Slowing down was the last thing on Elaine Schaefer’s mind when she turned 70 last year. She’d enjoyed an ambitious travel schedule for the previous decade. She didn’t feel too old to travel.
Yet many people are asking that slightly embarrassing question: Can you be too old to travel? The travel industry has already responded. Try renting a car in Europe, for example. In Croatia, Schaefer wouldn’t be able to this year, because the maximum age is 70. Insurance companies require higher rates; tour operators limit certain activities. That feels like a “no” for many travelers.
Definitely some folks should think twice before traveling, but not only based on their age. It’s their level of fitness, says Kirsten Veldman, a former tour guide who now edits a retirement blog. She recalls a 93-year-old who was disabled and traveling alone on a Caribbean tour, “You can’t expect to ask a tour leader to be there for you 24/7 for medical care.” she says. “Tour guides don’t have the time, skills, and knowledge for it. So, in this case, my advice is: he shouldn’t have traveled with us in this situation.”
But some tour operators serve older travelers. For example, Grand Circle Travel started in 1958 to serve senior members. “We have travelers into their 80s and even 90s. Some travel as a couple and some alone,” says company spokeswoman Ann Shannon. “We have no age limit.”
If you ask travel experts, they’ll tell you that age is just a number. It’s a question of physical, and to a certain extent, mental ability. “Many of our travelers are retired, focused on keeping their good health, and are experienced travelers who have a good idea of what to expect,” says Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways, a food and nutrition nonprofit that operates tours. “Someone in their 40s may struggle more than someone in their 80s.”
4. What is Schaefer expected to do if she travels in Croatia this year?
A.She can rent a car to go around. |
B.She will receive 24/7 medical care. |
C.She has to pay more insurance fees. |
D.She can participate in all the activities. |
5. What caused Veldman to disapprove of the 93-year-old’s traveling?
A.His old age. | B.His stubborn personality. |
C.His lack of medical skills. | D.His poor physical condition. |
6. What do we know about Grand Circle Travel?
A.It is a non-profit traveling organization. |
B.It is intended for the senior customers. |
C.It offers service to a wide range of travelers. |
D.It has a history of more than seven decades. |
7. What is the author’s attitude towards traveling at an old age?
A.Objective. | B.Favorable. | C.Tolerant. | D.Critical. |