Is Your Travel Company Senior Friendly? How to Tell

While new companies geared towards the travel needs of older adults seem to be popping up every day, there are plenty of general tour companies that do just as well. The problem is finding them. If you talk to your fellow travelers, you've probably heard plenty of stories of seniors being rushed around by unsympathetic twenty-some-year-old guides or ending up packed in with a bunch of rowdy spring breakers. So how do you make sure you're not going to end up in that situation? Naturally, if you call up the company and ask, "Are you senior friendly?" they're going to say, "Yes." They want to make a sale. Asking for specifics will not only get a more honest answer, but a more accurate one, too. Here are some factors to ask about that will give you an idea of how well the travel agency's tours will be able to meet your needs.

Pace of The Tour
Why spend thousands of dollars on a trip only to be herded from one site to another? If you're considering a bus or cruise tour, check if the number of stops you'll be making is reasonable for the length of time you'll be on the tour. You don't what to end up with an "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" situation. The number of stops on the tour isn't the only thing to consider, though. Check the daily schedule to make sure the days aren't too crowded, either. If they give you 2 hours to see 5 different sites in a large city like Moscow or Tokyo, you can be pretty sure you'll be expected to jog at one point or another.

Comfort
Hard beds and cramped quarters may not have bothered you in your college days, but do you really want to put up with that now? Ask about things like whether there'll be long or overnight bus rides. If there"ll be lengthy, will you have some place to sit down out escape from inclement weather? Will there be western-style restrooms (which translates to "no squat toilets") and comfortable dining facilities (ideally avoiding any crowded, noisy restaurants with rude staff)? Of course, if you go on safari with the intention of living like the locals for a week, you're on your own.

Age of the tour guides
It may not seem too important, but the tour guide's age can affect how well he or she understands your needs. If the guides themselves are seniors or at least over 40, they'll be naturally more inclined to keep the pace of walking tours acceptable, avoid routes that with lots of hills or stairs, and make sure you get the occasional 15 minutes to rest in a comfortable spot. Of course, the ages of the tour guide aren't as important if the tour company designed especially for seniors, since these guides receive training in the needs of their customers.

In-depth Coverage
The slower pace of senior-oriented tours isn't just to accommodate creaky joints. It's more often meant to cater to the freer schedules and wider knowledge-base of older adults. After all, if you don't have to get back to work on Monday, you have the chance to really immerse yourself in the culture of the place you're visiting. And for those who've already visited the location, which includes a lot of frequent travelers re-visiting a favorite destination, a quick run down of the highlights won't be satisfying. So make sure the tours offer some out-of-the-way places, knowledgeable guides who can fill you in on little-known facts, and chance to see how the locals really live. If the tour operator can't give you any specifics on whether or not they provide these, you can be fairly sure they don't.

Medical Concerns
It may not be the most pleasant thing to think about when planning a vacation, but if you have any medical concerns it's worth taking the time to ask how well they company will be able to accommodate you. Will the guides be understanding of your needs and able to help you in the event of an emergency? Keep in mind if you're traveling overseas this may mean finding someone who can accompany you to a pharmacy or hospital if needed. Also, if you have a condition that means you need frequent rest stops or snack breaks, make sure there'll be enough of these throughout the day.

Whether senior-focused or not, there are plenty of tour companies out there who understand the needs and preferences of older adults. Then again, some of travel companies that claim to be senior-friendly may not always live up to their claims. Often all it takes to find the gems is to ask the right questions.