Whether you were a well-traveled young person or are hitting the road for the first time close to or after retirement, traveling when you are older than 50 can be just as rewarding as traveling at any other age. However, there are a few special considerations you may want to keep in mind.
Take Advantage of Shoulder Season
“Shoulder season” is the term for times of year that fall between the busy tourist season and the off-season. This can often be the best time to visit a place because while the weather is still usually good, it tends to be much less crowded. However, often younger people must work around their children’s school schedules or their own work schedules. If your children are out of the house or you are retired, you can take advantage of a much less restrictive schedule to travel at the best times.
Look Into Senior Discounts
Even if you do not yet feel like a senior, you can begin taking advantage of many senior discounts starting as young as 50. Many of these are through joining the AARP and include discounts on hotels, car rental, restaurants and more. It never hurts to inquire about senior discounts and do your research, it could end up helping you save quite a bit of money.
Look Into Alternative Lodging Options
If you live in a retirement community, oftentimes you can participate in a travel program. This means you can travel to another city that also has the same retirement community and stay there for free. Wherever you are currently living, look into similar travel options and deals that may apply to you. It’s amazing the kind of bonuses you can find with a minimal amount of research.
Explore Online Resources
There are a number of online resources aimed at travelers over 50. You may be a more traditional traveler who prefers group tours and buses, but there are also resources for more unconventional travelers such as women over 50 who want to travel solo. By visiting blogs and forums aimed at your age group, you can get to know like-minded people who can offer a wealth of travel tips specific to your needs.
Growing older and retiring no longer means slowing down for many people. In fact, some may be getting out there in the world for the first time in their lives. For some people, it may be the first time they have ever had the financial independence to do so. Others have partners who were never interested in travel and have decided to begin taking trips on their own. You’re never too old to explore the world, and with the travel tips above, you can make the experience a memorable one.
Author Bio
Emma is a freelance writing currently living in Boston, MA. She writes most often on education and business. Emma recommends seniors who enjoy retirement in Texas to take a look at Sunshine Retirement Living. To see more from Emma, say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2