Adventure Travel for Older Adults: 9 Excursions to Try
Like fine wine and fancy cheeses, travel gets better with age. More and more people over the age of 50 are hitting the cobblestone streets, armed with their selfie sticks and Rick Steves’ guidebooks, to see all this world has to offer. After all, to quote the aforementioned travel writer, “Travel is a fountain of youth.”
Why not spend retirement seeing the world?
According to a study conducted by AARP, traveling later in life can help improve your emotional and physical health. In fact, 73% of globetrotting baby boomers mention better sleep and increased energy and productivity levels as discernible benefits to traveling abroad. Maybe that means adventure travel for older adults is the right move for you!
Traveling is an excellent way to stay young in spirit, but what about traveling alone? Solo travel carries many of the same benefits across all age groups—increased confidence, time for self-reflection, freedom to explore. But especially for older adults, tours for seniors traveling alone can be a much-needed act of self-care. Being responsible for no one but yourself...doesn’t that sound nice?
9 fun trips for active seniors
If you’re ready and raring to go on your next adventure, read on to discover what opportunities the world holds in terms of adventure travel for older adults. These programs are open to all ages and experience levels. No prior knowledge of foreign language is required and no travel buddy is needed—you can do this all on your own!
1. GoEco: 50+ VolunTour – Big 5 Conservation & Kruger Safari
- Why? An African safari should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list and this is one of the best 50 plus travel tours. GoEco offers a unique experience that involves getting up close with Africa’s Big 5—lions, rhinoceroses, leopards, Cape buffalo, and the African elephant! You’ll go on daily game drives around Kruger Game Reserve and help collect data on these incredible animals all while experiencing the natural beauty of South Africa (views are free of charge!). This all-inclusive experience includes comfortable accommodations, three meals a day, and a tour around historic Johannesburg.
- What? Safaris, conservation
- Where? Johannesburg, South Africa
- When? May to September
- Read GoEco reviews
2. Excellence Center in Europe: Volunteer with Refugees in Germany
- Why? Use your travel experience to make a difference by spending some time at the Excellence Center in Halle, Germany. You’ll be able to dive into the rich history of Halle, the birthplace of famous Baroque composer George Frideric Handel, while engaging with the local community in a meaningful way. During this program, you’ll provide English language lessons to many refugees who arrive in Germany eager to improve their English skills. You’ll also get to expand your own language skills with free Arabic lessons!
- What? English teaching, volunteering, cultural exchange
- Where? Halle, Germany
- When? April/May and September/October
- Read Excellence Center reviews
3. Florence Culinary Arts School: Gelato Course in Florence
- Why? I scream, you scream, we all scream for…Gelato! The rhyme doesn’t work, but who cares? This creamy deliciousness is far superior to ice cream. Gelato is truly a piece of art and now you can learn how to make authentic Italian gelato in Florence, the city known for producing masterpieces. The Florence Culinary Arts School offers a crash course on not only how to make gelato but also how to run your very own gelateria (what a great retirement plan!). Housing is included, as well as optional Italian lessons. And of course, countless opportunities for taste testing!
- What? Cooking, cultural exchange
- Where? Florence, Italy
- When? April/May and September/October
- Read Florence Culinary Arts School reviews
4. Discover Corps: Thailand Baby Elephant Experience
- Why? Journey with Discover Corps to the Land of Smiles and help care for baby elephants at an elephant nursery! You’ll work side by side with mahouts, the traditional expert caretakers of elephants, and assist with everything from meals to bath time. Thailand is a must-see destination for any world traveler, no matter the age. This program includes excursions to the ancient temples and bustling markets of Chiang Mai, the beautiful countryside and vibrant jungles of Northern Thailand, and the famous Thai food markets. You won’t be able to keep that smile off your face!
- What? Conservation
- Where? Chiang Mai, Thailand
- When? November to April
- Read Discover Corps reviews
5. Projects Abroad: Khmer Cultural Immersion in Cambodia
- Why? Go beyond the normal tourist experience in Cambodia by taking part in community development projects! Projects Abroad is committed to providing safe, hassle-free, and impactful travel experiences. There are several different trips for active seniors to choose from. For example, you can help provide medical services in a rural village or teach English in kindergartens at under-resourced schools. Volunteering in Cambodia is a great way to immerse yourself in the Khmer culture. Projects Abroad will even help you learn some of the local language! Other cultural experiences include puppet and pottery making, Apsara dance classes, and taste testing some delicious Cambodian chicken curry.
- What? History, archaeology, community development
- Where? Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- When? September to November
- Read Projects Abroad reviews
6. Mente Argentina: Wine Program in Buenos Aires
- Why? Spend some time sipping in Buenos Aires at one of the most renowned wine programs in Argentina. With Mente Argentina, you’ll learn wine tasting techniques, pairings, varieties, and flavors—everything you need to know to impress your friends when you return home! The Argentine Malbec is just one of the 50 exclusive Argentine and international wines you’ll learn about. Courses range from a two-week intensive to a month-long wine-ding journey that will take you into the Argentine countryside. Mente Argentina especially caters to solo travelers by organizing meet-ups with fellow participants, making this one of the best tours for seniors traveling alone. Get to know your fellow wine aficionados on the dance floor or in a Spanish class!
- What? Wine, dancing, cultural exchange
- Where? Buenos Aires, Argentina
- When? Year-round
- Read Mente Argentina reviews
7. Worldaway Learning Tours: 12 Day Costa Rican Culture Mini-Tour
- Why? Live your Pura Vida in Costa Rica! This breathtaking Central American country is an ideal getaway for anyone. Costa Rica has everything: turquoise waters, zip lines through treetops, delicious fruit, SLOTHS. Get to know the beautiful culture and rich history of the happiest place on earth! Worldaway Learning Tours offers an all-inclusive trip that includes accommodation, three meals a day, expert local guides, and several immersive activities and excursions. Visit the UNESCO world heritage site Stone Spheres of the Diquís. Head out to the rural community of Providencia, known for its giant oak trees, coffee plantations, and birdwatching. And make sure to try some hot chocolate made from fresh cacao!
- What? Conservation, snorkeling, birdwatching
- Where? San Jose, Costa Rica
- When? Year-round
- Read Worldaway Learning Tours reviews
8. Máximo Nivel: Volunteer Adventure – 2 weeks in Peru
- Why? Many travel programs are now combining volunteer work with more traditional tourism and Máximo Nivel has found a pretty great formula for success—spend one week volunteering and then one week traveling and exploring Peru! This win-win situation is one of our favorite 50 plus travel tours. You can select from a range of volunteer projects from animal care to working with marginalized indigenous communities. While volunteering, you’ll also get two hours of Spanish classes. This all-inclusive experience also includes trips to Cusco City, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Lake Titicaca!
- What? Volunteering, conservation, community development
- Where? Cusco, Peru
- When? Flexible start dates year-round
- Read Máximo Nivel reviews
9. Babilonia: Centre for Italian Studies in Taormina
- Why? Study Italian language and culture at the Babilonia Italian Language School! Established in 1992, Babilonia is located in Taormina, a popular destination for many 19th and 20th century creatives (Oscar Wilde, D.H. Lawrence, and Truman Capote to name a few). Live with a local host family and test your language skills while taking a cooking class! Sicily tends to get skipped over in favor of mainland Italy, but this island is a powerhouse of culture, history, and delicious food (cannoli and arancini). Taormina itself is home to the ruins of a massive ancient Greek theatre and sits atop a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Mt. Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes. You’ll be treated to stunning views while expanding your language skills!
- What? Language learning, cultural exchange
- Where? Taormina, Sicily
- When? Flexible start dates year-round
- Read Babilonia reviews
Can’t pick? Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad
Adventure is out there!
Experiencing new things is a great way to stay young!
Active seniors looking for meaningful trips, look no further. It’s been said that travel is the only thing we buy that makes us richer. Truer words have never been spoken! Travel is a magical experience that enlivens and inspires us. It allows us to reconnect with one another, our planet, and ourselves.
Get out there, stay active, and inspire your friends to do the same. You’re never too old to make a difference, enjoy a breathtaking view, or sip a glass of wine.
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