Traditionally, the Holiday Season has been a time to spend at home with family and friends. For many women in our Sixty and Me community, it’s a season of spiritual celebration, gift giving, decorating and enjoying delicious food with loved ones.

It will hopefully always be a season of fun and festivity, renewal and peace on earth. But, is it possible that there is even more that we can enjoy during this special time of the year? Can the Holiday Season be a time of exploration and learning… not just a time of giving and remembering?

Times Are Changing!

While the holiday season holds special memories in our lives, many older women are shifting their holiday priorities. Perhaps with family members spread across the globe, these women are choosing to travel at a time when most people are tucked up all cosy at home.

Do you find yourself celebrating at home alone this holiday season?

Do you want to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with new friends in places you have always wanted to visit?

If you love to travel and are looking for a different way to spend the holidays this year, here are some inspirational ideas!

“Experience Travel” is a New Way to Enjoy the Holiday Season

To meet the needs of people looking to spend the holidays in a different way, a new style of holiday travel has emerged. This is the world of educational, experiential holiday travel adventures offered by Road Scholar.

But, is “experience travel” for you? Let’s dive in and find out!

It’s Time to Embrace the Fact That Traditional Family Holidays Are Not Always Possible

Today, many retired women live hundreds or thousands of miles away from their families. While some wish they could live closer, others are happy to see their grown children celebrating the holidays with their own families. Some women even find themselves just not wanting to do the holiday “shopping, cooking and decorating” thing anymore.

In addition, as painful as it is to mention, many women in our Sixty and Me community are divorced, estranged or separated from family members, loved ones and grandchildren.

These women still want the holiday period to be memorable and special.

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself alone this holiday season, Road Scholar’s Holiday Programs are a perfect gift you can give yourself!

Here Are 4 Unique Road Scholar Holiday Adventures Just for You!

Road Scholar offers hundreds of educational programs, year-round, for every type of traveller. During the holidays, however, they have a range of diverse and captivating options. There truly is something for everyone!

Their programs offer ways to celebrate Christmas in a different country (or state), while enjoying unique cultural traditions!

You can participate in the intimacy of local celebrations or travel to enjoy adventures in stunning European and other worldwide landscapes. Here are just 4 examples.

Christmas in Yellowstone

One special travel opportunity is to spend 7 days in Yellowstone Park. The park offers a winter wonderland experience, combined with fabulous warm and cosy accommodations.

You can explore the natural geological wonders of the park, enjoy the waterfalls and stunning vistas and watch Old Faithful’s geothermal steam in the icy winter air.

If riding snow coaches across a spectacular winter landscape appeals to you, this program will enable you to celebrate Christmas in a relaxing, magical way.

Christmas and New Year in Oaxaca and Puebla

If you are looking for an experience that is a little warmer, you may want to experience a 14 day Mexican adventure with Road Scholar. This program stretches over the entire Christmas and New Year period.

Snowmen will be nowhere to be seen. But you can enjoy the ancient rituals and mystery of the New Year Oaxaca-style!

The program includes visit to craft markets, and you can even have a go at making pinatas. You will dive into a new world where you can experience all the colourful seasonal festivities in Oaxaca Puebla and Mexico City.

The joy of this adventure is taking part in the extravagant pageant of a Mexican Christmas and spectacular festive New Year’s dinner!

Christmas Traditions in Austria and Germany

Perhaps you want to travel to Europe to enjoy the holiday traditions, music, food and Christmas markets.

One fabulous option is a 12-day experience in Austria and Germany. One highlight is to immerse your senses in the experience of Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg and Munich.

Along the way, you can enjoy the timeless holiday customs of Central Europe as you visit markets illuminated by candles and experience the music and magical Advent celebrations.

At St. Florian’s Abbey in Linz, you will attend a special concert performed on the world-famous Bruckner organ.

New Year’s Eve in Prague

Another fabulous European holiday is one I have experienced myself in beautiful Prague. This program is 9-days long, but, it is long enough for you to become lost in the timeless cultural history and amazing art and musical traditions of this amazing location. Ring in the New Year in Bohemian style!

This program gives you the opportunity to discover Prague’s enchanting Old Town and enjoy the 9th-century Prague Castle and 14th-century Karlstejn Castle.

Prague’s historic sites are enjoyed on expert-led walks that bring you over the world-famous Charles Bridge.

Interested? Ask me about a secret garden I discovered in Prague that hardly anyone knows about!

New Year’s Eve in Paris

For 7 days and 6 nights you can experience New Year’s in Paris in spectacular Road Scholar style. You will first learn about the most famous landmarks in the city and then discover all the local culture and amazing cuisine with experts.

The famous Parisienne boulevards are illuminated for the holidays in true French style. You will have a Paris Museum Pass and a Paris Visite Pass, granting you access to all Parisian public transportation and museums.

Along the way, you will get to explore landmarks like the Louvre and Notre Dame as well as Gothic architecture at Sainte-Chapelle.

You will then welcome a new decade with a fabulous light show at the Arc de Triomphe.

The new year will be celebrated with new Road Scholar friends and perhaps new commitments for 2020!

And if you have the desire, you can combine this Parisian holiday program with Christmas in London.

Why not start your own new holiday tradition this year? Start a new decade by celebrating the holiday season in your own special way!

This is your time to enjoy and celebrate life!

What are you planning to do this holiday season? Will you spend time at home or venture off on a holiday adventure?