Eldertreks designs tours for the 50-plus traveler and are limited to 16 people. Most of the European tours are in Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic's Prague, Transylvania and Turkey. The ancient Greece tour is 17 days and starts and ends in Athens. The group tours ancient ruins, such as the Parthenon in Athens and Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; the Byzantine monasteries of the Eastern Pindus Mountains; and the Aegean Islands. There also are two hikes.
Eldertreks
597 Markham St.
Toronto, Ontario M6G 2L7
Canada
800-741-7956
eldertreks.com/index.php
Exploritas was formerly known as Elderhostel, which gained fame providing educational travel opportunities for senior citizens. Exploritas offers numerous tours of Europe, including "France Along the Rhone: From Provence to Paris." The 12-night tour begins in Marseilles on the Mediterranean Sea, where travelers board a boat to cruise the Rhone River north to Paris. Stops are made at villages to sample rural life, at vineyards to learn about French wines, and at Arles and Avignon to visit Roman ruins and learn about medieval history.
Exploritas/Elderhostel
11 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston MA 02111
800-454-5768
exploritas.org/
Grand Circle Travel pioneered escorted tours for senior citizens through its affiliation with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Grand Circle offers tours around the world, including 38 to Europe. The 18-day Italian tour of the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany is appropriate for travelers who don't want to change hotels every night. The tour spends seven nights in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast and seven nights in Chianciano, an ancient Roman spa resort, in Tuscany. Italian lessons are provided, as are many day trips. Some tours are optional, leaving independent travelers the option to explore on their own.
Grand Circle Travel
347 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210
800-321-2835
gct.com/gcc/general/
