Prime Time – Gary Bennett Publishing

Retirement travel offers a chance to slow down and see more

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.

From white collar to blue collar: Working in retirement

By Gary Bennett

Many people retire — and then choose to work. There are many resons for this.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine.

I’ve gained a new appreciation for blue-collar workers ever since becoming one myself. Retirement has a way of opening your eyes that way.

It’s not that I didn’t appreciate what they do. I’ve heartily thanked the folks who come to my home and make my life better — electricians, plumbers, HVAC workers, carpenters, exterminators and painters. I’ve marveled at how quickly construction workers can raise up buildings. I’ve admired the grace and dexterity of heavy equipment operators. I’ve respected from afar the work of warehouse workers, baggage handlers, truck drivers, store clerks and more.

It’s just that I’ve always told myself that I’m perhaps a little smarter and planned ahead a little better than they did, especially when I see them toiling away in the elements, in someone else’s home or in a retail environment. You can call me naïve or arrogant for feeling this way, but I did.

The truth is, however, I secretly admired and was always intrigued by them.

What are their days like, I wondered? Does the physical work and fresh air make them healthier than me? Is their hands-on work more meaningful than my more esoteric work? Do they get paid better than me? Would I have the stamina to do the work they do every day?

It wouldn’t take me long to find the answers.

When I retired from my white-collar career in 2020, I suddenly had an empty slate. I knew I wanted to eventually continue working in some capacity. It’s not that I necessarily needed the money — of course every little bit helps — but I wanted to make sure I was busy and filled my days with meaningful tasks.

I suppose if I had a hobby I wanted to pursue with a vengeance or an aging parent I needed to take care of, I would have done those things. But that wasn’t the case for me.

For me, a fun, part-time job seemed like just the ticket for a happy and healthy retirement. I’m not alone.

WHY WORK IN RETIREMENT?

According to AARP, 20 to 25% of all retirees work part- or full-time in retirement. For new retirees — those mostly in their 60s like me — the percentage rises to about 33%.

In the future, it is estimated that the number of Gen X and Millennial retirees continuing to work will begin to approach 50%. Or as my 40-year-old son recently told me, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to retire.”

It’s no wonder. Today, the working-in-retirement trend is driven largely by financial necessity. Social Security is not enough to get by on, and many folks spend every cent just surviving. They are unable to save for retirement.

But even if they have the money, retirees have other good reasons to continue working. Many want to maintain good emotional and social connections. Others wish to continue feeling useful. Still others want to keep exercising their brains to help ward off mental dysfunction.

I was able to retire early from my high-pressure, white-collar job at age 62. I had a decent 401(k), a paid-off home and good health. I was OK with taking minimum Social Security.

So, as a brand-new retiree, I began doing interesting things that filled my hours. I exercised in earnest, volunteered all around town, provided regular childcare for grandchildren and began writing. I even did a little traveling like new retirees are supposed to do. But for me, it still wasn’t enough. After about six months, I started to get the bug to work again.

I knew I didn’t want to continue in my chosen field, but I also knew I wanted to keep active and contribute to society in some meaningful way. Like a lot of older Americans, I see retirement as a flexible phase to do all those things I always wanted to do. To me, that meant a new job, albeit a fun and part-time one.

I had fantasies about what it would be like to work a blue-collar job that paid reasonably well but didn’t incur much stress or come with mountains of homework. To me, the folks working blue-collar jobs seemed happy and knew what they had accomplished at the end of the day. For me in my marketing and communications job with its demanding and high-powered clients? Not so much.

I didn’t have the stamina or mechanical ability to be a plumber, electrician, or construction worker. But I could drive! I fantasized about driving a big, 18-wheeler, heading out on the open road for weeks at a time with important cargo to deliver entrusted just to me. I would be my own boss. I would see the country.

Then reality kicked in.

Driving a big rig takes lots of training, means lots of responsibility and takes you away from your family for long stretches of time. After the romance wore out, I reasoned, the job would even be kind of lonely.

So, what kind of job could I do and what kind of an organization would want me anyway?

As it turned out, lots! In my case I used a connection my wife had and got a job delivering prescription medications two or three days a week for a local pharmacy. The hours are great — roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — so I still get to have leisurely mornings and stress-free evenings.

Along with helping other people by bringing them something they want and need, I get to be my own boss (pretty much), drive around town in a sporty Ford Focus and get a little sunshine and exercise, too!

After four years of college, a master’s degree, a few awards and 40 years of increasing responsibility and experience as a white-collar professional, I am now a dyed-in-the-wool, blue-collar worker, and I love it!

JOBS FOR RETIREES

Being a delivery driver is not for everyone, of course. But I can tell you there are lots of opportunities out there for older workers. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting back in the job market, go for it!

But be careful. When choosing a job after retirement it’s important to consider your interests, skills and goals. You also want to make sure the job fits your lifestyle and schedule.

Thankfully, AARP has done the research.

Employers with the 15 jobs listed below alphabetically have high regard for retirees and stable, older workers. All offer part-time opportunities without requiring a college degree or a lot of experience. Most will train you. The average wage is in parentheses.

• Administrative assistant ($22.82 per hour)

• Customer service representative ($20.59 per hour)

• Data entry clerk ($20.22 per hour)

• Home health aide ($16.78 per hour)

• Nanny ($23.71 per hour)

• Pet groomer ($16.28 per hour)

• Real estate agent ($28.35 per hour)

• Receptionist ($17.90 per hour)

• Retail clerk ($20.50 per hour)

• School bus driver ($23.26 per hour)

• Secretary ($22.82 per hour)

• Security guard ($18.46 per hour)

• Shuttle driver ($17.62 per hour)

• Tutor ($21.55 per hour)

• Web designer ($45.85 per hour)

So, what have I learned?

You don’t have to be embarrassed by working in retirement. Chances are good your unemployed, retired friends will envy you. Your mind and body will thank you. And it’s a great time to reinvent yourself.

When looking, consider the solid benefits blue-collar work has over white-collar work. (These are generalities, of course.)

DESIRABLE TRAITS OF BLUE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s easy to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• There are not many people problems. That’s for the boss, right?

• People want to do a good job and heartily support others.

• There are no business trips. You can go home every evening.

• Getting light, physical exercise is good for you and a part of the deal.

• You must clock in, but when you’re done for the day, you’re done.

• There are no or little budgeting or bottom-line worries.

• You wear a uniform that is provided so there are no worries about clothes.

• The work does not have to be stressful unless you make it so.

• You mostly work near customers or in the great outdoors.

• There are no social worries. Just get the work done!

• You receive hourly wages, which are often quite good.

• Artificial Intelligence probably can’t take your place any time soon.

UNDESIRABLE TRAITS OF WHITE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s hard to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• If you’re the boss, people problems can wear you down.

• So many people seem to be overly concerned with getting ahead and getting credit.

• The business trips that seem fun at first can wear on you.

• There’s no clocking in — you can come and go as you please (pretty much) but you always have to be “on.”

• There are continuous budgeting and bottom-line worries.

• You must dress for success. That can be expensive.

• The work can be stressful.

• You must strike a fine balance between getting the work done and being a pleasant and available schmoozer.

• You receive a salary, which may not pay you all that well for the hours you actually work.

• Artificial Intelligence could absolutely do your job one day.

NEXT STEPS

As a vital, young retiree, you can get out of your comfort zone, reinvent yourself and try something different. Working in retirement can be fun. If you’ve been a white-collar worker your entire career, try a part-time, blue-collar job in retirement. You won’t regret it.

If you are a retiree in Maryland considering a new part- or full-time job, there are numerous available resources for you. You can contact your local senior center, your state’s Department of Aging or a staffing agency. Additionally, if you live in one of the many retirement communities in Maryland, the staff there may have resources to help you find a job that is right for you. And don’t forget your connections. Chances are they know of available jobs that are looking for someone just like you.