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Many seniors become seasoned travelers

Helping people, particularly retirees, see the world and enjoy it to the fullest has been the mission of Linda Kerr for the past 35 years.

After years as a group travel agent for AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association) and other public firms, she has spent the past decade directing Northwest Suburban High School District 214's Community Education travel program out of Arlington Heights.

"I am about to visit my 100th country," she said enthusiastically, clearly still elated by seeing the wonders of our planet.

"We view travel as one facet of lifelong learning - so we encourage it as a way for people to gain an education," Kerr said.

Each year she and her other tour directors lead around 14 long trips and scores of day trips and shorter three- or four-day motor coach trips. Their clients range in age from 55 to 95 but the bulk of District 214 travelers fall into the 65 to 80 age range, she said.

Over the years Kerr has learned that the broad classifications of attractions that seniors most enjoy are history-related sites like Normandy in France; nature trips to places like Kenya, Antarctica, Yellowstone and the Galápagos Islands; and history/cultural trips to museums and other famous sites like Paris, London and Athens. District 214 has led trips to all seven continents.

"We offer a little bit of everything so that we can appeal to a wide range of interests," she said. "Some people, because of their budget or their health, can't do more than a one-day trip, so we offer those to many nearby attractions. We also offer motor coach trips that range from three days to a week and allow our clients to see the United States. Many have already seen Europe and other parts of the world and are now ready to more thoroughly explore their own country. Still others don't have a passport or they are afraid to fly, so they like these trips.

The program is popular with seniors because it offers hassle-free and convenient travel.

"We have them meet at our headquarters and leave their cars parked here," Kerr said. "We handle their bags and if we are flying somewhere, get the boarding passes, check the bags, everything. We also have a meeting about two weeks before each trip to explain to them about what they will need in terms of money, what to pack, what temperatures to expect, etc.

"I have learned over the years that the more information you give people in advance, the better," she said.

Most of the overseas trips Kerr's department plans involve deluxe bus (motor coach) travel or river cruises because those modes of transportation work best with a group and allow travelers to see the most exciting sights.

"The river cruises have become extremely popular lately because you can see the interior cities while having the advantages of a cruise in terms of only unpacking once; having meals and tours included; and having the security of being on a boat, which has controlled access," Kerr said.

A lot of planning is done for each trip to make sure all of the best places are included and every detail is covered. And just because they cater to an older crowd doesn't mean Kerr and her team ignore the more challenging locations.

"People are actually a lot more spry than you might think. And when they are on vacation, they generally go with the mindset that they are going to give it everything they have got so that they don't miss anything," she said. "But if a trip has a particularly large amount of walking, like the Disney for Adults trip we do, we warn people. We also stress to our seniors that Europe doesn't have any (Americans with Disabilities Act) laws so in many places there will be no railings and ramps," she said. "The main thing we have to consider when planning the trips is timing. You can't expect a large group, let alone a group of seniors, to make a 10-minute (flight) connection, for instance."

The average day trip, Kerr said, attracts 40 people, while the longer domestic bus trips generally have between 30 and 40 people. Overseas trips average 20 to 24 people.

"People have to have the money, time, good health and desire to see the particular location in order to book those trips," she said.

Travel discussions about various locales are offered periodically by the district as a recruitment tool.

Prices range widely depending upon the destination. However, travel insurance is included in 80 percent of the District 214 trips and when it is not included, Kerr said 99 percent of participants buy it because when you leave the country, your usual health insurance often doesn't cover you. Such insurance also pays to change your airline ticket if you or someone at home gets sick and you need to go home early.

A unique facet of the trips Kerr plans are the "reunions" the program holds quarterly to allow trip participants to see each other again and compare photos. They hold an all-trip reunion catered lunch at the District 214 headquarters every quarter and people who traveled together get to socialize with those on their trips and others. This is another way that seniors choose the next trip they want to take - by speaking to others who have already traveled to that locale.

"We also hold an afternoon tea twice a year for our day-trip participants and everyone enjoys these," Kerr said.

• Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Community Education Travel can be reached at (847) 718-7709 or by visiting ce.d214.org/travel.

During a group trip Slovenia, participants watch as Community Education Travel manager Linda Kerr tries her hand at ringing the bell for luck at the Church of the Assumption on Bled Island in the middle of Lake Bled. Courtesy of Linda Kerr
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