If you are over 50 and love to travel, you are not alone – and then some.  According to an AARP survey, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans ages 50-plus planned on traveling in 2024. Most of these travelers planned to stay within the U.S. (63%), while 37% said they will take at least one international trip.

Why Travel?

A recent article on the topic suggests older folks travel to escape from daily life, for nostalgia, or for lifelong learning. More important, The National Library of Medicine noted  “the community value of tourism in forming and developing new relationships for seniors, and creating opportunities for seniors to interact with others.” In other words, travel is a good cure for social isolation, and part of healthy aging.

Where to go?

There are a host of travel companies that cater to seniors at every age, stage, interest—and mobility level! (Check out this Senior Planet article on travel for the mobility-challenged.)

For Women Only

For women over 45, Austin-based NextTribe offers “girlfriend” trips for older women with kids off to college. This company, once an online magazine, morphed into a full-blown travel company providing adventure-filled travel experiences for women with more free time and disposable income.

“We wanted to find other women our age who were as curious and adventurous as we were (and still are),” says co-founder and CEO Jeannie Ralston, who adds that their trips “feel like the greatest girlfriend trips ever—even if you come solo.”

The company’s experiences range from domestic hikes in the US to international experiences, like the Creativity Retreat in a 13^th Century Villa in Italy’s Umbria region.  There, like-minded artists can paint and sketch the landscape, write in their custom-made journals, and learn to make pasta.

These trips aim to connect travelers with the locals to ensure fellow travelers make lasting memories and make new friends. Prior to every trip, travelers can join a Zoom call to review the itinerary and ask questions.

Overseas Adventures 

For retirees 50 and older, Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) offers land and small ship trips lasting two weeks or more.  Their activity level rating system gauges activity level for travelers, ranging from one for easy tips, to five for more strenuous jaunts.

For instance, one of their 16-day trips for globe trotters rates an activity level of two –  with Egypt on the menu and Cairo as the first stop to visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, followed by a cruise on the Nile, and the Pyramids of Giza. Other trips include Morocco, New Zealand, a Serengeti safari, Italy’s Alps and more.

Although such trips are a great way to meet new people, the company also offers heavily discounted single supplements on trips so travelers can take a companion.  Offering a best price guarantee, O.A.T says if you find a lower price on a comparable trip from another tour company, they’ll match it!

Cruising with (all kinds of) Stars

Special interest cruises, a popular option for older people, offer a way to meet- fellow enthusiasts en route to a fabulous destination. Options abound for travelers to meet fellow travelers with special interests.

Music

Setting sail from Seattle, Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea – Alaska ferries folks to picturesque Alaska while enjoying nights filled with blues perfomances. Hosted by American blues rock guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, past performers include the Fabulous Thunderbirds and The Marshall Tucker Band as roster favorites.

The organizing company, Sixthman, offers a variety of themed cruises leaving from the Port of Miami that include performances, interviews and meet and greet opportunities with celebrities connected with everything from Broadway (meet Wayne Brady and Bob Mackie) to Hallmark Christmas cruises to an Outlaw Country cruise.

There are many other options for fans of music of all kinds; StarVistaLive offers many music cruises for fans of a certain age…but sorry to report that the Soul Train Cruise scheduled for Nov. 9-16, 2025 is already sold out.

Foodies delight

While many cruises and tours delight in serving up fine foods and wines, foodies can do the cooking, learn new recipes and gain new kitchen skills during culinary tours – and meet fellow gourmets.

The itineraries like the ones offered by Adventure Life combine the cooking experience with a full slate of other activities that let guests meet local inhabitants and learn their culture with fellow foodies. Destinations and cuisines range from Argentina to Vietnam and more.  

The Chefs Making Waves 2025 cruise stars celebrity chefs Richard Blais, of Top Chef, Mexico’s Premier Chefs Claudette Zepeda and Robert Irvine of “Restaurant: Impossible”, among others. Guests can dine at their favorite chef’s pop-up restaurant for a specially curated menu on the Norwegian Gem.

Other Tour Companies Devoted to 50+ age group

https://www.eldertreks.com, small group exotic adventures, off the beaten track.

https://www.Sagetraveling.com, European accessible travel.

https://www.roadscholar.org, cultural, nature, hobby (golf, birding) trips; lists activity level.

https://www.odysseytraveller.com, educational tours for seniors and mature age travelers; longer trips over 20 days.

https://Adventures-abroad.com, more than 120 countries, hidden gems; lists activity levels for trips.

https://www.mywaytravel.com, custom, luxury travel.

If you are an armchair traveler or want some inspiration, check out Senior Planet’s information on all things travel-related!

Choosing a Trip

Before you pack your bags, make sure that the travel you chose is right for you. Several travel experts offer these tips:

Do the research.  Check the FAQ section for information, ask friends for suggestions, and check that the tour operators are legit.

Comparison shop on pricing; they can be far apart when comparing apples to apples.

Define your location preferences: Urban or rural? Bustling London or a small village in Greece?

What’s your energy level? Many companies provide activity levels for trips.  A hiking trip can be a leisurely stroll or a demanding uphill climb. Be honest with yourself on how much you can handle.

Just in case.  Take adequate local currency and consider travel insurance, if you need daily medications, bring an adequate supply and a doctors note if needed.

YOUR TURN

Have you made new friends while you travel? Share your experiences in the comments!

Jennifer Juergens Thomas has a lifelong interest in how people get together.  As a former AP reporter she covered such groups as The Green Guerrillas, a group dedicated to community gardens in New York City and later wrote about conventions from Anaheim to New  Zealand as editor of Meetings and Conventions magazine. She was a public relations consultant for clients like the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives focusing on how and why people need to get together. An Orlando resident, she continues to contribute to Meetings Today magazine among other ventures.