Article Library by Topic

Senior travel magazine, Travel with a Challenge, lists its 50 Plus feature articles by topic.

Go on a bear watching vacation.

Travel with a Challenge

Welcome to the Travel with a Challenge library of richly-illustrated feature articles arranged by topic. Or, you may prefer to browse this diverse collection by country destination or by using our heavily-browsed travel theme pages that assemble groups of articles into geographic regions or interests such as bird and nature vacations, wellness and spiritual vacations, volunteer vacations or cruise and train travel. Click on any of the topic titles below to go straight to specific article listings.

Accessible Travel
Many bike touring operators now offer electric bikes on their itineraries, allowing senior clients to continue an activity they enjoy. We highlight nine e-bike tours in ten countries that include France, Germany, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium.

Accessible Africa tours and safaris guidebook encourages people with limited mobility or wheelchairs to explore with disability-friendly tours and safaris or even independently.

Victoria, British Columbia has exciting, educational marine wildlife attractions, on land and cruising some picturesque islands, all easy and accessible for seniors and families.

Accessible travel expert, Candy Harrington, offers tips for wheelchair and disabled vacationers looking for travel accommodation to meet their needs.

Learn dozens of ways African elephants communicate and discover tour operators, including specialists in accessible travel who will lead you into elephant territory.

Go along on a nature safari with a difference to two South African parks where tracking wildlife on foot is all part of the fun! Includes many safari tour operator listings, including Accessible Tours, for a variety of African destinations.

Accommodations
Between Vancouver and the Whistler ski resort is Squamish, British Columbia, a charming small town rich in unique senior-friendly tourism activities for those interested in abundant nature, mining and railway history and taste testing locally-made craft brews and spirits.

Overtourism can spoil a great vacation unless you either avoid it or plan for it. Kurt Kutay of Wildland Adventures offers six ways to ensure your holiday expectations are met.

Visit Canada’s Yukon Territory and immerse in a mix of wilderness, wildlife, rich aboriginal heritage and colorful Gold Rush history.

Try something different by staying at Amsterdam’s Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy. It’s been authentically restored from an 80-year history as a New World European emigrant center, a Jewish refugee center and a prison into an internationally-acclaimed hotel with one- to five-star rooms all under one roof!

Six adventurous, unconventional, sometimes downright strange places to sleep while traveling on vacation. Try a sphere hanging in a tree, a vintage airplane, a silver mine or a sleep at a zoo.

Chemainus, British Columbia, is an outdoor gallery of over 40 world-renowned building-sized wall murals illustrating the town’s history. Stay at one of its bed & breakfasts, take in world-class theater productions, enjoy kayaking and a surprising mix of wonderful eateries.

With this introduction to Europe’s rural tourism and farm holidays, discover what is going on in 28 countries from Britain to Greece, now representing 15% of the continent’s tourism.

An increasing number of hostels around the world offer budget travelers better accommodation, delicious food and a diversity of activities, classes and tours.

Our story takes readers inside the house sitting experience and suggests tips for successful house and pet sitting holidays as a low-budget travel option.

Canada’s capital, Ottawa: a year round travel delight with many festivals, cultural events and great natural setting. Historic accommodations make a great sleeping choice too.

Cultural history and cuisine vacations in Quebec feature historic accommodations in Old Montreal, Eastern Townships and Old Quebec City.

Pros and cons of holiday rentals in Spain: the idea of self catering apartments vs hotels is examined in this article, tips which can be applied to other holiday destinations as well.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique are two less-visited Caribbean islands of Grenada, keeping their own authentic beat and rural way of life in a nation still unspoiled by mass tourism.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

South of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers birds, nature, authentic Mayan cultural history, as well as a taste of eco-living on Quintana Roo coast.

Learn about successful strategies for exchanging homes for memorable, low-budget vacations around the world.

Discover Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel where guests quickly become part of the Hawaiian family, learning about culture through a menu of free activities and an unmistakable “aloha” atmosphere that appeal to every generation.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada boasts five boutique hotels and inns with personality — luxurious accommodations, distinctive stories, gourmet breakfasts and other pleasant treats.

Take the Evangeline Trail along Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy while enjoying historic inns, gourmet seafood and natural wonders.

Visit the famous Lipizzan horses on their Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia where visitors can tour, ride and even stay on this historic, elegant estate.

Try staying at Trinidad’s small-scale, locally-owned hotels, inns and guest houses and sample the best in fresh local Creole and Trinidad cuisine.

Long a popular day-stop on Alaska’s cruise ship circuit, Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is worth a longer visit, with its character accommodations and eateries, abundant nature and colorful native culture.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

Learn about Vancouver, British Columbia’s unusual accommodations, tours, eateries, museums and local specialties you never new existed. Updated with new entries and images in 2014!

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, takes a horseback riding vacation and lessons in Tuscany, Italy through picturesque countryside and well-preserved medieval towns. Her accommodations are definitely part of the story.

Hawaii offers much more than mainstream hotels and resorts – learn about distinctive accommodations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai that will add rich memories to your Hawaiian vacation.

Hawaii’ wellness providers, planners, retreat centers and workshops on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island offer healthy holiday choices and accommodations to suit every taste and budget.

Visit an all-inclusive health resort near Tucson, Arizona to discover how wellness vacations are as diverse in their agendas and activity choices as you would experience on a cruise ship

The desert city of Tucson, Arizona offers a host of historic hotels, manicured gardens and character accommodations to tempt vacationers away from predictable generic hotel rooms.

Northeastern Florida’s historic accommodations and sumptuous signature breakfasts make a visit to Amelia Island and St. Augustine unique and memorable.

Active Travel
Sea kayaking is safe, satisfying and great exercise for active seniors to explore nature while on vacation. See five destinations and tours to consider in Corsica, Cuba, British Columbia, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands.

Many bike touring operators now offer electric bikes on their itineraries, allowing senior clients to continue an activity they enjoy. We highlight nine e-bike tours in ten countries that include France, Germany, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium.

An incorrigible senior hiker and backpacker tackles challenging Patagonia while hiking trails in Chile and Argentina. You will be inspired to consider new challenges yourself when you read her story.

American Watercolor artist Jennifer Lawson paints her away along 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago, capturing Spain’s landscapes, food, animals and people encountered on her challenging daily adventures.

Regardless of age, demand for women-only adventure travel is greatly increasing, encouraging women beyond their comfort zones. Wilderness yoga, glamping in the wild, kayaking, biking and horseback riding are all part of a demand for transformational travel.

This photo essay highlights ten of Europe’s most influential pilgrimage walking routes in Britain, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. Descriptions, maps and distance charts help potential pilgrims make up their mind.

Head to Canada’s wild west coast known as the Pacific Rim to stay in the small village of Ucluelet and experience loads of active wildlife adventures and attractions, eat like royalty and enjoy a variety of unusual accommodations.

Join our 72-year-old author on her four-day hike as she takes on the significant elevation changes and weather challenges of New Zealand’s iconic Milford Track on the South Island.

Learn about nine routes to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site, and different terrains you will encounter on each route.

Trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc is one of Europe’s classic hikes with an oval route through the western Alps of France, Switzerland and Italy. It’s 10 to 12 days long with refugios to stay along the route, and senior-friendly too!

An intrepid senior adventurer treks with a train of camels across part of Australia’s rugged Simpson Desert, pushing body and mind to the limit.

Learn eight compelling reasons to consider a stimulating vacation in Wales on Britain’s western flank, whether you are interested in food and wine, history, spectacular parks and outdoor recreation or wildlife.

A day of walking in Botswana’s Okavango Delta leads to unexpected challenges that include learning about uses for animal dung and having a dung spitting contest.

Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies offers 10 horseback riding wilderness nature holidays, June to September, senior-friendly camping and riding vacations.

Plenty of seniors these days are climbing Tanzania’s 19,341-foot Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Our 68-year-old author tells her own unexpected story.

This article covers a three-day senior-friendly whitewater rafting trip on Oregon’s Rogue River with lodge-tp-lodge accommodation.

Grandma Wears Hiking Boots is an active outdoor guidebook to the wilderness parks, cuisine and winery attractions of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Small-ship expedition cruises are taking adventure exploration to the ends of the earth. See our exciting spotlight on new frontiers of travel.

Step by step, two senior ladies prepare for the challenge of hiking to the top of 14,000 foot Pikes Peak in Colorado. An inspiring story!

Walking and hiking between picturesque historic villages in Cinque Terre National Park, Italy is a popular Mediterranean coastal holiday.

Thailand’s marine treasures beneath the sea are revealed on a scuba diving liveaboard holiday in the Similan Islands, including a close encounter with a whale shark. Even if diving is not a priority, the images in this article are dazzling!

What to do after walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago? How about Italy’s Via Francigena, a pilgrim walking route from the Alps to Rome, laced with wine and food tasting.

Active adventure travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, spends a day far north of the Arctic Circle with a Lapland reindeer herder, 21st century-style, and learns about the traditions and challenges of this declining profession in northern Finland.

A small-ship cruise explores Peru’s Amazon River tributaries, spotting wildlife on day and night expeditions and visiting remote villages while adventure cruising.

Active adventure travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, shares her riding and hiking vacation in Patagonia, one of the world’s less visited regions straddling southern Argentina and Chile.

NOT OPERATING AT PRESENT Experience the famous Molokai Mule Ride down a 1,700 foot cliff with 26 switchbacks to the former Kalaupapa leper colony to learn about the settlement’s infamous past and compassionate present. Father Damien becomes Saint Damien in October 2009, perhaps leading to some new pilgrimage travel there?

In this inspiring, entertaining addition to our Camino collection, perennial traveler and book author, Robert Ward, speaks about his many journeys on the Camino: its “eternal newness” and its “deep, persistent rhythms of the road”.

Stroll and hike the French Riviera, western Côte d’Azur, a memorable holiday for active seniors to discover mountain footpaths, local islands, medieval villages, and dramatic shoreline trails.

Join a small group of seniors on an active ElderTreks exploration of unique national parks and richly historic towns throughout Slovenia and Croatia.

Two senior women walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago with backpacks on and staying in pilgrim hostels for 751 kilometers from the French border to Santiago de Compostela.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

Visit the famous Lipizzan horses on their Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia where visitors can tour, ride and even stay on this historic, elegant estate.

Thousands of people, toddlers to seniors, join the Great Victorian Bike Ride for nine days of cycling Australia’s spectacularly scenic Great Ocean Road.

Include one or more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your next vacation to immerse in the most precious natural attractions and human cultural sites on earth.

From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to its deepest valley bottoms, discover Yosemite National Park‘s wilderness vacations on foot, by car and on horseback.

Trinidad is developing rural, natural area tourism, training local people as guides and hosts, opening up lesser-known areas to adventure travel interests like biking, hiking and kayaking.

A helicopter ride onto the Mendenhall Glacier leads to a thrilling new experience of hiking on Juneau, Alaska’s most accessible glacier.

For active seniors, take a hike up Mount Aaron and experience the hospitality of Bedouin tribal people near Petra, Jordan.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, takes a horseback riding vacation and lessons in Tuscany, Italy through picturesque countryside and well-preserved medieval towns.

From Europe to Australia, active seniors sign up for educational Sail Training adventures or join Tall Ships’ Races for an exciting vacation at sea.

Senior travelers find walking and hiking easier and safer with trekking poles and staffs, so learn how to choose and use them effectively.

Come along for the ride on a new zipline adventure course high in the tropical mountain rainforest of Maui, Hawaii where half the clients are over 50.

Island-hopping from Maine, U.S.A. to New Brunswick, Canada is a rewarding active camping vacation for intermediate ocean kayakers.

Learn dozens of ways African elephants communicate and discover tour operators who will lead you into the wild to observe them.

Go on a Sierra Club walking tour of Britain’s picturesque Cotswold region to explore nature and English history.

Go along on a nature safari with a difference to two South African parks. Tracking wildlife on foot is all part of the fun!

Explore Mexico’s vast Copper Canyon region in a richly illustrated three part spotlight that features the geology, natural history and indigenous culture of the region.

Family travel is front and center as a veteran travel writer shares his hitchhiking experiences in Ireland with Mom and a rigorous walk across England with Dad.

Veteran travel expedition leader, Geoff Green, shares his checklist for choosing the best adventure tours from Antarctica to the North Pole.

Tour operator, Active Journeys, offers wise advice on physically preparing for a walking holiday, choosing comfortable boots and daypacks.

An active travel exploration through Ireland’s Aran Islands and County Clare provides healing and encouragement during a family reunion.

Walk northern Spain’s Camino de Santiago in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims over more than 1,000 years and experience the fascination of this route.

Join a two-week guided hiking tour of China’s Great Wall which includes village encounters, lots of history and memorable meals off the beaten path.

Alternative Travel Tour Operators
Learn fascinating facts about the illusive narwhal, a tusk whale to observe in the Canadian High Arctic on Arctic Kingdom’s summer tent camp safaris.

Sea kayaking is safe, satisfying and great exercise for active seniors to explore nature while on vacation. See five destinations and tours to consider in Corsica, Cuba, British Columbia, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands.

A small ship luxury cruise north from Split, Croatia reveals a magical mix of history, distinctive culture and dramatic natural environments.

Travel on a Trans-Siberian rail journey from China through Mongolia across Siberia to Russia, all first class on a Road Scholar educational holiday with expert-led excursions and lectures along the way.

Rome, the “Eternal City” is well known for its historic landmarks above ground, but this article takes you underground to visit the deeper layers of history that archaeologists are currently finding.

Take an expeditionary cruise through Canada’s Northwest Passage and down the west coast of Greenland, while encountering wildlife up close, learning about the Inuit culture and visiting small Arctic communities.

Learn about nine routes to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site, and different terrains you will encounter on each route.

Cruise aboard a traditional canal boat through Holland’s extensive waterways on a 12-day art appreciation tour, highlighting both past and present artists. Lessons are also offered aboard by the Dutch artist/tour leader.

Learn the facts about the mighty walrus, a circumpolar marine mammal that is very recognizable but seldom viewed in the wild. Adventure travelers may now journey to the High Arctic to spot polar bears, whales and walruses face to face.

Article about the benefits of small group travel and tips for making your tour successful. We also highlight some of the best small group tour operators on the planet.

The Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska’s Panhandle best suits small-ship adventure exploration featuring close-up wildlife viewing, spectacular glacier fjords, and rewarding insights into the local native Tlingit cultural heritage and contemporary lifestyle.

An intrepid senior adventurer treks with a train of camels across part of Australia’s rugged Simpson Desert, pushing body and mind to the limit.

Ontario’s small-ship lake, river and canal cruises showcase history and nature from Kingston and the Thousand Islands to Peterborough and Lake Huron.

In The Bahamas, discover traditional country cuisine with a Tru Bahamian Food Tours that embraces a walking, talking and tasting experience through the back streets of Old Nassau.

A day of walking in Botswana’s Okavango Delta leads to unexpected challenges that include learning about uses for animal dung and having a dung spitting contest.

Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies offers 10 horseback riding wilderness nature holidays, June to September, senior-friendly camping and riding vacations.

Whether you are a casual appreciator of birds or a passionate bird watcher, learn about the best small ship cruises for up-close bird viewing at remote destinations around the world.

Plenty of seniors these days are climbing Tanzania’s 19,341-foot Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Our 68-year-old author tells her own unexpected story.

This article covers a three-day senior-friendly whitewater rafting trip on Oregon’s Rogue River with lodge-tp-lodge accommodation.

Small-ship expedition cruises are taking adventure exploration to the ends of the earth. See our exciting spotlight on new frontiers of travel.

A group of women travelers visiting Rajasthan, Varanasi and north central India have many new and unusual experiences at a very grassroots level.

Whale watching nature cruises have grown worldwide. Discover the top five regions for observation of whales covering every season throughout the year.”>Whale watching nature cruises have grown worldwide. Discover the top five regions for observation of whales covering every season throughout the year.

Read the touching account of the traditional wedding celebration of an American couple during their cultural and educational trip to Bhutan.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

Ecuador’s Andes Mountains Highlands offer unique national parks, colorful indigenous market towns, rich Inca history, and Spanish colonial hacienda vacations.

On a traditional Turkish gulet, share an archaeological cruise holiday of Turkey’s spectacular Turquoise Coast (Lycian Coast) and walk out thousands of years of history.

Enjoy surprising cultural heritage highlights of France’s Black Paris tours and activities, with a century of impressive African-American contributions to art, music, literature.

Meet New Zealand’s most rare and endangered wildlife and birds, on tours and holidays. Learn their intriguing stories, and plan to encounter them in this unique holiday destination.

A small-ship cruise explores Peru’s Amazon River tributaries, spotting wildlife on day and night expeditions and visiting remote villages while adventure cruising.

Ride the rails in luxury aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, enjoying wildlife sightings, frontier history and spectacular scenery from Jasper, Alberta through the Canadian Rockies and across British Columbia to Vancouver.

Eco-cruise visitors to Galapagos Islands enter a bird and nature heaven. Find out their Favorite Five Animals in a 2008 wildlife poll.

Learn about a luxurious Croatian Islands cruise on the Dalmatian Coast between Split and Dubrovnik where cultural cuisine and a deeply-layered history are highlights of visits to Korcula, Hvar, Vis and Brac.

NOT OPERATING AT PRESENT Experience the famous Molokai Mule Ride down a 1,700 foot cliff with 26 switchbacks to the former Kalaupapa leper colony to learn about the settlement’s infamous past and compassionate present. Father Damien beccame Saint Damien in October 2009, perhaps leading to some new pilgrimage travel in the future?

Active adventure travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, shares her riding and hiking vacation in Patagonia, one of the world’s less visited regions straddling southern Argentina and Chile.

Journalist, Alison Gardner, describes her first balloon adventure while soaring and swooping over the dramatic scenery of Turkey’s Cappadocia region. Her accompanying photo essay from a return trip in 2008 shares even more spectacular images with readers.

Discover why archaeologist, filmmaker and tour host, Peter Sommers, considers Istanbul, Turkey, to be the Queen of Cities.

Meet Chef Matthew Gray of Hawaii Food Tours while you eat your way through Hawaii’s ethnic cuisine, tasty cultural treats for every budget.

Through the eyes of Greek American culinary expert, Nikki Rose, experience Crete, from rugged, mountainous geography to distinctive culture and cuisine.

Join a small group of seniors on an active ElderTreks exploration of unique national parks and richly historic towns throughout Slovenia and Croatia.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

A helicopter ride onto the Mendenhall Glacier leads to a thrilling new experience of hiking on Juneau, Alaska’s most accessible glacier.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, takes a horseback riding vacation and lessons in Tuscany, Italy through picturesque countryside and well-preserved medieval towns. Her tour operator, Cross Country International, specializes in riding vacations worldwide.

Learning is fun on an Arizona vacation whether you fancy archaeology, astronomy, wine blending, hummingbird migrations or Mexican cuisine and culture.

Trinidad is developing rural, natural area tourism, training local people as guides and tour operators, opening up lesser-known areas to adventure travel interests like biking, hiking and kayaking.

Respected Trinidad & Tobago bird photographer, Roger Neckles, shares his passion for some of the islands most colorful and exotic birds. He also leads bird and nature tours of his island nation.

Hawaii offers many educational guided and self-guided tours to explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai that will add rich memories to your Hawaiian vacation.

Explore Mexico’s State of Sonora and its abundant marine wildlife and birds along the Sea of Cortez, with mountains, desert and tropical forests as well as a rich native and Spanish colonial history.

Learn dozens of ways African elephants communicate and discover tour operators who will lead you into the wild to observe them.

Veteran travel expedition leader, Geoff Green, shares his checklist for choosing the best adventure tours from Antarctica to the North Pole.

Bear Watching vacations offer an introduction to these always-fascinating creatures and to some educational ecotours where bears are the star attraction.

The Greek Islands are brilliant stepping stones of thousands of years of Mediterranean history, distinctive culture and cuisine, and spiritual treasures.

Walk northern Spain’s Camino de Santiago in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims over more than 1,000 years and experience the fascination of this route.

Canada’s Yukon Territory and Alaska’s Panhandle provide a rare rafting and camping adventure in The Ultimate Northern Wilderness.

Alternative Hawaii reveals an uncommon side of this famous tourist destination, with ecological and cultural vacation options across five islands.

Northern Ireland’s famous Antrim Coast offers a perfect week-long hiking and cultural history tour for the active traveler.

A 19-day ElderTreks’ trip through western and central Turkey reveals a rich Greek, Roman, Christian and Ottoman Empire history and a lively present day culture to explore.

Join a two-week hiking tour of China’s Great Wall which includes village encounters, lots of history and memorable meals off the beaten path.

Barging Vacations — see Cruise, Barging and Sailing Vacations

Bear Watching
Take an expeditionary cruise through Canada’s Northwest Passage and down the west coast of Greenland, while encountering wildlife up close, learning about the Inuit culture and visiting small Arctic communities.

Visit Canada’s Yukon Territory and immerse in a mix of wilderness, wildlife, rich aboriginal heritage and colorful Gold Rush history.

Join a nature conservation holiday in China and lend a helping hand to highly-endangered Giant Pandas with a rewarding volunteer vacation.

Bear Watching vacations offer an introduction to these always-fascinating creatures and to some educational ecotours where bears are the star attraction.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

Go on a Polar Bear Watching eco-vacation that takes readers into the heartland of polar bear territory around Churchill, Manitoba.

Grizzly Bears & Killer Whales are the main attractions at a floating eco-lodge on a remote British Columbia coastal inlet.

Bird Watching
Between Vancouver and the Whistler ski resort is Squamish, British Columbia, a charming small town rich in unique senior-friendly tourism activities for those interested in abundant nature, mining and railway history and taste testing locally-made craft brews and spirits.

Scotland’s sparsely-inhabited inner and outer islands offer geologic wonders, Viking and Neolithic monuments, abundant bird life and world-class whisky distilleries. Sample them all aboard a 200-passenger expedition ship!

Costa Rica eco-lodge holidays visit national parks and reserves. Enjoy nature-based holidays in Costa Rica with abundant bird life and animals.

Whether you are a casual appreciator of birds or a passionate bird watcher, learn about the best small ship cruises for up-close bird viewing at remote destinations around the world.

When thousands of Bald eagles congregate on a British Columbia river near Vancouver, a lot of bird watching and a wildlife festival take place.

Costa Rica guidebook author, James Kaiser, shares his top five picks of the country’s 26 national parks and nature reserves. Rare and endangered birds and animals are a big part of the attraction.

Rarotonga in the Cook Islands of the South Pacific still offers vacationers a glimpse of unspoiled nature, rare birds and an island in transition.

Meet New Zealand’s most rare and endangered wildlife and birds, on tours and holidays. Learn their intriguing stories, and plan to encounter them in this unique holiday destination.

Rural farmers in India have create a sanctuary for wild peacocks, India’s dwindling national bird, while offering authentic agri-tourism experiences for international visitors.

South of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers birds, nature, authentic Mayan cultural history, as well as a taste of eco-living on Quintana Roo coast.

A small-ship cruise explores Peru’s Amazon River tributaries, spotting wildlife on day and night expeditions and visiting remote villages while adventure cruising.

Eco-cruise visitors to Galapagos Islands enter a bird and nature heaven. Find out their Favorite Five Animals in a 2008 wildlife poll.

Learn about Alberta’s spectacular Jasper National Park and its historical Jasper townsite, the most northerly segment of the Canadian Rockies UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Respected Trinidad & Tobago bird photographer, Roger Neckles, shares his passion for some of the islands most colorful and exotic birds.

Explore Scottish history, nature and environmental challenges at Scotland’s Aigas Field Centre, where hosts, Sir John Lister-Kaye and his wife, Lucy, welcome guests to stay on their historic property.

Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s lesser known ecotourism treasures, reveals rare animals, sea mammals and birds against a spectacular geological backdrop.

Breathtaking bird photos and personal encounters with Hawaii’s wildlife are shared by Jack Jeffrey, Hawaii’s pre-eminent nature photographer.

Book & Product Reviews
My Very Own World Adventure is a creative, customized book gift for traveling grandparents to engage 3- to 12-year-old children in learning about the world, one country at a time! Using the letters of your selected child’s name, it features countries representing each letter with charming illustrations that highlight different cultures in a colorful, thoughtful way.

Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives is an elegant large-format travel book distilling the most captivating places to visit on every continent, from ancient and historical sites, festivals and architectural marvels to natural wonders, art, beaches and vibrant cities.

Finnair’s cabin crew has published Airborne: Tales From A Thousand And One Flights, a collection of unusual or humorous stories from their six decades of travel around the world.

For 20 years, Briggs & Riley Travelware has been making innovative, durable luggage products for discerning travelers. With the recent launch of BRX, a high-performance luggage collection for adventure travelers, they are the only high end luggage maker for the outdoor market.

The Red Hat Society Travel Guide encourages women over 50 exploring the author’s choice of top US destinations “with confidence, class and style!” First-person accounts of Red Hat experiences add an element of fun and personal experience.

Two books about exploring the Canadian Rocky Mountains — one a nuts-and-bolts hiking trail guide and one a gorgeous and affordable photographic coffee table book — will encourage readers to visit this UNESCO World Heritage designated region.

Nothing could be more timely for air travelers than owning Digital Luggage Scales, taking the guesswork out of check-in procedures and checking bags. Measuring up to 50 kg (110 lbs) per suitcase, this gadget is accurate, lightweight, and money-saving.

Earthbound: A Rough Guide to the World in Pictures captures the essence of travel: why we do it, what we get out of it, and the sheer richness and pleasure of the world at large. It is a classic coffee table book, full of photographer anecdotes to make you smile and shake your head.

Europe by Mouse is a creative new travel website unveiled by Adelle and Ron Milavsky who have spent 50+ years independently traveling Europe. Their website visits 123 of their favorite European destinations in text and photos.

Lonely Planet Discover Series demonstrates new directions for this high profile guidebook publisher, developed after extensive third-party research for travelers who want a shorter, highlights-based travel guide for their holiday.

Cities of the World
Split, Croatia’s historic city offers memorable experiences for all ages and interests, including fabulous local wines and Croatian dishes, palaces, off-road tours and Game of Thrones film sets.

Considering a move abroad, especially in your retirement years? Pay attention to successful expat, Karen McCann and you will have no regrets. While she uses her new home city of Seville, Spain as her model, Karen’s tips are practical, wide-ranging and applicable to any country.

Get the most out of a brief time or a longer visit in Paris by enlisting the planning expertise of My Genie in Paris, an invaluable, inexpensive self-guiding service that focuses on your interests, abilities and timelines. You will love the reader report on this service from a mother “doing” Paris with three teenage girls!

Dread those long airport layovers between flights? Eight hub city airports in Tokyo, Iceland, Amsterdam, Seoul (Korea), Doha, Singapore, Toronto and Los Angeles offer city tours tailored to flights. Four tours are even free!

Quebec City, Canada annually hosts a colorful, historic festival with plenty of music, costumes, traditional foods, re-enactments and parades that reflect the times of the earliest European settlers 400 years ago.

This article illustrates why Paris is one of the world’s great gourmet cuisine capitals, with options for every budget and food taste. Learn how to dine like a local whether sampling a restaurant menu, a café, bistro or gourmet food and wine shop.

Exploring Berlin, Germany’s historic and contemporary outdoor public art is best done by walking, as you encounter at your own pace internationally-recognized monuments, mural art on the remains of the Berlin Wall, and whimsical sculptures.

Tlingit native culture, Russian colonial heritage and rich natural encounters by land and sea make Sitka the most rewarding town destination in Alaska. See if you agree.

Newly-launched in 2014, educational, cultural and historical tours take Hong Kong visitors behind the scenes with innovative food-tasting, cycling, history and Kung Fu tours.

Venice, Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ideal for exploring by barge and river cruises. Learn about its many challenges to survive and thriive, and about a new book that captures the early morning magic of this unique city.

Canada’s capital, Ottawa: a year round travel delight with many festivals, cultural events, historic accommodations, and a great natural setting.

Vancouver International Airport leads the world in making the airport experience beautiful, relaxing and fun with an impressive aboriginal art collection and nature-laced alcoves in every terminal.

With this distinctive photographic essay, readers will immerse in Jerusalem’s history, architecture and culture through the lens of acclaimed photographer, Marcelo Bendahan.

Enjoy surprising cultural heritage highlights of France’s Black Paris tours and activities, with a century of impressive African-American contributions to art, music, literature.

Ten tips for exploring Vienna, Austria independently on a tight budget, around one of Europe’s most fascinating cultural, musical and historic cities.

Cultural history and cuisine vacations in Quebec feature historic accommodations in Old Montreal, Eastern Townships and Old Quebec City.

Brussels in Bloom flower carpet celebrates a colorful begonia festival in the heart of this beautiful city every two years. See our dazzling photo essay of past carpet designs in Grand-Place square.

Discover why archaeologist, filmmaker and tour host, Peter Sommers, considers Istanbul, Turkey, to be the Queen of Cities.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada boasts five boutique hotels and inns with personality — luxurious accommodations, distinctive stories, gourmet breakfasts and other pleasant treats.

Learn about Vancouver, British Columbia’s unusual accommodations, tours, eateries, museums and local specialties you never new existed. Updated with new entries and images in 2023!

Celebrating its century of industrial heritage, Granville Island is transformed into a destination that attracts 10 million visitors a year, just five minutes from downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

The desert city of Tucson, Arizona offers a host of historic hotels, manicured gardens and character accommodations to tempt vacationers away from predictable generic hotel rooms.

Cruise, Barging and Sailing Vacations (see also Marine Vacations)
Aboard a modern freighter landing craft, explore British Columbia’s working west coast while staying in comfortable cabins, visiting truly remote places, and encountering spectacular marine mammals daily.

Luxury service, budget priced European river cruises explore Germany, France and Italy rivers in style, including a memorable Rhine and Moselle highlights tour.

A small ship luxury cruise north from Split, Croatia reveals a magical mix of history, distinctive culture and dramatic natural environments.

Ontario’s small-ship lake, river and canal cruises showcase history and nature from Kingston and the Thousand Islands to Peterborough and Lake Huron.

Whether you are a casual appreciator of birds or a passionate bird watcher, learn about the best small ship cruises for up-close bird viewing at remote destinations around the world.

Multi-award-winning river cruising specialist, Uniworld, announces new ship, itineraries, and all-inclusive river cruising in 2014.

Small-ship expedition cruises are taking adventure exploration to the ends of the earth. See our exciting spotlight on new frontiers of travel.

Freighter travel is a distinctive sea-going alternative to cruise ship vacations as illustrated by our feature article about crossing the Pacific Ocean by container ship.

Whale watching nature cruises have grown worldwide. Discover the top five regions for observation of whales covering every season throughout the year.

Discover the adventure of self-drive narrow boat cruising on Britain’s waterways, a network of historic canals in Scotland, England and Wales.

Step aboard a Uniworld river cruise in the south of France and sail north on the Rhone and Saone rivers towards Paris for a stimulating, luxurious week of travel through Provence and Southern Burgundy.

A canal barging holiday in Burgundy, France is a classic cruise adventure, for guests to experience picturesque countryside, historic towns and the best of local cuisine and wines.

On a traditional Turkish gulet, share an archaeological cruise holiday of Turkey’s spectacular Turquoise Coast (Lycian Coast) and walk out thousands of years of history.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Montréal, cruise the St Lawrence River and Gulf to Québec’s Îles de la Madeleine (Magdalen Islands) while enjoying Acadian history, fabulous seafood cuisine and a chance to explore the picturesque islands during a three-day cruise stopover. Also check out the accompanying map page to illustrate the cruise route and the configuration of the islands, as well as some very unusual geology you will want to learn about.

A small-ship cruise explores Peru’s Amazon River tributaries, spotting wildlife on day and night expeditions and visiting remote villages while adventure cruising.

Eco-cruise visitors to Galapagos Islands enter a bird and nature heaven. Find out their Favorite Five Animals in a 2008 wildlife poll.

A unique 12-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna includes the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, and crossing mountains via the world’s most modern lock system.

Explore Scottish Highland history, nature, and cuisine on a Go Barging luxury holiday along Scotland’s Great Glen from the North Sea to the Atlantic.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, explores French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands aboard a modern passenger freighter stopping at a variety of colorful island ports to deliver supplies.

Join two senior women adventurers who explore Alaska’s Aleutian Islands from Homer to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska aboard an Alaska State Ferry.

From Europe to Australia, active seniors sign up for educational Sail Training adventures or join Tall Ships’ Races for an exciting vacation at sea.

Explore Continental Europe, Britain and Ireland by barge or canal boat aboard luxury hotel barges or self-skippered vessels and identify tour operators who deliver memorable experiences in style.

Veteran travel expedition leader, Geoff Green, shares his checklist for choosing the best adventure tours from Antarctica to the North Pole.

Cuisine Vacations
Traveling Spoon connects travelers with food experiences, from home-cooked meals to cooking lessons, with locals in their homes around the world. Your menu awaits in over 160 cities in over 50 countries!

Split, Croatia’s historic city offers memorable experiences for all ages and interests, including fabulous local wines and Croatian dishes, palaces, off-road tours and Game of Thrones film sets.

Taste of Nova Scotia unveils culinary trails for avid foodies to follow throughout the province: the Good Cheer Drinks Trail (local wines, ciders, ales and gin), the finger-licking delicious Lobster Trail and the surprisingly-diverse Chowder Trail.

Finding a tasty, well-balanced meal can often be a challenge for vegetarian and vegan travelers. We globetrot readers to some of the most deliciously promising menus in New Zealand, Rome, Tanzania, Mexico City, Italy and Greece.

Portugal’s wine and cuisine holidays are flourishing, including creative accommodations, tastings, river cruise experiences and vineyard tours.

Whether you are a wine novice or veteran, wine specialist Marcelo Copello’s tasting tips will create a memorable experience. Some tips are not on the standard list!

In The Bahamas, discover traditional country cuisine with a Tru Bahamian Food Tours that embraces a walking, talking and tasting experience through the back streets of Old Nassau.

While you travel to Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, sample eight British restaurants where the fresh, local dishes and the view are equally delicious.

Newly-launched in 2014, educational, cultural and historical tours take Hong Kong visitors behind the scenes with innovative food-tasting, cycling, history and Kung Fu tours.

The author of Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate takes readers on a mouthwatering trip highlighting the top countries for chocolate connoisseurs and illustrating how to include chocolate tastings and tours in your travel plans.

An increasing number of hostels around the world offer budget travelers better accommodation, delicious food and a diversity of activities, cooking classes and tours.

Canada’s capital, Ottawa: a year round travel delight with many festivals, cultural events, historic accommodations and a great natural setting. The range of cuisine makes a vacation in itself.

A canal barging holiday in Burgundy, France is a classic cruise adventure, for guests to experience picturesque countryside, historic towns and the best of local cuisine and wines.

What to do after walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago? How about Italy’s Via Francigena, a pilgrim walking route from the Alps to Rome, laced with wine and food tasting.

Joe David, author of Gourmet Getaways, shares his mouth-watering culinary research and recipes from 50 U.S. cuisine/cooking vacations.

Escape the beach crowds to explore Maui’s Upcountry Agri-Tourism includes a winery, a goat farm and a lavender farm …. each with spectacular volcano views.

Meet Chef Matthew Gray of Hawaii Food Tours while you eat your way through Hawaii’s ethnic cuisine, tasty cultural treats for every budget.

Through the eyes of Greek American culinary expert, Nikki Rose, experience Crete, from rugged, mountainous geography to distinctive culture and cuisine.

Cultural/Historical Travel
Luxury service, budget priced European river cruises explore Germany, France and Italy rivers in style, including a memorable Rhine and Moselle highlights tour.

A small ship luxury cruise north from Split, Croatia reveals a magical mix of history, distinctive culture and dramatic natural environments.

Between Vancouver and the Whistler ski resort is Squamish, British Columbia, a charming small town rich in unique senior-friendly tourism activities for those interested in abundant nature, mining and railway history and taste testing locally-made craft brews and spirits.

Overtourism can spoil a great vacation unless you either avoid it or plan for it. Kurt Kutay of Wildland Adventures offers six ways to ensure your holiday expectations are met.

Traveling Spoon connects travelers with food experiences, from home-cooked meals to cooking lessons, with locals in their homes around the world. Your menu awaits in over 160 cities in over 50 countries!

Split, Croatia’s historic city offers memorable experiences for all ages and interests, including fabulous local wines and Croatian dishes, palaces, off-road tours and Game of Thrones film sets.

A Seattle, Washington couple in their 60s share their story of moving abroad to rural southern Greece to grow olives and thrive on expat life.

Learn about 1,000 Megalithic stone sites of Britain and Ireland, ancient in history and often still shrouded in mystery, and plan to visit some of these dramatic sites on your next vacation.

Learn about nine routes to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site, and different terrains you will encounter on each route.

Visit Canada’s Yukon Territory and immerse in a mix of wilderness, wildlife, rich aboriginal heritage and colorful Gold Rush history.

Author of Adventures of a Railway Nomad shares how she and her husband explored 13 countries of Continental Europe for three months with a Eurail Pass, mainly in lesser-known countries of Eastern Europe.

With a storied past, interactive museums, festivals and fabulous food, Steveston, B.C., near Vancouver, is a multi-day destination worth visiting.

In France, Spain and Portugal, time travel back to Europe’s prehistory with this expert-written article about Ice Age cave art and open air sites where the public may visit and learn about our earliest human ancestors.

Portugal’s wine and cuisine holidays are flourishing, including creative accommodations, tastings, river cruise experiences and vineyard tours.

Tlingit native culture, Russian colonial heritage and rich natural encounters by land and sea make Sitka the most rewarding town destination in Alaska. See if you agree.

There is nothing like sipping champagne in Champagne itself, while staying awhile in picturesque towns to learn about this famous beverage, its vineyards and long generational history.

In recent years, Scotland’s Orkney Islands have been revealing well-preserved Stone Age archaeological sites more than 5,000 years old, an exciting educational destination for international visitors.

All aboard a new 7,000 km luxury train journey unveiled between Budapest, Hungary and Tehran, Iran in late 2014. This is the real Orient Express, and instantly popular with bookings well into 2016.

Portugal’s Côa Valley hosts over 5,000 Ice Age engravings across its open-air archaeological park, the largest of its kind in the Palaeolithic world! The public is welcome to come, learn and enjoy at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ontario’s small-ship lake, river and canal cruises showcase history and nature from Kingston and the Thousand Islands to Peterborough and Lake Huron.

Learn about the world’s ten smallest countries, some of which are richly cultural and historical. You may visit each one as a fresh challenge for bucket list travel.

The southern canton of Ticino combines Switzerland’s good order with Italy’s charm and tastiness. You will be surprised what a difference there is once you “tunnel” through the Alps and come out the other side.

In The Bahamas, discover traditional country cuisine with a Tru Bahamian Food Tours that embraces a walking, talking and tasting experience through the back streets of Old Nassau.

Britain’s Stonehenge gets an impressive educational indoor-outdoor visitor center, offering new insights on the still-mysterious ancient culture that built it.

While you travel to Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, sample eight British restaurants where the fresh, local dishes and the view are equally delicious. Some serve up traditional dishes together with tales of long historic associations.

Newly-launched in 2014, educational, cultural and historical tours take Hong Kong visitors behind the scenes with innovative food-tasting, cycling, history and Kung Fu tours.

With this introduction to Europe’s rural tourism and farm holidays, discover what is going on in 28 countries from Britain to Greece, now representing 15% of the continent’s tourism.

This informative article introduces Ontario’s Manitoulin Island as a richly-cultural destination for educational aboriginal experiences in an unfamiliar natural backdrop the shores of Lake Huron.

A 50-plus solo traveler discovers the benefits of “Slow Travel” on the Greek Island of Folegandros during her independently-planned holiday..

A group of women travelers visiting Rajasthan, Varanasi and north central India have many new and unusual experiences at a very grassroots level.

Each July the remote village of Bamfield, British Columbia offers a summer music festival by the sea with 10 jazz and classical concerts and lots of opportunities to mingle with the performers on Canada’s wild West Coast.

Pilgrimage travel today is alive and well; this article shares reflections on taking spiritual journeys as well as spotlighting some well known and little known pilgrimage destinations.

Save money while traveling to Britain to enjoy all the top attractions and regions. We share 10 tips that make a difference!

Read the touching account of the traditional wedding celebration of an American couple during their cultural and educational trip to Bhutan.

Canada’s capital, Ottawa: a year round travel delight with many festivals, cultural events, historic accommodations and a great natural setting.

Ecuador’s Andes Mountains Highlands offer unique national parks, colorful indigenous market towns, rich Inca history, and Spanish colonial hacienda vacations.

Discover the Provence on a self-drive exploration of highlights, brimming with history and an intriguing painter’s light that captivated Cezanne and Picasso.

Discover the adventure of self-drive narrow boat cruising on Britain’s waterways, a network of historic canals in Scotland, England and Wales.

Walking and hiking between picturesque historic villages in Cinque Terre National Park, Italy is a popular Mediterranean coastal holiday.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada boasts five boutique hotels and inns with personality — historic accommodations, distinctive stories, gourmet breakfasts and other pleasant treats.

In addition to offering stimulating spa wellness holidays, Rotorua, New Zealand is the historic heartland of indigenous Maori culture with exciting educational experiences.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

On a traditional Turkish gulet, share an archaeological cruise holiday of Turkey’s spectacular Turquoise Coast (Lycian Coast) and walk out thousands of years of history.

A canal barging holiday in Burgundy, France is a classic cruise adventure, for guests to experience picturesque countryside, historic towns and the best of local cuisine and wines.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique are two less-visited Caribbean islands of Grenada, keeping their own authentic beat and rural way of life in a nation still unspoiled by mass tourism.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to do after walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago? How about Italy’s Via Francigena, a pilgrim walking route from the Alps to Rome, laced with wine and food tasting.

Learn about volunteer holidays on a Darjeeling tea estate in northern India. With a variety of volunteer tasks to choose from, this historic estate is a world leader in organic farming and sustainable community living.

Take a trip to Chichen Itza, Mexico’s Mayan temple city on the Yucatan Peninsula and discover why it was chosen by 100 million people as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Ten tips for exploring Vienna, Austria independently on a tight budget, around one of Europe’s most fascinating cultural, musical and historic cities.

With this distinctive photographic essay, readers will immerse in Jerusalem’s history, architecture and culture through the lens of acclaimed photographer, Marcelo Bendahan.

Enjoy surprising cultural heritage highlights of France’s Black Paris tours and activities, with a century of impressive African-American contributions to art, music, literature.

Independent travel in Spain’s Galicia province is an empowering, illuminating cultural history vacation. There’s much more to Galicia than the fabulous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela!

South of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers birds, nature, authentic Mayan cultural history, as well as a taste of eco-living on Quintana Roo coast.

Explore Alberta’s Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, a “living museum” east of Edmonton, as well as other natural and cultural attractions in the region known as Kalyna Country.

Rosebud, Alberta (population 100) celebrates its rural theatre roots in a tiny prairie village rich in pioneer history. In its 27th year of professional performance, 40,000 visitors annually come to see its dramas and musicals 10 months of the year.

NOT OPERATING AT PRESENT Experience the famous Molokai Mule Ride down a 1,700 foot cliff with 26 switchbacks to the former Kalaupapa leper colony to learn about the settlement’s infamous past and compassionate present. Father Damien became Saint Damien in October 2009, perhaps leading to some new pilgrimage travel there in the future?

Lanai is least visited of Hawaii’s big six islands despite its well-known history as “The Pineapple Island”. Enjoy a unique introduction by two of Lanai’s favorite sons.

Demonstrating that the guide makes the difference, discover how an exploration of Croatia’s Island of Vis comes alive with rich culture and history from the Greeks to World War II.

Alberta’s dramatically-chiseled Badlands offers the perfect “Holy Land” back-drop on a grand scale for Canada’s acclaimed Passion Play enacted each July for the past 15 years.

Cultural history and cuisine vacations in Quebec feature historic accommodations in Old Montreal, Eastern Townships and Old Quebec City.

Meet Chef Matthew Gray of Hawaii Food Tours while you eat your way through Hawaii’s ethnic cuisine, tasty cultural treats for every budget.

Discover why archaeologist, filmmaker and tour host, Peter Sommers, considers Istanbul, Turkey, to be the Queen of Cities.

Oman offers authentic, friendly Arabian hospitality, cultural tourism, forts and castles, desert camps, and ecotourism on land and sea.

Oman’s heritage tourism includes authentic architectural restoration of centuries-old forts and castles, some in deserts, others on mountain peaks or guarding fertile valleys.

Visit southern Oman’s Salalah region, land of frankincense, monsoons, fine beaches, fabulous bird-watching and camels roaming the country roads.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, explores French Polynesia’s Marquesas Islands aboard a modern passenger freighter stopping at a variety of colorful island ports to deliver supplies.

The Creaky Traveler is back with new independent travel explorations “for the mobile not agile” in southwest Ireland’s counties of Cork, Clare and West Cork.

Darjeeling’s miniature mountain railway in India is an historic treasure recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Go along for a ride to meet the people and see spectacular scenery.

Join two senior women adventurers who explore Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in pioneer footsteps from Homer to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska aboard an Alaska State Ferry.

Take the Evangeline Trail along Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy while enjoying historic inns, gourmet seafood and natural wonders.

Two senior women walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago with backpacks on and staying in pilgrim hostels for 751 kilometers from the French border to Santiago de Compostela.

Though Costa Rica has been a popular cultural and ecotourism destination for decades, it remains full of surprises for short vacations and living abroad.

Through the eyes of Greek American culinary expert, Nikki Rose, experience Crete, from rugged, mountainous geography to distinctive culture and cuisine.

Visit the famous Lipizzan horses on their Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia where visitors can tour, ride and even stay on this historic, elegant estate.

Include one or more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your next vacation to immerse in the most precious natural attractions and human cultural sites on earth.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, takes a horseback riding vacation and lessons in Tuscany, Italy through picturesque countryside and well-preserved medieval towns.

A Jewish travel writer and a Jordanian Moslem tour guide identify similarities, not differences that must motivate their people to find peace.

Guidebook author, David Stanley, shares 10 cultural, historical and natural reasons for senior travelers to visit Cuba now.

Learn about Vancouver, British Columbia’s unusual accommodations, tours, eateries, museums and local specialties you never new existed. Updated with new entries and images in 2014!

For active seniors, take a hike up Mount Aaron and experience the hospitality of Bedouin tribal people near Petra, Jordan.

Explore Continental Europe, Britain and Ireland by barge or canal boat aboard luxury hotel barges or self-skippered vessels and identify tour operators who deliver memorable experiences in style.

Learning is fun on an Arizona vacation whether you fancy archaeology, astronomy, wine blending, hummingbird migrations or Mexican cuisine and culture.

Meteora in Central Greece features towering pinnacle rock formations topped with medieval Greek Orthodox monasteries now open to vacationers and pilgrims. Learn about the pagan and Christian traditions of decorated, painted Easter eggs in the Ukraine and Russia in this colorful, informative article.

Hawaii offers many educational guided and self-guided tours to explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai that will add rich memories to your Hawaiian vacation.

Northeastern Florida’s historic accommodations and sumptuous signature breakfasts make a visit to Amelia Island and St. Augustine unique and memorable.

The desert city of Tucson, Arizona offers a host of historic hotels, manicured gardens and character accommodations to tempt vacationers away from predictable generic hotel rooms.

Take an independent ramble through the rugged remote Highlands of North West Scotland with a travel-seasoned 70-something couple who classify themselves as “mobile not agile”.

Explore Mexico’s vast Copper Canyon region in a richly illustrated three part spotlight that features the geology, natural history and indigenous culture of the region.

A fine example of Mexico’s new rural tourism shows how a whole community outside Mazatlan can deliver memorable grassroots experiences. A rich Creole heritage is captured in this travel article spotlighting Louisiana.

Join a Global Citizens Network volunteer vacation lending a hand on native reservations in Arizona and New Mexico.

A 19-day ElderTreks’ trip through western and central Turkey reveals a rich Greek, Roman, Christian and Ottoman Empire history and a lively present day culture to explore.

The Greek Islands are brilliant stepping stones of thousands of years of Mediterranean history, distinctive culture and cuisine, and spiritual treasures.

Walk northern Spain’s Camino de Santiago in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims over more than 1,000 years and experience the fascination of this route.

Matriarchs of Meghalaya takes readers inside one of northern India’s most unique cultural communities where women are the decision-makers.

Artist and globetrotter, Charlene Brown, takes her paint box on a solo trip which captures Vietnam in Watercolor. Alternative Hawaii reveals an uncommon side of this famous tourist destination, with ecological and cultural vacation options across five islands.

Meet Chef Matthew Gray of Hawaii Food Tours while you eat your way through Hawaii’s ethnic cuisine, tasty cultural treats for every budget.

Northern Ireland’s famous Antrim Coast offers a perfect week-long hiking and cultural history tour for the active traveler.

Ride the rails in bygone luxury aboard the historic Eastern & Orient Express train from Singapore through Malaysia to Thailand.

U.S. volunteer vacation organization, Global Volunteers, contributes challenging food for thought on encountering unfamiliar cultures.

Join a popular Elderhostel educational study tour in England to the home territories of some of Britain’s most famous literary figures.

Join a two-week hiking tour of China’s Great Wall which includes village encounters, plenty of history and memorable meals off the beaten path.

Cycling Vacations
Many bike touring operators now offer electric bikes on their itineraries, allowing senior clients to continue an activity they enjoy. We highlight nine e-bike tours in ten countries that include France, Germany, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium.

Learn about nine routes to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage site, and different terrains you will encounter on each route.

Newly-launched in 2014, educational, cultural and historical tours take Hong Kong visitors behind the scenes with innovative food-tasting, cycling, history and Kung Fu tours.

Join Arizona photographer, Lorraine DarConte, on her solo cycling holiday through picturesque countryside and medieval towns around Umbria, Italy.

Thousands of people, toddlers to seniors, join the Great Victorian Bike Ride for nine days of cycling Australia’s spectacularly scenic Great Ocean Road.

Diving/Snorkeling Vacations
Jeff Blumenfeld’s 2019 book, Travel with Purpose, offers creative ideas and reliable resources for volunteer travel planning at home and abroad.

As the second longest coral reef in the world, Belize’s Mesoamerican reef is a diver and snorkeler dream destination to discover many species of fish, coral, marine mammals and learn about the unique challenges these reef dwellers face.

Driving Vacations
Learn about 1,000 Megalithic stone sites of Britain and Ireland, ancient in history and often still shrouded in mystery, and plan to visit some of these dramatic sites on your next vacation.

Visiting Utah’s Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks is like taking a geology class with the colors, textures and visual WOW! Factor all rolled into one.

Discover the Provence on a self-drive exploration of highlights, brimming with history and an intriguing painter’s light that captivated Cezanne and Picasso.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Learn about Alberta’s spectacular Jasper National Park and its historical Jasper townsite, the most northerly segment of the Canadian Rockies UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a cruise through numerous locks of Ontario’s historic and picturesque Rideau Canal or drive alongside and stay at historic accommodations. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Creaky Traveler is back with new independent travel explorations “for the mobile not agile” in southwest Ireland’s counties of Cork, Clare and West Cork.

A new book by Ron and Adelle Milavsky shows how to take a Recreational Vehicle (RV) holiday in Europe while saving money and adding itinerary flexibility.

Take an independent ramble through the rugged remote Highlands of North West Scotland with a travel-seasoned 80-something couple who classify themselves as “mobile not agile”.

Earthwatch Institute
Globetrotting volunteer, Dorothy Conlon, shares her inspiring and educational cheetah encounter during a 15-day Earthwatch conservation volunteer program in Namibia, southwestern Africa.

An Earthwatch Institute volunteer vacation in Barbados reveals an island’s history and slave culture from the inside out.

Ecotourism/Nature Vacations
Learn fascinating facts about the illusive narwhal, a tusk whale to observe in the Canadian High Arctic on Arctic Kingdom’s summer tent camp safaris.

Aboard a modern freighter landing craft, explore British Columbia’s working west coast while staying in comfortable cabins, visiting truly remote places, and encountering spectacular marine mammals daily.

Overtourism can spoil a great vacation unless you either avoid it or plan for it. Kurt Kutay of Wildland Adventures offers six ways to ensure your holiday expectations are met.

An incorrigible senior hiker and backpacker tackles challenging Patagonia while hiking trails in Chile and Argentina. You will be inspired to consider new challenges yourself when you read her story.

Costa Rica eco-lodge holidays visit national parks and reserves. Enjoy nature-based holidays in Costa Rica with abundant bird life and animals.

Visit Canada’s Yukon Territory and immerse in a mix of wilderness, wildlife, rich aboriginal heritage and colorful Gold Rush history.

With a storied past, interactive museums, festivals and fabulous food, Steveston, B.C., near Vancouver, is a multi-day destination worth visiting.

Tlingit native culture, Russian colonial heritage and rich natural encounters by land and sea make Sitka the most rewarding town destination in Alaska. See if you agree.

Learn about the world’s ten smallest countries, some of which feature nature-based vacationing as well as serious ecotourism challenges. Here’s a fresh motivation for bucket list travel!

Visiting Utah’s Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks is like taking a geology class with the colors, textures and visual WOW! Factor all rolled into one.

A day of walking in Botswana’s Okavango Delta leads to unexpected challenges that include learning about uses for animal dung and having a dung spitting contest.

Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies offers 10 horseback riding wilderness nature holidays, June to September, senior-friendly camping and riding vacations.

Whether you are a casual appreciator of birds or a passionate bird watcher, learn about the best small ship cruises for up-close bird viewing at remote destinations around the world.

This article covers a three-day senior-friendly whitewater rafting trip on Oregon’s Rogue River with lodge-tp-lodge accommodation.

When thousands of Bald eagles congregate on a British Columbia river near Vancouver, a lot of bird watching and a wildlife festival take place.

Small-ship expedition cruises are taking adventure exploration to the ends of the earth. See our exciting spotlight on new frontiers of travel.

Whale watching nature cruises have grown worldwide. Discover the top five regions for observation of whales covering every season throughout the year.

Costa Rica guidebook author, James Kaiser, shares his top five picks of the country’s 26 national parks and nature reserves. Rare and endangered birds and animals are a big part of the attraction.

Grandma Wears Hiking Boots is an active outdoor guidebook to the wilderness parks, cuisine and winery attractions of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Tips from an expert on wilderness photography for capturing the finest big-picture outdoor scenery while hiking and traveling into remote areas.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

A veteran African wildlife safari photographer offers tips for getting best wildlife images, based on his inspiring, beautifully-illustrated and educational book, Wildlife Photography.

Meet New Zealand’s most rare and endangered wildlife and birds, on tours and holidays. Learn their intriguing stories, and plan to encounter them in this unique holiday destination.

Victoria, British Columbia has exciting, educational marine wildlife attractions, on land and cruising some picturesque islands, all easy and accessible for seniors and families.

A small-ship cruise explores Peru’s Amazon River tributaries, spotting wildlife on day and night expeditions and visiting remote villages while adventure cruising.

Rural farmers in India have create a sanctuary for wild peacocks, India’s dwindling national bird, while offering authentic agri-tourism experiences for international visitors.

South of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers birds, nature, authentic Mayan cultural history, as well as a taste of eco-living on Quintana Roo coast.

Explore Alberta’s Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, a “living museum” east of Edmonton, as well as other natural and cultural attractions in the region known as Kalyna Country.

Learn about Alberta’s spectacular Jasper National Park and its historical Jasper townsite, the most northerly segment of the Canadian Rockies UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Eco-cruise visitors to Galapagos Islands enter a bird and nature heaven. Find out their Favorite Five Animals in a 2008 wildlife poll.

Active adventure travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, shares her riding and hiking vacation in Patagonia, one of the world’s less visited regions straddling southern Argentina and Chile.

From her newly-published guidebook, Kirsten Whatley spotlights short and long volunteer vacations focusing on helping nature on five Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters.

The U.S. Oregon Coast skirting the wild, picturesque Pacific beckons explorers who love beach combing, shipwreck discovery and eco-retreats by the shore.

Take the Evangeline Trail along Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy while enjoying historic inns, gourmet seafood and natural wonders.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

Though Costa Rica has been a popular cultural and ecotourism destination for decades, it remains full of surprises for short vacations and long term stays.

From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to its deepest valley bottoms, discover Yosemite National Park‘s wilderness vacations on foot, by car and on horseback.

A helicopter ride onto the Mendenhall Glacier leads to a thrilling new experience of hiking on Juneau, Alaska’s most accessible glacier.

Include one or more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your next vacation to immerse in the most precious natural attractions and human cultural sites on earth.

Trinidad is developing rural, natural area tourism, training local people as guides and hosts, opening up lesser-known areas to adventure travel interests like biking, hiking and kayaking.

Guidebook author, David Stanley, shares 10 cultural, historical and natural reasons for senior travelers to visit Cuba now.

Learning is fun on an Arizona vacation whether you fancy archaeology, astronomy, wine blending, hummingbird migrations or Mexican cuisine and culture.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Heron Island attract vacationers who volunteer to monitor the declining health of spectacular coral reefs.

Hawaii offers many educational guided and self-guided tours to explore Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai that will add rich memories to your Hawaiian vacation.

Rarotonga in the Cook Islands of the South Pacific still offers vacationers a glimpse of unspoiled nature, rare birds and an island in transition.

Learn how researchers are identifying dozens of ways that African elephants communicate up close and over vast distances, and pick an educational safari to observe for yourself these fascinating giants in the wild.

Go along on a nature safari with a difference to two South African parks. Tracking wildlife on foot is all part of the fun!

Explore Mexico’s vast Copper Canyon region in a richly illustrated three part spotlight that features the geology, natural history and indigenous culture of the region.

Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s lesser known ecotourism treasures, reveals rare animals, sea mammals and birds against a spectacular geological backdrop.

Bear Watching vacations offer an introduction to these always-fascinating creatures and to some educational ecotours where bears are the star attraction.

Go on a Polar Bear Watching eco-vacation that takes readers into the heartland of polar bear territory around Churchill, Manitoba.

Grizzly Bears & Killer Whales are the main attractions at a floating eco-lodge on a remote British Columbia coastal inlet. Photojournalist and marine mammal specialist, Jean-Pierre Sylvestre, shares memorable photos and insightful observations of the world’s sea life.

Canada’s Yukon Territory and Alaska’s Panhandle provide a rare rafting and camping adventure in The Ultimate Northern Wilderness.

Alternative Hawaii reveals an uncommon side of this famous tourist destination, with ecological and cultural vacation options across five islands.

Northern Ireland’s famous Antrim Coast offers a perfect week-long hiking and cultural history tour for the active traveler.

Breathtaking bird photos and personal encounters with Hawaii’s wildlife are shared by Jack Jeffrey, Hawaii’s pre-eminent nature photographer.

Winter storm watching vacations on Canada’s Pacific coast are the latest adventure attraction for North American and offshore visitors.

Spend a holiday on Australia’s famed Heron Island, a magical Queensland coast eco-island where Nature rules.

Educational Travel
Travel on a Trans-Siberian rail journey from China through Mongolia across Siberia to Russia, all first class on a Road Scholar educational holiday with expert-led excursions and lectures along the way.

Learn about 1,000 Megalithic stone sites of Britain and Ireland, ancient in history and often still shrouded in mystery, and plan to visit some of these dramatic sites on your next vacation.

We all like to bring home souvenirs from our travels. Why not add memorable value by learning to create them abroad? Our story offers recommendations for going to perfume school in southern France, making gourmet chocolates in Belgium, throwing traditional pots in Nepal, learning calligraphy in China, and more.

Whether you are a wine novice or veteran, wine specialist Marcelo Copello’s tasting tips will create a memorable travel experience. Some tips are not on the standard list!

There is nothing like sipping champagne in Champagne itself, while staying awhile in picturesque towns to learn about this famous beverage, its vineyards and long generational history.

Britain’s Stonehenge gets an impressive educational indoor-outdoor visitor center, offering new insights on the still-mysterious ancient culture that built it.

Newly-launched in 2014, educational, cultural and historical tours take Hong Kong visitors behind the scenes with innovative food-tasting, cycling, history and Kung Fu tours.

This informative article introduces Ontario’s Manitoulin Island as a richly-cultural destination for educational aboriginal experiences in an unfamiliar natural backdrop the shores of Lake Huron.

Learn about organic farming and gardening with WWOOF through volunteer, low-budget travel in the U.S.A. and worldwide.

Painting and sketching on your travels and tours alone or with a professional artist enhances international travel. Artist Mark Heine shares his thoughts.

Sabbaticals from work or daily life renew your energy and creative direction in stimulating ways … ten tips for budget-minded seniors.

In addition to offering stimulating spa wellness holidays, Rotorua, New Zealand is the historic heartland of indigenous Maori culture with exciting educational experiences.

On a traditional Turkish gulet, share an archaeological cruise holiday of Turkey’s spectacular Turquoise Coast (Lycian Coast) and walk out thousands of years of history.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

A colorful photo essay captures the powerful legacy of garden design and horticultural expertise in the exotic gardens of Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada and St Lucia … the Eastern Caribbean at its most lush and beautiful.

A veteran African wildlife safari photographer offers tips for getting best wildlife images, based on his inspiring, beautifully-illustrated and educational book, Wildlife Photography.

Enjoy surprising cultural heritage highlights of France’s Black Paris tours and activities, with a century of impressive African-American contributions to art, music, literature.

Explore Alberta’s Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, a “living museum” east of Edmonton, as well as other natural and cultural attractions in the region known as Kalyna Country.

Escape the beach crowds to explore Maui’s Upcountry Agri-Tourism includes a winery, a goat farm and a lavender farm …. each with spectacular volcano views.

Lanai is least visited of Hawaii’s big six islands despite its well-known history as “The Pineapple Island”. Enjoy a unique introduction by two of Lanai’s favorite sons.

Discover Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel where guests quickly become part of the Hawaiian family, learning about culture through a menu of free activities and an unmistakable “aloha” atmosphere.

Through the eyes of Greek American culinary expert, Nikki Rose, experience Crete, from rugged, mountainous geography to distinctive culture and cuisine.

Join two senior women adventurers who explore Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in pioneer footsteps from Homer to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska aboard an Alaska State Ferry.

Cultural history and cuisine vacations in Quebec feature historic accommodations in Old Montreal, Eastern Townships and Old Quebec City.

Learn about British Columbia, Canada’s exciting aboriginal vacations, tour operators and accommodations where nature and colorful cultures are interpreted through native eyes.

From Europe to Australia, active seniors sign up for educational Sail Training adventures or join Tall Ships’ Races for an exciting vacation at sea.

Learning is fun on an Arizona vacation whether you fancy archaeology, astronomy, wine blending, hummingbird migrations or Mexican cuisine and culture.

A rich Creole heritage is captured in this travel article spotlighting Louisiana.

The Greek Islands are brilliant stepping stones of thousands of years of Mediterranean history, distinctive culture and cuisine, and spiritual treasures.

Walk northern Spain’s Camino de Santiago in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims over more than 1,000 years and experience the fascination of this route.

A 19-day ElderTreks’ trip through western and central Turkey reveals a rich Greek, Roman, Christian and Ottoman Empire history and a lively present day culture to explore.

U.S. volunteer vacation organization, Global Volunteers, contributes challenging food for thought on encountering unfamiliar cultures.

Join a popular Elderhostel educational study tour in England to the home territories of some of Britain’s most famous literary figures.

Elderhostel / Road Scholar
Travel on a Trans-Siberian rail journey from China through Mongolia across Siberia to Russia, all first class on a Road Scholar educational holiday with expert-led excursions and lectures along the way.

Join a popular Elderhostel educational study tour in England to the home territories of some of Britain’s most famous literary figures.

Family Travel
Get the most out of a brief time or a longer visit in Paris by enlisting the planning expertise of My Genie in Paris, an invaluable, inexpensive self-guiding service that focuses on your interests, abilities and timelines. You will love the reader report on this service from a mother “doing” Paris with three teenage girls!

Travel with aging parents requires careful planning to ensure it is the success that everyone deserves. Our author offers tips for intergenerational travel with seniors.

Getting ready to retire? Or already retired and wondering what to do next? The Sabbatical Sisters share meaningful travel ideas to enrich retirement with purpose, passion and creativity.

Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies offers 10 horseback riding wilderness nature holidays, June to September, senior-friendly multi-generational camping and riding vacations.

Grandma Wears Hiking Boots is an active outdoor guidebook to the wilderness parks, cuisine and winery attractions of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

In the 21st century, family travel is flourishing with creative, educational, multi-generational vacations on small-ship cruises, trains, barges as well as land holidays worldwide.

What to do after walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago? How about Italy’s Via Francigena, a pilgrim walking route from the Alps to Rome, laced with wine and food tasting.

Victoria, British Columbia has exciting, educational marine wildlife attractions, on land and cruising some picturesque islands, all easy and accessible for seniors and families.

Explore Alberta’s Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, a “living museum” east of Edmonton, as well as other family-friendly natural and cultural attractions in the region known as Kalyna Country.

Thousands of people, toddlers to seniors, join the Great Victorian Bike Ride for nine days of cycling Australia’s spectacularly scenic Great Ocean Road.

Visit the famous Lipizzan horses on their Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia where visitors of all ages can tour, ride and even stay on this historic, elegant estate.

Explore Continental Europe, Britain and Ireland by barge or canal boat aboard luxury hotel barges or self-skippered vessels and identify tour operators who deliver memorable experiences in style.

Learn about successful strategies for exchanging homes for memorable, low-budget vacations around the world.

Take an independent ramble through the rugged remote Highlands of North West Scotland with a travel-seasoned 70-something couple who classify themselves as “mobile not agile”.

Alberta’s dramatically-chiseled Badlands offers the perfect “Holy Land” back-drop on a grand scale for Canada’s acclaimed Passion Play enacted each July for the past 14 years.

Family travel is front and center as a veteran travel writer shares his hitchhiking experiences in Ireland with Mom and a rigorous walk across England with Dad.

An active travel exploration through Ireland’s Aran Islands and County Clare provides healing and encouragement during a family reunion.

Garden Tours
Learn about organic farming and gardening with WWOOF through volunteer, low-budget travel in the U.S.A. and worldwide.

Brussels in Bloom flower carpet celebrates a colorful begonia festival in the heart of this beautiful city every two years. See our dazzling photo essay of past carpet designs.

Explore Victoria, British Columbia ’s world famous Butchart Gardens in the Winter season, a time of more subtle beauty by day and dazzling light displays and festive activities each evening during December and early January.

Health and Wellness
Many bike touring operators now offer electric bikes on their itineraries, allowing senior clients to continue an activity they enjoy. We highlight nine e-bike tours in ten countries that include France, Germany, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium.

Spiritual guide and healer, Ronda LaRue, talks about the role of meaningful travel in healing body, mind and spirit and how it can reveal one’s destiny for a healthy, happier life.

In addition to offering stimulating spa wellness holidays, Rotorua, New Zealand is the historic heartland of indigenous Maori culture with exciting educational experiences.

Learn about the top sacred places around the world and how to prepare successfully for visiting such culturally, historically and spiritually significant destinations.

Hawaii is a new world-class destination for health and wellness vacationing on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island where healthy holiday choices suit every taste and budget.

The Hawaiian Islands is home to a wide variety of wellness providers and planners as well as retreat centers and workshops.

Visit an all-inclusive health resort near Tucson, Arizona to discover how wellness vacations are as diverse in their agendas and activity choices as you would experience on a cruise ship.

Learn how to pick creative, healthy vacations that promote physical, mental, and spiritual healing and wellness to last all year!

Home Exchange Holidays and House Sitting
Getting ready to retire? Or already retired and wondering what to do next? The Sabbatical Sisters share meaningful travel ideas to enrich retirement with purpose, passion and creativity.

A retired couple shares their first 2.5 years of marathon house sitting — 26 house sits in five countries! — providing them with budget travel opportunities and a chance to live like a local.

Our story takes readers inside the house sitting experience and suggests tips for successful house and pet sitting holidays as a low-budget travel option.

Learn about successful strategies for exchanging homes for memorable, low-budget vacations around the world.

Horse Farm and Riding Vacations
Regardless of age, demand for women-only adventure travel is greatly increasing, encouraging women beyond their comfort zones. Wilderness yoga, glamping in the wild, kayaking, biking and horseback riding are all part of a demand for transformational travel.

Visit Canada’s Yukon Territory and immerse in a mix of wilderness, wildlife, rich aboriginal heritage and colorful Gold Rush history.

Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies offers 10 horseback riding wilderness nature holidays, June to September, senior-friendly camping and riding vacations.

NOT OPERATING AT PRESENT Experience the famous Molokai Mule Ride down a 1,700 foot cliff with 26 switchbacks to the former Kalaupapa leper colony to learn about the settlement’s infamous past and compassionate present. Father Damien became Saint Damien in October 2009, perhaps leading to some new pilgrimage travel there in future.

Visit the famous Lipizzan horses on their Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia where visitors can tour, ride and even stay on this historic, elegant estate.

Travel writer, Margie Goldsmith, takes a horseback riding vacation and lessons in Tuscany, Italy through picturesque countryside and well-preserved medieval towns.

Kayaking Vacations (see also Rafting and Canoeing)
Sea kayaking is safe, satisfying and great exercise for active seniors to explore nature while on vacation. See five destinations and tours to consider in Corsica, Cuba, British Columbia, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands.

Island-hopping from Maine, U.S.A. to New Brunswick, Canada is a rewarding active camping vacation for intermediate ocean kayakers.

Language Learning
Why should vacationers learn basic phrases in the local language when on their foreign travels? This article offers insights and tips to benefit for everyone, whether as independent traveler or on a tour.

Fifty-plus and ready for a deeper appreciation of Italy? Try a senior-friendly language learning program in Taormina, Sicily, a beautiful historic setting with active volcano, Mount Etna sighing in the background.

Living Abroad
A Seattle, Washington couple in their 60s share their story of moving abroad to rural southern Greece to grow olives and thrive on expat life.

Though Costa Rica has been a popular cultural and ecotourism destination for decades, it remains full of surprises for short vacations and living abroad.

Marine (Ocean) Vacations
Aboard a modern freighter landing craft, explore British Columbia’s working west coast while staying in comfortable cabins, visiting truly remote places, and encountering spectacular marine mammals daily.