It may be that holidays are associated with the younger and more active individuals, but what about taking time out if you are an older person? Even if you are not as young as you used to be there is no reason why you can’t have the holiday you want.

If you are looking for some exciting options as to what kind of break you would like to go on then there are lots of places that cater for the older traveller. For example, there are several tour operators and travel agencies who offer everything from cruises to tours tailored to the older passenger. Companies like SAGA have holidays available to over 50s from Africa to North America.

Decide what you want

Although it might sound logical but knowing what you want from your holidays is very important. Of course older people have many more factors to take into consideration than younger people do. Things to consider include:

• What is your state of health – do you have any travelling restrictions such as being unable to fly due to a heart condition?
• Are you travelling with a partner – and if so do they have any travel restrictions that may affect you?
• What is your budget – if you are on a state pension and do not have many savings you have to take this into consideration.
• Are you limited because of your partner - are you leaving them behind so you can go away?

Where to start your research

Another website to have a look at is www.siblu.co.uk, they are part of the Haven Europe network and many of their holidays cater for the over 50s. They also have a more family orientated philosophy meaning that they cater for children as well, which is fantastic if you are going away with the whole family.

If you prefer to holiday in the UK there is also plenty to do. You can hire a cottage in the countryside and places such as Cornwall or breaks in the Lake District are popular. This might be because the older generation like a more gentle approach to their leisure break with a high emphasis on walking and rambling or just watching the wildlife and rural beauty.

Another useful port of call is www.laterlife.com which will gives you a list of Warner hotels in the UK and some of their offers.

If you are looking for a relaxing break but do not enjoy travelling, UK breaks can be a great getaway, or even local trips to Wales and Scotland provide great scenery. Although if you suffer from mobility problems it may be worth finding out about access to certain areas before hand, as Scotland is famous for its hilly highlands.

Maybe you would prefer a beach holiday to Europe, for this option a good way to plan is through your local travel agent, as they are able to provide you with more information than what may be available on the internet. When choosing your room you may want to make sure of certain features such as a fully functional lift if you’re not on the ground floor. Or even access into your entire accommodation.