Travel

The Internet has revolutionized personal travel research. Much more comfortable with computers than perception might dictate, mature travelers of both sexes love to research their own vacation themes, destinations, alternative accommodations, and tour operators. They may still book through a travel agent. but they want to have a lot more input into the eventual mix than in the far more predictable planning for a conventional, mainstream holiday. Senior Travel Editor Alison Gardner

About.com. SeniorTravel.About.com. offers useful articles and resources for senior travelers.

Arthur Frommer s Budget Travel Online. www.frommers.com. Features a section on senior travel with articles and Web links.

Connecting, Solo Travel News. 689 Park Road, Unit 6, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V7, Canada; 604-886-9099, fax 604-608-2139; info@cstn.org. www.cstn.org. With its slogan Travel Alone Not Lonely, CSTN offers a densely-packed bimonthly newsletter, as well as a comprehensive website and a valuable Single-Friendly Travel Directory. With close to 50 percent of members in the 50-plus age group, special attention is paid to mature single and solo travel; about 60 percent of members are women. All tours featured must have either no single supplement or very low single supplement. New membership includes 6 issues of the newsletter, a copy of the annual directory, unlimited travel companion advertising in the newsletter, and access to online advice, networking, and much more.

ElderTrav.com. www.ElderTrav.com. is a promising new website for senior alternative and adventure travel featuring links to senior tours.

Eldertreks. www.eldertreks.com. is the world's first adventure travel company designed exclusively for people 50 and over. With 15 years of experience, they offer active, off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventures in over 50 countries. The all-inclusive land journeys focus on adventure, culture and nature. Choose a wildlife safari in Kenya, explore Mongolia by camel, hike to Patagonia's Torres del Paine, or navigate the awesome ruins of Angkor Wat.

JourneyWoman.com. www.journeywoman.com. offers a plethora of articles and resources for woman travelers, including a section on their website for the adventurous woman over 50.

Over50AndOverseas. www.over50andoverseas.com. is an informative and resource-intensive website for those who are mature or senior in age, may have retired, and wish to volunteer overseas in order to make a difference. It is hosted by an active member of the Peace Corps since 1991.

Rick Steves is the ultimate grassroots respectful and respectable American ambassador to Europe with his Europe Through the Back Door country guides, city guides, and acclaimed video/DVD series. Check his website, www.ricksteves.com. for all resources, mostly available through bookstores.

Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). www.roadscholar.org. Begin your adventures in lifelong learning from this stalwart friend of active seniors.

Senior Women's Travel. www.poshnosh.com. trips for 50+ women with a passion for travel.

Smarter Living s Senior Travel Website, www.smartertravel.com/senior-travel/. encourages older Americans to travel creatively both domestically and abroad. While much of its focus is mainstream in theme, there are many tempting deals, especially in heavily discounted transportation, and excellent travel tips and articles on destinations that make this site a valuable addition to the alternative traveler s information portfolio. Also sign up for the free Senior Travel E-Newsletter to learn about late-booking travel discounts.

Third Age Travel. a resource guide with an on-line community, travel companions matching service, feature stories and travel related subjects geared to seniors: www.thirdage.com/travel.

Travel with a Challenge web magazine. www.travelwithachallenge.com. is a global travel resource, updated monthly, that speaks directly to the mature/senior traveler through richly illustrated feature articles and fast-breaking travel news around the following alternative travel themes: ecological, educational, cultural/historical, and volunteer vacations worldwide. Also check out prize draws and discounts on the homepage. The web magazine attracts 1.6 million readers worldwide yearly.

Walking the World. www.walkingtheworld.com. adventure travel for people 50 and better. Adventure travel is a way of experiencing the world, not as a passive observer, but as an active participant. And walking, more than any other type of activity, allows you to experience firsthand not only a country s majestic natural areas, but its rich and varied human cultures as well. With Walking The World, you ll be walking through small villages, meeting the local people, and sampling some of the world s finest food and drink.

Wired Seniors. www.wiredseniors.com. A general website of interest to seniors with a section on tours featuring a travel guide.