Travel solo at 70: meet inspiring single women on senior adventures

Who would have thought that at 70, I would finally discover true freedom?

My friends looked at me with concern when I mentioned my plan to travel solo. "Nicole, at our age..." But that's exactly the point - it's precisely at our age that we must dare! After years of taking care of others, I realized that these solo vacations weren't a senior's whim: they were a necessity.

I needed to prove to myself that this experience could still enrich me, that exploring the world doesn't stop with retirement. Choosing your first destination when you're a 70-year-old woman traveling alone requires careful thought. Between security warnings and the desire for adventure, I had to adapt my dreams to my needs.

What did I learn? That an organized tour can provide reassurance without preventing you from enjoying yourself, that a group of travelers can become a temporary family, and that leaving single doesn't mean staying alone.

Today, I'm sharing this experience with you to encourage all those women who are still hesitating.

Preparing to Travel Solo for the First Time

I'll admit that during the first few days, I was scared. Scared of everything: getting lost, falling ill, not knowing how to manage with these new phones. So I took my time, methodically, as I've always done.

First the doctor, to check that everything was fine. Then insurance, the kind that truly covers the needs of people my age. I photocopied all my documents, noted down important numbers.

My daughter helped me with the internet - we started by searching for hotels, then I discovered the NomadSister website. Through this platform, I found a supportive women's community for sharing accommodations, and we exchanged stories about our grandchildren.

Little by little, anxiety transformed into anticipation.

Finding My Accommodation, Planning My Routes, Choosing My Belongings

For this first trip, I wanted simplicity. My NomadSister female host had a charming little apartment on the third floor, with an elevator and a lovely view of the city.

My suitcase was light, with my medications in my carry-on bag and comfortable shoes. I brought my little notebook to jot down my impressions, a lifelong habit. This meticulous organization greatly reassured me before departure.

Managing the Budget Without Breaking the Bank

With my retirement income, I need to be careful not to overspend. Fortunately, I discovered all these senior discounts: the senior rail card for trains, free museums on Sundays, reduced-price menus on weekdays.

I traveled in October, during off-season. Prices were gentler and places less crowded, perfect for a first time. I kept track of my expenses in a small notebook, as I've always done.

In the end, this trip cost me less than expected. It's truly satisfying to manage your budget well.

First Stop: France, So Close Yet So Different

I chose Colmar to begin with.

Why Alsace? Because it was French, reassuring, but different enough from my native Provence to give me a change of scenery. Those half-timbered houses, those canals, that gentle way of life...

I walked through the narrow streets, admired the geraniums on the balconies, tasted sauerkraut and riesling. At the market, I chatted with a cheese vendor who told me about organizing her wedding.

These simple moments reminded me why I had wanted to leave. I could spend a lifetime discovering France, even though it's my own country.

👉 If you can't decide on your first trip, check out this article that recommends the best French destinations.

Developing a Taste for Independence and Dreaming Further

This first trip gave me wings. Back home, I browse through brochures with new eyes. Europe no longer frightens me: Italy with its churches and sunny squares, Portugal and its blue azulejos. The idea of visiting Florence or Porto is no longer just a fantasy.

👉 If you have questions, you can check out this article that helps you prepare for solo travel in Europe.

I joined a group of female travelers my age online (my granddaughters helped me). We exchange our tips, our favorites, our grandmother stories over herbal tea.

At 70, I'm still learning, still growing. My horizons have broadened, I'm discovering new activities, and it's exhilarating.

Imagining Even Further Destinations

Today, I even dream of Japan. Yes, at my age! Why not, after all? I've read testimonials from 75-year-old women who went there. Of course, it requires more preparation: enhanced insurance, vaccinations, adapting to jet lag. But the desire is there, persistent.

Morocco also tempts me, for its colors and fragrances. I'm no longer the grandmother who was content with her garden. I've become a female traveler, curious about the world. This transformation at over 70 is my most beautiful gift.

👉 By the way, to make sure you find safe accommodation, I highly recommend signing up for NomadSister, where caring female hosts are scattered all around the world, ready to welcome you like their little sister.

Organized Tours: Safety First

If solo adventure frightens you, organized tours are an excellent solution. I've already booked a Rhine cruise for next year.

Everything is planned: meals, visits, transfers. The guide knows our needs and adapts to frequent breaks, appropriate pace, and gives clear explanations. It's reassuring when you're starting to travel alone to be surrounded by professionals.

Clubs specializing in seniors offer perfect packages: medical support, small groups, enriching destinations.

Here are some reputable companies:

Diana Senior Voyages: tailor-made stays with medical support.
Les Covoyageuses: small group tours exclusively for senior women.
TUI Seniors: wide choice of destinations and pace adapted to seniors' needs.

Daring to Make Connections

It turns out that traveling alone is the best way to meet people. At 70, we inspire confidence, people open up more easily. On the train to Colmar, I chatted with a young man who was going to visit his grandmother. At the museum, a passionate guide told me local history as if she had lived it.

I no longer hesitate to approach people, to ask for directions when I'm lost. We discover that kindness is universal. My white hair is a passport to benevolence. It's an unexpected advantage of our age.

The Joys and Small Challenges of Travel After 70

Traveling at 70 means savoring each moment differently. We have time, less stress, more experience dealing with the unexpected.

A delayed train? An opportunity to have coffee while people-watching.

A downpour? We take shelter in a church and admire the stained glass.

Of course, there's fatigue that comes more quickly, joints that protest after a long walk. But these minor inconveniences are largely compensated by the pride of managing alone, of remaining independent. Each trip reinforces my self-confidence.

Advice in Case of Problems

My golden rule: always carry my ID papers, health insurance card, prescriptions, and my daughter's contact information. I also note down my hotel address and always keep cash on me.

When I lost my bank card, the hotel staff helped me, and my bank sorted everything out quickly.

These small incidents are part of traveling. The important thing is not to panic and to ask for help. People are generally very helpful with seniors in difficulty.

Stories and Memories: They Did It at 70

I'm not alone in this adventure.

Annie, whom I met at a travel conference, dared to go to Japan at 74. She still talks about her wonder at the exotic culture and cherry blossoms.

Cathy, my neighbor, took the wheel of her motorhome after losing her husband, crossing France's bucolic landscapes, and this newfound freedom brought back her smile.

Martine, from the bridge club, chose the Mediterranean for a peaceful cruise, where she enjoyed the sea and formed friendships.

We now form a small group of third-age adventuresses. We meet to share our discoveries, our photos, our projects.

Questions I Asked Myself (And My Answers Today)

Am I too old to travel alone?

Never! If you dream of it, you're capable of it. Age even brings advantages: more time, less pressure, more wisdom to appreciate the present moment. I've met 80-year-old female travelers full of energy.

The secret? Listen to your body, travel at your own pace, choose suitable destinations. Don't let anyone discourage you. My children finally understood that these trips made me happy and more fulfilled.

Your age isn't a limitation, it's an asset for traveling differently, more serenely, with more depth in encounters.

Can you get discounts at 70?

Absolutely! It's even one of the pleasures of this age. Always inquire before paying.

The Senior+ card from SNCF offers great discounts. Many museums are free for those over 65. Some restaurants offer special senior menus on weekdays. Travel agencies often have preferential rates.

I even discovered that some airlines offer special services: priority boarding, assistance, baggage discounts.

What if I have reduced mobility?

It's not an insurmountable obstacle. My knees have been bothering me for a few years, so I adapt the pace of my nature hikes. I choose accommodations with elevators, I prefer bus tours, I take regular breaks.

Some agencies specialize in adapted travel, trains and planes offer assistance for people with reduced mobility. I even discovered foldable travel wheelchairs, very practical and comfortable.

The important thing is to anticipate and inform service providers of your needs. You can travel with physical constraints, you just need to organize better and not be ashamed to ask for help.

Here's my story, that of an ordinary woman who dared the extraordinary at 70. If you're still hesitating, remember that the regret of not trying is worse than the fear of failure. My travels have colored my retirement, given me back confidence in myself. At 70, you can still be an adventuress. Proof positive!

And for all those who want to travel, you can also check out these guides:

LIFESTYLE| TRAVEL

Laëtitia

Traveler

25 Juillet 2025

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Whether you are an avid traveller or a first-time adventurer, all NomadSister editors are passionate about travel. They share their advice and experiences with the desire to give you wings!

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