Senior citizens who love to travel will find these tours are designed just for you. There is a wide variety that cater only to seniors and those who prefer to travel in a small group and most often with a guide escort. Guides are pretty important as I remember on one occasion where I fired a guide on our bus who was a total washout, which is rare.  He was not a happy camper but the group was much happier. With my Michelin Guide Books, I became the guide as we toured France.

Odysseys Unlimited

Discover the beauty of small group senior travel with Odysseys Unlimited. In a congenial small group of just 12 to 24 guests — guaranteed — seniors will enjoy the best of both worlds: the value, ease and comprehensive itinerary of an escorted group tour, and some of the freedom and flexibility sophisticated travelers demand, and deserve. Send for their free catalog online.

Adventures Abroad

Traveling abroad calls for some special attention to the needs of senior citizens. This organization has been around for a while and you may find they will fit your specific needs. Since 1987, industry-leader Adventures Abroad has been exceeding the expectations of senior travelers across the globe with its unrivaled small group tour experiences. Their professional and enthusiastic Tour Leaders tread extraordinary paths through different countries and cultures, they  invite seniors to join in on the journey of discovery and exploration. Whether you are looking for a once in a lifetime holiday, an active adventure or a cultural journey, Adventures Abroad could be your first destination.

Senior Travel Websites

Transitions Abroad has a nice listing of several tours that cater to seniors. There are so many that you may have some difficulty in choosing just one.

DestinationThere and Advice From eHow

DestinationThere caters to senior travelers and those who prefer an escorted tour. eHow provides specific instructions on “How to Book an Escorted Senior Tour” and offers excellent tips, suggestions and even warnings.

Smarter Travel and 50plus Expeditions

I have nothing but total respect for this year’s picks for the Top 5 Senior-Friendly tour operators.  Each is highly regarded and some of you may have already been on one of their terrific tours.  Elderhostel, Grand Circle, Grand European Tours and Colette Vacations are great choices. YMT is new to me and has made the top five listing for the first time.


YMT Vacations is a good choice for frugal seniors who want to fully experience destinations such as Alaska and Hawaii for $100 per day or less. Founded in 1967, this tour company offers escorted motor coach and cruise tours to just a few North American destinations. 50plus Expeditions offers their best trips for the elderly. They offer tours all over the world however they specialize in North American tour packages for seniors.

So Your choice is to “Stay Home” in the States

That’s just fine too. Yahoo has found The Best Domestic Trips for Senior Citizens or Single Citizens. Many seniors spend their lives planning vacations in the United States and dream of getting onboard a large motor coach or fifth wheel to travel in and see their country like my 90 year old Aunt Velma. She loved bus trips all over the country, including Alaska. But sometimes this can just all be too overwhelming as one ages and it becomes easier to let someone else plan those domestic trips. That’s where tour companies come in mighty handy.

Eldertreks

Lastly for today I bring on Eldertreks,  the world’s first adventure travel company designed exclusively for people 50 and over. Established in 1987, ElderTreks offers active, off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventures by both land and sea in over 100 countries. ElderTreks offers wildlife and tribal African safaris, active hiking trips to the Rockies, Himalayas and Andes, expeditions by icebreakers to the Arctic and Antarctic and cultural journeys throughout Asia, South America and much of the world.

Send for an online brochure or download the brochure right here today.  And senior hikers, this one may be of interest to you as ElderTreks offers adventure trips that are specifically designed for true hiking enthusiasts. If you are an adventure traveler who wants to see the world while lacing up your hiking boots these trekking trips may be just what you are looking for.

So take your pick and enjoy your planning and surfing today.  jeb

Want to really get lost?  Probably not, but if you are adventuresome seniors seeking something new in your travels, check out ten places worthy to be discovered or in which to get “lost.” I’ve located some great spots to have fun as you enjoy the scenic countryside.

Northern California’s Lost Coast
Call it the end of the road. Northern California’s Lost Coast starts where Highway 1—the intrepid highway that fights its way over crumbling cliffs and curving shores for almost 700 miles of Pacific coast—finally gives up, defeated by mountains that rise nearly straight out of the water.

Laurentians, Quebec
Forget the city lights—Montreal’s backyard offers a thousand ways to get lost. Neighboring the metropolis, the Laurentians region, named after the mountain range guarding its northern border, offers three unique paths to leisurely exploration.

Florida’s Forgotten Coast
What better place to get lost than off the beaten path? Florida’s Forgotten Coast stretches languidly over 200 miles of mostly undeveloped Gulf of Mexico coastline. It’s a piece of lost Florida, of white-sand beaches with nary a high rise in sight.

Calakmul, Mexico
Here’s a find: a lost Mayan city that’s still largely undiscovered. Calakmul, located in a remote part of Campeche in Mexico, once rivaled Guatemala’s Tikal in size and importance, but today it is virtually unknown.

Texas Hill Country
Get lost, y’all. That’s the invitation from Texas Hill Country for senior travelers to enjoy a rolling landscape of rugged landscapes, thriving vineyards, and charming towns just west of Austin and north of San Antonio.

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Slow to get lost, slow to get found again. That’s the appeal of Cajun Country. Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, is the gateway to Cajun Country and the perfect place to give in to a slower way of life.

Georgian Bay, Ontario
It’s a land of plenty, and you don’t even have to share. Georgian Bay, on Lake Huron in Ontario, is the world’s largest freshwater archipelago.

Eureka Dunes, California
You’ll need good directions to get lost at the Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park. Accessible only by dirt roads, the sand dunes rise precipitously out of a remote valley flanked by the towering Last Chance Mountains.

Black Hills, South Dakota
We strongly advise against actually getting lost underground, but there’s nothing like finding yourself adrift in time and space when you’re in a cave and all the lights go out just long enough to feel the thrill. The Black Hills were so-called because of their dark appearance from a distance, they were covered in trees.

and…

Shipshewana and Nappanee Indiana
Sure, there are plenty of country roads on which to lose your way around the Amish village of Shipshewana, but why not mix it up and get lost in another time instead? I’ve been there…awesome.  Back country roads full of Amish farms and horse-drawn buggies.  It too was super, especial the “Threshers Dinner” and superb Amish Cuisine in Nappanee, Indiana. Drive the Heritage Trail and see it all. That’ll keep you on the road and busy for a while seniors. Enjoy them all. jeb

My wife and I love Texas Hill Country.  If you have never driven through this part of the state, you are in for a treat. Whether you take Hwy 87 or 290, you will pass through smaller towns that team with rolling hills, lush green landscape, lakes and rivers and picturesque scenery around every corner.  Check out Bandera on the map above that is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” and Bandera is just the place to order a chicken-fried steak bigger than your “haid” and dance to live country music. Don’t forget to pick up a must-have rubber tomahawk from the Frontier Times Museum. The Hill Country of Texas is known as the backyard playground for senior Texans that like to have fun, enjoy nature, hang out, live and retire.

The Hilly Triangle

This map shows the many interesting sites that seem to form a triangle going west from San Antonio, North to Austin and back West to Kerrville, Texas. You will find plenty to see and do in the Hill Country as you read through this link. See if you can find Luchenbach on this one as Waylon Jennings sings a song about this town.  Johnson City is also quite famous as former President Lyndon B. Johnson called it his boyhood home.

Are Five Million Visitors Impressive?

The Hill Country can be no longer be considered one of the nations’ biggest “hidden” secrets. This spectacular area welcomes over five million visitors a year. Still, only a small percentage of seniors are lucky enough to discover such a beautiful countryside within a genuine “down to earth” community. The picturesque landscapes are more than enough to make even the most seasoned Hollywood photographers jealous! All senior travelers, both seasoned and beginners, leave with a once in a lifetime experience that can only be found in the Hill Country of Texas. Made up of a vibrant community of over 55 cities/areas, the Texas Hill Country offers a variety of beautiful rugged hills and romantic sunsets. The mild winters and warm summers make it a viable year round vacation destination for everyone. Select a few cities/areas above and you will soon see for yourself that this is one spectacular area of Texas that offers unparalleled diversity.

For us, it’s Fredericksburg and One Charming Town After Another

My wife and were driving through Hill Country enjoying the roads and countryside as we passed through Fredericksburg where just over 10,000 folks enjoy daily life.  We just had to stop and stroll along on the sidewalks.  As we did we passed a store called Dogologie that carries our family business (Dog Treats) called Dr. Becker’s Bites (That’s my daughter, Karen, the Vet).  We stopped in and had a great conversation with the owner.  Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Old-time German residents often referred to Fredericksburg as Fritztown, a nickname that is still used in some businesses. The town is also notable as the home of Texas German, a dialect spoken by the first generations of German settlers who initially refused to learn English. If you happen by between October 5-7, 2012, you can experience OktoberFest in Fredericksburg.

And Some Great Vineyards

The local chamber of commerce and the town’s “official website” invites seniors to bring along a wine glass at the Becker Vineyard …yes, but unfortunately it’s not our family business, but great wine is just east of Fredericksburg.  There are several other vineyards to visit and each is a special treat. Check out this wine tasting tour by bus Texas Style as you sample “liquid treasures crafted by passionate vintners.”

Wildseed Farms and Enchanted Rock

Being a Master Gardener myself (Iowa State University) I love flowers of all kinds and this site was a special visit for my wife and I. Wildseed Farms is located in the beautiful Texas hill country, just seven miles east of Fredericksburg, Texas. They have 200 acres of wildflowers in various stages of development on the farm. Springtime visitors will likely see Texas bluebonnets, red corn poppies, phlox, and a gorgeous array of other spring flowers.

So plan to bed down in Hill Country and spend a few days just relaxing and enjoying the many sites and activities. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area consists of 1643.5 acres on Big Sandy Creek, north of Fredericksburg, on the border between Gillespie and Llano Counties. So work on your “Texan Drawl” and mosey on down to Hill Country, Seniors. You’ll love it. jeb

Appomattox, Where Our Nation Reunited . Here you will discover the Appomattox Court House National HIstorical Park, forever written on the pages of Civil War History.  The park is operated by the National Park Service and it pays homage to the events which reunited our nation and brought an end to the bloodiest chapter in the history of our country.  Walk the dusty roads of Clover Hill Village where senior visitors will witness life as it was in the 1800′s.
Clover Hill is a six acre living history village where the heritage of Appomattox comes to life. Enjoy a glimpse into daily life from 1840 to 1920 as you browse through the many historic buildings including a log cabin residence, chapel, one room schoolhouse, working blacksmith shop, general store post office, winter quarters for soldiers.

Appomattox Draws Senior History Buffs

Appomattox attractions offer much to see and enjoy. It is suggested that you begin your visit at the Visitor Information Center which is located in a restored railroad depot and marks the spot where General George Custer captured General Robert E. Lee’s train of food and supplies, the final straw that led to his surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865.  This Civil War Trust site tells all about the Battle Of Appomattox Court House back in 1865. If you are into maps, here’s where and how it happened.

Use these links to find area events, great deals and packages, things for seniors to do, places to say and where to dine while you are there. If you are into B&Bs like my wife and me, you will find that each is very charming, welcoming and full of history.  This site offers a special walking tour of Appomattox Court House…that is filled with history and refurbished houses and buildings.

While you are in Virginia look around a bit using this free travel guide. Do remember that “Virginia is for Lovers” and take it all in, seniors. jeb

Well Seniors, we are going to go a long, long ways on this one,  all the way to South Africa. Let’s first check out the airlines.  We will fly South African Airlines, okay? Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa. Now that that’s settled, let’s check into some great times in South Africa.

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo’burg or Egoli,  is the largest city in South Africa.  The population of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Area was 7,151,447 a few years ago. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, and is also the world’s largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline.

It claims to be the lightning capital of the world, though this title is also claimed by others. The city is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills so, senior traveler,  maybe we can get a deal on some good gold jewelry and a nice diamond ring. Check out one of these tours.  I love to take a tour, like a Grey Line, the first day in any new large city. These tours look pretty good and will also take you a  day’s drive out of the city.

Half the population of Jozi live in Soweto (Originally an acronym for “SOuth-WEstern TOwnships”) and adjacent suburbs. The majority of the population is formed by South Africa’s black residents. There are also around 300,000 residents of other descent. Unlike other South African cities, no language group dominates, although English is the established lingua franca. Jozi is the economic hub of South Africa, and increasingly for the rest of Africa. Although estimates vary, about 10% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP is generated in Johannesburg. Yet the city’s wealth is unequally distributed among its inhabitants causing the city to have, within its own borders, living conditions varying from first world standards to third world conditions.

Johannesburg represents the spirit of South Africa, and in some ways a visit to the country is not complete without an introduction to the city. Lonely Planet to the rescue with a great listing of activities, entertainment, restaurants, shopping, sights, tours and hotels all on this one page.

Johannesburg is a booming, happening city and the emphasis is on making money – whether in business or on the streets – and has been since its beginnings when the world’s richest gold fields were discovered in Johannesburg during the 1880s. To the first-time visitor Johannesburg can be a little daunting, more so because of the misrepresentation by the media of Johannesburg as something of a war zone. There is crime; you do need to keep your wits about you, but once bitten by the vibe of Jozi, you’re going to want to return.

There are over six million trees in Jozi (my two brothers and I counted them once) – that draws senior visitors; buzzing, trendy suburbs like Parktown and Norwood, with their restaurant-lined avenues that cater for the dining and décor set; the high street of Greenside that so easily dons the mantle of hip chic; fashionable Melville, and the sprawling malls of Sandton, all combine to make the city a great place to be.

Gauteng Attractions Catch Seniors

Although it is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, Gauteng, the Sotho word for “Place of Gold”, is the commercial and industrial powerhouse of the country and indeed of southern Africa. Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life, from all corners of the world. Gauteng’s main attraction is big business, but there is so much more … museums, galleries, historical battlefields. Gauteng is also an entertainment playground offering world-class restaurants, shebeens (Irish: sibín) was originally an illicit bar or club where alcoholic beverages were sold without a license, shopping malls and music venues. Try to take in one of these gospel choir concerts.

Johannesburg epitomizes South Africa’s paradoxical makeup—it is rich, poor, innovative, and historic all rolled into one. And it seems at times as though no one actually comes from Johannesburg. The city is full of immigrants: Italians, Portuguese, Chinese, Hindus, Swazis, English, Zimbabweans, Nigerians, Xhosa. And the streets are full of merchants. Traders hawk skop (boiled sheep’s head, split open and eaten off newspaper) in front of polished glass buildings, as taxis jockey for position in rush hour. Sangomas (traditional healers) lay out herbs and roots next to roadside barbers’ tents, and you never seem to be far from a woman selling vetkoek (dollops of deep-fried dough), beneath billboards advertising investment banks or cell phones. Take good notes on this one with lots of good photos to share later with friends. jeb

I enjoy writing about places where I have been.  I don’t recall which tour I led that took the group to Normandy and Bayeux, but I remember well the city, its hospitality and its proximity to the Beaches of Normandy. Bayeux is located roughly 166 miles northwest of Paris making it an easy drive for seniors if you have a rental car.

The Musée de la Reine Mathilde displays the famous Bayeux Tapestry.  The tapestry is actually embroidery on a band of linen measuring 231 feet long, and 20 inches wide. Some 58 scenes are depicted.  This large embroidery tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the Battle of Hastings.  I have had the good fortune to walk along the actual battle scene in England.  The medieval Tapestry, Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, is probably the world’s most famous embroidery. It is remarkable both as a source of 11th century history and as a work of art.  It is an invaluable historical representation of the arms, costumes, manners and ships used by the Normans (led by William The Conqueror) prior to the Norman conquest of England and the tapestry is a national monument of France.

I recall that it was found in a horse barn being used as a blanket for horses when it was rescued, cleaned and placed in the museum.  One scene that I remember well among the hundred showing the boats, horses, armor and clothing is the famous Halley’s Comet that is above  one of the battle scenes. This newer version of a YouTube depiction shows animated battles (be assured that there are NO moving scenes in the museum). It is pretty cool.  Don’t miss it.

Tapestery, Cathedral and Normandy Beaches Await Senior Citizens

The Bayeux Cathedral of Notre Dame de Bayeux is another well-known monument and you will want to see the interior on your visit here. Take a tour of the Bayeux Cathedral – part of the World’s Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats. Bayeux Cathedral is an ornate, Norman-Romanesque sanctuary and a treasured jewel in the town of Bayeux. Bayeux’s 13th through 19th century Gothic Cathedral is in the town’s center.  It has 11th century Romanesque towers, a groin-vaulted crypt, which is decorated with 15th century frescos.  The City Hall, Hotel-de-Ville, was once the region’s catholic Bishop’s Palace.  A museum and the law courts are housed here. Underneath the massive structure lies an ancient crypt that houses murals of biblical figures.

The German army occupied Bayeux in 1940.  The Allies took the town on D-Day plus one, June 7, 1944.  It was the first town liberated, and it was the first to greet General de Gaulle on his return to France on June 14, 1944. Although Bayeux is only a short distance from the D-Day invasion beaches of Omaha and Gold, it was spared bombardment during the historic invasion. Today, it is a sleepy, small town with cobblestone streets lined with small shops and Norman style timbered houses dating from the 17th century.

Wondering what you will do in Bayeux? This WorldWeb.com activity guide will help you plan and book activities during your visit. Close by to Bayeux is Ste. Mère-Eglise.  One of my favorite scenes in the Longest Day is when Charlie Company of the 82nd Airborne over shoots their DZ (drop zone) and they land under fire in the town square of St.Mère Eglise.

And the Normandy Cheese…

The region is full of fields and orchards, which in turn means that there are plenty of cows and fruit and so food in Normandy tends to be based on these products. In fact, milk from cows in Normandy makes up about half of France’s milk, butter, cheese and cream. Seniors, you will find in Normandy cuisine, dairy products like butter and cream are  used in the rich, thick sauces that accompany fish, meat and vegetable dishes. Veal (veau) is popular and sometimes cooked Vallée d’Auge style with cream and butter, and mussel soup is made with stock, white wine and cream.

Normandy cheeses include the ubiquitous Camembert, called in French “le roi des fromages – the fromage des rois” = The King of Cheeses…the Cheese of Kings, which has been around since William the Conqueror’s days. Other interesting and typical varieties include Neufchatel (or Bondon), the soft and square Pont l’Eveque, and the stronger, round Livarot. And be sure to try the Cidre and the Calvados.  Do enjoy the many wonderful foods in Normandy. You won’t come away with an empty stomach.  jeb

The Sonoma Country Tourism Bureau asks…”do you speak Sonoma”? Sonomads are seniors prone to wander around the county in search of new adventures. Corkhopping? What’s that? It is the delicious act of wine tasting at multiple wineries.  And a Forkscrew.  Ever heard of one of those?  It ends up being a real item that is a multiple purpose utensil facilitating wine and food pairings.  And lastly what they call “Living in Zin” which is sharing a particular vintage before (and after) you are married.  Well, that’s a good start for Sonoma.  Now let’s check out the site.

It’s there just waiting for your arrival

Less that an hour north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, this land of plenty endows seniors with an experience of a lifetime.  It is not just for wine lovers, but for all those who embrace the California lifestyle. Friendly winemakers explain their craft in small tasting rooms, farmers invite you to discover their organic farms and the locals point out where to find the best beaches on the coast or trails through the redwoods. You will enjoy exploring the quaint small towns along the coast while meeting interesting artists or just relaxing at a cafe among the vines. I had never heard the term “wine surfing” before, but here it is in everyone’s vocabulary. Sonoma County encompasses a wide variety of landscapes: from oak-studded hills to flood plains, from redwood groves to windswept beaches. Sonoma County Farm Trails members can be found in all of these places, offering agricultural products with their own sense of terroir: flavors and textures unique to their soil and micro-climates.

A Million Acres

As you explore Sonoma County’s million acres and incredible diversity you will want to spend time at Lake Sonoma or an evening being epicurious trying out new restaurants that abound in the area. Whether you want to sightsee, shop, dine, take in a show, relax or play (or all of the above), here is some information to help you get started. Simply click on the category you’re interested in for more ideas and information. Sonoma County may be known for wine, but with 76 miles of Pacific Coastline, redwood forests, an African safari and a thrilling road course, there is every type of activity available, ensuring you have something to write home about.

What Makes SC So Special?

It’s a place where people go for peace and quiet; to enjoy the vast and beautiful terrain of Northern California; to eat of the bounty of the Pacific Ocean; and to taste the magnificent libations produced by the rich soil that allows grapes to grow abundantly in this region. This is Sonoma County.

Each year, thousands upon thousands of visitors take the drive north to enjoy days of endless activity – from wine-tasting at Sonoma County’s more than 200 award-winning wineries to camping in the state and regional parks to merely relaxing in one of more than 11,000 rooms offered to visitors at hotels, inns, lodges, and bed and breakfast establishments throughout the county. When you’re through admiring the picturesque vineyards, enjoying elegant dinners at the wineries, and exploring the 200,000 acres of grapes, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Sonoma County.

Visiting Raymond Burr Vineyards is a special treat! Legendary Raymond Burr, of the Perry Mason and Ironside fame, along with longtime friend and colleague Robert Benevides, planted their first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in 1986 and bottled their first vintage in 1992. Take a day or two to pamper yourself at the world-class spas. Go antique shopping in quaint downtown areas, or consider a day of gallery browsing at the dozens of art galleries located throughout Sonoma County. While you’re at it, take in a museum or two and learn about the rich history of Northern California. The largest city in Sonoma County is Santa Rosa and is well worth your visit.

Things to See and Do

Good old TripAdvisor will fix you up with a nice listing of B&Bs, top-rated restaurants and top-rated things to do (285 in all). There are a variety of tours to consider in Sonoma County including bike tours and a motorized SF Cable Car through the vineyards. And oh yes, I could not leave you without sharing the “Official County of Sonoma website.” Enjoy your visit. jeb

Armenia

Armenia is located in the mountains in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. It is situated at the juncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Armenia is a unique country; it has over 50,00 hand-made crosses, sculptured of rocks, not one  identical to any other one.  Each stone cross has its own pattern; each one has its own story to tell that goes back to the most early ages.  It is said that no nation in the world has employed such a powerful and long-lasting way to express its faith to God.

There’s lots more to learn about Armenia that has just over 3 million inhabitants with 1 million living in the capital city of Yerevan. It is situated on the Hrazdan River, and is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. It has been the capital of Armenia since 1918 and the twelfth in the history of Armenia.

Georgia

Georgia, situated at the dividing line of Asia and Europe, is an ancient country of rugged mountains and very determined people. With sublimely perched old churches, watchtowers and castles dotting its fantastic mountain scenery, Georgia has to be one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

This is a place where (except in the drabber, Soviet-built sectors of some towns) the human hand has much enhanced that of nature. Finally putting post-Soviet internal strife and economic stagnation behind it, Georgia is now developing its tourism potential and making the full range of its attractions safely and readily accessible to senior travelers. Appealing accommodation for all budgets is becoming available across the country and opportunities for exploring by foot, horse or vehicle are expanding fast. Georgia offers impressive Tbilisi, antique Kutaisi, inspiring Mtskheta.  Nearby is The Great Silk Road,  one of the most magnificent achievements of ancient civilization. Thousands of merchants and travelers passed along this famous route through dangerous deserts and vast steppes to reach China and buy silk – the main but not the only item of trade. The road also served as a means of exchanging cultures, religions and traditions between countries and contributed to the cultural and economic development of both East and West.

Tours Take Seniors to the Caucasus

Adventour, takes seniors to the Caucasus to explore the secrets of this hidden land… from Yerevan and Tbilisi to dramatic Caucasus Mountains and Silk Road sites frozen in time. This tour is said to be a cultural delight.  Experience Caucasian hospitality at its best, visit wineries, sample Armenian cuisine and Georgian polyphonic singing. The Caucasus Silk Road Tour, for 12 days and 13 nights, takes seniors into Tbilisi, Georgia and on to Baku, Azerbaijan. Exotour,  a Travel and Tour Operator in Georgia and Caucasus Region was established in Tbilisi in 1993, arranging special interest tours and individual travel programs: cultural, historical, architectural, adventure, outdoor, food and wine tours, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, bird watching, helicopter trips, off-road and winter ski tours.   Levon Travel would like you to consider their tailored packages to both Armenia and Georgia. Here is a Travel Forum by Lonely Planet that may be of interest to you if you have to decide between the two. Should be a wonderful adventure for senior seekers of unique experiences. Enjoy!  jeb

Buffalo, Wyoming is nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains and is conveniently located at the intersections of Interstates 25 and 90. Wyoming State Highway 16, on it’s way from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park, runs through Buffalo. The Cloud Peak Scenic Byway, between two of America’s most popular national treasures, is a safe, easy and enticing drive for seniors.
Buffalo’s main street has more than a dozen historic buildings, including the Occidental Hotel where Butch Cassiday and The Sundance Kid stayed. The impressive Jim Gatchell Museum has over 15,000 artifacts from the American Old West.  Many other Wyoming historical sites are just a short drive from Buffalo including Fort Phil Kearney, Fetterman’s Massacre Site, Wagon Box Fight and the infamous “Hole in the Wall”- the hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid along with the rest of the “Wild Bunch.”

Seniors, Care for Some Running? Skiing?  Camping? Fishing?…

Andy Holak, cofounder of the Adventure Running Company,  searches for backcountry tour routes that feature grazing bison, mountain lakes, and stunning peaks.  An accomplished ultramarathoner, Holak thinks nothing of running 50 miles in a day. On a recent long-haul race to Dayton, Wyo., he discovered Buffalo and immediately decided it was one of his favorite outdoorsy gems. “Buffalo has that nice mix of cowboys and kayakers.” The town’s undiscovered status means you’ll have the trails to yourself, seniors, and its superb location at the foot of the Bighorns offers immediate access to some of the best recreation areas in the country. “It’s one of the closest jumping-off points for climbing Cloud Peak,” Holak says.  At 13,167 feet, Cloud Peak is the highest point in the Bighorn range.

But even mellow day hikes are rewarded with dramatic endings, such as the one found at Bucking Mule Falls, which plunges 600 feet down a steep rock face into Devil Canyon. Drives, too, are almost distractingly scenic. It’s hard to top a cruise in the car out to Crazy Woman Canyon, where a narrow dirt road hugs a creek and steep rock walls cast a golden glow. Then there’s the excellent rock climbing at Ten Sleep Canyon and the plentiful cross-country skiing trails in winter.

It doesn’t hurt that Main Street is movie-set picturesque, with rows of well-preserved mercantile shops and saloons from the late 1800s now transformed into art galleries and outdoor outfitters.   Buffalo is just a short drive to skiing, boating, camping, hunting, fishing, guest ranches, lakes, streams and mountains.  It is a sportsman’s paradise with an abundance of spectacular scenery, wildlife, fascinating frontier heritage and outdoor recreation waiting for the senior visitor.  Enjoy Buffalo!  jeb

Dubuque is located along the Mississippi River in NE Iowa. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state. The city lies at the junction of three states: Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, a region locally known as the Tri-State Area. It serves as the main commercial, industrial, educational, and cultural center for the area.

There is plenty going on in Dubuque as the economy has recently witnessed rapid growth and diversification in other areas. In 2005, it led the state and the midwest in job growth, ranking as the 22nd fastest-growing economy nationally. Dubuque also made national news when a tremendous hailstorm engulfed the city in April 2011.

It is one of the few large cities in Iowa with hills and high bluffs and is home to a large senior tourist industry, driven by the city’s unique architecture and river location. Also, it is home to five institutions of higher education, making it a center for culture and learning.

I remember, as a youth, our family crossing the Mississippi River on the Julien Dubuque Bridge to East Dubuque where my uncle had a dance hall, Moonlight Gardens. This was where my brothers and I got to meet the Everly Brothers and Marty Robbins. What a thrill!

Dubuque was founded as the first white settlement in Iowa by French-Canadian lead miners. In the nineteenth century it became a boisterous river port and logging center. Buildings from this era still stand, but the companies that use them are in meatpacking and other food industries. The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium at Third Street in the old Ice Harbor area, tells the story of Mississippi navigation from the days of Robert Fulton’s first commercial steamboat.

The city of Dubuque is among the oldest European settlements west of the Mississippi River. The first Europeans to explore the area were Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, who traveled along the river in 1673. The current city of Dubuque, named after Julien Dubuque, was settled at the southern end of a large, flat plain adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Beautiful Hills, High Bluffs and Mansions Attract Senior Tourists

The Shot Tower located in Dubuque is one of the last remaining shot towers in the country. Another landmark not to be missed, and there are few of these left in the whole US, is the Fenelon Place Elevator. On the side of a wooded bluff, two little rail cars run up and down, the legacy of a banker who, in 1882, decided he needed a faster way to get home for his noontime meal and nap. Today, the little cars pull senior tourists up a 65-percent grade toward a magnificent view of Wisconsin, Illinois, the river valley and the steepled downtown, surrounded by hills thick with Victorian manses. “They call this little Rome, because it’s built on seven hills, like Rome, Italy,’’ says cable-car operator Bruce Oeschger, who used the cars himself to deliver newspapers when he was a boy.  This funicular railway and the Shot Tower are both listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Four Mounds, a Dubuque Landmark Site, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area affiliate site. Four Mounds holds a special place in our hearts…my wife’s sister, her husband and children lived in two of their houses for a season.

The Dubuque County Courthouse is unique as is the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The Diamond Jo Casino floats on the river and Eagle Point Park overlooks the city and the Mines of Spain area. This travel guide will fill you in on specifics like where to stay, good restaurants and nearby cultural activities. TripAdvisor suggests 19 things not to be missed in Dubuque.  Enjoy an historical Mississippi River town.  jeb