02/01/09
Stovall's wife, Lora, 61, a retired financial adviser to local governments, was pleased that the tour emphasized learning over typical tourist shopping sprees. "We want experiences, not material goods from our travels," she said. Others enjoyed being immersed in an ancient culture. "Our guides were conservative, observant Jews. One of the satisfying characteristics of this trip was being included in some of the Sabbath rituals they shared," said Mary Barton, 83, a retired homemaker and teacher from Louisville. She was traveling with her husband, Clarence, 79, a retired hospital chaplain and adjunct professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Our tour group was a potpourri of Jews, Christians and people of no strong religious leanings. This variety was an attraction for Esther Weinstein, 63, a retired public school music teacher from Henderson, Nev., making her fourth Elderhostel trip. Weinstein was raised in the Jewish faith, but she thought she could have a richer experience by traveling with a mixed religious group. And she liked the idea that Elderhostel tries to pair those traveling solo. The emphasis is on travelers older than 55, but Elderhostel has added intergenerational programs for grandparents and their grandchildren. It also accepts younger participants as long as they are accompanying someone 55 or older. Before taking any trip, especially overseas, research health insurance options. Medicare, with some exceptions, does not cover health care during travel outside the United States. Go to www.medicare.gov or the 2009 "Medicare and You" guide.
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