As we all know, with advancing years, comes the likelihood of more serious and unexpected life changes – death of a loved one, divorce, and ill health of your regular travel companion – and that very often these challenges blind side us. Grand Circle understands this better than most having traveled with over 600,000 travelers in the last 5 years alone. But this doesn’t mean that personal desires and life ambitions have to come to an end, too. “Absolutely not”, says travel expert Harriet Lewis. ‘I’m in my early-sixties and in the last 12 months alone I traveled thousands of miles. My husband is not always available to come with me – and like most women, I sometimes prefer the company of other women so I travel with my daughter and my girlfriends. I also like traveling on my own but in an environment in which I know I’ll meet travelers and that I’ll be safe and well looked after during the journey.” Harriet finds that traveling the world gives her enormous personal satisfaction, and believes that it makes her a better person. “Climbing Egypt’s Mount Sinai at night, so that I could see the sunrise at dawn, is a life changing experience I will never forget. The Middle East was an area of the world I had not explored in depth, and experiencing the people, cultures and places of Syria, Jordan, Israel, and most recently, the Sudan—all of which are all in the midst of great change inspires me every day, well after I’ve returned to the daily grind. Travel changes us. It makes us more curious, more thoughtful, more tuned into our world.” Harriet advises other women who are considering traveling solo to ask themselves the following questions as part of their preparation:

What do I want to gain from my travel experience: Adventure? Culture? Relaxation? Inspiration?

Which destination, countries or regions interest me most?

Make a list and put them in order – develop your travel “bucket list.”

Do I want to travel with like-minded people – friends, family, or other vacationers –or go it alone?

If I’m with a group, and all begin as strangers, who will I eat my meals with?

Does my tour operator help facilitate these situations?

Will the guides help me meet people?

Will the group be small enough so that I matter or is it so large that I get lost in the crowd?

Will I have chance to explore and ‘go off the beaten track’ on my own or must I stay with my group the whole time – will I have knowledgeable local guides at my destination, and will they help pursue my individual interests?

How can I get the best value for my money?

Does my tour operator waive the single supplement fee?

How else can I save money?

Does my tour operator match singles as roommates or help us to arrange these ourselves?

What else is offered to me if I’m traveling solo?

Talking extensively with our thousands of travelers has given us this knowledge and ability to make this quick checklist that really encompasses the priorities. In the words of Mark Twain: “20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Call for a complimentary copy of Harriet Lewis’ latest book “101 Tips for Women Travelers”, 1-800-221-2610 or visit www.oattravel.com/tips.

In 2006, Doris and her husband quit their corporate jobs, sold their house and everything they owned and started traveling around the world for what was supposed to be a two-year voyage. They ended up staying away for 5 years traveling to all 7 continents, over 50 countries and living in 5. The first 26 months were spent in constant motion as they rarely stayed in one place more than a few days to a week. The second half of our trip was more sedate as they lived in Mexico, Costa Rica and China Doris’ husband taught English as a Foreign Language while Doris wrote. In all their years of traveling they had difficulty finding resources for people of their boomer generation – most travel products were for seniors while most information was targeted at youths. This is when Doris decided she would write the book for baby boomers wanting to travel.

Introducing: The Boomers’ Guide to Going Abroad to Travel | Live | Give | Learn

There are ten booklets in all with the following titles:

· Beating Illness and Crime – Healthy & Safe Travel Tips

· Caution! Hazards Ahead – Risk Reducing Travel Tips

· Finding Authenticity – Ultimate Travel Activity Tips

· From Scrumptious to Scary – Good-to-Know Travel Eating Tips

· Going, Going, Gone… – Travel Transportation Tips

· How Do You Do? – Cultural Etiquette Travel Tips

· More Travel for Less – Saving Money on Your Trips

· What to Take & What to Leave – Travel Packing Tips

· Where in the World? – Travel Destination Tips

· You Slept Where? – Travel Accommodations Tips

Or you can purchase the entire book, available as hardcover or download version.

Thanks to Doris for sharing her resources for us and providing boomers with quality travel guide resources!