This blog is the second in a series for travelers 60 and over. When we approach and then reach retirement, travel often tops the list of our priorities for that time in our life. What is it about travel that captures our imagination? Is it simply wanderlust or something more? In this Sixty and Me blog, we’ll probe the question of why we travel.
Relaxation
Who hasn’t stared out the window during a stressful workday, dreaming of escaping the mundane routines of everyday life for a relaxing travel experience? With the fast-paced lives so many of us lead, travel allows us to take a break from our day-to-day responsibilities and recharge our batteries.
Better Weather
As we age, the motivation to escape seasonal weather extremes heightens. Those from colder climates might travel because of health conditions, safety (e.g., avoiding falls on slippery ice) or avoidance of infection-prone indoor spaces. Folks in hot summer climates might head for cooler regions to enjoy more outdoor activities and avoid heat-induced illnesses. It’s a sense of freedom and independence that comes with escaping these extremes.
Touring
Many of us are filled with a sense of adventure, eager to get out and see the world. “World” might mean exotic locations around the globe for some people. To others, it might mean visiting the many corners of their own state or country. An important decision is whether to book with a tour company or go alone.
It might make sense to go with an organized tour group for unfamiliar destinations. This will reduce your stress level and allow you to learn how to navigate in that environment should you decide to visit again on your own.
Learning
It’s said that learning continues throughout our lives. With that in mind, travel can be arranged to add a learning component. Even if relaxation is your primary goal, integrating learning with travel adds a stimulating dimension to an already great experience. Examples are:
- Learning a language from native speakers.
- Exploring local history with resident experts.
- Assisting in an archeological dig with scientists.
- Experiencing the arts, cuisine or other cultural features.
- Wildlife or architectural photography.
Adventure
If traveling to relax all day sounds boring and you’re physically able, an active experience can challenge both your body and mind. Imagine hiking, climbing, biking, sailing or rafting in a new and stimulating environment.
Aside from deciding the type of activity, you’ll need to decide the difficulty level. Most adventure-oriented travel organizations list the level of physical stress associated with each type of trip. Don’t overestimate your degree of fitness. Signing up for an overly challenging adventure could turn a dream trip into a disaster.
Service
What better way to support a cause you believe in than by traveling to give service? At one end of the spectrum are programs like Doctors Without Borders, where medical professionals volunteer for months at a time. On the other end, there are average people who travel to help others in various ways, like building homes or volunteering at orphanages.
One way to find such service opportunities is to ask organizations you already support about volunteer roles available for travelers. Alternatively, online clearinghouses like goabroad.com or Kaya.com can help connect volunteers with worthy causes. In either case, carefully research the program to ensure it truly delivers value to the cause you care about.
Wellness
Wellness travel has become a popular trend, but its roots lie in the past when wealthy people traveled to mineral springs and other locations for health benefits. Today, wellness travel still includes many of these locations, but numerous other options have emerged, ranging from weeks-long experiences to devoting a day of the itinerary to a spa treatment.
Wellness travel also includes “medical tourism.” Usually, this means patients from countries with less sophisticated healthcare options travel to medical centers of excellence in other countries. The reverse can be true, too, where patients from wealthy countries get less expensive care outside their borders.
Relationships
Some of us travel to support relationships. This can take a couple of forms. First, traveling with others can build deeper emotional bonds from shared experiences. On the other hand, traveling together can also lead to conflicts. To avoid the latter pitfall, take time before the trip to mutually express expectations about such things as budget, lodging, transportation and planned activities. Allow each other space to do some things solo in an effort to balance togetherness and alone time.
Another aspect of traveling to support relationships is visiting friends and family to reinforce existing connections with faraway loved ones. As a part of planning, however, discuss expectations with your hosts. A common understanding of such basics as sleeping arrangements and planned activities will help make for a more rewarding visit. Remember, your stay disrupts your host’s regular routine, so even if they welcome the visit, it pays to be sensitive to their needs.
Each person’s reasons for traveling are unique. However, understanding your underlying motivations for travel will provide insight into planning satisfying travel experiences.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Why do you travel? Is it for leisure or something else? What does travel give you? Where did you travel most recently? What did you learn from the experience? Did you go with a group or did you plan your own itinerary?
