What we’re about
A community for people age 40 and older who like independent-style travel (where you organize some or all of your vacation/trip), those who prefer small group tours, women travelers, solo travelers, single retirees, active seniors, and others who are interested. You are welcome to join even if you are outside of Washington state, as the trips can be joined from anywhere. You can join one of the vacations/trips listed here or look for travel companions. This group is a true community resource, not the marketing arm of a tour company. It is set as a private group in Meetup, so non-members can see only minimal information. Please read through the end of this message for important information.
I have been a Meetup Group Organizer and Event Organizer since 2009. I design one to three overseas vacations a year and often look for very responsible travel companions. If you enjoy art and architecture, gardens and landscapes, food and wine, you will enjoy these vacations. They can be joined in part, whole, or overlapped. I have organized trips to about 25 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, so most are return trips and I can provide guidance on all aspects of the trip. These can be semi-independent travel, such as staying in separate lodging and meeting for some sightseeing and some meals; or they can be somewhat more like a tour by staying in the same hotel or guesthouse, sharing car and driver transport, and doing most sightseeing and meals together. Costs are moderate, and can be controlled by the airfare, lodging, etc, that you choose. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss, as there are many benefits to planning travel in advance. You can send me a message by clicking on the “Message” link under the “Organizer” heading in this group's web page.
Future destinations will include Japan, China, northern Thailand, Laos, north India, south India, Morocco, southern Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Holland, England, and many other countries.
To provide members with more travel opportunities, I have asked a couple of small tour companies to advertise tours in this group. Globe Drifters is a woman-owned tour agency that provides small group tours around the world, and Claudette Travels focuses on cruises.
I have other meetup groups, and if I am doing a cultural meetup that has a foreign theme, I will cross-list it here. These events are a great opportunity to meet and make friends with potential travel companions.
Meetup charges Organizers like me a significant sum for hosting groups. I don’t plan to charge members any dues, but if you are doing a meetup to look for travel companion(s), I suggest contributing $25 towards Meetup’s annual dues. It’s easy to hold a meetup where you are looking for others to join a trip. If you are interested in doing this, please contact me as far in advance as you can.
Please note that this group is not a matching service. All the benefits will come from initiative that you take--participating in the cultural meetups to meet local members; holding a meetup to find travel companion(s) for your vacation/trip; talking with me if you are interested in the vacations/trips I am doing; or joining any of the tours that interest you.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Andrew, Meetup Group Organizer