Hitting the big 5-0? Hit the road again

The best age to travel is when you are in your 50s and 60s "because you are still mobile enough to do what you want to do," according to Danny Ching, president of Non-Stop Travel.

If you haven't walked down the strip in Las Vegas, climbed the Great Wall of China, backpacked through Europe or stopped at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, it's not too late.

While that experience may be memorable, it also may be too costly for some. Air travel can easily add up when you take into account airfare, hotel, transportation, food and entertainment. Cruises, however, are often an affordable alternative because of the services offered on-board. "It's like a floating resort," Ching said. "The ship has spas, multidining rooms, activities, gyms, casinos -- just about everything anybody would want."

It seems Las Vegas, Alaska and Europe are the top three popular destinations for the 50-plus crowd. According to Ching: "Europe has always been a good destination for us because most people are not familiar with it so they want to see it, especially as they get older. Las Vegas is still No. 1 only because it's easy to get to and people are familiar with it."

Among the more popular tourist attractions are the glaciers in Alaska, Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and, of course, Disneyland for those with grandchildren or young at heart. And for all of you Korean soap opera fans, there's a soap opera studio tour in Seoul, Korea, where you just might catch a glimpse of your favorite actor or actress.

If you would rather not travel alone, group traveling is a safe and easy way to travel. Sharon Matsushima, travel consultant at Royal Adventure Travel, said a group tour offers "the added security of having a travel professional and the value of having all the coordinating for meals, attractions and transportation. Everything is taken care of -- you just need to show up at the lobby of the hotel in the morning."

No excuses. Now that your kids are grown, you have established seniority at your job or are retired, and your mortgage rate is either set or your home is paid off, it's time to be adventurous. Many travel companies also offer special rates for seniors.