Elderhostel? Has anyone tried it?

Hi, Everybody--

I am wondering if anyone has tried out 'Elderhostel'??

They seem to offer some very nice garden tours in their on line catalog...

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/search_res.asp?Type=A&Progtype=HGN001

Do you have to be a 'certain age' to qualify?

Just wondering-- Thanks so much. t.

I just received their Spring catalog, which is chock full of great trips & weekend excursions! I would LOVE to take some of their garden tours....the problem is convincing my DH!!

Yes, you OR your spouse have to be 55 or older. If one of you qualifies, then family members can take advantage of their trips.

I love the fact that Elderhostel combines travel & learning in a fun environment! The outdoor classrooms come alive!! However, the trips can be a bit pricey.

Thanks, shirley. My great aunt took several of their trips and loved them, but now I think I am nearly the lucky age to enrol!

I just thought their garden tours looked great. And yes, I will have trouble interesting DH in such travel, too. Boo Hoo.

Maybe we could get some member together to see some of the tours, as alot of DHs are not too interested in them. Just a "girls" weekend or something.?? Lou

I went to NYC in November with Elderhostel
I was very happy with everything.Since we were in one place I was free to spend as much time with the group as I wanted to,or go off on my own exploring.

This is great. I'm so glad to know more about this. I've heard of it and the local John C. Campbell Folk School has lots of elderhostel groups but I didn't realize the scope of what was offered by elderhostel. Thanks.

Lou, sounds like a good plan to me! The elderhostels seem to be pretty well run.

BTW, are you coming down for the Cincinnati Flower Show? I know a place you can stay for the night. ;-) t.

Trying to talk DH into it. He was pretty bummed out about the weather last year, so he says we'll wait and see what the weather is like. I would love to see it. Thanks, I'll let you know if we plan to attend and maybe we can go together. Lou

It would be so much fun for all of us to get together as a group and explore various gardens through Elderhostel! The interesting part will be if we can all agree on a trip, when we are all available to get together for a weekend or more, as well as, finding a trip that "doesn't break the bank"!

downscale_babe: Since you have actually taken a trip through Elderhostel, can you tell us more about your trip to NYC last November. What type of itinerary did you have, any guided tours, hotels, etc???

Personally speaking, I have always wanted to see Calloway Gardens (outside of Atlanta, GA) in the Springtime. It's on my list of gardens to visit! However, this may not give us enough time to plan & work out all the details.

Any other ideas of gardens people would love to visit?

I decided to go with Elderhostel after I tried to book a hotel room in NYC.The prices were just unbelievable.

With Elerhostel I got the whole package for less than it would have cost me for just the hotel.

Elderhostel trips are always put together by an academic organization.Elderhostel acts as a clearing house or booking agent.

My trip was organized by The South Sea Port museum in downtown NYC.Almost everything was included:meals,lectures,tours,museum passes,transportation passes etc.For me and some others,it was too much organization but we were able to join the group as we wished.I spent about half of the time exploring on my own.

Everything was top notch.Elderhostel tours are based on learning and the leaders are experts in their fields.

There are so many of their trips that I would love to take if I had the money.

Thanks so much downscale_babe! Your trip to NYC sounded like a wonderful, eductional & fun filled weekend!

I looked up some of their Weekender Programs. Here are a few that caught my attention.

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/programdetail.asp?RowId=1%2D1W7BIC (There is already a waiting list for Springtime at Calloway Gardens!)

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/programdetail.asp?RowId=1%2DDZGVJ (There is a waiting list for the Philadelphia Flower Show!)

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/programdetail.asp?RowId=1%2D34HY (Availability as of now. Even if it is not gardens, it's a great nature opportunity at Chinoteague Island)

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/programdetail.asp?RowId=1%2D26XTL (Availability as of now. Historic gardens of Monticello)

http://www.elderhostel.org/Programs/dates.asp?RowID=1%2D20NNX&DateId=1%2D22B9EX (Availability as of now. Great birding & nature programs in West Virginia)

Please give your input, interests, & desires, so that we can decide as a group. Those are a few that interested me. What are your interests?

P.S. If you want to meet for example at, The Philadelphia Flower Show or Cincinnati Flower Show as a group, we don't have to go through Elderhostel. We can arrange this on our own.