Senior Travelers Enjoy More Active Tour Choices Than Ever

As I looked ahead at the winding path of gray stones, the editor in me noted how closely related the words trial and trail are. Dripping with sweat, I regretted packing rain pants instead of shorts for my unexpectedly dry and sunny hiking days in Ireland this September. This was definitely not what I had anticipated.

Weather can be unpredictable, but I had signed up for this Backroads trip in County Kerry, which was labeled as “easygoing walking” and referred to as “Dolce Tempo” (Italian for “older folks”) for a good reason. As I approach seventy, my feet aren’t what they used to be. I was reluctant to admit that I fit the category of an older traveler, but thankfully, I opted for the gentler version of this adventure, which involves fewer miles each day and less elevation change.

To be honest, I’m not really a hiker. My daypack and rain pants were still fresh from the store, and I was trying out walking poles for the first time while navigating the large rocks. But on my inaugural trip to Ireland, I wanted to experience it beyond just train or bus rides.

I had long been eager to experience a Backroads adventure, and their new Dolce Tempo offerings—active but not overly demanding—caught my interest. The idea behind these vacations is that you can set your own pace and do as much or as little as you like, whether that means skipping the afternoon hike or opting to walk to the hotel later instead of riding in the van. I was about to learn that, for the most part, you could truly take your time.

A Growing Emphasis on Senior Travelers

In 2021, Backroads introduced Dolce Tempo with 27 options. While the majority of these trips are based in Europe and the USA (often in national parks), there are also adventures in New Zealand, Peru, and Southeast Asia. For the upcoming year, the company will offer nearly 400 Dolce Tempo departures, including 8 specifically for hiking in Ireland. They are also launching Dolce Tempo Family Trips. In addition to hiking, Dolce Tempo features biking (with e-bikes) and multi-adventure options (like rafting and kayaking). It’s clear that there is demand for “active yet manageable” trips typically designed for an older demographic, though there are no age limits for adults.

The Baby Boomer generation—which includes retirees with the time and resources to travel—has propelled this trend in the travel industry. More companies are marketing tours designed for active older adults who understand that the best way to experience a location is by walking. This isn’t a new concept: Road Scholar has been operational since 1975 (originally named Elderhostel), offering educational programs for retirees; it began to provide more active trips around two decades ago. Road Scholar continues to cater to individuals aged 50 and above—two-thirds of its participants are Boomers—alongside some family options that connect grandparents with grandchildren.

Adventures Abroad offers a range of Senior Travel Tours, which they term “soft adventures” for individuals aged 50 and up. These excursions vary from one week to several, with a maximum group size of 18 participants. ElderTreks is dedicated exclusively to what it calls “small group exotic adventures” for those over 50. These include hiking journeys in Eastern Europe, Oman, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea, lasting from one to three weeks at varying activity levels. Not keen on hiking? Consider Senior Cycling.

Recently, Smithsonian Journeys introduced Active Journeys. While not specifically tailored for older travelers, these journeys offer three activity levels, allowing participants to select their desired pace. In addition to multiple locations in Europe, Smithsonian is also providing three dates in 2024 for the “Gorillas of Rwanda” and “Patagonia Hiking Adventure.” Other companies like Country Walkers and Walking the World also offer small-group travel options catering to various activity levels for all ages.

Exploring the Trails

On this trip through southwestern Ireland, I had some concerns about my fellow travelers. Our group consisted of 20 people, all couples except for myself and another single woman. A decade ago, when I was more agile, I traveled with a different reputable company and found myself sharing nearly a week with two much older couples, one of whom was hesitant to navigate the cobblestone streets of Old Québec City. They were kind, but the pace was painfully slow. I was eager to avoid a similar situation this time around.

On our first day, as we took an easy stroll into the Gap of Dunloe, I noticed the group appeared quite fit. I guessed their ages ranged from the mid-50s to mid-70s, with most leaning towards the upper end of that spectrum. (Later conversations revealed I had generally underestimated their ages.) Backroads recently launched a new app that displays daily routes, distances, options, and elevation changes. Additionally, the energetic trio of Backroads staff who joined us provided insights about what to expect before each hike, bringing enthusiasm and significant experience, even at half our age.

The age difference made me ponder, yet on our toughest hike, we were guided by the charming Mike Murphy, a retired teacher who now works with Backroads. He navigated the trail as if it were a leisurely stroll in the park.

I was taken aback that our initial walk led us along a paved road bustling with cars, horse-drawn wagons, and fellow hikers. This wasn’t a remote path but rather a well-traveled (and picturesque) couple of miles. Despite rain being forecasted and Backroads advising us to bring rain pants, the weather in Ireland remained pleasantly hot and dry throughout the week.

The favorable weather on day two was a real advantage. Our morning hike included hills, causing the group to spread out, with the fittest individuals setting the pace while others took more frequent breaks to catch their breath and enjoy the scenery. Dolce Tempo is not designed for Fitbit enthusiasts looking to maximize their steps; along this path, sheep far outnumbered people.

After enjoying a lunch at the pub, we headed to Rossbeigh Beach. I was aware that swimming in the Atlantic was an option on the itinerary, but I had envisioned a short, rocky shoreline with icy water, all dreary gray. To my surprise, I encountered a long, expansive sandy beach basking in sunshine, with the water pleasantly brisk and shared with a few other swimmers, mostly locals. While there were no changing rooms or showers available, it didn't bother me in the slightest.

Day three's excursions featured the stunning Torc waterfall and a leisurely stroll around the Muckross estate, with 'Master' Murphy (the retired teacher) keeping us entertained and educated about the local plants and animals. Following a visit to the serene ruins of Muckross Abbey, we enjoyed lunch in Killarney, where I was thrilled to find an ice cream shop offering unique local flavors like Dingle Sea Salt and Irish Brown Bread. We had the choice to head straight to the hotel or explore Ross Castle, with options to walk or ride back to the hotel from there. Each day provided longer routes for those eager to rack up more miles, though only a handful of our group opted for these extended hikes.

On day four, I hesitated. The detailed preview provided by our guides sounded daunting given the heat: little shade, numerous ascents and descents, and a path where one had to be cautious with every step to avoid twisting an ankle (essentially, it promised to be hot and slow). This was the only day featuring a single, long hike, and it was the only time we would be carrying sack lunches, as there were no facilities of any kind along this trek.

The only alternative for a shorter hike was to begin at the far end and venture as far as I wished before turning back. Admittedly, this meant I would likely miss out on the waterfall and the lively Master, but I was not alone; about eight others chose the shortened path as well. As we departed, he was leading the larger group in warm-up exercises that resembled an Irish version of the hokey-pokey.

Soon after, the back group began to disperse, and I found myself hiking solo. It was the first occasion where I relied on two walking sticks to maintain my balance on trails that frequently turned into steep piles of large rocks. I trudged on, coming to the realization that I would have to retrace my steps. I let go of my goal to reach the waterfall and paused in some rare shade. The peculiar vegan sandwich provided by Backroads (I'm vegetarian) was their only culinary misstep throughout the week. I couldn’t decipher its ingredients, so I settled for carrot sticks and hummus along with my water. (Later, I discovered that the others enjoyed prosecco near the waterfall and mentioned that the first half of the hike was the easier segment. So it goes.)

Unsurprisingly, the final hiking day was much milder and flatter, complemented by a delightful picnic (in contrast to the disappointing sack lunches from day four). Before a farewell brunch on departure morning, we took a leisurely stroll that led us to an ancient stone circle just a few blocks from our hotel, a reminder of where paths can lead you.

Alongside luxurious hotels (two of the three featured welcome swimming pools) and high-quality meals (Backroads is not meant for those on a budget), several evenings included enriching cultural experiences. These highlights featured a local storyteller/poet who also performed songs, an insightful whiskey tasting session, and a group of local women and girls playing music on traditional instruments and showcasing Irish dances. (We all got involved, dancing for an exhilarating conclusion.)

Though I found one day's excursion far from 'easygoing,' the reward was achieving something I wouldn’t have dared attempt alone. That's the essence of travel: stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing the new.

Would I enroll in Dolce Tempo again? I’m already weighing my options among several possibilities for next year. Joey Coe, who has guided many Dolce Tempo groups, mentions that they usually attract individuals who embody what I refer to as the ‘joy of missing out’ rather than the ‘fear of missing out.’ This means that when their bodies signal it’s time to step off the bike and enjoy the pool, they embrace it with happiness. As someone who seized every chance to swim during the trip, I wholeheartedly support this mindset.