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Informative Articles

All You Need to Know About Travel Humidors
When humidors where first created by Zino Davidoff in the early 20th century, they were large cellar humidors which certainly made for restricted travel. One now had the ability to strive for the perfect cigar, but only from home. Most people would...

Scotland travel guide
The charisma and aura of the European country Scotland is unknown to none. It is the land, which was a surface to numerous significant historical battles, is the mother of cherished sport 'golf' and is globally appreciated for its Balmoral Castle...

Sweden Travel - Stockholm and Karlskrona
Known as the land of Vikings, Sweden is actually an odd mix of cosmopolitan cities and vast stretches of wide-open spaces. For budget travelers, Sweden is a bit expensive. Stockholm An incredibly beautiful city in the summer, Stockholm is the...

Travel Health: Useful medical information for good health before your departure, during your trip and after your return.
The diseases most commonly seen in travellers are diarrhoea, malaria (if you travel in a malaria-infested area), accidents (when travelling by car or swimming), wound infections and sexually transmitted diseases. - Diarrhoea is caused by...

Travel To Stowe Vermont - Ski Vacation Capital Of The East
Nothing says New England like a small white church with it's steeple rising in the air high above orange, yellow and red hued fall leaves beneath a sky so blue that you can actually feel the cripsness of the fall air. One of these most famous New...

 
Expanding Travelers Horizons

Planning for retirement starts early in many people's lives with pension plans, IRAs and other financial planning schemes, but it is not until we near the transition into retirement that serious thought is given to what form and style this new way of life will take. What are my interests? What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? Who will be my new friends and colleagues? What will I do to stay active and alert? And where can I make my contribution? Answers to these questions do not come easy and often evolve as one settles into this new living style.

Todays retirees are filled with vim and vigor and are eager to be active, engaged and involved. Many have found new direction when opening their sights and minds to lifelong learning and enrichment programs . This renewed energy is being heralded by members of the medical community who have noted that adults who continually challenge their intellect and are active thinkers and learners are less likely to experience certain ailments and conditions associated with the aging process. They also report that those who are active participants in personal interests remain mentally vital throughout their life.

There are many programs designed specifically for adults who are seeking to expand their interests and increase their knowledge. Communities throughout North America offer adult education and enrichment programs with park and recreation and senior service activities. Local hospitals, museums, theaters, libraries, universities and other groups serve the interests of the adult population through classes, projects and volunteerism. And there are national organizations like The OASIS Institute, which offers programs in the arts, humanities, wellness, technology and volunteer services. The Lifelong Learning and Learning in Retirement Institutes found at hundreds of U.S. and Canadian colleges provide courses of study for retirees at a community level.

Adult learning programs offer topnotch material and are presented by experts in varied fields of learning but, unlike a typical collegiate course, there are no tests or


grades. The settings vary and could be in a class room, outside on field trips or in a workshop. The program could also be part of a travel experience, as the tourism industry is increasingly attuned to what travelers are asking for in their tours and packages.

Tour operators report that travelers are seeking more indepth historical, cultural, political and social information about destinations being visited. A recent study conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America and Smithsonian Magazine revealed that 81% of adult travelers desire a cultural, arts, historic and heritage experience while on vacation. At the National Tour Association, many of its member tour operators offer packages that include learning experiences (38%), cultural activities (58%), museums and special exhibitions (54%) and historical sites/events (73%).

Here are some examples of programs that have been designed specifically to add enrichment and lifelong learning opportunities for adults.

Traveling Academic Programs

The University of New Hampshire Continuing Education program is the grandfather of traveling continuing education and enrichment programs for adults. What started as a summer vacation-learning experience for academics over 30 years ago continues with its series of Distinctive Learning Vacations that are available to the public. Tours are offered to destinations in North and South America, Europe and Asia, each led by UNH faculty and local destination experts. Most itineraries cover specific cities, regions or topics and are designed to give travelers insights into the culture, philosophy and lifestyles of people being visited. There are two types of programs: Interhostel, for adults 50 years and older; and Familyhostel, for adults and children traveling together. Contact: 800-733-9753, www.learn.unh.edu/interhostel

Source: Grouptravelblog

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