Travel & Wellness: The Connection

by Nicole Sullivan

Alice Sullivan is a pretty amazing woman. She has seven children and 17 grandchildren. And, she is the Chairwoman of the Board at Collette Vacations. She has spent 45 years in the travel industry, making her pretty much a travel expert; and sending her just about everywhere. Now, a widow since 2005, she continues to travel, with just as much energy and interest as ever.

The word "senior" used to have this hidden meaning that seemed to say "take it easy" or "slow down." Alice is a senior - and proud of it. And she is proof that this word today has a completely different implication. Times have changed. Seniors are generally more active and healthier than ever before. And, like Alice, a trip for the fifth time to a favorite destination or for the first time to an exciting new one is just another opportunity to expand your knowledge, see the world and have a wonderful time.

"I don't exactly have favorite destinations," she says. "Sure, there are certain places that I love more than others, but I like to visit new places all the time, to see new landscapes. I don't like to repeatedly visit the same place if I can help it. If I loved it, I store it in my memory, and mark it off my wish list. Then I think about where I want to go next. And I try to choose places that will increase my knowledge and really pique my interests."

The benefits of travel, for people of all ages, are endless. One main aspect of traveling, which increases vitality and wellness, is exercise. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to help strengthen your heart and keep you healthy. But treadmills get tedious and the scenery around your neighborhood can get boring after awhile. A change of scenery and location would be ideal. But where should you go? There are a lot of destinations that involve walking. From walking around the Colosseum in Rome to Machu Picchu in Peru, you have a globe full of choices. "Wear tennis shoes for cobblestones," Alice says. "I grew up in Boston, so I am used to this, but you really have to be careful. Everyone needs the right shoes and to remember to be conscientious when walking."

If you want to exercise in a different, more fun way, try scuba diving or swimming in the turquoise waters of the Waikiki surf in Hawaii or snorkeling along the cliffs of Darwin Bay in the Galapagos.

One of the best aspects of traveling the world and seeing new cultures is sampling the regional cuisine! You can actually taste the very best of Italy, China, Spain and everywhere else, while maintaining a healthy diet. Spicy foods, for example, increase your metabolism and feelings of satiety. So you can savor the Cajun cuisine in New Orleans or spicy Thai food in Thailand, and get a cultural taste of the region without all the guilt. Also, drinking one or two glasses of water 15 minutes before a meal helps to decrease your appetite, so you can ingest fewer calories. Drinking water and staying hydrated is hugely important, especially when traveling, so you kill two birds with one stone! Also, you can choose healthier options from the menu. In Spain, enjoy the famous "tapas" - or snacks - which are smaller helpings of meals to give you a taste of the region. These smaller dishes may feature a cheese, seafood or meat base . If you choose to sample tapas when you eat out for lunch during a tour, you're immersing yourself into the Spanish culture, savoring the delicious flavors of Spain...and eating smaller portion sizes!

Unwinding and relaxing are as important to your well-being as exercising. Our everyday routines can get pretty stressful and a great way to get away from that stress is to literally get away. Travel. Go somewhere that makes you release a contented sigh when you imagine yourself there! Maybe it's a spa in the charming village of Montecatini in Tuscany or the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Or, perhaps relaxing and listening to the soothing sounds of waves crashing in a Hawaiian turquoise surf will take all your cares away. Wherever your dream getaway is, go there and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Another great way that travel benefits your mind is by expanding your knowledge of other countries. From the reading you do to the museums that you visit to the history that you learn, traveling educates you! "I love art, personally," Alice says. "If I take a trip, I want to learn more about it. Seeing masterpieces from the masters of art like Michelangelo or Picasso is really important to me. And the headphones they have now, in the museums, are brilliant; you can hear everything and really learn about the art and its history." It's a wonderful feeling, challenging your mind and learning new things. Or learning more about the things you are already interested in.

Have you ever returned from a trip with so many fascinating stories to tell your friends over dinner about cultural differences and traditions from the place that you visited? When you travel, your mind is at work, soaking it all in, comparing and contrasting, learning and reveling in the differences between another culture and your own. One of the most important things to do to strengthen the mind is to keep it active! And when you see a new place - a different place - you are activating your mind completely! Nothing compares to the education you receive when you travel the world.

A British author, Hilaire Belloc, once said that "we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." Ask anyone who has just returned from their dream vacation and they'll confirm the meaning of those words.