Senior Travel Self-guided / Independent Tours & Trips

3,074 Senior Travel trips. Tours from 35 tour companies. 15,583 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

97 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Self-guided / Independent Tour
9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Chicago)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Walking Tour of Venice & trip to Murano Walking Tour of Florence Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

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9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (New York)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Walking Tour of Venice & trip to Murano Walking Tour of Florence Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

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9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Los Angeles)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

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8 Day Independent Irish Spirit
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Connemara, a region of unspoiled open scenery with misty mountains and sparkling lakes
  • Pleasant two-hight Stays in Killarney & Galway
  • Enjoy Independent Dublin tour
  • You have opportunity to create your own daily Itinerary
  • Visits Cobh Heritage Centre, Titanic Experience and Blarney Castle

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

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10 Day Geneva, Zermatt, Interlaken & Lucerne by Rail (New York)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

Trip dates & details
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9 Day Four Star Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Los Angeles)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Walking Tour of Venice & trip to Murano Walking Tour of Florence Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

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8 Day London & Edinburgh by Rail (New York)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
9 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail (Los Angeles)
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Walking Tour of Venice & trip to Murano Walking Tour of Florence Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"Onze reis naar Zuid-Afrika met Swiss via Zwitserland werd geannuleerd. We stonden met onze 6 kinderen in Brussel en hoorden dat het vliegtuig niet zou vertrekken. We proberen nu al vanaf september een claim in te dienen bij Swiss, maar krijgen van Gate1 niet het originele boekingsbewijs van Swiss. Iets wat Swiss wel eist voor we kunnen claimen. We worden van het kastje naar de muur gestuurd. Ook is Gate1 al maanden telefonisch niet bereikbaar. Dus mijn advies: niet boeken via Gate1."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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97 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Self-guided / Independent Tour
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Senior Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
15,583  Reviews
See all Senior Travel tour reviews
Excellent
4,884
Great
2,085
Average
440
Disappointing
117
Terrible
55
C

Candida S.

Sep 2024

Written on

we had a fantastic five star trip!

Thanks so much to the team at Alma Italia - we had a fantastic five star trip! Alma Italia organized us so many experiences we could never have done on our own - the...

S

Sharon

Jun 2024

Written on

Incredible, awesome, amazing experience

Our Real New Zealand Tours travel agent listened to our goals for the trip, how we wanted to travel, and what activities we wanted to do. Based on that, they create...

T

Todd

Jun 2024

Written on

Perfect vacation!

Our trip to New Zealand exceeded all of our expectations thanks to Geoff's amazing service as our travel agent. He eagerly provided us with suggestions and tailored ...

M

Mike

Mar 2024

Written on

Self-designed 21 day trip to NZ

Geoff helped my wife and I to put together an itinerary that customized to our particular interests and preferences. At the outset he asked us where we'd like to go ...

H

Heather W

Feb 2024

Written on

Outstanding Services!

Exotic Voyages is first class all the way. Lacey our travel advisor helped plan a trip for my brother and I to Thailand. I gave Lacey a rough of idea of what I wante...

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Senior Travel Tour Selection Trips

Physical Requirements For Senior Tours 
Understanding the physical requirements of your desired tour is crucial for preparing for the trip and managing expectations, especially for travelers with limited mobility.
On Travelstride, tours are categorized into five primary physical levels: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate, Strenuous, and Extreme, providing clarity on the level of activity involved. This knowledge not only ensures you can fully enjoy your vacation but also helps alleviate stress by informing your packing decisions.
For instance, for walking tours rated as "Easy," you may pack extra walking clothes. In contrast, river cruises ("Very Easy") allow for indulgent packing with the convenience of only unpacking once.
Senior travelers typically favor tours in the Very Easy to Easy range, which include river cruises, small ship cruises, and guided tours with minimal walking, often focusing on hobbies or cultural experiences.
For more active seniors, Moderate tours offer regular half-day walking or cycling activities. They may include adventurous pursuits like kayaking or camel riding.
Those with limited mobility may find senior tours rated Easy, such as river cruises and train journeys, most suitable. Remember to verify wheelchair accessibility with the tour company to ensure a welcoming experience.
Read tips for travelers with limited mobility 

Additional details

Senior Travel Bus Tours 

One popular option for senior travel is by coach. Coach-based tours are a convenient way of getting between the sights without having to wait in line, or worry about which route is the most efficient. Traveling by bus is also a great opportunity to see a lot more of wherever you are visiting -- not just the tourist sites -- and get a good feel for the place you’re in.

If you love the outdoors, bus tours are an extremely popular option for seniors in the U.S. They provide a great way to move between the national parks, and, as mentioned, see everything in between. Even if you don’t love nature, consider taking a cultural bus tour around a specific region or state. For example, travel by coach between ranches and bustling metropolises in Texas.

Senior Travel Deals & Discounts

Another advantage of traveling when you’re older is that you qualify for plenty of discounts! Regardless of where you are traveling, you should always ask to see whether or not there is some kind of senior discount. With that being said, some countries are notorious for the bargains they offer both senior citizens and visitors.

For seniors who intend to travel the USA, and are citizens, there are plenty of opportunities to save money. The National Parks System offers a lifetime entry ticket for seniors at a very low price, and an AARP membership can guarantee even more discounted rates on hotels, flights, and cruises. Other good senior vacation destinations known for their senior deals are the United Kingdom and Italy, which both lower the cost of train tickets and airfares for seniors.  

Traveling with Medication & Other Health Issues 

One common concern amongst older travelers is how they are going to travel with various medical conditions, and while on medication. It is possible to travel almost anywhere, as long as the traveler is prepared. Before leaving the country, make sure to pack enough of medicine for the entire duration of your trip, and then a few day extra, in case there are any delays. If the traveler is flying, they should also make sure to keep their medication in a carry on. 

If at all possible, keep your medication in its original prescription bottles -- this allows TSA inspectors to confirm that the medication belongs to you. On a similar note, TSA also allows for liquid medications above the usual liquid limits, so make sure to tell an agent at the security checkpoint about any liquids you might have. 

If you are concerned about other health issues, it is not a bad idea to visit a doctor up to 6 weeks before you travel. And regardless of their specific advice, seniors traveling internationally should plan for a recovery from any jet lag or motion sickness. If you suffer from mobility issues, make sure to double check the physical intensity of any tours you are looking at. 

Also consider the types of transportation on your trip -- if you your legs cramp up, inform your tour company that you may need extra leg room, and make sure to find out how long flights and bus rides might be.

Finally, some seniors choose to invest in a travel health insurance plan. Many health care plans, including Medicare, will not cover you once you’re outside the country.

Why Travel with a Senior Travel Group?

Group travel boasts a number of benefits. First and foremost, group tours are convenient. Whether you select a budget or all-inclusive senior travel package, your tour operator will likely manage at least some portion of your travel details. This means more less energy spent stressing, and more time enjoying your vacation.

Travel groups are also a great place for seniors to meet like-minded travelers. Reading about each tour will give you a better idea about who you will be traveling with, and there are many trips that have a minimum age, or focus on a particular activity. For those with a passion for lifelong learning, consider embarking on an educational adventure with a tour provider like Road Scholar (previously known as Elderhostel), which offers over 5,000 tours in 150 countries.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 3074 trips to Senior Travel and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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