Don Mankin, the self-styled "Adventure Geezer," writes about mature adventure travel and is author of "Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean," which offers "50 Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler." Business consultant Valerie Grubb is the author of the recently released "Planes, Canes, and Automobiles" (Greenleaf Book Club Press); in it, she details traveling with her now 85-year-old, wheelchair-favoring mom.
Here, the writers share how agents can maximize booking mature soft adventure:
- "The inclination is to talk about limitations. There is also a more positive picture: what's the history, the politics, the culture? Talk about the trip with nuance." -- D.M.
- "It's very important to ask everyone to really think about their capabilities." -- V.G.
- "Ask, 'Are there any specific medical conditions I need to know about?' This includes specific medicines, special handling, etc." -- V.G.
- "Have multiple activity levels, especially if they're taking a parent along." -- V.G.
- "A giant, spread-out hotel, even the greatest; that's not a good thing." -- V.G.
- "The tour guide may have to be a mediator who can assess the needs of parents and children." -- V.G.