Senior Travel Opportunity – Have You Heard Of Elderhostel?

A terrific senior travel opportunity and vacation is with Elderhostel. It is a program designed especially for seniors that combines opportunities to travel, learn new things, have fun, and enjoy once in a lifetime experiences.

What is Elderhostel?

Lots of different companies offer Elderhostel services, but the most traditional and reputable ones are based on a non-profit approach. A great example of this can be found at www.elderhostel.com, the comprehensive web site of the leading Elderhostel provider. The idea of Elderhostel is really very simple; programs and activities are put together for adults age 55 and older that allow them to combine vacation, travel, and learning in an interesting and cost effective way.

Elderhostel programs are much like organized tours, but with an important difference. In Elderhostel programs you will have opportunities that you may not have if you’re just a vacation tourist. For example, you could participate in a program at a local university that allows you to study literature with a faculty member in small groups where you get personal attention and access to their expertise. Throughout the program you would also have opportunities to interact with other participants, explore that area you’re visiting, and stay in locations where you’re not just a visitor but a welcome guest.

Elderhostel Choices

You can literally find thousands of choices in Elderhostel programs. They range from two or three day programs to some as long as three weeks or more. You can search for an Elderhostel program by continent, by country, by topics of interest, by activity level, by date, and many other categories. Let’s take a look at some examples of the variety and scope of the Elderhostel programs available:

Ultimate opera – This program takes you to New York City where you will enjoy opera performances by leading opera stars, plus get a chance for a behind the scenes look at Lincoln Center and what it takes to put on an opera. You’ll also get a chance to sit down with opera experts and performers to talk about all aspects of opera music, composition, and the like.

Adventure Cruise

There are a number of these programs that take you to your choice of many different cruise destinations. You can go to the tropics and learn about the plants, animals, history, and geology of the place you visit. Or, you can travel some of the world’s most famous Rivers to experience the heritage, culture, and unique communities that flourish along the river banks.

Food and Wine

These are among the most popular and interesting programs because you can combine learning about specific areas, countries, and cultures with the pleasure of experiencing some of the best food and wine available in those places. Your activities might include special sessions with a winemaker, a hands-on lesson from a chef, or an opportunity to see fresh ingredients as they are grown and harvested.

Sports Activities – Tailored To Suit Your Needs

Hundreds of different Elderhostel programs are focused on sports activities. From golf, to cycling, to hiking, to water sports, and beyond, you can participate in a sport while also on a learning adventure. You don’t have to be an expert at a sport, though, because programs are tailored for the needs of many different skill levels.

Requirements for Elderhostel

The requirements for participating in an Elderhostel program are not very complicated. They are for the senior traveler that is at least 55 years of age and have an interest in exploring the world around you. Some programs require you to have a certain level of physical fitness, but the majority of them can accommodate nearly anyone with a physical limitation.

Elderhostel programs are great for senior traveling, whether you are single, going as a couple, or going as a small group. Activities and accommodations offer enough options to meet your needs whether you are traveling alone or with others. Plus, as you participate in the program you’ll be interacting with other seniors who have similar interests and a desire for adventure. Many people leave an Elderhostel program having made new friends and friendships with others from all over the world.