SENIORS TRAVEL TO ONTARIO



Windsor Is A Winner With Seniors

Olde Walkerville Neighborhood

Windsor, the southernmost city in Canada is located in south western Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, looking north to the United States. Encompassing 46 square miles, Windsor is home to over 208,000 people. Its residents are predominantly English speaking, but Windsor is a multicultural city, playing host to senior visitors from all over the globe.

Known as “The City of Roses”, Windsor’s residents are known as Windsorites.  Just across the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit, Windsor is one friendly town that offers a plethora of activities, from casino gambling to duty-free shopping, historic sites to manicured parks. What’s more: the U.S. dollars goes further in Canada. U.S. citizens are now required to have a valid passport for travel to Canada.

Seniors Enjoy ‘Garden Community’

The Dieppe Gardens are just one major attraction that draws seniors from all across the country. Olde Walkerville Neighborhood ranks second for visitors. And wow, just look at all those beautiful old mansions. Windsor is a perfect example of a ‘garden community’. The former town was the visionary development of one of Ontario’s prominent 19th century entrepreneurs, Hiram Walker, the founder of the famous “Canadian Club Whiskey.”

Agriculture is important to this region… grapes for wines grow easily in the benign climate. In addition to wineries depending on the land, local beer breweries rely on the high-quality hops and barley from nearby fields. I have only seen one hops field, in Alsace-Lorraine.  Amazing to me how they grow up those high supports.

For decades a section of Windsor was simply known as Ford City. The climate in the Windsor area lends itself to a picturesque environment. Just imagine, seniors, the natural beauty of having water on three sides of your city. Such is the case in Windsor, surrounded by Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.

Senior hikers – be sure you pack your walking shoes. Windsor is proud of their three miles of walking paths along the Detroit River featuring unique sculptures, beautiful gardens and streets lined with stores, clubs and restaurants. Another one-stop URL as I label them, is this complete vacation, recreation and tourism information link.

Windsor’s Long History

Windsor,founded in the 1830′s, and Detroit lie in an area first settled by the French at the turn of the 18th century. A trading post established by Antoine de Lamothe de Cadillac in 1701 on the north side of the Detroit River quickly became the regional center for the French fur trade before being captured by the British in 1760 and later handed over to the Americans after the War of Independence.

Interested in a little more history? Try this. In 1854, a Village; in 1858, a Town; in 1892, a City. That’s quite a transformation folks. Enjoy your vacation in Windsor.  jeb

SENIORS CELEBRATE IN OAH’U



Our 50th Celebration Continues…

Hanauma Bay

We flew from Phoenix directly to Mau’i on US Air (6 hours) and on to Oah’u via Hawaiian Airlines that was only a 35 minute flight. What a difference these celebrating seniors encountered. Very crowded with tourists, honeymooners and classy resorts one right next to the other.

We stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki located right on Waikiki Beach. We liked that located very much and in addition it was right next to my favorite hotel called the Moana Surfrider, the oldest (1901) and most historic hotel in the city.

It is a grand hotel. A 6 ft wide porch crosses the entire front of the hotel on either side of the doors and 6 lovely wooden rocking chairs line each side of the doors on this porch. These seniors spent good time in the rocking chairs, watching people and all the action on Kalakaua Avenue.

The Battleship Missouri

A Visit to Pearl Harbor

My wife was looking forward to the Arizona and Pearl Harbor. And she wasn’t disappointed. We took two tours arranged by the concierge at the Outrigger. One of our tours circled the entire island and the other went to Pearl Harbor to see the Arizona Memorial and to visit the Battleship Missouri.

As we toured the entire island of Oah’u, with the Grand Island Circle Tour, we stopped at a Dole Pineapple Plantation and a macadamia nut farm, both good stops. Our bus drivers shared historic information about the Hawaiian people, their culture, their kings, their battles. Of particular interest were all the events surrounding Pearl Harbor. Our bus driver was a walking history book.

The Bishop Museum is another must, a place filled with the Polynesian cultural artifacts and history. Everywhere seniors go they are sure to hear about King Kamehameha who once ruled the islands.

At the Outrigger Waikiki

We enjoyed dining for our 50th and saw a nearby rotating restaurant called Top of Waikiki, up 18 stories. We found it to be memorable and we enjoyed a delicious meal. Walking along Waikiki senior visitors will see the famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a true Hawaiian hero and one of the world’s greatest surfers and swimmers.

Twice we dipped into the warm waters of Waikiki Beach and learned that Wai + kiki means spouting waters. Across from our hotel was the famous International Market Place full of tourist souvenirs. And oh yes, we learned the difference between Kane and Wahine for your bathroom stops.

We hope you enjoy your vacation in Hawai’i as much as we did and Aloha. The Beckers

SENIORS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY IN HAWAII



The Beckers Visit Mau’i and Oah’u

First-hand visitors who blog can often provide the most valid information on renown sites anywhere in the world. Such is the case for your senior travel writer and his wife. We just returned from a week-long visit to Hawai’i.

We first spent three days on Mau’i (The Magic Isle) and then flew to Oah’u for an additional three days, celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. We were so pleased that we started off with Mau’i, voted “Best Island” by Condé Nast Traveler for more than a dozen years and now we know why.

The “Official Mau’i Visitor Site“

Senior travelers will find lots of information on this site about the island but we wish to share from our own experiences. First of all, we rented a car… the best way to see the island at our own pace and leisure. So what did we do on Mau’i?

We stayed at the Sheraton Mau’i Resort, on West Mau’i.  It’s on a famous beach called Kaanapali. Four miles long, Kaanapali Beach stands out as one of Mau’i’s best, with grainy gold sand as far as the eye can see. Summertime swimming is excellent and the best snorkeling is around Black Rock in front of the Sheraton.

The water is clear, calm, and populated with brilliant tropical fish. We spent one evening sitting on the beach waiting to watch a diver dive from Black Rock, something which has been done since the last chief of Mau’i started the ritual.

These Seniors Loved the Landscape,

Mau’i’s diverse landscapes are the result of a unique combination of geology, topography, and climate. We enjoyed our drive up into Iao Valley, which was amazingly beautiful. Another highlight was a Blue Hawai’i helicopter tour of both Mau’i and Moloka’i. We hovered closeup to dozens of plush valleys, long flowing waterfalls and cliffs thickly covered in green foliage. The many steep cliff coastlines were an awesome site.

We chose not to take the drive to Hana, with its 600 curves, rather, we drove around the northern coast of Mau’i where we saw the famed Halona Blowhole.  Quality time in Lahaina, the principal city of West Mau’i, included art galleries and great restaurants, the Banyan Tree and the wharf. The Banyan Tree fills up one entire block (.66 acres) with an extensive trunk and multiple root system.

 …the Banyan Tree and the Lū’au

Historically Lahaina was the center of the whaling industry with many whaling ships anchored in its waterfront. The Pioneer Inn, the oldest hotel in Lahaina, sits across the street from the wharf and served a great breakfast that included macadamia pancakes.

The Old Lahaina Lū’au, a highlight for us with hula dancers, music and food, presented a traditional Lū’au and feast. We discovered that the Hawaiian language is a little tough to read with only 13 letters. We learned to say Aloha and Mahalo (thank you) and used them often. Stick with us as we’ll fly on to Oah’u tomorrow. jeb

SUNDAY COFFEE WITH JEB



Seniors Seek Outstanding Sites All Over the Globe

I invite you to have a cup of coffee with me this morning while we take a look at CNN’s recent listing of 31 beautiful sights on this incredible planet. Follow the numbers across and enjoy. If you are a well versed senior world traveler, you may have seen several already.

Some are far away and would take you on an adventure such as the Sossusvlei Dunes in Namibia with temples that tower out of mist-cloaked jungles; a herd of wildebeest, one million-strong, trekking across the African plains; a midnight sky filled with stars.

And more temples in Torres del Paine in Chile right in the heart of Patagonia. Glaciers rise in the midst of mountainscapes and alpine meadows, close enough for senior travelers to hike right up to and touch. They make Torres del Paine one of the most special national parks in the world –  you’ll never forget your first sight of ice on the beach.

Seniors Awed by the Great Migration  in East Africa

No sight in the world replicates the timeless drama of tens of thousands of wild beasts charging across the African plains in search of food and water while pursued by their predators. And down in KiwiLand star-filled sky Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand as you pick out Orion’s Belt and The Big Dipper… even more impressive if there are a million other stars distracting you from the task.

Cormorant fishing is big in China. Just image you and your spouse drifting down the Nanxi River on a bamboo craft with fellow senior travelers, enjoying views of  locals doing laundry along the river and fishermen employing traditional methods of using cormorants to catch fish.

Seniors Find Pyramids, Bats and Tea Fields

And Palenque. What neat Mayan pyramids and ruins senior travelers will find but none are more breathtaking than those of Palenque in the Yucatan Peninsula. The jungle temple of this site inspired “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and it has a lost-world feeling. The Palenque Ruins are widely regarded as the most atmospheric and impressive of Mexico’s Mayan ruins. I agee.

Palenque’s monumental stone temples are famed for their architectural sophistication and fine sculptures, and are made even more interesting by the detailed knowledge of its history that archaeologists have recovered from its inscriptions.

Do you like bats?  My family loves them. So head out for Zambia and view five million bats cluster together in one tiny corner of Zambia’s Kasanka National Park every November. Try the Boseong tea fields in South Korea, the northern lights in Lapland or the Lake District in Northern England that my brother and his wife found to be the highlight of the British Isles. Oh yes, that Rock Faced city of Petra in Jordan or the Fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, Turkey are pretty special too.

Enjoy them all as you travel the world.  jeb

 

 

Filed under : Editors Choice

SENIORS TRAVEL TO NEW MEXICO



Seniors Explore the Gila Wilderness

The Best Top 10 Lists is a place where I could spend hours. The Top10Zen is a great example that features sites for the best top 10 foodies, hikers, top hotels and a host of other topics for senior travelers to consider. That’s where I first read about the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.

The 3.3 million acre National Forest is located in southwestern New Mexico just north of Mexico and east of Arizona. It is dominated by the Gila River and the mountain ranges, ridges and canyons that make up the surrounding terrain. The Wilderness is a vast tract of 438,000 acres, set within the much larger Gila National Forest.

The Gila Wilderness was designated the world’s first wilderness area back in 1924, so it has some history to go with the site. Occupied by the Mogollan people around AD 1000, the Gila Wilderness still contains cliff dwellings and some ancient and cultural ruins.  The surroundings at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument are much as they were when the Mogollon people inhabited the rock houses in the late 13th century.

The region is home to the Mogollan Mountain Range, canyons, grasslands, forests and some hot springs, which just might be why the Indians settled there.

Some of the more dangerous wildlife found in the Gila include bear, mountain lion, and the Mexican gray wolf. The Gila Wilderness offers plenty of hiking trails, some covering extensive distances in complete isolation of all civilization.

They say that the Mogollon Indians lived there for only ten years, nearly 700 years ago. I want to know who figured that out. That’s pretty short span of time. The Mogollon used the cliff dwellings, built with stone, mud and timbers, as a base for farming, hunting and fishing and the remnants remain.

Studious seniors will find a great deal of history and interesting facts on the Gila Wilderness National Park on the Wikipedia site. The ancient Puebloans of the Mogollon area used native plants for food, medicines, clothing and tools. The yucca plant was very useful as the fibers were made into twine, nets, baskets, even paint brushes. Sandals, made from yucca, can be seen in the Visitor Center Museum.

Senior Hikers

The essence of a wilderness area is that the dedicated senior nature lover must expend his or her own energy to get there, by hiking. There is a recently completed 48 mile loop in this great wilderness and as per the usual, trails are scant, pretty much no maintenance, and it doesn’t matter if you have a map or GPS, you’ll be dusting off your trail finding skills.

And senior birders… bird, animal and insect life is abundant and varied  and presents a constantly changing cast of characters and activities depending on the time of year. The Gila area provides sanctuary for Golden Eagles, Rufous Hummingbirds, Great Blue Herons, Greater Roadrunners, Summer Tanagers and Cardinals to name but a few. It’s a birders paradise.

So bring along a good pair of field glasses and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Wilderness.  jeb

 

 

SENIORS TRAVEL TO PERU



Seniors Seek Peru’s Hidden Treasures

Peru, The Empire Of Hidden Treasures has so much to offer senior visitors. The country is larger than France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland combined. It is the third largest country in South America bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil and Bolivia, to the south by Chile and to the west by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

 Most of us have heard of the enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian culture. It is part of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO.


Over 250 species of orchids have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean Condor. Located high on top of a mountain the site complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it, creating a one of a kind site in the world.

Seniors will discover that Peru has not forgotten its roots. Today, as in the past, Peruvians are proud of their cultural and ethnic identity. Festivals and traditions are everyday affairs.

Seniors Visit Cusco and Walk The Inca Trail

The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. However the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the star attraction. For senior hikers, the Inca Trail is Peru’s best known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich subtropical jungle.

Essentially the Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek can be covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon. The Andes of Peru are amazingly stunning. Home to millions of highland Indians who still speak the native tongue of Quechua and practice the times of years past.

Scenic Beauty, Inca History and Wild Animals

Whether you want to trek the hallowed Inca Trail, drink pisco sours in a sleepy colonial town, swim with pink dolphins or paddle your way down the Amazon in a dugout canoe – or all of the above – this is a country that’s ripe for exploring.

This was a fun blog… there is so much to share about Peru.  It’s a country full of scenic beauty, Inca history, wild animals galore, friendly people, great music, a fascinating coastline, rivers, lakes and so much more.  So what are you waiting for seniors?  Two of my grandchildren are taking a school trip to discover the highlights of Peru. And it’s on their grandpa’s “travel bucket list.” jeb

 

 

SENIORS RETURN TO SPAIN



Seniors Are Back on Spain’s North Shore

Not long ago I wrote a travel blog on Cádiz that lies on Spain’s south shore. Now senior travelers are invited to  northern Spain to check out the town of Santander.

Santander is the capital and largest city in the Cantabria region tucked between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay in what is commonly known as “Green Spain = España Verde”.


Santander is an elegant city with an historic quarter that includes a group of majestic buildings situated against an incredible natural backdrop of sea and mountains. Its marine and commercial tradition is linked to a century old history of tourism, which has its main attractions in the well-known El Sardinero Beach, the Promenade and the La Magdalena Peninsula.

Spanish Citizens Flock to Santander

Santander with a population of 180,000 is best known for its natural surroundings, and is renowned for its quality of life and mild year round climate. The city’s cultural life is intensified during the summer months and is a favorite destination for Spanish citizens. Santander has a particular mixture of ingredients in its gastronomy that senior visitors enjoy.

The region of Cantabria has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by cave paintings and prehistoric remains. Santander dates to about the time of the Roman Empire and around 1000 B.C. the Romans first gave Cantabria the name Cantabro.

In 1941 fire destroyed the greater part of the medieval town center and sadly gutted the city’s Romanesque cathedral. Today the #1 attraction in Santander has to be the Playa de Langre,  said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Spain. Twelve beaches attract senior tourists from around the world where they enjoy the enticing combination of beautiful yellow-sand beaches and great tapas bars.

Attention Senior Hikers and Bikers

Ready for a little walk? Wander around the Peninsula de la Magdalena, a picturesque wooded park set around a summer palace built for the Spanish King Alfonso XIII in 1912 (and now part of a university). Would you prefer a bicycle? A good option is to rent a bike and ride along the cycleway around the coast.

Rated highly for tourism are the Santander Cathedral and the nearby Plaza Porticada, a porticoed square surrounded by public buildings; Magdalena Palace (1909) which the city of Santander built as a summer holiday residence for the Spanish royal family; the Gran Casino del Sardinero (1916); the Faro del Cabo Mayor, the majestic lighthouse which presides over the entrance to the Bay of Santander; the ‘Small Palace on the Quay’; the Banco de Santander building.

The cultural wealth of the Cantabrian capital is enriched with the passage of the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela and the neighboring Altamira Caves, both of which have been declared World Heritage Sites. The caves are considered the “Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art” and contain some of the most important cave paintings of Quaternary art.

Adiós y tiene unas buenas vacaciones. jeb

 

 

SENIORS TRAVEL TO ISLE OF MAN



Ladies Will Also Enjoy the Isle of Man

Situated between the coastlines of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, in the middle of the Irish Sea, senior travelers find a beautiful Island. Legend has it that the Isle of Man was created when the Irish giant Finn MacCooill threw a chunk of earth from Ireland’s coastline towards Scotland, during battle, which promptly landed in the Irish Sea and became the Isle of Man.

Measuring just 33 miles in length and 13 miles in width, senior visitors find the Isle of Man really is larger than life and home to just over 81,000 residents who embrace a relaxed way of life. Within easy reach of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and featuring breathtaking scenery, 100 miles of coastline, unspoiled beaches and a vast array of attractions, it is no wonder the island welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.


Across the half a mile of water that separates the Isle of Man from the mainland and you’ll discover dinosaur footprints, traditional seaside resorts, world-renowned sailing villages, idyllic countryside and miles of stunning coastline. And it couldn’t be easier to explore the island with over 500 miles of footpaths and plenty of award-winning beaches perfect for a cooling dip when the sun gets too hot. Pretty exciting for such a small island.

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man with a population of over 25,000 and is situated on the east coast on the 2-mile crescent of Douglas Bay. Retaining its Victorian charm, Douglas is an important international center of banking, finance and commerce boasting an excellent choice of restaurants and wine bars, shopping facilities featuring many major high street stores plus a number of specialist shops as well as attractive waterside pubs and cafes.

Senior Hikers Discover Fascinating Landscapes

Senior Hikers! The Isle of Man has one of the worlds most fascinating landscapes – shaped by the last Ice Age, weathered by time and colored by human history. But much of this beautiful and dramatic scenery is rarely seen to its full advantage and can only be hinted at from a ground-level view on foot.

Blessed with an extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes and unspoiled beaches, the Isle of Man is a perfect holiday destination for seniors. Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a journey back in time to discover the history of the Island, a traditional bucket and spade beach or just somewhere to stop and sit for a while – you’ll find it on the Isle of Man.

Seniors who visit the island find it to be a place full of contrasts and character. Visit the ancient cobbled streets of Casteltown to see one of Europe’s most preserved Medieval castles or Laxey in the east for a glimpse of the world’s largest working waterwheel. You’ll find long sandy beaches which contrast markedly with the rocky cliffs and sheltered bays around the rest of the Island.

Enjoy getting to know the Isle of Man. jeb

 

 

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