| When asked, "What would you like to do when | | | | In his newsletter, Travel News, Rick Steves |
| you retire?" a surprising number of people answer | | | | reflects: "What distinguishes great travels from |
| simply, "Travel." | | | | typical trips? It's those places and opportunities |
| When retirement finally arrives and people give | | | | when travelers can reach beyond their comfort |
| themselves permission to see the world, are they | | | | barriers (self- or industry-imposed) and actually |
| more likely to travel alone or in a group? Which is | | | | connect with the people and cultures they've |
| better? | | | | traveled so far to experience." |
| Some people absolutely love traveling in a group. | | | | For the independent traveler who wants to slow |
| Even when they go on a cruise, where everything | | | | down and "actually connect with the people and |
| is already pretty much laid out for you--some | | | | cultures they've traveled so far to experience," |
| people prefer to go cruisin' with a group of friends | | | | the home exchange provides a perfect solution. |
| and acquaintances. | | | | During a home exchange, two households swap |
| Many people like the tour group approach to | | | | homes. The home exchange provides the traveler |
| travel because of its "worry free" features. Tour | | | | a residence in someone else's community, a truly |
| group travel includes experts who know what | | | | unique opportunity for connecting with the local |
| they are doing. These experts make all the | | | | people and culture. |
| necessary arrangements. They... | | | | Numerous online home exchange companies have |
| - Buy tickets | | | | emerged during the past 10 years to help |
| - Create an itinerary of notable sightseeing places | | | | travelers create a home exchange. |
| of interest | | | | The home exchange movement began during the |
| - Make reservations for overnight | | | | 1950s among European teachers who went in |
| accommodations | | | | search of an affordable holiday. Now, hundreds of |
| - Offer suitable suggested places to eat | | | | thousands of travelers are embracing the home |
| - Handle emergencies during the tour | | | | exchange as they plan their vacations. |
| Also, traveling with a group provides the feeling of | | | | As the world gets smaller and smaller, due to |
| safety in numbers, as one travels to unfamiliar | | | | modern technology, the urge to travel seems to |
| places. | | | | be getting stronger and stronger. Increasingly, |
| Despite the advantages of traveling with a group, | | | | people wonder, "Why wait until retirement to |
| many people enjoy traveling on their own. Some | | | | start traveling?" It's a point worth considering. Just |
| begin their travels with a group and then discover | | | | remember, the trip of a thousand miles always |
| that they would prefer making their own decisions | | | | begins with the first step. Once you have |
| regarding their travel itinerary and arrangements. | | | | resolved to take that trip, consider your options: |
| Rick Steves is a tour guide who encourages all | | | | do you want to travel with a group or on your |
| kinds of travel, but with a passion for those who | | | | own. Either option is a great way to travel. The |
| want to experience the local flavor of one's travel | | | | important thing is to act on your resolve--take |
| destinations. | | | | that first step. |