Adventurous Vacation Ideas for Seniors
Planning a vacation as an elderly person certainly comes with its challenges. From financial considerations to physical limitations, it can be tempting to stick to “boring” vacation plans or give up altogether. Well don’t! While aging makes travel plans trickier to execute, there are plenty of ways to still have an adventurous vacation as a senior, whether it’s a solo vacation, a family affair, or a trip with your friends at your senior living facility.
So here are some vacation ideas for seniors looking for an adventure.
Wildlife Encounters
Few things are as exciting as experiencing animals you’ve only heard of on vacation. Luckily, there are so many options, from observing animals in their natural habitat (whales, birds, lions, giraffes, elephants) to swimming with dolphins.
To prepare for a vacation of wildlife encounters, you want to prioritize tour companies with a good safety record and experience with hosting seniors. You also want to pack for not just the type of wildlife you’ll encounter but also for the destination. For example, for an African safari, it’s a good idea to pack sturdy shoes, insect repellant, sunscreen, and binoculars. It’s also a good idea to do your own research on things like how to safely interact with the animals and how to avoid potential dangers at the destination.
Volunteering Abroad
If you’re trying to find the time to give back as well as go on vacation, volunteering abroad is perfect for you because you get to do things that accomplish both these things, including building homes or schools for disaster victims, teaching English to underprivileged children, even helping with conservation efforts.
To prepare for volunteering abroad, you want to pick an organization that shares your interests and values as well as a track record for supporting volunteers after assigning meaningful projects. You should also definitely get vaccinated, then do research on things like the local laws, etiquette, and social norms of your destination.
Culinary Tours
Adventures don’t have to be strenuous and a culinary tour means not just trying new food but also exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and discovering other gems along the way.
To prepare for a culinary tour, you want to opt for a tour company that specializes in tours for seniors that can accommodate any special dietary needs. Then, familiarize yourself with the cuisine of the places you’ll be visiting – cooking techniques, common ingredients, food history – as it’s one of the simplest ways to fully appreciate the tour and enhance your experience.
Going on adventurous vacations doesn’t need to stop just because of aging. Wildlife encounters, volunteering abroad, and food tours are all age-appropriate adventure ideas, and as long as you consult with your doctor and prepare, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have new and exciting travel experiences.
