Widowed Senior Traveling Alone

I've been on five Rick Steves tours. The age group on my tours have been teenagers to people in their late seventies. I would guess the majority of people are in their 50's and 60's (me included). I do travel during the summer months so that is probably why there is usually a family or two. Keep in mind, these can be pretty energetic tours and so most of the people, regardless of age, are in pretty good shape. Lots of walking, stairs, etc. Though I travel as a single, I have met a group of people that I continue to travel with-sometimes on the RS tours, sometimes on our own. We live in different part of the country but get together each year for a few weeks to travel together. Hope this helps - Leslie

We've been on 11 RS tours and all have had a number of singles (usually women). It used to be that a single traveler had to share a room with another single on his tours, but he's added an option to pay a single supplement on many of the tours now. If you don't want to pay the supplement, you'll be paired up with someone else (same sex) on the tour. The odds of being the only single traveler (and, thus, getting a private room for no additional cost) are pretty small for women. If there's an odd number of singles on the tour, you'll rotate roommates and have a room to yourself at times. Tour members will range in age from 20 - 80 or so, but most will be closer to 50 - 60. The tours are active and you have to carry your own luggage (pack light!). My husband and I are 76 and 66 and we do just fine on them. Tour members are welcome to skip activities and often guides can suggest options for the weary. We've never had to do that, but it's definitely an option. The people who take these tours tend to be a well educated and a very interesting group of people. Most seem to have adopted Rick's attitude toward traveling and are very accepting of others and that makes them wonderful fellow travelers. Often times, the singles on the tour spend a lot of time together - meals, free time, etc. Or, a single will mesh well with a couple or two and they'll spend time together. We've always enjoyed spending time with solo travelers as well as with the other couples. I'd suggest, if she does take a tour, that she tells her fellow travelers that this is her first solo trip. I'm sure others would step up and help make her feel comfortable. One last thing - RS tours are definitely not a bunch of old people on a bus :-).

tricia, You might have your Mother read the other Thread on Single tours in the "General" section of the HelpLine. There are lots of good comments there.

Tricia – I've traveled solo on 3 RS tours. Signing up for the first one was a bit daunting (traveling by myself with a bunch of strangers!). A co-worker gave me some advice – pick your favorite destination – that way, even if it's uncomfortable at first, you'll be where you want to be. I picked Paris. It was absolutely wonderful and I had a great time. As others have said, the people on the RS tours are nice, friendly people who want to have a good time because they are on vacation! Suggest that your mother read the "Tour Feedback" section under the "Tours" tab. It provides a lot of good information and may alleviate some of her concerns. RS tours are a good choice for a new traveler - it's pretty much guaranteed that she's going to have a great time!

I really can't add much to what others have said. However, I am 65 and going on my 5th RS tour in May. I have paid the single supplement, gone w/ my daughter and been matched with a lovely young woman roommate. All the experiences were wonderful. If your Mom would like to send me a private message I am willing to answer her questions and give her more information about my experiences with the wonderful people you meet on these tours.

I have been on four RS tours as a single. I am 41 now. 36 on my first RS tour. I have had great roommates ranging in age from 50-72. All of the ladies were funny and there to enjoy the culture, food and art in Europe. The RS guides are very very good. I say this after traveling on my own and with three other travel companies. The RS company is extremely professional and lives up to all advertising. I have nothing bad to saw, well except I wish he had tours to South America. I am sure your Mom would have a great time! Go!

You can order a free DVD of a tour and get a good idea of what they're like. Just click on the "Tours" tab.

Tricia I am older than your mother and still travel solo. Have really never had any trouble. Perhaps starting with shorter trips building up to longer ones. Grand Circle, Overseas Adventure, Collette, Globus, Insight andy many tour companies are very good. Reading good travel books (Rick Steves books are my preference) and find a good travel agency. You really meet a diverse group of people on almost any tours. My rule is to stay alert and be aware of all around you. This gets easier. I feel as safe traveling in Europe than I do at home. If your mother would like to ask questions she could e-mail me at 2globetrekker2@netscape.com. She would be really surprised how it changes you (fo the
better). Good Luck

Tricia - DO send her the free Tour DVD!!! They make ME want to sign up, and I love planning every minute detail of my trips myself... Did I mention getting her that Tour DVD ? ;-) Is she familiar at all with RS, or ever watch his shows? You can watch them on this website, or (as I prefer) on YouTube.

Keep encouraging her.... if she can get beyond her fears, there is nothing like travel to make the most of every day. Maybe starting with one of the RS city tours. It doesn't matter the ages, etc. of the people when you share the common bond of a love of culture and travel age becomes irrelevant. Once she goes you will not be able to keep her home!

As the others have said, there are quite a few single travelers on RS tours, of varying ages and backgrounds. I was the youngest (at 25) on my first RS tour, and the others ranged in age from their mid-30s up to 60s. I don't remember how many singles there were, but I think it was probably somewhere around 7 or 8. I roomed with a lovely lady from the East Coast and the two of us, along with two others, skipped out of the tour one day for a trip up to Florence. While I wasn't a single on my second tour, I found the demographic broke out much the same. Both times, everyone got along wonderfully and it was a supportive group. In a way, I found traveling with the tour as a single better. People went out of their way to invite me to dinner or make sure I was included in various activities, during the free times. When I traveled with someone else, the two of us tended to split away from the group and do our own thing, which was fun but didn't let us connect with the others as much.

Tricia, I was just snooping through the RS Tours section; if your mother takes a 2011 tour RS will pay for her first-time passport!!! That's $135! Just one more little nudge...!

I agree with all the previous replies. I have traveled solo on 2 RS tours. On both trips, couples have gone out of their way to include me. And not just one couple, a bunch. I think on day 2 of a RS tour, your mother would be thinking "What was I afraid of? This is so much fun!"

I think everyone is correct in encouraging your mother to travel alone. Years ago I had a chance to go to the Orient on a teacher's tour. I could not find anyone to go with me. I finally decided to go alone and have so many great memories from that experience. I was given a roomate, and met so many wonderful people on the trip. Your mom should just do it.

Tricia, If your mom is really concerned, I'd be willing to accompany her and be her roommate for her! All I'll need from you is the $$$ for the airplane tickets and the cost of the tour. Just let me know. ;) Just kidding. Sort of. :)

Assuming your mom is reasonably fit and can do a bit of walking each day I think she will love a Rick Steves tour I would recommend Paris, or London, perhaps Venice. I've gone on one as a single and it was great. Didn't feel left out or strange at all. Fellow tour members were very friendly. Her age is not a factor that should prevent her from going either she will fit in. She should not wait, go now!