Mature Travel

Travel for seniors in Europe

People over the age of 60 are traveling more than ever before. Being a senior citizen entitles you to some terrific travel bargains.

The big car rental agencies don't seem to want your European business because only National currently gives an AARP discount (10%), but the many rental dealers who specialize in Europe—Auto Europe (TK), Europe-by-Car (TK)—offer seniors rates 5% lower than average.

Most major airlines offer discount programs for senior travelers; be sure to ask whenever you book a flight. In most European cities, people over 60 or 65 get reduced admission at theaters, museums, and other attractions, and they can often get discount fares or cards on public transportation and national rail systems. Just carry your passport as proof of age.

In an entirely unquantifiable benefit of travel in Europe, seniors are most often treated as respected elders and not marginalized, as they so often are in American society. In most of Europe, the older you get, the more vital a role you play as a wise elder, not just within the family but in the community at large. You'll routinely see three and four generations eating out together, and older people are viewed with dignity and respect. It's quite refreshing.

Tour companies specializing in senior and mature travel

50Plus Expeditions (www.50plusexpeditions.com) - Active trips for folks over 50—which in Europe tends to mean hiking and biking adventures, especially in Austria, Ireland, England, and the Czech Republic. One nice touch: no single supplements.

Eldertreks (www.eldertreks.com) - Adventure outfit for mature travelers; tends to favor off-the-beaten-path trips (hence, it has a lot of Eastern Europe itineraries but few in Western Europe—though they do have Italy and Greece trips, plus Iceland).

Elderhostel (www.elderhostel.org). - Educational trips hosted by foreign universities. Your days are packed with seminars, lectures, field trips, and sightseeing, all led by academic experts. Programs range from one to four weeks, and you must be over 55 (a spouse or companion of any age can accompany you).

Grand Circle Travel (www.gct.com) - The grandaddy of senior citizen tour companies. High quality, classic bus trips and other European tours.

Overseas Adventure Travel (www.oattravel.com) - The prestige and mroe adventurous unit of Grand Circle Travel, limiting group sizes to 8–16 participants. Nice selection of barge and sailing trips.

Books and resources for the mature traveler

Although most of the specialty books on senior travel currently on the market are U.S.-focused, two do provide good general advice and contacts: The Seasoned Traveler (2005), and Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (2007).

Also check out the quarterly magazine Travel 50 & Beyond (travel50andbeyond.com; subscribe), as well as Travel with a Challenge (www.travelwithachallenge.com), a Web magazine of challenging, adventurous, and intriguing cultural trips and volunteer vacations for mature travelers.