I'm a widow now, and have travelled extensively in Europe over the yrs with my husband on our own. I no longer could do that myself...could not drive myself. Looking for tours that include senior women AND men....not just couples. Are there some that have a better breakdown of the travelers typically on these trips?
Eager to find trips for my sister (also a widow) and I .....thanks.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well I don't know if there are any singles only type tours.. but RS tours do usually have single sr men and women on them.. likely more women then men ( we are after all the braver sex,lol) .
There will always be more couples on most tours.. but not necessarily a mates couple.. but two women travelling together.
Did you look at the "Scrapbooks" on this site.. they show pictures of various tours and you can definately see there is a good mix on any tour.
I would look at the other benefits of a RS tour.. the make up of non grumps.. the open mindedness of most RS tour members.. and of course the great guides and itineraries.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I certainly understand that some people want to travel with others, and prefer a tour for this reason. But if the issue is driving, consider you and your sister taking a trip that doesn't involve driving at all. In Europe, there are many great places to see that not only don't require driving, but where it is actually a hindrance. I don't drive (at all) and still go almost everywhere I want.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3898 posts
Pat has given you great advice. A Rick Steves tour has a mix of singles and couples on it. Many singles, such as two sisters or best friends, go together and share a room. I know of one single man from Nashville in his 70's who is going on a Rick Steves tour in 2017. He is planning on rooming by himself, but he is looking forward to meeting all the other people on the tour and talking travel with them. My husband does not want to go on all the Rick Steves tours in the future that I do. So in the coming years, I will go on some RS tours alone. There are single travelers on every RS tour; some have a few singles, some a large number of singles, judging from the conversations that take place on this Forum. I think you and your sister would really enjoy the RS tours. Lots of friendly travelers who would welcome you into the group. Be sure to check the "Activity" level on a tour when you are choosing. Some include lots of walking, some do not. You can choose to sit at a cafe by a lake and enjoy a cool beverage while some of the others take a hike, if that is what you wish to do. You can "opt out" of any activity you don't want to do. Really great tours, great guides with you all the way, good hotels and food. There are many seniors on the RS tours, because many of us have waited until we have retired to do our dream trips! I am absolutely sure you and your sister would love a Rick Steves tour.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Saga is a well known UK company that provides holidays for the older market
Posted by
Freedonia
16418 posts
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
You could also take a look at Gate 1 Travel. I have been on RS tours and Gate 1 both as a single and with a roommate.
As a solo, I never felt out of place, nor like a Senior (I am a Senior), I was always made to feel very welcome. My one recommendation is don't let the tour company assign you a roommate. I have had some very bad experiences with assigned roommates. I find it is worth the extra, for peace of mind and not having to "take care of a drunk" or have a roommate returning to the room in the middle of the night and making lots of noise etc. ( I could really tell you some stories !!!!)
Posted by
London, UK
477 posts
As ramblin' on suggests, if you were starting a Europe trip from the UK (assuming that is the case as you have posted on this forum), the best known over 50 travel group is Saga. I believe at least 20% of their tours consist of solo travellers - you could email them to find out - but some of their groups may be large. Don't have personal experience I can share of this.
Again, assuming you were starting from a point in the UK you could try looking at some of the UK solo traveller groups, which is a growing market. Tour operators I am aware of are www.justyou.co.uk and www.solosholidays.co.uk. Both have detailed websites. For a European trip the starting point is likely to be Gatwick or Heathrow.
Katy
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14830 posts
I've taken a number of Rick Steves' and Road Scholar tours as a solo traveler.
On none of the Road Scholar tours were there any solo men, even the more focused activity tours such as birding or hiking. There have always been solo women.
On the Rick Steves' tours, out of 8 tours I've taken, there was one solo man on one and on the Germany, Austria, Switzerland tour there were 4 single guys but 2 were friends traveling together and 2 were uncle/nephew. There were also 4 single women on that one. There were at least 2 solo women traveling on the other 6 tours but no solo men.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I would recommend Smartours. Imhave now taken 2 of them as a single and felt very comfortable and the single supplement was not too expensive.
Ck it out . Will be with them on a tour to,Patagonia soon.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
I just wanted to mention how sorry I am for your loss. I am glad that you are looking at alternative ways of travel and seeing how you might continue traveling. The very best to you!
My sister and I travel through Europe using public transport with no driving required. This might be another option for you.