Retirement News : Seniors : The top 6 summer vacations for seniors

The top 6 summer vacations for seniors

Date Added: 27-05-2005

Many experts are fond of saying that investors spend more time planning their next vacation than they do working on their retirement portfolio. Well, we're about to change that equation.

With summer just around the corner, we've done the vacation planning for you, finding some of the top destinations for seniors. So you can get back to retirement planning full time.

Some of the vacations are for seniors who want to travel alone or with their loved one. Some are for those who want to travel with their loved ones -- children and grandchildren, or grandchildren only. And some are for the many millions of seniors who have trouble getting around for one reason or another.

Here's our list -- though not exhaustive -- of great summer vacations for preretirees and retirees:

Intergenerational: Puerto Rico, Washington, Scotland

Katrina Hayday Wester, founder of Grandparents magazine, says Puerto Rico, which offers the beauty of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, is a great getaway.

"Although it's a Spanish-speaking island, English is spoken everywhere, and since it's a commonwealth of the United States, there's no currency exchange or immigration process," says Wester, who just returned from an intergenerational trip to the island.

Plus, she says the climate is as close to perfect as it can get, averaging 83 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 85 in the summer. "In other words, it is always summer," says Wester.

And if that wasn't enough, she says it's as inexpensive to get to as Florida, and there are more U.S. flights coming into Puerto Rico than any other island in the Caribbean. Seniors can travel there right now for as little as $203 round trip from most East Coast cities.

What is there to do on the island? Wester says Puerto Rico offers sandy white beaches, great snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, championship golf courses, rain forests, caves and much more.

And since summer is considered "off-season" in Puerto Rico you can get fabulous deals at top hotels. For seniors traveling with family, she recommends the Wyndham El Conquistador Hotel and Golden Door Spa, which is now offering its "Family Getaways By Request Package." That package includes a free fourth night when guests stay for three consecutive nights, plus spa treatments, golf, tennis and motorized water sports. Rates start at just $199 per night for the Las Olas Villas.

For those traveling with kids or grandchildren and who want to feel really pampered, she recommends the Ritz Carlton Hotel, San Juan, Hotel, Spa & Casino's "Family Treasures Package" which includes manicures, pedicures, massages and a trip to the El Yunque rain forest for two adults and two children. Cost: $719 per night for a minimum of three nights.

Leonard Hansen, author of "Life Begins at 50" puts Washington, D.C., at the top of his list for seniors traveling with grandchildren in tow. He says it's likely the grandkids are or will be learning about civics, national history and such.

"But none of it takes root until you walk them through it," says Hansen. "Introduce the kids to both the history of the nation and the seat of power."

Consider taking the grandkids on tours of the major buildings and centers, including the U.S. Capitol and the FBI building. He says Congress may be out of session, but a child will never forget standing in the chambers of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, and then sitting in the gallery, even though there is no debate on the floor.

"If you have a camera, film or digital, shoot pictures of the kids in each of the locations and then provide prints to each of them for their 'what I did this summer' report when they return to school," he says.

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