Welcome to Goldivas.com, for women over 50 who are too young to be old.

 

Issue#26 (September, 2010)

When in Rome….

A new favorite place for me to stay when I’m in Rome is the lovely Rose Garden Palace Hotel. It’s just steps away from the Via Veneto, that grand Via that brings back memories of La Dolce Vita days—a glamorous 1950-60s era when the sidewalk cafes were packed with celebrities sipping negronis, and paparazzi snapping shots of them. Today things have quieted down, but there’s still a spirit of chic refinement in the air and wonderful people watching and window shopping to be had here.   ( more...)

Issue#25 (August, 2010)

When Your Escape Is Grounded: Staycation Advice

Thanks to the unpredictable economy, low-cost, stay-at-home vacations have become a dominant trend in travel—and will probably continue to flourish. But even these “staycations” have different levels of activities, spending and spirit. Whether you are going bare bones, middle-of-the-road or deluxe, here are some tips to make the most of your time off, even when you must stay put.

Staycation Basics
Establish a vacation mindset. Okay, so you aren’t jetting off to the French Riviera, but you aren’t punching in at the office either.  ( more...)

Issue#24 (June, 2010)

Out Of Africa

Well-known television presenter, broadcaster and lecturer, John Carter shares his love of South Africa:

 

Like most of my generation, I thought I knew all about Africa before I ever went there.   We were, you see, raised on a diet of Saturday morning cinema shows featuring the adventures of Tarzan, and an assortment of similar "jungle" epics.

 

  ( more...)

Issue#23 (May, 2010)

LIVING UNDER A CLOUD

It was a grey sunless morning: nothing unusual about that for a typical start to a day in London. I wasn’t paying much attention to the Radio 4 in the background announcing the usual doom and gloom around the world; or, these days nearer to home gloomier news of the oncoming elections. Will it be the Labour Party or the Tory, or indeed the Liberal Democrats? As for me, they all seem to be saying the same things.   ( more...)

Women Etcetera Travel Opportunities

Women Etcetera is offering three trips this year:

 

Charming Savannah - Sites and Tastes of the South

Thursday-Sunday, June 3 -6, 2010

Welcome to a perfect example of Southern Hospitality as we tour Savannah, GA in style!  We will be arriving on Thursday night,    ( more...)

Issue#22 (April, 2010)

WomanTours

Check out the schedule for this year’s bicycle tours at WomanTours - http://www.womantours.com/wtschedule.html

 

Whether you are a casual biker or an expert, you’ll find many interesting choices. WomanTours offers bicycle tours throughout the US and they offer some international and coast-to-coast US tours as well. The cross-country tours have especially designed for women over 50,

  ( more...)

Issue#21 (March, 2010)

Another Great Website For Women Travelers

Through travel, we gain a clearer vision of what it means to be a positive participant in this ever-shrinking world. Our mission is to equip women with tools that give them the confidence to travel alone. And once they experience the success of flying solo, then they can apply their newfound verve for adventure to their day-to-day lives. We become better people when we learn about the world and ourselves.  ( more...)

Issue#20 (February, 2010)

Dinner With A Local and What to Wear

We’ve discovered two useful travel-related websites that can help to make your next trip more enjoyable.

 

First, how often have you struggled with what to pack for a trip? I usually bring twice as much as I need, then have to deal with the extra weight. Helen got the idea for her website, WhatToWearOn Holiday.com while planning a trip. And the idea came up every time she traveled to a different place.  ( more...)

Issue#19 (January, 2010)

Take A Break From Winter

If you’re fortunate to have a job and some vacation time, now is the ideal time to take advantage of great travel specials. The recession has hit the travel industry hard, so you can do your part for the economy while you enjoy a week at a spa!

 

Our choice for this time of year is Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Rates include all meals, guided hikes and walks through incredible scenery, fitness classes, use of the fitness facilities, evening programs, lectures, and scheduled transportation to/from the San Diego International Airport on Saturdays. Of course, if you can possibly drive to the Spa and avoid the hassle at the airport, that may be a good choice. Other Spa services are a la carte.  ( more...)

Issue#18 (December, 2009)

Christmas Travel Deals Across The Pond

For most people, the best kind of Christmas is the old-fashioned kind - nothing too fancy, nothing too complicated, but the simple pleasures of enjoying good food and relaxing in good company.   The temptation towards over-indulgence is mitigated by the opportunity to take a little brisk exercise - to walk off the calories, and sharpen the appetite for the next gastronomic encounter.

 

There are, of course, ample opportunities to take just such a festive holiday here in the U.K., but I have been casting my eyes over a few tempting prospects abroad - two in Spain, one in Morocco and a fourth in glorious Sorrento, Italy  ( more...)

The Real Thing

My husband likes the “real thing”, nature’s theme parks, he calls them. It’s not that Disney, Six Flags and their ilk don’t provide great family entertainment it’s just that we prefer productions by Mother Nature. Costs are minimal while the rewards are many.   One autumn before we had grandchildren to tend, four of our grown children, their spouses and one set of in-laws headed for Arizona on a family excursion. It was an experience of a lifetime, oft referenced and revered.

 

Our itinerary included Phoenix, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon and Sedona. We rented two vans in Phoenix and headed out. It was early September and the weather was magnificent. An unobstructed blue sky, endless fields of yellow flowers and ponderosa pine forests were a treat for our New England eyes. The trip was perfect. Disagreements were minimal. Most things were prearranged and agreed to by the entire group.  ( more...)

Issue#17 (October, 2009)

Halloween Weekend Cruise

If you’re not into the usual Halloween activities, The Singles Travel Company offers a Halloween Weekend cruise, they may have a few spaces left if you hurry.

 

This cruise is selling fast…great rates!*****Club Singles Weekend Getaway-Halloween Cruise Oct 29-Nov 2, 2009. Sail in/out of San Diego for fun long weekend to Baja. No better way to celebrate Halloween-we had a great group last year…  ( more...)

CARTER’S WORLD – TUSCANY – MAY 2009

Well-known broadcaster and long-time presenter of Wish You Were Here and the BBC Holiday programme, John Carter cooks up a feast in glorious Tuscany.

 

I returned to my desk from a recent trip abroad to find, among the mail, a letter from a lady in Wolverhampton whose husband is an enthusiastic walker.      ( more...)

Issue#16 (September, 2009)

September is a Great Time to Visit Colorado!

The kids are back in school, so the crowds are smaller, and the weather is still nice. It’s a perfect time to visit Colorado. There is so much to see here, but we’ll focus on a few historic areas within easy driving distance from the Denver Airport. Maybe you’ll be able to find some last-minute deals on travel to Denver.

 

Be sure you come prepared for the weather, you’ll want to dress in layers and bring a waterproof windbreaker, warm vest, and several pairs of comfortable shoes. The weather in the mountains can change very fast, so prepare for warm weather as well as cold, rainy weather.  ( more...)

Issue#15 (August, 2009)

Ways to Trim Travel Costs

By: MainStreet (View Profile)

 

Traveling for summer vacation doesn’t have to be a budget breaker if you employ some simple strategies that cut costs, not convenience or fun. Trim your travel expenses with these eight tips.  ( more...)

Issue#14 (July, 2009)

Turning Fifty – Where to Celebrate?

When I turned fifty I had been a widow for five years and I had just became a GRANDMA! I wanted to celebrate but I couldn’t get anyone to agree with how. I wanted to go somewhere I had never gone and sounded like it would be nothing but FUN. I needed some FUN. A local TV and radio station was getting a group together to go to Las Vegas for four days and three nights and the price was perfect.

 

The plane took off from a local airport so it was real convenient to have someone pick up my car, then come to get me on my return. I packed with trepidation put in my mind by skeptical friends and family members who thought I would never return.

 

That was so funny now that I think of it. I never felt as safe, alone, up until that time. Everywhere I went was a new adventure. I hardly gambled at all, just a bit at the slots.  ( more...)

Issue#13 (June, 2009)

Santa Fe – The City Different

Visiting Santa Fe is such fun! This city has something for everyone. There are loads of museums (including the Georgia O’Keefe Museum), art galleries, and incredible shops. The area is steeped in history, originally was inhabited by Pueblo Indians in the eleventh century and first visited by the Spaniards in 1598. The Spaniards founded the town of Santa Fe in 1608 and continously inhabited the city except for the time from 1680-1692, when they were driven out by the Indians. The U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846, and gained possession of New Mexico in 1848. New Mexico became our 47^th state in 1912, and Santa Fe was designated the capital. At 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is the highest state capital in the U.S. – be sure to drink a lot of water if you visit, that will help you adjust to the altitude.

 

The railroad by-passed Santa Fe in the 1800’s, and the city went into decline. Mindful of the area’s potential as a tourist destination, the city enacted building  ( more...)

Issue#12 (May, 2009)

Spa Getaways – An Excellent Mother’s Day Gift!

The Tennessee Fitness Spa is located in a beautiful natural setting 95 miles from Nashville, TN. The spa offers a variety of activities throughout the day, and you are welcome to participate, or not – it’s your choice.

The prices include all meals, snacks, beverages, lodging with daily housekeeping service, all lectures and classes, incoming and outgoing assessments and the free use of all Tennessee Fitness Spa facilities. Optional, pay-as-you-go services include massage, facials, various other beauty services, and personal training sessions, all very reasonably priced.  ( more...)

Win A Trip!

Visit this website & register to win a 2-night stay at a luxury hotel or B&B in various locations within Virginia - http://www.virginia.org/40/ there is a drawing every week until November 22, 2009. You are automatically entered in each drawing once you have registered, there is no need to go back each week. The sweepstakes are open to residents of the USA who are 21 & over.  ( more...)

Issue#11 (April, 2009)

Alaska Adventure in an RV

Dee Garrett owns an RV, and she took a trip to Alaska with her friend Jean, who is an RV novice. Here are some excerpts from Dee’s journal.

 

July 10 Picked Jean up at the Portland Airport, then   ( more...)

Issue#10 (March, 2009)

Reflect and Renew with Spiritual Retreats

It’s no surprise that we need to escape from the everyday to nurture our spirituality. Somewhere between work, social engagements, the computer, and pop culture, we lose our sense of self, and need to step away to try to find it. A spiritual retreat can be just the solution.  ( more...)

Issue#9 (February, 2009)

Enchanting!

New Mexico is called the Land of enchantment, and if you visit Taos, New Mexico, you'll see why. Taos is a great destination for a long weekend. If you live in the Denver-Boulder area, it’s an easy five-hour drive. If you’re from outside the area, Taos is about an hour north of Santa Fe. 

There are many choices of lodging within a short drive or walk from the town square. We like the Kachina Lodge, http://www.kachinalodge.com/.

  ( more...)

Issue#8 (January, 2009)

Scotland – Alone in a Crowd

It’s a day in June, and my plane is over the North Atlantic. I’m looking through a break in the clouds at the approaching west coast of the Island of Great Britain. The sun is brilliant up here. It’s almost blinding. I’ve gained seven hours of time.

 

My thoughts roll backward for a few moments to the first trip I made to Europe long ago, but not as a single woman meeting a tour, like I am now. Then, I went with a travelling companion and an enthusiasm for seeing the grand sites. But not now! I’m older and less concerned about the worldliness of travel. I’m more interested in the tangible minutiae, the living impressions. This time the only baggage I’ve brought is my suitcase. This time I’m glad to be on my own.  ( more...)

Issue#7 (December, 2008)

Are You A Travel Junkie?

Many women over 50 find that they’ve become travel junkies. If this describes you, here’s a website you’ll want to visit: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/index.htm

The Travel Insider offers a free weekly newsletter full of tips & tricks, interesting commentary on airlines, hotels, and more.  ( more...)

Issue#6 (November, 2008)

On the Road Again…..

RV’s (recreational vehicles) are a common sight on the road these days, but did you know many RV owners are single women over 50? First, some general information about RV’s - RVs are intended for everything from brief leisure activities such as vacations and camping to full-time living. There are different types of RV’s, and the size and price range is very large. A minimal RV typically contains beds, kitchen and storage areas. Larger models have full bathrooms, refrigerators, living areas, master bedrooms, and so on. An RV can cost (new) anywhere from $10,000 to $1,500,000 (yes, that’s one and one-half million). RV’s can also be rented in major cities and tourist areas.  ( more...)

Issue#5 (October, 2008)

The Baltic Countries – A Journey in Time

This summer I decided to travel to the Baltics, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, again with Ramblers, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk . This holiday has an emphasis on sightseeing rather than walking. We started in Tallinn, Estonia,  staying at a re-furbished Soviet hotel. Each room had its own computer, how cool is that!. Tallinn is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and this Hanseatic town is well contained within its rebuilt walls and the merchants’ houses and warehouses beautifully restored also. The town hall in the main square was built originally in 1322. The oldest intact building is the Dominican Monastery museum. The atmosphere in the courtyard is magic, You feel timeless.  ( more...)

Walking Holidays From Across the Pond…..

'Gap Years' For Mums And Dads And Appeal For Single Travellers     

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays analyses specific travel trends. 'Gap Years' for Mums and Dads and appeal for single travellers.  ( more...)

Issue#4 (September, 2008)

An Excellent Maine Adventure

After writing about the Not Too Late Basketball Camp for women over 50 (see July issue), I decided to sign up. Even though I’m not an athlete and hadn’t had a basketball in my hands for at least 30 years. The week before camp, I went to a practice in Golden, CO, where Madelon Eichhorn, who is a coach and an excellent player, showed me how to shoot baskets. This is a different game than I remembered from high school, they play 3-on-3 half court, and they use a women’s basketball which is smaller and lighter than the men’s regulation ball. This is better for women’s smaller hands.  ( more...)

Issue#2 (July, 2008)

San Diego To St. Augustine On A Bicycle!

As I look out the window of the plane, I can't believe I actually bicycled across the country. It is an incredible amount of miles. The next time you all get in a plane, think of me bicycling my heart out with my short chubby legs to reach each daily destination. We climbed about 76,000 vertical feet and rode almost 3,100 miles.  ( more...)

Issue#1 (June, 2008)

Christmas in Seville, by Janet Hanley

As a single, I was tired of hosting the Christmas day singles pot luck. I rebelled against the Christmas spirit that insinuates itself in early October. It used to wait decently until after Thanksgiving.

I booked a trip to Andalucía, Spain for two weeks over the holidays with Ramblers, an English touring company (Ramblers Worldwide Holidays). They use clean, local hotels often near the centre of town. I picked up the tour in the chaos of Heathrow airport on the weekend before Christmas. Survival is a skill here!  ( more...)