The 20 Best Travel Sites for Seniors

If you’re ready to dust off your luggage and start traveling during retirement, this article goes into details about places you can travel in large or small groups, as a couple, or as an individual traveler. Here you’ll find travel sites for seniors in the U.S., Europe, Asia and many other destinations. Included in this article are websites dedicated just to cruise, couples trips, and to those traveling solo. 

Get ready to travel

The first question to ask yourself is what kind of trip are you looking for? Do you want to be active and explore a new city? Or is sailing away on a cruise ship to exotic destinations more your style?  Are you single and interested in a small group adventure? Or are you planning an anniversary trip for you and your partner? Whatever the occasion, you’ll find that there is a travel website out there to fit your unique travel needs. As more of the population enters senior status, there have never been more travel sites for seniors: and that means deals, discounts, vacation packages, and something for everyone.

Adventure Travel

If adventure is what you have in mind, whether you’re single, a couple, or want to be part of a small group here are some great travel websites for you:

• Road Scholar has almost 8,000 tours in 90 countries. This program is a popular choice for many travelers 60 and older. At the heart of Road Scholar tours are educational components. That can include lectures, field trips with experts, and interactions with locals and their culture. There are also “tailored” tours for those with a passion such as “bird watching in Costa Rica.”
• Eldertreks.com is another great site for seniors looking for adventure. It’s the first adventure travel site designed specifically for people 50 and older. These all-inclusive land journeys focus on adventure, culture and nature.
• Walking The World offers travel and adventure hiking tours for people 50 and older. Walking is the best way to experience all the majesty that nature has to offer, all over the world. It’s also a great way to experience varied cultures, villages, meet the local people, and sample some of the world’s finest food and drink.
• Trafalgar offers tours to those 55 and older across all seven continents. Their themed tours include national park tours, religious tours, and battlefield tours.
• Senior Cycling is another great group for seniors 50 and older. They offer small bicycle tours around the United States and Canada. The small groups are limited to 13 participants.
• Insight Vacations has an Easy Pace journey for those looking for more time to explore. Each destination has a minimum 3-night stay with plenty of free time to have a good look around at their own pace.
• Luxury Gold offers personalized tours with VIP experiences for those over 45. Groups of 28 or less can enjoy the five star accommodations and fine dining.

Volunteer Trips

For an economical way to not only see the world but give back as well, these trips may be for you. The practice of seniors volunteering while traveling has exploded over the last decade. While once, long-term service abroad (six months to a year) mainly appealed to younger post-college adults looking for real-world experience for a resume, older people have discovered a different reason for giving back. Able-bodied seniors have found that  these trips give them a new lease on life and a true sense of accomplishment by giving back to a charity or cause they believe in.​ Here are some great sites to help begin your journey:

• Cross Cultural Solutions
• Earth Watch Institute
• Global Service Corp
• Globe Aware 

Travel with Disabilities

“Disabled” or “accessible” travel is on the rise. The travel industry is responding to disabled travelers’ special needs by providing more services and senior tours with greater accommodations.

If you are disabled, there’s no need to let that hold you back from travel. You can experience a fantastic trip just about anywhere in the world if you plan ahead and do some research. Websites such as Smarter Travel and Million Mile Secrets have some great tips and links to other sites that can help you begin your adventure! However, if you want to find destinations that are already known to be disability-friendly, take a look at our list of the 6 best vacations for seniors with limited mobility.

Cruises

Cruises are probably among the most popular forms of  travel for seniors. Cruises are a great way to see the world while enjoying all the amenities cruise ships have to offer. Cruise lines almost always offer great deals and discounts to seniors. The following companies offer great deals on cruises and travel:

• AARP: For great deals on cruises as well as all kinds of travel around the U.S. and abroad, the AARP is a great resource.
• American Discount Cruises and Travel
• Cruise Critic
• Cruises Only
• Silversea

All Inclusive Resorts

All-inclusive resorts are very popular among seniors who want to leave all the planning to someone else. Think of it as stress-free travel at it’s finest. Everything you need from lodging to food and daily activities is covered. These resorts range from quiet, romantic getaways to non-stop adventure. Here are some great all-inclusive resorts to check out:

• Bear Creek Couples Resort: An all-inclusive retreat in Ontario, Canada that lies next to Algonquin Park. Sample gourmet fare and enjoy wilderness luxury. You can spend the afternoon at the spa or rent a motorboat and fishing gear. In the winter, enjoy snowshoeing dog sleds and horse trails.
• Sun Palace Cancun Resort: ​Relax in sunny Cancun, Mexico at this top-notch resort. Enjoy golf, delicious food and poolside amenities.