The Friendship Force, whose members take turns hosting and visiting each other around the world. Host families provide lodging and food as well as experiences in everyday aspects of their lives and culture. Elderhostel also has volunteering programs, in which travelers share skills and interests with residents of other nations. Adventure travel traditionally has appealed to people who want physical challenges. More than a dozen companies have created such trips for seniors.
Activities range from nature walks to rafting to hiking in places around the globe.
A number of companies specialize in easy bicycling tours. For those seeking something more strenuous, Eldertreks, a Canadian company, has tours to places as varied as Borneo, Vietnam and Costa Rica, focusing on fragile cultures and environments. Popular for more than a decade are trips overseas that combine the convenience of having on-site, professional help and lodging arrangements with the addition of optional tours. These allow travelers to unpack for a while in one location while making trips of a day or longer to delve more deeply into an area. A side benefit to these extended trips is the chance that bad weather won't ruin an entire trip.