Seniors Are Checking Out Uruguay

A good number of senior travelers have been to South America, usually taking in such countries as Argentina, Brazil and Chile.  I know why, as I’ve seen all three, and each is highly enjoyable, full of scenery and makes for a superior trip. However, one of the newest places to hone in on today is Uruguay.

Well, somebody has let the cat out of the bag. Uruguay used to be South America’s best-kept secret, with a handful of Argentines, Brazilians, Chileans and non–South Americans in the know popping in to enjoy the pristine beaches, the atmospheric cities, the huge steaks and the happening nightlife. Then the peso crashed, the place became a whole lot more affordable and people got curious. They came, loved it and went back home to tell their friends. Who came, loved it and went back home to tell their friends.

Uruguay has a population of about 3.5 million people, and 1.4 million of them live in the capital Montevideo. This country’s population, composed of Charrúa natives in its origins, nowadays is mainly of European descent with a variety of different ethnics and races as well.

Uruguay is beautiful, small, and often known as the heart-shaped country. Although geographically Uruguay is very small, it is a faithful representation of the fact that quality can not be measured on quantity, since its people, its lands, its attractions and its coastlines are quality.

Senior Visitors Drawn to Uruguay

The main drawcards, like Colonia del Sacramento, Punta del Este and Montevideo, have long been welcoming  senior tourists, and are dealing with their newfound popularity well. Other destinations, such as Punta del Diablo and Maldonado, retain their charm but are no longer the undiscovered gems they once were. Elsewhere, in the interior, gaucho central Tacuarembó, for example, and the river towns, and particularly in the non-summer months, there’s still a pretty good chance that you’ll be the only senior gringo in town.

Uruguay’s capital and by far its largest city, Montevideo is vibrant and eclectic with a rich cultural life, and is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay. Punta del Este (The Eastern Point) – with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels and glitzy restaurants – is one of South America’s most glamorous resort areas and easily the most expensive place in Uruguay.

A one-stop site to bring you up to speed shares not only the history and geography, but also has a nice map of the country. Uruguay, with lots of things for senior visitors to see and do, is quickly becoming a popular senior destination.  Check it all out with your local travel agent and then head south to Uruguay.  Enjoy.  jeb

Been to Charlottesville yet?

Charlottesville is centrally located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Central Virginia region. Charlottesville’s rich cultural, natural, and artistic history is showcased in a selection of first-rate museums, galleries, wineries, shops, and parks… a natural attraction to senior history buffs.

Home to Two Presidents

Charlottesville, an independent city, has an official population of approximately 44,000.  It is best known as the home to two U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.  While both these gentlemen lived in Charlottesville they traveled to and from the capitol (Richmond, Virginia) along the 71-mile historic Three Notch’d Road.

Nearby is the home of James Madison in Orange, as well as the home of the University of Virginia, which, along with Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jefferson’s mountain-top home at Monticello, attracts approximately half a million tourists every year. Have you been there yet?  If not…it’s a “must see” and should be on your “bucket list.” It is a magnificent stop…the home, an architectural marvel, designed by Jefferson himself and the site, spilling over with historical interest.   While both these southern gentlemen lived in Charlottesville they traveled to and from the capitol (Richmond, Virginia) along the 71-mile historic Three Notch’d Road.

City Ranked #1 Place to Live in the Country

Frommer’s Cities Ranked and Rated has named Charlottesville the Best Place to Live in America!   Downtown with its historic streets and buildings, and a new pedestrian mall attracts many senior travelers.  Outdoor restaurants and cafés, concerts, street vendors, and impromptu theatrical events keep things lively in this quarter of the city.

A One-Stop Site

This URL has lots of information for first-time senior visitors to Charlottesville.  Myself, being a Master Gardener, I’d like all those orchards and vineyards.  And history… the second name for Charlottesville has to be “Historyville.” Many of the area’s familiar names today are references to its colonial-era past.

History and More Attracts Senior Visitors

Senior visitors are eager to see Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello and his lasting academic legacy at the University of Virginia.  And while it’s true that a walking tour of downtown Charlottesville offers a deep look into early-American history, the destination offers far more than just historic sites, Charlottesville musical scene lights up with legendary blues artists, rockstars and internationally acclaimed musicians.

Local Visitor Centers

The City’s Visitor Center provides many services including same-day hotel reservations, local and statewide travel information, brochures, guides and maps. For more information call: 434.293.6789 or toll free: 877.386.1103.  Check out this list of more things to see and do and add a few to your list of “must see and do” in Charlottesville. Seems like you just can’t miss on this one seniors.  jeb

 

Seniors Poke Around in the Poconos

“Pocono” is a Native-American word meaning “stream between two mountains.”   Between these two mountains seniors have been having a ball checking out the many things to do. Maybe you’ve heard… “It’s TIME for the Pocono Mountains!” According to the New York Daily News, “a wind of change and an influx of monied investors have seen a crop of new developments that is putting the Poconos back on the map.” One visit will explain why…it’s the region’s natural beauty and its bustling local scene.

Senior visitors seeking an exciting vacation destination need look no farther than the Pocono Mountains. A myriad of nature-filled activities are available within a few hours’ drive of most major Northeast cities including overnight packages to bring out the hiker, botanist or water-park lover in travelers of all ages. Senior travelers can meet all of their vacation needs, from the fast-paced excitement of favorite outdoor activities, to the exceptional performances of theaters and concerts. Tour a living history museum in the morning, unwind at a brew pub in the afternoon and dine in an elegant restaurant in the evening.

The Poconos’ Free Travel brochures

Travel brochures focus on skiing, riding, golf, camping and taking in the Lake Region. The 2,400-square-mile Poconos region, once best known for its coal, its lumber, its ice-harvesting and canneries, is only 80 miles from New York City and 85 miles north of Philadelphia. Today the area, which covers four counties -Monroe, Carbon, Pike and Wayne – is dotted with resorts, whose owners are betting that with gasoline prices and airfares tending to move upward, more vacationers from the metropolitan area will take advantage of the two-hour drive to the Poconos.

I have known for a long time that the region is known as the Honeymoon Capital of the World.  The long tradition of romance in the Pocono Mountains started in 1945, when the area’s first honeymoon resort opened. It catered to GIs and their new wives, many of whom had previously taken military leave in the mountains during World War II.

In 1963, the now-iconic heart-shape hot tub first appeared (in Caesars Cove Haven), solidifying the Poconos’ romantic reputation with a bit of kitsch. These days, the Poconos are experiencing a tourism renaissance. A number of world-class spas and couples-only resorts have helped the area redefine itself as a modern romantic getaway for seniors.

The Poconos Remain a Popular Destination For Seniors

The Poconos are for families, skiers, senior adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England.  The region lacks any major cities, although Scranton and Wilkes-Barre together form a moderate-sized conurbation. The region, dominated by streams and waterfalls, is known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania“.

Check out each of these additional attractions prior to your visit and if it in the winter, bring along those skis… this is a major draw for winter tourists. jeb

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Choose Your Tour to India

Tour groups are a great means for senior citizens to visit far-away and often exotic destinations. For starters, how about 85 tours to choose from by Lonely Planet? Incredible India welcomes senior citizens as you search out a good tour for your travel agenda. Tours are your best bet in India for first-time senior visitors.

Luxury Indian Tours and Travel

Easy Tours of India is a boutique agency with the highest ratings for luxury tours in India – by far. They provide unique luxury experiences tailored around your preferences.

Discover India Tours notes that right from the time you dream of your ultimate vacation until the time it concludes into reality,  their well acquainted travel specialists are available for your custom-designed tour.  Before embarking upon your journey, a knowledgeable travel consultant will work with you to design your vacation according to your tastes and preferences, offering seniors expert suggestions and the finest accommodations.

India’s Top Ten Tours, as the name suggests, offers ten specifically designed packages for senior travelers to India.

Intrepid Tours

Intrepid Travel helps senior citizens do a trip search all over the world.

ChaCha Travel has great photos and tours to check out including  Kathmandu and Kashmir. Senior visitors will discover a plethora of traditional villages as well as cosmopolitan cities of India.  Residents of India reflect the oriental tradition of rich culture, multi-ethnicity and warm hospitality.

India has it all and according to World Bank 1,241,491,960 folks live in the world’s second largest country representing a full 17% of the earth’s population.

Seniors Choose Escorted Travel in India

If I were to go to India for the first time, and it’s on my “bucket list”,  I would choose to take an escorted tour and have with me my list of 25 good reasons to visit.  I have participated in escorted tours many times as a Travel Group Leader and they are nearly a must for senior travelers in countries like India.

India leaves most senior visitors with a remarkable and lasting impression, regardless of the length of time spent there, and no two travelers will have the same experience.   India is a vast region, offering a wide variety of cultural experiences rich in heritage and beauty. Poverty and beggars abide so be prepared. The NY Times has a worthwhile site to help you with your choices and itinerary.

Always just one more…

I’ll leave you with just one more packed site with several “exotic” vacations for you to choose from. For you “senior adventurers”, Exotic India Journey might just fit your desire to get close to the environment and the people. Bone up on videos to ignite your curiosity and interest and enjoy your tour to India.  jeb

Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom

Seniors… imagine a country committed to people’s happiness. Get ready to travel to a land where Gross National Happiness measures the wealth of a nation.  It is time to travel high in the Himalayans to encounter the peaceful kingdom that has long drawn mystics and seekers and that rewards modern-day senior visitors with a taste of tradition undisturbed.

“Bhutan” is a Kachari word; at one time Bhutan was part of Tibet. “A place of Bod” in Tibetan, Di-Bod meant a place of frozen water, it later became DiBodo / Tibodo / Tibet. In terms of average wage, Bhutan is a poor country, however the land is fertile and the population small, so the people are well fed, and beggars and homeless are practically nonexistent. In addition, the current generation receives free education, and all citizens have access to free medical care.

Buddhism and culture are one in Bhutan

Called the Dragon Kingdom,  Bhutan is a distant and devout land where Buddhism and culture are one and the same. You will undoubtedly fly into Paro that is Bhutan’s only international airport.  You will want to visit the historic Ringpung Dzong dating to 1646. This is the winter home of the Central Monk Body and one of the country’s most attractive monasteries.  It is set on a land between two rivers called the “Mother” and the “Father” rivers.

From Ringpung Dzong it’s a 3 hour bus drive to Thimphu the Himalayan country’s capital and largest city.  You will want to take in the Memorial Chorten, the best-known religious landmark and a colorful weekend market.

And on to Punakha

It is suggested that you travel to Punakha via the Duchaula Pass that is over 10,000 feet and that affords a stunning view over the Himalayas. Daily, seniors can observe the locals raising prayer flags in the name of peace and compassion.

Bhutan, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”

The Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chillies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where men wear a tunic to work, where giant protective penises are painted on the walls of most houses, and where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product.

Tourism in Bhutan is unique. Visitors famously have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit. But this fee is all-inclusive, you don’t have to travel in a group and you can arrange your own itinerary.

Senior Visitors Discover Land of Surprises

Bhutan is a country of surprises. This is not just a nation of the saintly and otherworldly, these days you’ll find monks transcribing ancient Buddhist texts into computers as traditionally dressed noble men chat on their mobile phones.

Lonely Planet has several tips on money and costs and tips that seniors will find helpful. There can be little doubt that you will come away from this adventure full of unmatched memories. Besides the stunning natural scenery, the enduring image of the country for most senior visitors is the strong sense of culture and tradition that binds the kingdom and clearly distinguishes it from its larger neighbors.

Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist in the world, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life. Due to its pristine environment and harmonious society, the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan has been called “The Last Shangrila.” “If the thought is good, peace and path are good.” (Bhutanese Proverb) Enjoy your adventure to Bhutan. jeb