AGE'S PERKS: SENIOR TRAVEL DEALS.Byline: Joan Rattner Heilman The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times People over age 50 - who now make up more than a quarter of the U.S. population - travel more often, go farther and stay longer than anybody else. And for good reason. Their schedules tend to be more flexible, their children are grown, and most of them have paid off the mortgage. As the author of ``Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50'' (Contemporary Books), which has sold more than half a million copies and is now in its seventh edition, I know that travelers love a bargain. Here are some of the best travel deals available today for those who are 50-plus, as well as a few tips for making sure that, as a senior traveler, you get what's coming to you. The senior coupon books offered by most domestic airlines are the ultimate bargain for travelers over age 62. If you fly long distances, these coupon fares are usually unbeatable. As a person of a certain age (in most cases, 50), you are entitled en·ti·tle tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles 1. To give a name or title to. 2. To furnish with a right or claim to something: to a discount of 5 to 10 percent at all the major car-rental agencies. To accommodate senior travelers, Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run (call (800) 872-7245) offers a 15 percent discount on the lowest available coach fare every day of the week to passengers over 62 (the reduction does not apply to the Auto Train Auto Train is an 855-mile-(1376-km-)long scheduled train service for passengers and their automobiles, operated by Amtrak between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando). , but it may be used on the Metroliner service on weekends). The Canadian passenger railroad, Via Rail Canada (800-561-3949), knocks between 10 and 50 percent off regular coach fares for passengers 60 and older. And at 55, you'll get 15 percent off tickets bought at the counter (as opposed to those purchased through a travel agent or by reservation) from Greyhound greyhound, breed of tall, swift, sight hound developed nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. It stands about 26 in. (66 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 65 lb (29.5 kg). Bus Lines (call (800) 231-2222). It's hard to find a hotel or motel today that doesn't offer a senior rate, so be sure to ask for one when you're booking your reservations. Among the world's better bargains are the educational-travel programs run by Elderhostel and Senior Ventures. Elderhostel, for example, gives those over 55 a choice of thousands of low-cost, short-term, residential programs at colleges, universities, museums, hotels, education centers and other cultural institutions throughout the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada - and in 50 countries overseas. Some programs combine classes with activities such as skiing, biking, rafting raft 1 n. 1. A flat structure, typically made of planks, logs, or barrels, that floats on water and is used for transport or as a platform for swimmers. 2. and touring. Sign up early to get your first choice, because popular programs fill up quickly (Elderhostel, 75 Federal St., Boston, Mass. 02110; (617) 426-7788). Senior Ventures, a network of five colleges and universities in the West, combines recreation and travel with courses on a variety of subjects, from trout fishing to river rafting (Senior Ventures Network, Siskiyou Center, Southern Oregon This article is about the southern region of the U.S. state of Oregon. For the University, see Southern Oregon University. Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. State College, Ashland, Ore. 97520; (800) 257-0577). To save money and make new friends at the same time, join a bed-and-breakfast club exclusively for over-50s. For example, members of the Evergreen evergreen, term commonly used as synonymous with conifer and applied also to all those broad-leaved plants that bear green leaves throughout the year. Of the latter, most are plants of the tropics, subtropics, and other areas where the growing season is prolonged (e. Club (call (800) 374-9392) make guest rooms in their homes available to fellow members. Visitors pay only $10 per night for single accommodations and $15 per night for double. The club charges annual dues. The Over the Hill Gang, a 50-plus club with chapters throughout the country, started as a ski club many years ago, but now runs moderately priced group trips (they include scuba diving scuba diving Swimming done underwater with a self-contained underwater-breathing apparatus (scuba), as opposed to skin diving, which requires only a snorkel, goggles, and flippers. Scuba gear was invented by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan in 1943. , canoeing canoeing, sport of propelling a canoe through water. John MacGregor, an English barrister and founder of the Royal Canoe Club (est. 1865), is generally credited with being the initiator of modern sport canoeing. and just plain touring and traveling) that cover the globe (Over the Hill Gang International, 3310 Cedar Heights Drive, Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, city (1990 pop. 281,140), seat of El Paso co., central Colo., on Monument and Fountain creeks, at the foot of Pikes Peak; inc. 1886. It is a year-round resort and a booming military, technological, and commercial city. , Colo. 80904; (719) 685-4656). On Location To make sure you get the senior discounts you're entitled to while traveling: Always travel with some form of identification that has proof of your age or your membership in a senior club. Request special rates when you make reservations, purchase tickets or check in. Not every hotel or motel in a chain will offer the advertised discounts. Make sure your accommodation of choice is a participating one. Book your flights as early as possible because only a limited number of seats per flight are available for coupon holders or seniors with discount tickets. To be sure you're getting a good deal, always ask for the lowest available rate, and compare that with the discounted rate given to seniors. CAPTION(S): Box Box: On Location (See Text) |
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