What if the secret to aging well wasn't a supplement, a diet, or a doctor's visit — but an adventure?
That's the premise behind Age Adventurously Day, a national initiative launched by Road Scholar, the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for older adults. The annual observance challenges what many of us assume about getting older, and the research behind it is hard to ignore: 94% of adults aged 50–98 who regularly engage in adventurous activities report higher levels of overall wellbeing.
"Being adventurous is a mindset," says Ann Simanis, AVP of Financial Aid & Community Outreach at Road Scholar. "Our research shows that when people continue to challenge themselves and seek new experiences, they feel healthier, happier and more fulfilled."
You Don't Have to Go Far to Go Far
One of the most encouraging things about the Age Adventurously philosophy is its flexibility. Road Scholar isn't asking anyone to summit a mountain or book a round-the-world flight. The invitation is simply to step outside your comfort zone — whatever that looks like for you, personally.
How does look like? It might mean any number of things, like booking a trip to somewhere you've always wanted to go. Or it might mean signing up for a pottery class, joining a hiking group, attending a lecture series, or finally starting that book club you've been thinking about. The goal isn't magnitude, but momentum and community.
"Age Adventurously Day is a celebration of possibility," Simanis says. "It's about recognizing that adventure doesn't have an age limit and that some of life's most meaningful experiences can happen later in life."
Gary P Guthrie
A Movement, Not Just a Moment
Road Scholar first introduced Age Adventurously Day in 2025, marking its own 50th anniversary, and has been building a community around it ever since. The initiative was designed specifically to push back against the cultural stereotypes that frame aging as a period of retreat, and to replace them with stories of curiosity, courage and connection.
One early participant, George H., captured that spirit perfectly when he used the occasion to finally set out on a long-dreamed-of open-ended road trip. His story is exactly the kind Road Scholar hopes to multiply: people who've shelved a dream and decide, at last, that now is the time.
More information: AgeAdventurously.org
Smart Senior Daily Staff
Traveling Together? Here's How to Keep the Peace — and Your Sanity
But are you in a situation where you're ready for adventure, but your travel companions may not be?
Well, then, new research from Club Wyndham, reveals something most seasoned travelers already know in their bones: even the people we love most can be a lot to deal with on vacation. Take a look at the stats...
When you look at these numbers as they relate to relationships, the numbers are revealing. Nearly half of those surveyed (49%) say sharing space with others increases the likelihood of arguments. The biggest flashpoints? What to eat (41%), how long it takes someone to get ready (37%), and making plans (33%). Oh, yeah, the thermostat can be a battleground, too. It's not there with "Applebees or Ruth Chris? Your call, honey," but it came up often enough to earn a small place in the study results.
But here's the finding that should actually shape how you plan your next trip: 77% say that having some separation from travel companions eases tension, and 68% say that alone time actually makes them feel more connected to the people they're traveling with. The average respondent wants about two hours of personal downtime per day.
Travelers are paying for that privilege, too. Survey respondents said they'd spend an extra $406 on average to have their own room and 75% said they'd be willing to stay longer on a trip if multi-bedroom accommodations were available.
