Traveling seniors

I have been on 5 RS tours, all in the Fall/Winter when children are in school. Most of my fellow travelers have been in their 50s and 60s, but ages have ranged from twenties to about eighty.
Summers will have many school age children and teens, as well as adults.
Do note that there will be a lot of walking (but often interrupted to view or discuss items of interest; not extended non-stop hikes) and some stairs. Read the site section on tour expectations.

Usually the question many ask is are the people on the tour too old.

If I were you, I would absolutely consider a Rick Steves for your group. In my personal experience ages are varied and activity levels subjective. Although it’s hard to know exactly what you mean by “too rigorous” and “in good physical condition ”, I would say that for most of the RS tours I have been on (19), the members are not generally “very young” and please know that on these tours, you are treated as an adult and can make your own decision as to whether to opt out of a planned activity if you feel it’s pushing your limits of physical activity. If you do decide on a RS tour, I would recommend you and your friends prepare by walking a lot on varied terrain, and include stairs . I am also a senior and haven’t found any of the tours I have been on to be too strenuous but I walk my dog a lot and live at 6300' in Colorado, thus a tremendous advantage when walking at sea level!

Which specific tour/s are you all looking at? I was 63 on my first tour and have continued to do yearly tours since then. To me the most strenuous one has been the 21 day Best of Europe. I've done 2 in Italy, Heart of Italy and Village Italy. Both wonderful with Village Italy edging out Heart of Italy for being more active.

I would say the oldest on any of my tours was about 78, the youngest was 20 and happened to be my nephew, lol. We chose to do Heart of Italy as a family (me, brother, SIL and their 2 adult sons) because it seemed like a great option for a first trip to Europe for some of them and the first for my brother and me in 30+ years. It worked great. No one had to be responsible for a daily itinerary or for anyone's happiness. We had a fabulous time.

I do train for my tours (yes, I know that is over the top) but I enjoy things more if I'm in good shape. By spring when the snow has melted I generally walk 4 miles several days a week and before a tour I try to increase that to 6-8 miles one day a week. This is not necessary but you do need to be able to do at least 3-4 miles and stairs, particularly for Italy.

We've been on 11 RS tours, and the age range has been from 12 to 80+. Most people seem to be in their 50s and 60s.

I'm with Pam; I also train for the tours. I don't walk as much as she does, but I do practice climbing hills. And since I haven't managed to find the time for longer daily walks, I carry a backpack full of books. That helps a lot, especially on the hills!

All the tours give some indication of how active they are. Can you walk for 3 or 4 miles? Can you stand for 2 or more hours, as if in a museum? Can you climb up four or more flights of stairs with your luggage?

If so, you're good. The tours are wonderful, and we plan to keep taking them as long as we are physically able.

You'll be fine.

Each tour has an activity level indicator on its web page. I have been on 10 of the tours and have found all of them to overstate the strenuousness of the daily activities. As long as you have no trouble walking stairs or inclines (and you don't go to a very hot place like Greece at peak summer temperatures), you will have no issues with keeping up with the other tour members since you are in good condition.

We had a lovely range of ages on our first RS tour. If you are accustomed to walking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and carrying your own things, you'll fit in just fine!

That is probably the one thing I'm still trying to master - how to pack lightly. I'm doing so much better, but once you've had to haul all your luggage up several flights of stairs you start thinking about what you could have left at home. ;-)

Do you have specific tours in mind?

Any advice ?

GO, and enjoy!