Autumn is on its way. Soon the trees in many parts of the country will put on a last fiery show as the leaves turn blazing colors of yellow, orange and red. Foliage tours have become very popular, especially in the Northeast. A foliage tour is a relaxing vacation full of beauty and many opportunities for the amateur photographer. The leaves haven’t turned yet but now is the time to make travel plans for one of the many foliage tours available.

Whether you prefer an escorted tour or to make your own driving tour, here are some sites to help you plan and find directions, lodging and guides:

Escorted Fall Foliage Tours

Fall in the Ozarks

Leaf Peeping in the Adirondacks

New England Fall Foliage Bus Tours

It seems sometimes that, just as Harry Nilsson once sang, “Nobody Cares About the Railroad Anymore”. Yet travel by rail has a certain romantic and nostalgic appeal. Whether passing through busy urban areas or pastoral countrysides, train travel offers a unique view of America.

Did you know that Amtrak offers discounts of 15% to travelers age 62 and over? Certain restrictions apply, the discount does not count towards Sleeper accomodations, the Auto Train, weekday Acela Express or Metroliner services.

They also offer a 10% discount on the North America Rail Pass for senior travelers, which is good in the US and Canada.

In planning your next vacation, consider making the trip by rail and return to the golden age of railroading.

For more information visit the Amtrak website.

Looking for an enriching and rewarding volunteer opportunity coupled with exciting travel adventures? Global Service Corps providers volunteer services all over the world, providing people of all ages, from 18-85, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and also experience another country and culture. Programs are from two weeks to six months of duration.

For more information visit their website. Retirees with the desire and time to travel are welcome to participate in the programs. Read about one such retired 77-year old who enriched his own life and the lives of those he met and worked with while living with a local family in Tanzania.

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Global Service Corps site

Travel is a wonderful way to expand your horizons and now that you have retired you have the time. But you may not know just where you want to go or the best things to see. Tour packages and cruises will have itineraries to guide you, but a large part of enjoying any trip are the other travelers with whom you share your time. Will you meet people with whom you have interests in common? What if you could turn your trip into an exciting learning experience?

Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates travel tours for mature adults 55 and older. Whatever your interest, they have a tour for you. Whether you wwant to explore culture, history and art or just hike and bike, Elderhostel has something for you.

Elderhostel has 8000 programs in 90 countries and they promise each one will be an enriching experience. How about discovering the Rockies by rail in Alberta, Canada? Perhaps explore the treasures of Egypt or even St. Louis. Maybe you would love New York and two nights at the Metropolitan Opera House or to walk the beach and see the wild ponies at Chincoteague.

Elderhostel is also dedicated to keeping costs low and providing complete packages with no surprise costs. Before planning your next trip, why not check out Elderhostel?