In the West excursion tours for pensioners - has long been a familiar and common thing. Today, in Russia, this side of tourism is beginning to gain momentum. Many travel companies began to offer sightseeing tours for pensioners of various categories at affordable prices, making a discount from their income. And that is great. Some pensioners themselves buy tours and embark on a journey through cities and countries, realizing an old dream. Some are given such a gift by adult children. For tourists of advanced age, all kinds of tours have been specially developed, much cheaper and with a significant simplification of preparation for travel (obtaining a visa to enter the country). Excursion tours are organized absolutely in different directions. This is Russia, and Europe, and the resorts of the Mediterranean, Red or Dead Sea.

Where and when to go

In spring and autumn, pensioners are offered interesting excursion routes throughout Europe: Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Great Britain, Ireland. These routes are less tiring, the distances are shorter, and there are incommensurably more priceless treasures worthy of attention. Therefore, such voyages for people of respectable age are the most attractive. Well, the medical resorts of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Israel and others are suitable for such vacationers all year round. For tours for pensioners (hotel, flight, etc.), tour operators try to make maximum discounts, and this is possible only outside the high season. It is during this period that such trips are most often offered.

All in favor of excursion tours for pensioners

As a rule, tours for older people are designed so that tourists are accompanied by an experienced Russian-speaking employee of the company throughout the trip.

Pensioners are usually accommodated in cozy, quiet, inexpensive hotels, where there is good cuisine.

The excursion program is planned with minor transfers. The acquisition of new like-minded people and friends at literary and dance evenings, walks, movie screenings, quizzes, holidays, birthdays makes sightseeing tours even more attractive and desirable. And, of course, the combination of a decent quality of pension tours with a relatively low cost is another argument in favor of such tours.

Approximate cost

The cost of a weekly European tour for the elderly, depending on the chosen country, starts from 30,000 - 35,000 RUB per person. The price includes flights, transfers, medical insurance, excursion program (3-4 excursions), support of a Russian-speaking guide, meals (breakfasts) and accommodation. Additionally paid: visa (depending on the chosen country), travel insurance (optional), additional medical insurance for those over 65 (optional).

From this article you will learn:

Is travel popular for retirees today and what are their features

Can Russian pensioners afford to travel abroad

What trips for pensioners in Russia will become truly unforgettable

Is it possible to organize travel for pensioners inexpensively

Life is just beginning in retirement. And there is no need to think that older people rest all winter, lying on the sofa in front of the TV, and in the spring-summer season - in the country. Today, tourist travel for retirees is rapidly gaining popularity. Elderly people are happy to travel not only in their native country, but also abroad, even in exotic countries. They return rested, with a lot of new pleasant impressions. This article is about what kind of tour you can go on and how to organize trips for senior citizens on a limited budget.

Why is travel and recreation for pensioners so popular today?

Europeans call the retirement age the “second youth”. And this is understandable. After all, with the release of a well-deserved rest, they have the opportunity to enjoy a full life. Frees up time for travel. Retirees are starting to travel a lot. This is business as usual for them. And so it is not surprising that they are looking forward to the onset of retirement.

Western sociologists have calculated that a third of the total number of middle-class pensioners can afford regular tourist trips abroad. This is possible thanks to a well-constructed pension system. By the time of retirement, each citizen accumulates funds, and in such an amount that they are enough for a comfortable life and travel. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are looking forward to the onset of retirement age. And not in order to work three jobs, but to travel and relax on the “overseas shores”.

Unlike progressive Europe, retirement in Russia is far from always connected with recreation and tourism. Our pensioners often have to work in order to maintain their previous standard of living, since pensions are sorely lacking. And they "travel" only to their dacha. For lovers of gardening life, these trips are the ultimate dream. And what about those for whom travel is important, who likes to travel around the country or even around the world? They will certainly be pleased by the fact that some travel agencies have developed special programs designed for people of retirement age. These programs will allow older people to travel at affordable prices. The following conditions contribute to the development of "pension" tourism:

Elderly people are not burdened with caring for children and have a lot of free time;

Older women are more active in travel than men;

Providing discounts for tours in "little demanded", unpopular seasons;

What are the features of travel for pensioners

Choosing the direction and method of travel for pensioners, tourism business professionals treat each client individually, taking into account his capabilities and wishes. And yet, the tourist trips of the elderly have common features. Let's look at the main ones:

Climate. In old age, the human body is no longer as strong and hardy as in young people. Although, of course, there are exceptions to the rule. And an 80-year-old pensioner can "outshine" some little squishy youngster by going on a trip to Central Asia at the height of summer. But in most older people, the body is already poorly acclimatized. And therefore, in order not to return home broken and sick, they prefer to choose a climate for travel that is as close as possible to their native places.

Change of time zones, especially on long flights, it can cause health problems even for young people. In the elderly, adaptation to a different time zone can take a very long time, in some cases even several months. Sometimes the situation is exacerbated by the need to take any medication at certain times of the day. If this is not done, the person may experience health problems.

Duration of flights and transfers. For most young people, long journeys and flights are not difficult. If desired, they can go to Tahiti or Australia. But people of retirement age do not tolerate a long road and therefore try to reduce travel time. The most optimal option for them is to be on the plane for no more than four hours. Make transfers to railway transport much easier for older people. On the train, you can walk, move around and sleep in a horizontal position. The good news is that, for example, most European countries are located at a distance of two to four hours of flight from Moscow, which means that the choice of "objects" for pensioners' travel is not so small.

Where exactly is travel abroad for pensioners popular?

Now in foreign countries quite often you can meet pensioners from Russia. Let's take a look at their most popular travel destinations.

Near Abroad

The Soviet Union collapsed, but the friendship between the peoples of the fraternal republics remained in the memory of the elderly. They still remember their Soviet past with pleasure. Many continue to travel with pleasant excitement in their hearts to countries that have now become foreign - to Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus. Walking through the places of your youth, admiring nature, admiring the hospitality and cordiality local residents, the elderly receive real pleasure. They come for short sightseeing tours, as well as for long-term rest and treatment in sanatoriums and boarding houses.

For example, in the sanatoriums of Belarus, treatment is carried out with mineral waters, natural therapeutic mud. Phytotherapy is widely used. Almost home atmosphere, courtesy and friendliness of the attendants are the best way to relax and treat. You can fly by direct Aeroflot flight in just an hour and a half. Exceptionally reasonable prices for accommodation and treatment - for 12 days from 15 thousand rubles.

Travel for pensioners in Europe

Traveling abroad is very popular among pensioners in Russia. During the existence of the Soviet Union, only "chosen ones" could travel abroad. Now everyone has this opportunity. Tours to France, Spain and Italy are especially relevant. During the off-season, rates are available for accommodation in Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. Very fond of our pensioners to relax in the Balkans. The friendliness of the local population, the similarity of cuisine and languages ​​​​allow older people to feel at home. In winter, you can have a great rest in Cyprus or the Baltics.

For pensioners, the cost of a weekly trip to Europe is from 30 to 35 thousand rubles per person (depending on the chosen country). The price includes airfare, medical insurance, transfer, accommodation, one-time meals and guided tours. Additionally paid: visa, travel insurance and medical insurance for persons over 65 years of age.

Traveling for pensioners from St. Petersburg and its environs to Finland is very popular, since it is only a couple of hours away by bus. You can go there on sightseeing tours, to rest in cottages on the shores of lakes or for treatment. Tours in Sweden and Norway are offered to pensioners. If funds allow, then you can go on a trip to the UK, Belgium or the Netherlands.

close exotic

Popular "exotic" destinations include Tunisia and Morocco. Retirement tours in the UAE are also offered. Among them there are many "budget" emirates: Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah. These tours are attracted by affordable prices, a variety of accommodation options and excellent quiet beaches. Tours to Vietnam are rapidly gaining popularity. True, the flight there is quite long. You will have to spend nine hours on the plane, not every pensioner will decide on this. But the prices are more than reasonable, a large number of excursions and there are a wide variety of possibilities for treatment.

Pensioners are offered to go on a trip to "distant lands" - to India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Cuba and even Australia. Despite their "exoticism", these countries are absolutely safe. The tourist group is constantly accompanied by a qualified guide.

What are the possible trips for pensioners in Russia

You can have a great rest, get a lot of new impressions and a charge of vivacity without leaving our country. There are many wonderful places in Russia that can conquer even the most sophisticated traveler with their beauty. Let's talk about some of them.

Travel for pensioners along the Golden Ring of Russia

A tourist trip to ancient Russian cities is a great travel option for pensioners. Kostroma, Rostov the Great, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Yaroslavl - these cities make up the Golden Ring of Russia. A trip along them will allow you to admire the unique monuments of history and culture of our country, to feel the atmosphere of the past.

Caucasian Mineral Waters

Caucasian Mineralnye Vody is a group of resorts in the Caucasus. Much here has remained the same as it was in Soviet times, only the level of service has increased significantly. This resort region great for retirees.

The purest mountain air, springs, healing mineral springs, gorgeous nature will have a rejuvenating effect on the body of the elderly. The recommendations of experienced qualified specialists of the sanatorium will help you gain strength.

Fans of excursions to historical sights are best to go on a trip to Pyatigorsk. Here you can see old estates and mansions built in the 19th century, visit places that inspired the great Russian poet Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov, see a bronze monument to the inimitable Ostap Bender.

The Caucasus is a great vacation spot for lovers of physical education. Its mountain roads and clean air are ideal for Nordic walking. This sport is rapidly gaining popularity. From all of the above, we can conclude: a trip to the Caucasus is a great travel option for pensioners.

Resorts of the Kaliningrad region

Elderly people who want to relax by the sea, but do not suffer from the suffocating heat, can go to boarding houses in the Kaliningrad region. With its climate and endless sandy beaches this corner of our country is very similar to Northern Europe, but you don’t need a visa and a well-filled wallet to travel here. This is an ideal travel option for retirees.

A tour to the resorts of the Kaliningrad region is full of various entertainment and interesting excursions. During the trip, pensioners will visit the dunes curonian spit and try to solve the mystery of the Dancing Forest. They will visit the capital of the region - the ancient Koenigsberg, which with its architecture is very similar to the German wealthy cities. They will see the monumental Cathedral with the grave of Immanuel Kant, the Fish Village, the defensive tower of the Don with a magnificent collection of amber. Will not leave you indifferent Maritime Museum, one of the branches of which is a real submarine.

Cruises in Russia

A fascinating travel option for pensioners is river cruises to ancient Russian cities and holy places. Volga tours are very popular. They cover the Golden Ring of Russia, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan. If desired, you can get to Astrakhan and Volgograd. Excellent reviews and great demand are tours to Onega and Lake Ladoga. Elderly people are happy to go to these parts to admire amazing nature and masterpieces of architecture, visit the shrines of Valaam and Kizhi.

These cruises are sold in an all-inclusive format. This completely frees you from the hassle of organizing a vacation. The daily routine of vacationers is painted literally by the minute. Three meals a day, day trips with experienced guides, evening entertainment. Some tours also include therapeutic massage and physical education, the use of oxygen cocktails and various types of herbal tea. The duration of the trip is from several days to three weeks. The price range is also very wide: from expensive to budget options. It all depends on the desire of travelers.

You can view all cruise options in Russia on the websites of the Vodokhod and Infoflot companies.

6 tips on how to make travel and holidays unforgettable for retirees

Get a travel SIM card to save money on your trip.

Do not forget to take out insurance (for those who have health problems, it is recommended to take an extended version).

You need to take a full-fledged first-aid kit with you, not in all countries you can buy medicines without a prescription. Put the minimum amount of medication you need in your hand luggage.

It's a good idea to get an e-book where you can download travel guides and favorite books. This will reduce the weight of the luggage.

When traveling, you should always carry emergency phone numbers, embassies and consulates with you.

Can travel for senior citizens be inexpensive?

Now many travel agencies offer various tours designed specifically for pensioners. Their prices are affordable even for older people with little income. For example, a tour of the Golden Ring of Russia or river cruise along the Volga costs from two to six thousand rubles. Very popular are bus and train trips for pensioners to St. Petersburg for three to five days, costing about nine thousand rubles. Moreover, tickets to domestic museums are sold at a discount. And this is very popular with older people.

In the summer, tourist trips to Krasnodar region and on the Crimean coast. Rest in Anapa, Gelendzhik, Novomikhailovka, Vityazevo and others is very popular. Almost all travel agencies organize such tours. For pensioners, some hotels provide good discounts. Sometimes, in order to save money, older people go on a trip as "savages". They live in the private sector and cook their own food. But keep in mind that this type of holiday is not suitable for everyone.

What difficulties make traveling for a pensioner impossible?

In Europe, when people retire, they get a real opportunity to go on any trip. For them, retirement is not a punishment, but a time to live for themselves, for their own pleasure. That is why now in France they are protesting against the increase in the retirement age.

And how are things going in our country with the opportunities for pensioners to go on trips? Many citizens of Russia, when they retire, are faced with the following difficulties:

Lack of funds for travel

Sociologists have calculated that only five percent of our pensioners have the opportunity to travel. They belong to the middle class, which makes up only 13% of the total number of people of retirement age.

But the "middle class" in Russia is not the same as in America or Europe. Therefore, many of our pensioners cannot travel and even just sometimes travel outside the country. And the correctness of the statement that life is just beginning in retirement becomes very doubtful.

Health problems

The physical condition of our pensioners is also not always satisfactory. The reason for this is often the sufficiency of funds for timely diagnosis and treatment. In addition to “age-related”, older people may have occupational diseases and the consequences of work-related injuries. All these ailments prevent you from living a full life in retirement.

Features of the mentality

Most pensioners in our country have not had time to acquire the habit of traveling in their entire lives. And they are simply "not drawn" to any cruises or tourist trips. This happened for various reasons. Many could not get a visa to leave the country, some were simply afraid to travel. Therefore, with retirement, they do not even think about going on vacation.

Company presence

As people get older, it becomes more and more difficult to meet and communicate with strangers. Therefore, when going on a trip, most older people look for a “company” from among relatives or friends. But sometimes finding such a “fellow traveler” can be very difficult.

But despite all these obstacles, last years the number of traveling Russian pensioners increased by 20%. Elderly people are now not afraid of language barriers and easily make money transactions with currency.

A further increase in the number of pensioners-travelers from Russia is predicted, because their ranks will be replenished by a new generation of pensioners who easily and often go on various trips without experiencing difficulties in crossing borders between states.

The Russian authorities have begun work on a program to encourage pensioners to travel within the country. According to the head of the Federal Agency for Tourism Oleg Safonov, we will talk about preferential vouchers, including to health resorts. Pensioners will be able to travel around Russia during the "low" season, when the workload of infrastructure and hotels is significantly reduced.

Currently, a tourist product is being developed that is accessible to the average pensioner, tourism support programs for pensioners are being created at the federal and regional levels.

When making a tour to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, pensioners are provided with free visa!

In the cost of any tour for pensioners chosen by you for arrivals(departures only on Tuesdays and Sundays) includes:

• Flight on the route Moscow-Karlovy Vary-Moscow
• Transfer Karlovy Vary/airport - hotel - Karlovy Vary/airport
• Accommodation in a hotel of the selected category (from 15 days / 14 nights)
• Fuel surcharge
• Visa - For a present!
• Treatment and medical examination (for HBT, FBT - from 14 to 24 procedures)
• Medical insurance - no copays for any age

Tours worth from 1400 euros to the resorts of the Czech Republic participate in the promotion for pensioners: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Jachymov, Frantiskovy Lazne, Teplice, Hungary and Slovakia

TOUR FOR PENSIONERS IN SLOVAKIA to the resort DUDINCY "Let's help the heart and joints"

TOUR for pensioners to Italy "Healing waters of Montecatini Terme"

Tour operator PRIMA STRADA regularly holds special promotions and tours for pensioners to various countries and resorts. A special program has been developed to support the social strata of the population and for the sanatorium treatment of pensioners. Medical tours for pensioners are designed not only with an affordable price. but also, first of all, taking into account a set of medical procedures. The favorable period of the year and contraindications for treatment are also taken into account.

Tour Managers:

The most popular destinations for retirement tours on the "Tourism Subtleties"

Retirement tours as a separate area of ​​tourism, alas, are not yet among the popular offers on the tourist services market. It is no secret that domestic pensioners are significantly inferior to their European peers both in terms of income and health reasons, and simply in terms of travel habits in old age. However, there are still some advances in the matter of retirement holidays in our country - specialized tour operators appear offering tours exclusively for the older generation, interesting but budgetary routes are being developed, hoteliers' proposals are being studied. And now Russian pensioners are sent abroad as part of an organized group, striving, if not to overtake their foreign "colleagues" in liveliness, then at least to feel involved in the cycle of life that has not lost its charm. However, pensioners successfully rest in domestic resorts, and also improve their health in hospitals. Balkan countries are known to be rich in various mineral springs. We will talk about the most popular destinations for pension tours.

It would be a mistake to think that pensioners go to the waters for treatment and walk around the expanses of Polissya - other "dandelions" will give odds to some middle manager.

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Russia

Retirement vacation options in Russia are a wagon and a small cart. If you live in Moscow, at your service are sightseeing tours of the cities of the Golden and Silver (there is such!) Rings, and longer trips to St. Petersburg, Murom, Diveevo, Tula, Kaliningrad, Pskov, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and others wonderful ancient cities of the Russian land. Excursions take place at a pace suitable for pensioners - no multi-kilometer forced marches, everything is sensible and arranged.

Tours in Russia for pensioners are relatively inexpensive, and even a person with an average pension can afford such trips. In addition, often for sightseeing tours are Special offers, and some of the vouchers are distributed free of charge through the social security authorities.

Since Soviet times, cruises along the Volga have also been deservedly popular - down from Moscow to Nizhny or Saratov, or up - to St. Petersburg, Valaam or Kizhi. This is a very measured, quiet type of holiday, but without sacrificing impressions - the landscapes from the ship are simply amazing. And if you are unwell, you can not go out into the city and stay on the ship.

In terms of recreation and sanatorium treatment, the championship is held by sanatoriums in the Moscow region (the base of which, by the way, is not inferior to other "promoted" centers in Europe), rest houses and boarding houses in central Russia, as well as a relaxing holiday at sea - in Sochi and its environs, Abkhazia and Crimea. As a rule, pensioners choose to rest at the beginning or end tourist season to avoid high air temperatures, crowds of tourists and the inevitable associated high prices for accommodation.

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Near Abroad

Although the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the kinship of peoples is not afraid of any political upheavals - and we continue to travel to fraternal Belarus and Ukraine with exciting trembling in our hearts. These wonderful beautiful nature, rich history and the hospitality of the locals of the country are the best suited for a relaxing holiday and treatment in an almost homely atmosphere. Health resorts in Belarus operate on mineral waters, natural mud and herbal medicine, the ticket lasts 12 or 24 days, the travel time to Minsk by Aeroflot direct flight is only 1 hour 20 minutes. Prices for accommodation and treatment are extremely reasonable - for 12 days already from 15 thousand RUB.

Ukraine is also exceptionally popular as a destination for retirement tours. People come here not only to be treated in sanatoriums, but also on sightseeing tours in Kyiv, Lvov and other interesting and ancient cities. Due to recent events, tours to Ukraine have been frozen for the time being, but I would like to believe that soon the unfortunate circumstances will only become a memory.

It is worth mentioning other countries of the near abroad - Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan. Among pensioners, these destinations are also quite popular, largely due to the fact that it is so pleasant for older people to remember the Soviet past, go through the places of their youth, and again admire the same landscapes as so many years ago. People come here not only for sightseeing tours, but also for rest and treatment at mineral resorts.

Eastern Europe and the Balkans

Known and loved by us since the time when going abroad was considered a real event, Eastern Europe also “grabs off” a good portion of pensioners - for sightseeing and health tours, beach holiday on lakes and the Adriatic, as well as treatment on mineral springs. The most popular destinations here are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, Montenegro. The advantages of these countries for the rest of older people are a mild climate without extreme temperatures throughout the year, a relaxed quiet holiday surrounded by very picturesque nature and fairly reasonable prices for accommodation and related services - treatment, excursions and the like.

An important point - the Balkan cuisine as a whole is very similar to Russian, which is crucial for those whose body is wary of exotic spices and fatty, spicy foods.

close exotic

However, it would be a mistake to think that pensioners go to the waters for treatment and walk around the expanses of Polesye - other “dandelions” will give odds to some middle manager who is rotting on an irregular five-day work in the office. Therefore, tour operators also offer quite long tours that involve some physical activity. Among the popular exotic destinations are Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Mauritius and even Australia! Despite the seeming exoticism, they are not as “terrible” as one might assume: the group is accompanied by a professional guide, always ready to help tourists with any difficulties.

The second youth - this is how the citizens of progressive Europe speak about the retirement age. Looking at the cheerful old ladies in jewelry, make-up and perms and their cheerful companions in colorful shorts and dashing hats, confidently conquering the steep streets of Pompeii, relaxing on the beaches of the Mediterranean or reverently contemplating Rodin in the Louvre, you understand that respectable tourists are right. Judge for yourself: work duty in the form of a five-day and eight-hour sitting in the office has happily sunk into oblivion, the children have grown up and scattered to their own “nests”, the European pension is quite enough to live comfortably, and even a lot of benefits as a makeweight to those given to the state years of work. It is not surprising that in Europe they are looking forward to the onset of retirement age and, of course, they prefer not to work "part-time", but on the contrary - to enjoy life, travel and relax on overseas shores.

Let's not prevaricate, let's say that in Russia things are far from being so rosy. However, certain progress is still observed - in particular, in the tourism sector. An increasing number of travel agencies offer retirement tours - programs designed specifically for retirees, at a lower price, usually in the off-season, but allowing for a great vacation at an affordable cost for pensioners. So, what are retirement tours - their "chips", pros and cons.

Solid age and tourism

It is no secret for professionals in the tourism market that an individual selection of a tour is the key to a successful holiday and a happy (and returning) client. However, there are also common features for different categories of travelers - schoolchildren or students, housewives or active tourists, couples and the elderly. We will talk about the latter.

Let's start with the "external", namely the climate. Undoubtedly, there are healthy people who, even at the age of 80, will express a desire to go on a trip to Central Asia in the summer or the Arctic Circle in the winter - to the envy of Przhevalsky and Nansen. However, for the most part, pensioners prefer a calm climate, as close as possible to their "native" - ​​without strong temperature drops and other extremes such as tropical monsoons and sirocco. This is logical: at a venerable age, the body adapts much worse to changes in the external environment, which will invariably affect precarious age-related health - and no one wants to return from rest broken or, God forbid, sick.

Retirement tours - programs designed specifically for pensioners, at a lower price, as a rule, in the off-season, but allowing you to have a great rest at an affordable cost for pensioners.

The second side of the same coin is the change of time zones, which not everyone tolerates well even at a young age, especially on long-haul flights, when the body is preparing to take a nap, and it is presented with a surprise in the form of a sunrise. And if you are over sixty, each hour taken away or, on the contrary, added hour is felt even more acutely. The situation is aggravated by the fact that many, if not all in old age, “sit” on medications, the intake of which is regulated by the time of day and food intake. Both of them, when changing time zones, more than three or four “dance”, shifting the intake of medicinal substances familiar to the body, which affects health, of course, not in the best way.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the duration of flights / transfers. If in your youth you can still go to Argentina, Tahiti or Australia, and overcome the “jet lag” at a noisy party in the style of “from ship to ball”, then at a respectable age you want to reduce the time spent on the road to a minimum. The optimal flight is no more than four hours; a railway crossing, as a rule, is easier to bear, because you can warm up or, conversely, take a nap in a full horizontal position. However, even such a narrow framework opens up a lot of opportunities: most European countries (both with the sea and with the "excursion") are located two or three or four hours from the capital of our Motherland. And in a little over four hours you can get to the Middle East, and to North Africa. In a word, the choice of countries for retirement tours is not so small.

Retirement tours - what is this song about

Brief educational program: what are pension tours. Generally speaking, these are special tourist programs aimed at pensioners and "cut" to their measure. What you need to get away from when forming such programs, we told above - now about the desirable options. There are few of them: an acceptable price for a person living on a Russian pension, the calm nature of the holiday, possibly supplemented by wellness procedures or full-fledged treatment, decent service and attentive attitude of the host - the key to the success of pension tours. Of course, no one canceled the standard “recreational” additions: pensioners are also not averse to going on an excursion, warming up on foot or attending a concert - but here you should stick to the golden mean: half a day to the museum instead of a two-day trip to the Sahara, a couple of hours in the Vienna forest instead of “chess” along the Black Forest and Netrebko at La Scala instead of Scorpions at Stade de France.

The lower cost of pension tours compared to the "general youth" is achieved by the off-season nature of the holiday. For example, the coasts of Italy are literally bursting at the seams from all arriving tourists in July-August, and from September to April there is a decline in activity - the Mediterranean off-season. At the same time, in September-October, the weather is simply wonderful: the sun is no longer hot, and the water has not yet cooled down - ideal conditions for relaxing at a venerable age. And it’s nice to drive around the sights: it’s quite cool in Pompeii, and frantic steamed tourists do not strive to swim in the Roman fountains.

The “don’t overdo it” rule for retirement tours: half a day to a museum instead of a two-day trip to the Sahara, a couple of hours in the Vienna Woods instead of a “chess” along the Black Forest and Netrebko at La Scala instead of Scorpions at Stade de France.

For the same reason, the off-season vacation for pensioners turns out to be calm by itself: the walking youth went home, giving way to tourists of respectable age under the sun - so you can not be afraid of discos buzzing until the morning and rushing Porsches, but enjoy quiet autumn evenings under the measured splash of the surf . A response can also be expected from the staff, who are happy with their peaceful retirement guests, demanding little and accepting the present moment with the smile of a Taoist master.

And last but not least, let's talk about an optional, but often desired option - the opportunity to improve your health, cheer up and improve your health during a tour. Of course, we are not talking about serious treatment - for this it is better to go on an individually selected tour, but "light" procedures are very welcome by pensioners. Thalassotherapy, relaxation at thermal springs, elementary water treatments, for example, in an indoor pool with sea water, diversify beach or sightseeing vacation and will make you feel better not only mentally, but also physically.

You can choose a pension tour option, in which the pensioner travels at the declared rate, and his accompanying non-pensioner pays a little more - the difference is approximately 150-250 EUR for a two-week program.

Where to go

There are not too many destinations for retirement tours, but upon closer inspection, there are not so few. Let's start with the classics - Europe in all its splendor and diversity. The undisputed leadership is held, of course, by the countries of the Mediterranean - here you can get everything from the rest at once: high-quality beaches, and the canonical "excursion" and excellent opportunities for treatment. Among other things, European countries have long been accepting pensioners - not only "local", but also from other countries - which is why they literally ate the dog on the formation of programs for elderly tourists. And this is a bunch of different "goodies" for both travel agents and clients: very attractive prices for long periods of stay (European citizens can afford to live comfortably somewhere in a resort hotel, and at home at this time money is also dripping into the account every month ), "theme parties" in the form of interesting and easy sightseeing trips, as well as traditional bonton Christmas and New Year's dinners, often included in the cost of the tour for pensioners.

Most often, pension tours are offered to Italy (here the championship for southern regions- sunny Greece and Cyprus - purely pension tours here, although not very popular, but winter prices for holidays are very attractive - and the Baltic States, beloved since Soviet times.

However, not Europe alone... We strongly recommend paying attention to Egypt and Tunisia. Egypt can be comfortably visited in October-November and March-May - there are still few vacationers, and favorable accommodation rates will not allow you to go broke. It makes sense to go to Tunisia from November to April - pensioners will be met by a comfortable temperature of +16 ... + 22 ° C, warm sunny days, a pleasant company of European "dandelions" and thalassotherapy procedures without an excessive influx of people who want to lose weight and rejuvenate.

Among other things, pension tours are offered to everyone close to us in Israel (who, if not the citizens of the Promised Land lovingly honor their parents!) with accommodation in the Dead Sea sanatoriums and an excursion program. And of course, no one canceled Belarus - "our abroad" welcomes the wise in life in sanatoriums and health resorts in the Minsk and Brest regions, in Polesie and Vitebsk.