes on undulating and uneven pathways for 3-7 hours at a leisurely pace. They don't hike every day, but participants should be fit and active and accustomed to trail walking, possibly in remote locations, and be prepared to engage in a conditioning regimen prior to the trip. Altitude may also be a factor on some tours, though none of their hiking tours currently occur above 3000m/10,000 ft. These are hotel-based tours with no camping, and you are required to only carry what you need for the day.
• Odyssey Travelller

Outdoor Groups

• Row Adventures
• Senior Cycling
• Backyard Tours

Educational/Learning Groups

• Rhodes Scholer
• Senior Travel by Adventures Abroad
• Smithsonian Journeys
• Discover Corps
• EF Go Ahead Tours

Cultural Groups

• Tourissimo (Italy)
• Sail in Greece -  Sail in Greece is the largest gulet fleet operator in Greece. They fully own a fleet of 9 wooden gulets which are available for private charter or operate as their scheduled cruises from multiple destinations such as, Corfu, Zakynthos, Athens, Mykonos, to name just a few. They also offer their gulets to private groups and are able to accommodate the group on board from everywhere within Greece. They offer a wide range of gulet cruises around Greece that cater to all ages, and suit many different travel styles! They have cruises recommended for ages 1 to 65+ and others recommended for ages 18 to 39.Their Ionian & Zante Cruises, are ideal for ages 1 to 65+ looking to combine historical sightseeing, with plenty of Mediterranean relaxation, in between! What is a Gulet Cruise? A gulet is a traditional design of a two-masted or three-masted wooden sailing vessel. They are from the southwestern coast of Turkey, particularly built in the coastal towns of Bodrum and Marmaris.Similar vessels can be found all around the eastern Mediterranean. Today, this type of vessel, varying in size from 14 to 35 meters, is popular for tourist charters. Sail in Greece started in 2015 when they started chartering small gulets to operate their fun & young cruises. Today, they own a gulet fleet and offer a variety of multiple cruises that cater to all ages. Large enough to offer security & professionalism & financial safety to our guests, but at the same time small enough to pay attention to every guests needs.
• St. Hilda Sea Adventures
• Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1978 by a 28-year old high school teacher named Judi Wineland. Her inspiration came after a trip to Africa, where she identified a need for a more authentic, adventurous, and affordable safari experience than the typical ones available at the time. She targeted unspoiled Tanzania as the first destination for her fledgling company, and in so doing, became the first US tour operator to offer tented safaris there. From this beginning O.A.T. began offering custom small group tours to exotic destinations around the world, with O.A.T.-designed and operated trips to East Africa, Nepal, Turkey, and Peru. Overseas Adventure Travel became a member of the Grand Circle family in 1993. Grand Circle family became the first US travel company to create, operate, and sell adventure trips to Americans aged 50 and over. The original Grand Circle Travel was founded by retired high school principal Ethel Andrus in 1958, to serve members of her new association, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
• Intrepid Travel

General Group Travel Agencies

• Grand European Travel
• Firebird Tours
• Kensington Tours

Planning a Senior Citizen Travel Group Trip

Planning a trip can be overwhelming and can be a reason to stay home. As we get older, we want life easier. Group travel is one answer to this dilemma.

We want the excitement of travel without the burden that comes with the planning involved. Most group travel is planned for you.

All the hassle of decisions and bookings for transportation, accommodations, restaurants and meals is eliminated.

Yes, as seniors, we can usually make requests for special dietary needs, mobility or disability requirements.

(Note: Always check ahead with the company if you have special needs.)

Here are 25 Best Travel Tips for Seniors .

Cost of Travel Groups for Seniors

Of course cost will vary greatly with the different travel experiences.

Do you seek a bargain or luxury indulgence? The range is practically endless. 

Group travel can be a bargain because companies can buy in bulk and offer deals that would be unavailable to the individual.

Besides that, knowing your travel cost before the trip, can be a huge advantage for making a budget.

Making a budget can include the cost of the group trip and any extras you might want, such as, extra activities, meals (if not included), gifts, or special buys for yourself!

Here are the Best Senior Travel Deals

Health and Safety of a Senior Group Travel

We often have unique health and safety concerns and togetherness can add confidence.

Tourists are often the target of thieves, pickpockets, and con artists.

A company or club with experience knows the ropes to provide tips to avoid such problems. Plus just walking or traveling with others is generally safer.

Some larger commercial businesses hire experts to review national and international travel policies, which can change with time. 

By taking responsibility for the health protocols of hotels, restaurants and other facilities. They reduce our concern for such matters.

If an unfortunate health related problem does occur, we will have the help and support necessary.

Here are the 15 Best Travel Safety Tips for Seniors

COVID Concerns

The COVID 19 Virus offers some greater challenges for us right now.

It is absolutely important to check with your Travel Group about their own expectations or requirements for travel with them and the destination itself.

Each of us has our own current health status. You will decide personally if you are comfortable with the Covid requirements of the group.

Also, just as the virus changes, these requirements can change. So keep in touch and up to date with them as much as possible.

How to find Senior Travel Groups

Senior travel groups and clubs are so prolific; you can find them in many different places.

Senior Citizen Centers, Community Centers, Religious organizations, Sports groups, Arts Organizations, to name a few, often have group trips suitable for older adults.

The Internet is a wonderful resource for group travel ideas and companies.

NOTE: To find a travel group near you, copy & paste or type " travel groups near me" into the search bar here:

Whatever your source, always remember that when a deal or opportunity seems to good to be true, it usually is.

So stay alert and enjoy your travels. 

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Small Group Tour Vacation Packages

The joys of travel are always far more exciting when you have someone to share them with! Traveling with a group of friends or like-minded globe-trotters provides the opportunity to share amazing moments and create long-lasting memories together from your trip to Russia. Together with an intimate group of up to 12-14 people, you will take part in exceptional activities, enjoy numerous guided sightseeing tours, visit spectacular marvels of nature, and other wonderful sights. You might even find the company for your next adventure abroad!

Things To Do & Places To See on small group tours

Don't miss out on important sights & experiences on small group tours

Enjoy a Small group tour and share unforgettable moments with a group of fellow travelers! Discover hidden gems of your destination with top-notch service.

• Comprehensive guided tours
• Sightseeing the hidden gems
• Authentic activities
• Group meals together with fellow travelers
• Private group transfers if required
• Carefully planned day tours

Small Group Travel Tips

Check out the best travel suggestions for a Small Group Tour travel, carefully chosen for your easy next perfect adventure.

What to pack

Make sure to pack comfortable and warm clothing as the weather can often be unpredictable. Comfortable footwear is advisable.

It's better to check the weather forecast before your departure, but bringing a water-resistant jacket is recommended.

Local cuisine is always worth tasting. To try all the flavors, visit a small place and a fancy restaurant.

How much to tip

Tipping is optional yet appreciated; thus, feel free to leave up to 10-15% of the bill if you enjoyed the service.

It's always a good idea to have some cash in local currency for small expenses. Before your departure, check the local currency online.

When to travel

In each season, you can find a fantastic destination to explore. Contact our destination specialists for more details.

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

Travel All Russia was flawless

My husband and I have traveled extensively over decades and this is one of the finest trips we have ever taken. From planning to our flight home, Travel All Russia was flawless. The hotels, logistics, and guides were all superb. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Russia is a beautiful country with so much history and culture. The local people were wonderful and so very helpful. I wish there wasn’t so much bad political press from our media in the US. Hopefully, more people will visit Russia and see the beauty of the country and its people. Thanks for your amazing services.

Russia was explained perfectly

We were apprehensive about organizing everything online but it all worked! Guides were knowledgeable and willing to answer all questions, hotels were great and central to sights, groups were small and dynamic. Russia was explained perfectly with all its history. We loved it.

Just wanted you to know what a wonderful trip I had - Treasures of Two Capitals, Small Group Tour June, 2017

Just wanted you to know what a wonderful trip I had!!!

The guides were absolutely great and Russia is so very interesting and amazing!!

I will be sure to check your website out and maybe go on another venture to Moscow sometime; Would love to see a ballet at the Bolshoi and maybe see some other venues there.

Loved the St. Regis – excellent location. Thanks for your help.

Russian Small Group Tour, June 2017

The St Regis hotel in Moscow was excellent; however, the Petro Palace in St Petersburg was 1-2 steps 'below' -- though it was centrally located.

Both guides (Moscow and St Petersburg) were excellent and found our Moscow guide knowledgeable about Russian history.

We enjoyed the tour very much - Small Group Tour to Russia, June 2017

We enjoyed the tour very much. All included meals/restaurants and our welcome drinks were excellent. The St Regis was wonderful, however the Petro Palace, although comfortable, seemed a lower level hotel with its "budget" decor (especially the bathroom) however the staff were friendly and location was good. Thank you.

I really like the "small" group tour - Classic Moscow & St. Petersburg Small Group Tour May, 2017

The itinerary on some days noted the time the guided tour would finish but actually finished sooner. What was nice was that there was a lot of free time available. I would have liked maybe a map and list of places of interests we may like to explore on our own and also a list of recommended local places to eat.

I really like the "small" group tour. Also would like to note that Ludmilla ("Mila"), our guide in Moscow was exceptional. I would definitely recommend this tour to my friends. Thank you!

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6 Top Sites for Cheap Airline Tickets for Seniors

In this age of online booking, is there still a way for seniors to find cheap airline tickets?

Many websites claim to offer the lowest possible airfares, and, in fact, most do. With airfare information readily available, it is easy to find and display cheap airfares.  The sites that go above and beyond not only offer low airfares but also add travel tools, information and special deals that can help seniors save money.

Get Your Cheap Airline Tickets Through Kayak

Metasearch engine Kayak compares data from hundreds of travel websites. In addition to airline tickets, you can also find hotels, travel packages and rental cars. To find the cheapest airline tickets, you can enter your travel details, click on “Find Flights,” and scroll down the list of options.

Look for Kayak’s “hacker fare,” which combines low-cost one-way trips from various airlines. If your travel dates are flexible, take advantage of Kayak’s +/- 3 days matrix.  This matrix shows you the lowest possible airfare for your trip, based on departure and return dates.

Travelzoo lists an enormous variety of travel deals, including cheap airline tickets, cruises, hotels, rental cars and vacation packages. You can have Travelzoo email deals to you or search for them yourself.  Travelzoo offers a handy airfare SuperSearch feature, which allows you to compare airfares at various travel and airline websites.

Airfarewatchdog

Airfarewatchdog uses a team of airfare analysts to hunt down and share low fares. Unlike many other websites, Airfarewatchdog lists fares from Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines, giving you access to more airfares. To search for cheap airline tickets, you can sign up for a Fare Alert or look for airfares yourself.

Airfarewatchdog also offers specialized searches; “Anywhere That’s Cheap” is self-explanatory, and “Meet Me in St. Louis” is useful for planning group travel to a specific destination. If you have specific air travel questions, the Travel Q&A section of the Airfarewatchdog website is packed with useful travel information.

CheapOair offers airfare, hotel and rental car comparisons and bookings as well as a wide array of cruises and tours. CheapOair’s Best Price Guarantee promises a full refund or a refund of the difference in airfares if, within 24 hours of booking, you find a lower fare on a “reputable U. S. travel website.” On select flights, CheapOair offers travel discounts of $10 or more per airline ticket. While you can search for senior fares on CheapOair, those airfares may not be your least expensive option.

Southwest Airlines Also Offers Cheap Airline Tickets… Sometimes

Unlike many U. S. carriers, Southwest Airlines allows travelers ages 65 and over to book senior fares online. You will need to provide a birth certificate, driver’s license or other acceptable, government-issued proof of age when you check in for your flight.  Southwest’s senior fares are sometimes higher than their bargain-basement “Wanna Get Away” fares, but, unlike “Wanna Get Away” fares, senior fares are completely refundable.

Your Airline’s Website – and Customer Service Representative

When looking for cheap airline tickets, remember that many airlines do not provide senior discount information on their websites.  You will need to call the airline you’d like to use to find out whether a senior discount is offered and whether that discount is the best deal for you.  Go to the airline’s website and look under “Contact Us” or “Need Help?” to find the telephone number.  T

Tip: Some airlines, particularly no-frills carriers such as Frontier Airlines, offer lower fares or fewer fees to passengers who book on their website instead of through a travel agent or online travel agency. It’s always worth your time to check the airline’s website to see if you can find a better deal.

Have you found a great deal on airline tickets? How did you find this airfare? Please let us know in the comments.

Watch my interview with travel expert Nancy Parode for more senior travel tips.

Tags Travel Tips and Plans

Sixty and Me

Sixty and Me is a community of over 500,000 women over 60 founded by Margaret Manning. Our editorial team publishes articles on lifestyle topics including fashion, dating, retirement and money.

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Tours for Seniors

Being Intrepid has no age limit

You might be considered a senior, but you’re still Intrepid in our eyes. Our small group tours aren’t defined by age or ability; they’re designed for people from all walks of life who share a passion for travel and a curiosity about the world. We like to hit the highlights and discover local secrets, we work exclusively with local leaders who know their countries inside out, and we use travel as a force for good. Whether you want to weave the backstreets of Eastern  Europe , enjoy first-class facilities on a Nile river cruise or explore the twists and turns of  Asia’s  busiest cities, we’ve got a memorable adventure with your name on it.

Our Premium trips feature our best accommodation, most comfortable transport and exclusive experiences led by our most experienced leaders.

Designed for those who want more inclusions, our Comfort trips offer a higher standard of accommodation, larger vehicles and more included activities.

The classic Intrepid style. Our Original trips  include some activities and stay at more hotels than Basix trips—an ideal choice for those who want a taste of everything.

For travellers on a budget, our Basix trips keep inclusions to a minimum. They’re about value and lots of free time to choose the activities and extras that you want to do.

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Say goodbye to stuffy coaches and hello to leader-led, culturally rich experiences that’ll take you off the road and behind the scenes of your favourite destinations. Whether you’re picnicking at the ruins of Volubilis in  Morocco , spotting the Amazon Jungle’s fascinating wildlife or discovering the many ancient temples in  Sri Lanka , rest assured you’re getting the most out of every place you visit with a local expert by your side.

We’ve found that it’s not always about the sights you see but the people you meet along the way - even if they’re born into different generations. The average group size on our trips is 10, so get ready to bond over shared experiences and a like-minded sense of purpose with people of all ages from all around the world. With a little luck, the friendships you make on this trip will last long after you’ve caught your flight home.

Travelling in a new country can be daunting at any age and while we’re sure you can handle any situation, knowing you don’t have to lift an organizational finger or think about every little itinerary detail makes the world of difference. Sit back while your leader manages language barriers, facilitates border crossings and advises you of any cultural do’s and don’ts. That way, you can spend less time worrying about the logistics and more time enjoying your priceless time off.

Whether you’re 28 or 64, we understand everyone wants something a little different out of their trip. That’s why we’ve created a range of adventures to suit every Intrepid traveller. From our Basix style of simple accommodation and plenty of free time to our Premium range featuring comfortable transportation and exclusive experiences (with our original and comfort styles in between), choose the style and theme that suits you best and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

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Cambodian Traveller

Vietnam Express Northbound

Classic Morocco

Who are Intrepid travellers?

Intrepid travellers are connected more by attitude than age. They’re a friendly, open-minded and curious bunch, and many elect to travel solo. Our small groups are a mix of genders and ages between 18 and 70, with like-minded travellers from all over the world.

Are there age restrictions on trips?

On the majority of Intrepid trips (excluding family trips), the minimum age for travellers is 15. An adult must accompany all children under 18.

Our overland trips have a minimum age of 18.

Kiddos younger than 15 can join us on our family trips and Short Break Adventures , but make sure to check each trip for its minimum age.

Most trips don’t have a maximum age limit, but a self-assessment form is required for all travellers 70 years and over.

How many people will be on my trip?

Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes to a minimum. Small groups allow us to remain flexible with itineraries, use public transportation wherever we can and visit communities without intimidating the locals.

Most Intrepid trips run with an intimate group of 12-16 travellers, though they usually average around 10 people.

Our overland trips use purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 24 travellers. Group sizes are displayed in the description of each trip.

Is it okay that I'm travelling alone?

Absolutely! The beauty of the Intrepid style of travel is that many of our travellers join because they are travelling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people.

Learn more about solo travel

I have a disability – can I join an Intrepid trip?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. Please carefully consider whether you are physically and mentally able to complete the itinerary you have chosen, recognising that on many trips, you will be required to carry your own bags and use public transport.

Where we can, we will make reasonable adjustments to the operation of our trips to facilitate the requirements of disabled travellers – such as booking ground floor accommodation or having our leaders communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Many travellers with disabilities have been able to enjoy our trips by travelling with a friend or companion who can assist with specific needs. If joining a group trip is not practical, we may be able to provide you with a private departure. Please contact us for further information on any of our itineraries.

Learn more about accessible travel with Intrepid

Do I need to buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips if you’re travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number – it’s really important there are no barriers to getting emergency assistance for you.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Will I have my own room?

It's your call. Rooming on our trips is organised on a twin-share basis, but most of our trips also have the option to pay an extra fee for your own room. Just let us know at the time of booking and we'll arrange it for you. 

For twin-share rooms, we pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what's indicated on your passport, please  contact us  so that we can discuss rooming options with you. 

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis. In those instances it will clearly be stated in your Essential Trip Information. 

How does group time work?

Whether you’re travelling alone or with a partner, our trips have a set itinerary. But within that there’s time set aside for your own exploration (if you want to – no pressure). Depending on how you're feeling, you may want to have some downtime, ask your guide for a few tips then head out alone, or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you. 

What makes a small group tour better than a coach tour?

The main difference between a small group tour and a coach tour is the size of the group; our tours have 10 travellers each (on average), while coaches can hold up to 60 people. This means that you'll never have to vie for your leader's attention on a small group tour because you'll automatically have it.

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