What's Up With Elderhostels?
Apr 15th, 2007, 08:01 PM
#41
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I have taken 12 trips with Elderhostel. 3 were overseas (Sicily, Russia and Chile). The rest were in the US and ranged from 1-6 days. The 1 day programs were at museums here in DC. I even went to one at the Spy Museum that was very interesting.
Prices on these tours can vary from moderate to expensive. They grade the trip by how active it is. The only problem is that people may over estimate how fit they are. In Russia, there were clearly people who should have taken an easier trip, such as a cruise. The way it was dealt with was that the local guide and the tour director (we always had 2 people with us) split a group off into "slow walkers". I think there was even an extra guide at one point. This is a common problem and the ground operator was prepared to deal with it.
If you sign up for an elderhostel trip, read the details carefully and choose a program that is right for you both financially and in the fitness department.
Prices on these tours can vary from moderate to expensive. They grade the trip by how active it is. The only problem is that people may over estimate how fit they are. In Russia, there were clearly people who should have taken an easier trip, such as a cruise. The way it was dealt with was that the local guide and the tour director (we always had 2 people with us) split a group off into "slow walkers". I think there was even an extra guide at one point. This is a common problem and the ground operator was prepared to deal with it.
If you sign up for an elderhostel trip, read the details carefully and choose a program that is right for you both financially and in the fitness department.
Apr 16th, 2007, 04:57 AM
#42
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Every year I travel to Greece, and several friends or acquaintances who are new to Greece come along. We stay in small family hotels (rooms with bath) and do picnic lunches, but dine in tavernas.
So my travel pals (who have ranged in age from 37 to 67) can compare our outlay with a large organized program , I check the Greece Elderhostel price for a similar-length trip (18-19 days).
When you figure in the cost of uncovered meals, snacks, fees, chair rentals etc etc, the Elderhotel price (exclusive of RT airfare to Athens) consistently seems to be twice as much as we spend. And it sometimes requires eating in groups in restaurants chosen by Elderhostel and touring sights in groups of 30 or so. Of course the EH tour provides an expert lecturer, but I usually do as much infobabble as my travel pals can stand.
I think the EH tours are fine for intelligent people who can afford it, who want to learn as they travel and who do not mind touring in a fairly large group of older people. Myself, I don't like to be as 'insulated' from the local experiences as group travel is likely to be. And though I'm also a retiree, I do find any sizable group of over-65ers has its share of grumbling geezers and achey cranks.
I do except a group I encountered last May in a Samos Taverna. They were from that BRitish outfit (Ramblers??), and ranged from 70+ to 91, had just completed a 14-mile ramble and were all cheerful as crickets! Walking is good for the temperament!
So my travel pals (who have ranged in age from 37 to 67) can compare our outlay with a large organized program , I check the Greece Elderhostel price for a similar-length trip (18-19 days).
When you figure in the cost of uncovered meals, snacks, fees, chair rentals etc etc, the Elderhotel price (exclusive of RT airfare to Athens) consistently seems to be twice as much as we spend. And it sometimes requires eating in groups in restaurants chosen by Elderhostel and touring sights in groups of 30 or so. Of course the EH tour provides an expert lecturer, but I usually do as much infobabble as my travel pals can stand.
I think the EH tours are fine for intelligent people who can afford it, who want to learn as they travel and who do not mind touring in a fairly large group of older people. Myself, I don't like to be as 'insulated' from the local experiences as group travel is likely to be. And though I'm also a retiree, I do find any sizable group of over-65ers has its share of grumbling geezers and achey cranks.
I do except a group I encountered last May in a Samos Taverna. They were from that BRitish outfit (Ramblers??), and ranged from 70+ to 91, had just completed a 14-mile ramble and were all cheerful as crickets! Walking is good for the temperament!
Apr 16th, 2007, 09:08 AM
#43
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Every group of elderhostelers contains a mix of folks. As with any group, there will be folks you instantly like and folks that annoy you. You simply pal up with the ones you like and ignore the cranks.
I find bringing an IPOD with music on it is an excellent cure for drowning out cranks for those times when you are in transit and the guide is not speaking.
And some senior tours are quite active.
I find bringing an IPOD with music on it is an excellent cure for drowning out cranks for those times when you are in transit and the guide is not speaking.
And some senior tours are quite active.
Apr 17th, 2007, 08:30 AM
#44
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<<They grade the trip by how active it is. The only problem is that people may over estimate how fit they are.>>
True. EH gives a good description of the fitness levels but some ignore it or overestimate their fitness. You were lucky on your Russia trip to have two guides so the group could be split. On my last EH tour there was one guide so a lot of waiting for the folks who really should have gone on a "one" or "two" level at the highest. Another woman said the same thing had happened on an Alaska tour -- a few were really not fit enough for the trip.
True. EH gives a good description of the fitness levels but some ignore it or overestimate their fitness. You were lucky on your Russia trip to have two guides so the group could be split. On my last EH tour there was one guide so a lot of waiting for the folks who really should have gone on a "one" or "two" level at the highest. Another woman said the same thing had happened on an Alaska tour -- a few were really not fit enough for the trip.
Apr 17th, 2007, 11:04 AM
#46
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I want to add something here: I have even heard tales from tour directors of adult children sending parents with Alzheimers on coach tours to give the adult children some time off. When this happens, the person has to obviously be taken off the tour. Whoever paid for the tour loses all the money once the arrangements are made.
What could those adult children have been thinking? By the way, I have not had this experience with Elderhostel, but I do have a friend who is a tour director and told me this story. Coach tours are for the able bodied. Seniors may not be up for hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim (neither am I, by the way), but they have to be mobile. If someone needs assistance, a companion must go with them. Tour directors have to manage a bus load. They cannot be pushing wheelchairs!
What could those adult children have been thinking? By the way, I have not had this experience with Elderhostel, but I do have a friend who is a tour director and told me this story. Coach tours are for the able bodied. Seniors may not be up for hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim (neither am I, by the way), but they have to be mobile. If someone needs assistance, a companion must go with them. Tour directors have to manage a bus load. They cannot be pushing wheelchairs!
Apr 17th, 2007, 03:43 PM
#47
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Just want to chip in here as Inlaws just returned from an Elderhostel in Atlanta ... they are 81 and have been to all of the usual tourist places (Hawaii,Alaska, London, Europe, D.C. and so on). What appealed to them? Another EH instructor recommended this one in Atlanta where they listened to lectures from former Ambassadors, agents in the the Foreign Service, then toured the Jimmy Carter Center for .. something. Then toured CNN headquarters - studios etc ... all in all they found it stimulating and interesting.
I do recall when I read some reviews on Elderhostel to be careful when signing up for one when you need to purchase airfare. If you buy airfare through them, then if the program is cancelled because of lack of participants your not out the money of non-refundable air. So the reviewer said you should call and check with EH in regards to program cancellation before purchasing your air.
I do recall when I read some reviews on Elderhostel to be careful when signing up for one when you need to purchase airfare. If you buy airfare through them, then if the program is cancelled because of lack of participants your not out the money of non-refundable air. So the reviewer said you should call and check with EH in regards to program cancellation before purchasing your air.
