By: Lisa Parker
Where is the active senior heading for vacation? The choices have never been more numerous. While there are many vacation destinations that only a few years ago were unheard of, other vacation spots have updated in order to become more attractive to seniors.
Overall, seniors today are healthier and more active than ever before. Visiting new places and experiencing new activities is possible for many of today’s seniors. Of course, relaxation is still of prime importance, which is why all-inclusive vacations are still popular.
All-inclusive vacations are great for active seniors for a variety of reasons. Because everything is included in the price, including airfare and meals, it is easy for the senior to plan and budget for the trip. Many all-inclusive vacations allow the vacationer to choose from a variety of activities as well. This means that the active senior can choose to play tennis or golf, ride bicycles or scuba dive, while other participants partake in spa activities or shopping. All-inclusive vacations are available on resorts or cruises, in all areas of the world.
Another popular choice for active seniors is a volunteer vacation. A volunteer vacation allows you to visit a different part of the world, learn about the culture, and help others, while still reserving time for relaxation and recreation. Activities for volunteer vacations run the gamut from counting bird eggs to helping children learn to read. There are options in the United States as well as many foreign countries. Don’t think that you don’t have skills that are needed? While some volunteers find opportunities to work in the field they were in prior to retirement, there are many opportunities for volunteers with no specialized training.
In choosing the right volunteer vacation, it is important to do work that you are interested in. If you aren’t an animal lover, counting turtle eggs probably will not interest you that much, even if it is on a beautiful beach. Of course, this does not mean that you should only volunteer for a charity that you are already familiar with. If the work piques your curiosity, and sounds intriguing to you, it will probably be a good vacation. The volunteer work is only one part of the vacation.
Although some volunteer vacations are in extremely poor areas with no amenities, it is possible to find a volunteervacation that allows you to work part of the day, and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, hiking in the woods or enjoying excellent meals. If you have a strong opinion about what you need for a successful vacation, such as a certain level of accommodations or food preferences, it is important to speak with the vacation company early in your trip planning, to make sure that it is possible. The most important thing that you can do to ensure you have a good time on your volunteer vacation is to speak with others who have completed these vacations and ask if they feel that the company accurately represented the vacation to them.
Learning vacations are another popular choice with seniors. These vacations are a terrific idea for seniors who have not been intellectually stimulated since retiring from the workforce. A learning vacation typically devotes several hours a day to honing a particular skill, and the remainder of the time exploring the countryside, taking part in spa treatments, or relaxing on your own. The things that you can learn on these vacations are limitless; you can take cooking classes in France, horseback riding lessons in Ireland, or language lessons in Spain. Lessons are available for all experience levels, from the rank beginner to the expert looking to hone their skills.
In searching for the right learning vacation, consult past customers of the company you plan to use. If others were satisfied with their experience, and would go on another vacation with the same company, that is a pretty strong testimonial. Also, consider what the recreational options are for the trip. It is easy to think that you will be so involved in the learning process that you will not have time to go sight-seeing, but these vacations are specifically designed to provide ample down time, and if you don’t have a plan for how to spend it, you may find yourself painfully bored. An experienced learning vacation company will know exactly what recreational activities are perfect for seniors and are available in each area. Formulate a plan about how to spend your day, taking into account your interests and activity level, take plenty of pictures and have a great time!