By Gary Bennett
This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine. Published July 29, 2026.
For most of us, retirement offers the perfect opportunity to explore destinations we’ve always dreamed about. We now have the time, motivation and resources — hopefully — to make those dreams a reality.
Besides the excitement, relaxation and expanded horizons travel offers, it is an excellent way to remain young at heart. Travel expert Rick Steves puts it this way: “I’ve long noticed that older travelers seem younger than average in their appearance, attitudes, and energy levels. Travel is an excellent way to stay young in spirit.”
Who wouldn’t want that?
Now that you’ve reached your golden years, it’s time to plan that trip you always wanted. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a new traveler, the options and considerations are almost endless, but of course, there are people who can help.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?
According to seven-time Best of Frederick favorite travel agent Barb Cline, top travel destinations for seniors prioritize accessibility, rich culture and relaxed pacing.
Whether you’re looking for coastal relaxation, history or guided, stress-free adventures, your personal travel style will lead you to an extraordinary trip designed for seniors. Here are some of the top destinations for seniors by travel style:
Stress-free cruising
• European river cruises: Perfect for unpacking once while exploring delightful villages along the Danube, Rhine or other iconic, old-world rivers.
• Alaska cruises: Offers the opportunity to view ocean creatures, glaciers and vast wildernesses from the comfort of an observation deck.
Culture and relaxed city exploration
• Savannah, Georgia: Known for its flat terrain, slow pace, Lowcountry cuisine and historic gardens.
• Montreal, Canada: Provides a distinct European experience right in North America, complete with open-air cafes and French cultural immersion.
Scenic escapes and resort towns
• Sedona, Arizona: Famous for spas, peaceful vacation rentals and accessible red-rock viewing areas.
• Mackinac Island, Michigan: A wonderfully nostalgic, car-free island, perfect for enjoying horse-drawn carriage tours and the grand waterfront.
Accessible nature and parks
• National parks, including Acadia, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain: All offer stunning scenic drives, accessible visitor centers and paved trails.
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts: A leisurely coastal destination offering relaxing drives, whale watching and accessible museums.
International
• Ireland: The Emerald Isle features lush landscapes, legendary hospitality and a lively pub culture.
• Italy: Romantic Italy offers thousands of years of history combined with unforgettable cuisine and a leisurely lifestyle.
• United Kingdom: The U.K. blends rich history and timeless traditions for a unique quality of life.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO GET THERE?
Your transportation options are limited only by where you want to go and your travel style, but all modes offer pluses and minuses.
• Car: Go by car if you feel comfortable doing so. Long trips by car can be tedious, and you bear sole responsibility for a safe, stress-free trip. On the other hand, driving offers complete flexibility and a front-row seat to endless sightseeing and personal experiences.
• Bus: Book a trip by motor coach if you enjoy traveling with others, don’t mind sticking to a fairly strict schedule and want to leave the driving to someone else. Traveling by bus often offers a more comfortable experience than traveling by car.
• Train: For excursions of 500 miles or more, it is hard to top traveling by train. For those with an uneasiness about flying, train travel offers a safe, reliable and comfortable alternative. As a senior with minimal time constraints, the extra time spent traveling long distances on a train is well worth it.
• Air: Traveling by air is almost always the fastest mode of transportation. If you value time savings, air travel is for you. However, don’t discount the time it takes to get to the airport, wait to board, deplane, retrieve your bags and arrange for ground transportation. It can get tedious and tiring.
• Boat: Trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific voyages as transportation are largely a thing of the past. But if you wish to see many destinations and unpack only once, river cruises in the U.S., Europe and Asia can be delightful. Caribbean cruises are an American staple and can be wonderful. But be warned: Large cruise ships can be crowded, overrun by children and focused on food, shows, gambling and livelier activities than you may want.
WHEN DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL?
This may be the easiest decision of all.
Now that you’re retired, you can pretty much travel whenever you want. Even so, it is smart to aim for off-peak times, which for most destinations are spring and fall. Traveling in early spring and late fall allows you to largely avoid several of the most exhausting things about travel — crowds, kids and the heat of summer. Often, it saves money, too.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
According to Cline, senior travel is all about pacing yourself and prioritizing comfort. Slow down your itinerary. Plan for no more than one or two main activities per day, and allow for plenty of rest days.
• Take advantage of travel insurance. Many of us avoided that expense when we were younger, but now we are more likely to need it.
• Learn how your medical insurance works overseas. Medicare is usually not valid outside the U.S., so check your supplemental coverage before departing.
• Keep all medications in your carry-on luggage and take a picture of them to keep on your phone. Bring a change of clothes in case of delays or cancellations.
• Claim senior discounts when available. For example, travelers 62 or older can purchase the discounted America the Beautiful pass, which provides access to all U.S. national parks.
• When sightseeing, go late in the day or early in the morning to avoid crowds and hot temperatures. Touring a city by bus or boat can provide a stress- and fatigue-free overview of the city.
• Follow an intense sightseeing day with a day of rest to recharge. Grabbing a table at a sidewalk cafe, leisurely sipping a beverage and watching people can be a surprising highlight of your trip.
• Hotels vary widely in their amenities and layouts, so think about your needs before you book. European hotel rooms are often smaller than their U.S. counterparts, and many have features we don’t often see, like twin beds, bidets and half-showers. Be sure to pack your international electrical adapters, too.
• Although some do it, Cline does not recommend traveling alone. “You never know when something could happen.” Instead, travel with a partner, even if you don’t know them. “Some river cruise and land tour companies offer matching services, and some even have ‘solo’ specials where the entire boat or tour are singles. It is so much fun!”
• Be sure to take advantage of wheelchairs and electric carts at airports and early boarding for seniors.
• Book aisle seats for easy stretching, use compression socks if needed and make it a point to stay hydrated.
SENIOR TRAVEL GROUPS
If planning and organizing a trip feels overwhelming, even with a travel agent, consider joining a senior travel group. They provide excellent benefits such as social connection, organized itineraries and cost savings.
Before choosing one, be sure to consider the amount of physical activity required, size of the group, travel duration and style, cost and value, social opportunities, safety and support.
Cline escorts 14 groups each year. “The pricing is usually better with more amenities and savings. I provide transportation to and from the airport. Most are small groups, which are more immersive. Travelers always make new friends!”
Here are some of the top travel groups that cater specifically to older travelers:
• Road Scholar: Focuses on lifelong learning, outdoor adventures and experiential programs across more than 100 countries.
• Trafalgar: Known for stress-free escorted tours and river cruises on six continents.
• EF Go Ahead Tours: Offers specialized senior tours that feature guided cultural exploration, comfortable pacing and dedicated support.
• AARP Travel Resources: If you are an AARP member, you can utilize the Expedia AARP Travel Center or AARP’s preferred providers to find member discounts and itineraries tailored for older adults.
• ElderTreks: Offers relatively small group tours to various locations around the globe.
• Intrepid Travel’s Senior Adventures: Offers a range of travel experiences for older adults, including local interactions, cultural insights and scenic explorations.
IN FREDERICK
Don’t forget about your local community groups and senior centers. They can be wonderful travel resources. For regional day trips, overnight excursions and local socialization, your local senior center or AARP chapter can offer affordable escorted group packages.
For example, Frederick County’s Division of Aging and Independence offers same-day bus trips to nearby locations like the National Mall, Black Hill Regional Park, Seneca Creek State Park and Frederick destinations. AARP Frederick Chapter 636 features multi-day trips to places like Iceland, Mackinac Island, New York City and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.