How Old To Still Travel?

I'm not yet 70, so can't answer your question, but I am pushing 67 & have been traveling, mostly alone, for 20 some yrs. I've been thinking that I may not have many trips still in me. I'm getting tired of traveling alone. When I worked, I loved the 'alone' time. I've been retired for 5 yrs & no longer need it. Yet, I'm uncomfortable having someone travel with me because I know I don't want to be with someone 12 hrs a day & I don't want to be someone's guide. This fall, I'm trying a RS tour in order to have some company but still time on my own. If it works, I'll try it again. I'm not ready to call it quits yet, but am looking for a different way to travel. Another idea I found on this board, is to get an apartment instead of a hotel room when staying in one city. That appeals to me more now than it did a few years ago because I tire more easily. Thanks Sharon. I think this is an interesting post.

At 70 my mother is a very active person (line dances nearly every day and travels around the country to line dance jamborees). My father, who is 75, is not as active due to a stroke in his late 60's. However, they have travelled out of the country at least once (many times twice) a year even since his stroke. The main difference is that they are more likely to do so on a cruise (Mom can leave Dad on the boat while she does shore excursions). If not on a cruise, they are travelling with younger members of the family who handle the driving and help Mom with Dad's suitcase. What it boils down to is if you want to badly enough and have the finances, you find a way to do what you desire regardless of your age or infirmities. Oh, and Mom even still goes downhill skiing on occasion. And speaking of which, go to any ski resort in the US and see all of the skiers with various disabilities finding ways to adapt in order to enjoy what is a rigorous sport even for the hale and hearty.

My mom died three years ago at 78 (after complications from hip replacement surgery). She still traveled several times a year, usually with her church choir (she couldn't sing a note, but loved to go along and listen to them sing in the great cathedrals of Europe). She said she was a little slower, due to the hip problems, but she loved it. She visited Hungary a few months before she died, and was intending on many more years of travel after her hips were better (sigh...).

At her memorial service we hung her favorite travel hat on a stand...many of her travel companions both laughed and cried at that.

I know the travel enriched her life immensely. So keep at it!

I'll travel as long as I am able. I was once a banker and was amazed at how little difference age can make. Some of my customers were 60 and old, others were 80 and still young. I'm convinced that keeping your mind and body active, and having a sense of humor, are the keys to staying young.

Sharon, you can't ever know as each person is so different. I'm 65 and in excellent health, take no meds and try to stay in shape. I know I am in better health than many people I see in their 50's. I won't stop travelling as long as I enjoy it and sure like the answer from Frank who will die on the train. Anyone that is out of shape, can't walk very well, and is (IMO) unhealthy, usually has a hard time travelling. The key, stay in good health, and keep walking and you can enjoy travel as long as you want. I still plan on hiking the Alps and the Rockies as long as I can.

Sharon, I'm not quite into that age bracket, but getting close.

I agree with the majority here - if you're in good health and have the financial resources (probably the most important factor in this economy), "keep on travelling" (to use one of Rick's favourite statements).

Hi sharon:

I just turned 50 and travel a lot. I plan to do so for quite a few more years. My parents (now 89 and 91) took a 41 day cruise around the tip of south america and visited antartica when they were 83 and 85. My dad retired at 65 and they went to Europe, China, Peru, antartica and many other places only stopping in 2002 when my dad had bypass surgery and then broke his hip.

I think the key is to pace yourself and chose activities that you are comfortable and that don't tax you too much. but beyond that keep travelnig. It keeps you young!!!!

I can't really answer your question because I am only 30 but I think you are in for an outrage! There are many wise travelers that post here who would be offended that someone suggest they not travel. I can't wait to read what they have to say!

My friends are in their 70's and just came back fro Tahiti. As long as you're in good health, and can afford to travel.. go for it.

My parents (who are your age) are in Costa Rica as we speak, and having a blast.

I've been traveling since I could crawl, and have no intention of slowing down.

Age doesn't really tell you much about the ability to travel. Our neighbours are in their 80s and still travel to Germany. My father had a hard attack going through security at the Calgary airport last time he visited and probably won't ever come again - he was 67 at the time.

So what do you want us to tell you?

PS: since this wasn't his first heart attack he had his nitro along and recovered quickly

I generally ignore question like this especially when posted by youngsters. They have so much yet to learn. My intent is to die on the train so I will keep moving.

My mom (78) and dad(83) just returned from New Zealand. If you're healthy enough to still want to...go for it!!! The travelling might look a bit different (for example, try the cruise or organized tour group), but don't stop travelling because you reach a certain magical age. I understand that some countries don't rent cars to those over 75. But do keep going while you can. Eventually age or infirmity catches us all. Ever thought about travelling stateside? I won't even begin to tell you what you'll miss by restricting to Europe. We have 50 states here. All have something to offer.(Even Mississippi)Live Live Live!!!

I guess I'll find out next year if being 70 will slow me down. So far, I'm slower than I used to be but this hasn't decreased my love or the enjoyment of traveling. We'll be in England for 3 weeks this year and we are already discussing next year's trips. We'll be in Yellowstone for a week in July. We are starting to look at kidnapping the grandson and taking him for his first travels (the reason for the Yellowstone trip). If you feel good and can get around, there is no reason to stop or decrease traveling. Lack of money can sure do that but not age. Also, there is no such thing as a trip of a lifetime. Book 'em

Shar: When you want to correct your spelling in a previous post, no need to send another post making the correction to the previous post. Just go to the post you want to edit, click the Edit button under your name, make your change, then click the Edit button again.

I can't really answer your question either since I'm not nearly old enough yet, only 74, but when I get too old, I'll be sure to post on this website.

Thanks for all your replies. It's encouraging to me to hear how active and adventuresome people are still being as they age. Here's hoping we can all be that way!

Not at that age yet, but I agree -- as long as you have your health and can get around -- go for it! One of my graduate professors a few years ago took a solo trip to Austria & Germany, and she was in her mid-late 70's at the time. Everyone tried to talk her out of it. Off she went, alone, and had a wonderful time and vowed to keep doing that as long as she was physically able. Why not?

If you want to go on traveling for a long time it is important to maintain your health--good diet, reasonable weight maintenance, taking care of health problems early rather than later, walking a lot, etc. The age "thing" comes into play in that some car rental places won't rent to anyone over 75; some museums in some countries give a discount (concessions) to seniors. I'm over 70, and have made a few adjustments over the years. I use a wheeled bag limited to 18# now rather than a backpack; I avoid stairs when I can because of slight knee problems. I go slowly when I want to, and spend a lot of time reading and savoring life. I've taken RS tours; the oldest tour members have been about 80. You will know when you can no longer tolerate long flights and getting around new places.

My parents were over 75 when they did their last trip to Europe with me Two years earlier they did a lengthy trip to Scandinavia. My mom's cousin Norman has to be over 80 and is still jaunting back and forth between Ireland and the US! I sure hope I'm still traveling when I hit 80! Pam

I love all the posted replies. They just go to show that young enough to travel is really a state of mind. I'm 66 (like the route) and going very strong despite having been diagnosed with a disease that will eventually prevent me from travel. In February I completed my 20th cross-countruy-ski marathon in Wisconsin. My wife and I are going to Italy for three weeks in September. If my health allowed me to go into my eighties or nineties, I would. My mother traveled to Europe well into her seventies. But after her hip replacement around age 80, she quit her travels. I knew a couple that traveled into their late 80s. They made it to over forty countries around the world. What better place to die than in Tuscany?

I think this is an encouraging post. I am 60 and still working. I want to think I have a long time left to live as I want. I had an aunt who loved to travel. When she was 70, she took a 4 month trip around the world. I remember she rode an elephant in India and a camel in Egypt. After that, she went to Europe several times, and to Russia once. When she was 79, she and 3 other ladies made a cross country road trip from Georgia to California, then up to Washington and across to New York, then back down to Georgia. When she was in her 80's she said she would tell herself, "If I can go around the world, I can do this!"

I have a relative in her 80's who is still traveling the world with her "boyfriend." He is also in his 80's and still works as a dentist. On the other hand, my sister, who is 50, has so many physical problems that she can barely ride for 30 minutes in a car, let alone travel a long distance. I say travel when you can, because you just never know what the future will bring...

I think it's terrible when someone puts an age limit to travel. They will let you through the boarder at any age! Lol! But seriously, I agree with many posts here, that if you take care of yourself, eat right and keep fit, you can be on the go for a very long time.

I was acquainted with an American man who, at age 93, travelled from Washington D.C. to China, and returned to Washington D.C. He spent a very small amount of money in that trip. He travelled on Cargo ships across the Pacific Ocean. (in the year 1970). He desired to go to China, because he was a Christian Missionary in China in the 1930s and 1940s. When the Japanese Military invaded China, at the beginning of World War 2, he and his wife moved to Hong Kong, and stayed there until the war ended. In 1970, he traveled to China, there he met Chinese people who he had known there in 1940. He did not experience any luxury in his travel. He traveled slow. It was a pleasant experience for him. That travel experience caused him to feel very satisfied, at age 93. He was widowed. His travelling companion in that trip was an American woman, age 85.

A song : "MY GET UP AND GO", written and sung by Pete Seeger --
"How do I know my youth is all spent ?
My get up and go has gone up and went./
Old age is golden, so I've heard said,
but some times I wonder as I crawl into bed,
with my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
my eyes on a table until I wake up,
as sleep dims my vision I say to my self
is there anything else I should lay on the shelf ?
But though nations are warring, and business is vexed, I'll still stick around to see what happens next./
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick up my heels right over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue,
but still I could dance the whole night through.
Now I am older, my slippers are black,
I huff to the store, and I puff my way back.
But don't you laugh, I don't mind it at all,
I'd rather be huffing than not puff at all./
Now I get up in the morning and dust off my wits,
open the paper and read the obits',
if I am not there I know I'm not dead,
so I eat a good breakfast, and go back to bed./
How do I know my youth is all spent ?
My get up and go has gone up and went,
But in spite of it all I am able to grin,
and think of the places my get up has been".
(The first recording of Pete Seeger singing that song was made in the year 1969, for the phonograph record -- 33 1/3 r.p.m. -- "Pete Seeger : Young versus Old". - Columbia Records).

My sweet great grandfather is leaving just a few days after I leave for France, to go to Greece. He is 93 years old. Last year he did Scandinavia for 4 weeks studying family history ;)

Hi Sharon,

I'm in your category. I decided to do as much travelling as I can now that I am retired and have the time. I figure I'd better do it before my health gives out and/or my IRA evaporates. In the past year I have been to northern Italy, Beijing, New Zealand, Melbourne and Sydney, and Bangkok. I'm leaving in 2 weeks for Paris, then a Baltic cruise, and planning a week in Istanbul in September. Maybe California in October....

I know that I am a slower traveller than I was even a few years ago, but having the extra time more than makes up for it. And I don't enjoy it less, just a bit differently.

Do you take auto trips at home? I lived on the Peninsula for 8 years, and spent 6-8 weeks a year tootling through the West including Canada in my own car. I had a job that let me take 1 to 3 week vacations, mostly in the spring and fall, 2-3 times a year.

Sharon, I guess you haven't hear the new rules....at age 65, you are now required to move to either Florida or Arizona, depending on which is closer to you now, buy a couple of shuffleboard mallets, and go to dinner at 5 PM. Watching reruns of the Lawrence Welk Show is also mandatory.

Age is a state of mind. The only one who can decide when it's time to stop traveling is you. No one else.

I know a lady who is 93, still lawn bowls, drives her car, and lives in her own house ...
Two of her American friends are coming up next weekend,, and they are all going up island( Tofino , a five hour windy rough drive) to stay at a resort for a girls weekend away. They are the youngsters.. at only 87 and 88 .. LOL . The lady I know asked me where I thought she could buy a BATHING suit as they planned on using the hot tub at the resort..LOL

How many 93 yr olds do you know would even consider that trip,, let alone getting back into a bathing suit,, LOL

She rocks, and its mostly all attitude( some poeple are unlucky in health) ..

I also know a 65 yr old who has no health issues but whines about going to Vancouver( an hour and half on a ferry and one hour drive) as being "too tiring" now.. of course being obese has nothing to do with it ( rolling eyes).

As long as health allows go for it,,

I am going to add my own mother did have to stop travelling around 69,, she had already had a cancer and two heart operations,, so health was not on her side . She said she regretted not travelling MORE when she had her health though,, ( she has since passed away at 74 of chronic health issues, she was not lucky in health )

My parents are 69 and 70 and are flying to Turkey tonight. They travel twice a year to Europe and have been doing that for years now - and hopefully will continue for years to come. In the past few years they have been more likely to hire a driver to go between cities but they still walk lots and enjoy the adventure.

Ron, I enjoyed your post!
Pete Seeger just had his 90th birthday!!

My wife is 72 and Im 71 and we are taking our 8th trip to Europe this June.We plan to take many more in the future.

My parents are in their 70's--my Dad is 77 and my mom is 72. They usually travel independently, but once took a bus tour, and hated it. My father hiked the Caminio de Santiago when he was 72, but he wouldn't have done it if my sister and I hadn't been along. My parents, sister, and I travel together about once every two years. Some things I might advise as you get older: taking the train instead of driving, planning cafe breaks in the middle of the afternoon, carrying a water bottle and being sure to stay hydrated, and possibly making more reservations in advance than you might have when you were younger. It's also a good idea to get communicate with family back home on a set schedule--even though you might be just fine, they might worry.

You know it's funny. My Dad is always talking about what he can't do because of his stroke, but just bring up a chance to go on a cruise just about anywhere, and he is among the first to sign up. When he goes to my brother's, he manages to walk out to the pasture to visit the horses (but he can't take a walk around the block at home). In other words, if it something he is really interested in doing, he finds a way to do it. Otherwise he uses his disability as an excuse to get out of things he DOESN'T want to do. So you can either use age as an excuse or a reason. It all depends on your perspective.

I remember meeting a woman in Prague in 2004 who was backpacking through Europe in her 70s -- solo no less! She was a wizened-looking thing but was solidly carrying her big backpack.
In 2006 I met an Englishman in his 60s in Wales who was in the final part of his walking tour of Wales. He had walked just about everywhere across the country with his backpack on his back.

I hope I'm as energetic and fearless when I get to their age!

Dont know why am so late reading all these wonderful responses - just have to add that I am 85 and leaving shortly for 3 weeks Paris, Lake Como, then joining a Rick Steves tour and can't wait. Walk briskly every day 1-1/2 hours, swim my laps, use the tension bands and lift a few weights. Cant wait to leave for Europe in June this year!! Hope to go to Spain in 3 years (have to save up 3 years for that trip) so I'll only be 88.

How wonderful Jackie! Have a great time!
Do you know Jack Lalanne? He's 94 and still is going strong! Now he sells his juicer on TV!

Wow,,Jackie,, good for you,, and you have such a long flight too!! No whining from east coasters allowed,, you have a what,, 15 hr flight!!! You are my idol! LOL

Have you done a RS tour before? I have done one and it was really alot of fun.

I'll be 61 next week and prefer to think of it as slowing down w-h-i-l-e traveling.

i can't plunge into a new city and go walkabout for 12 hours like I once did, but c'est la vie. I've got a list of places to return to because I sped through them the first time.

Appreciate the many comments...I am 71 and my wife will turn 70 shortly after we return home from Iberia this October. We continue to plot our own course, adapt as we go and avoid tours. We have tried to visit countries where we are not fluent in the language figuring that we will return to the UK, Ireland et al when we slow down. But we also continue to put our experience to use and be realistic about our limitations. So we drive less and take more public transportation. We visit places of art, museums and history, yet schedule more time for strolling with the locals and people watching. But this is more about "savoring" than physical limitations. We have learned to pack very light and stay a few days in each place so that we are not always moving and rearranging. Finally, we love the months of planning and plotting before a trip including the many comments on the helpline and graffiti wall here. Such comments helped us take a bus from the RR station to the top of Assisi and visit the city walking downhill a year ago. Thank you all! George, Pittsburgh

My grandmother & I trekked across Europe last summer...she's turning 80 this year and still going strong! :)

Have fun! Age is nothing but a number, anyway!

Four motorcyclists spent the night here at the weekend. British guys, they caught the ferry from England to Northern Spain and were then driving their "super" bikes back up the Atlantic coast to Normandy for the ferry home. What a fabulous set of machines they were. Oh - and the two oldest guys were 77.

Roger Bruton

http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr

I would just like to tell you about my 86-year-old father-in-law. This year, he's driven across the country, helped rebuild flood-ravaged towns in Iowa, and helped build churches in Haiti. Too old? Pshaw! He's got more energy than his much younger children and grandchildren.

Go for it!

My grandmother last went on an international trip to Italy and Greece at age 76. I had been trying to convince her to come to France with me in the last few years but she doesn't think she's up to it. She is 80 and has some balance/vertigo issues that have worsened over the years. But from the time she retired around 60 until she was 76 she went on an international trip almost once a year. I did however, just go on a vacation to Disney World with her and she seemed to handle that fine, so I think maybe she just won't let me pay for her to come to Europe with me. She can't afford it herself so I offered to pay her way so I can have the experience of going with my grandma. But she's a stubborn lady! So I guess my short answer would be you probably have at least a good 10 years to get your travel on!

Travel 'til you drop. That's my plan.