We’ve all met them, those mature travellers that have so much decorum, so much experience of travelling and just are great tourists to travel with. Even on the Inca Trail, I was blessed to be joined by a Taiwanese couple in their 50s doing the hike. I was 30 at the time, I couldn’t have imagined being able to do that aged 50! But when I get to hang out with mature travellers (and yes I know I am in danger of becoming one very soon, as the years go by), I tend to get very inspired by them, and then they tell me their stories…

Best Ways For Mature Travellers To Find Love

Sadly it’s not always good news. Sometimes, they went through tough divorces, many lost their partners to disease, some had children that left their families behind. As someone who suffers from depression, I started to listen more and relate to such stories. Then I asked them about their dating experiences and if they still look for love on the road. Of course, the answer is normally yes. We all need and want love, or to be loved. Dating then, for the mature travellers, here are some options…

1.Dating Websites
Forget the stupid myth that over 50s don’t know anything about the internet – it’s cow excrement! My parents are both in their 70s and have been using mobile phones and the internet for over 20 years. Yes, really! So, dating websites are not just for the young and it needs to be told more often. Indeed there are a multitude of over 50s dating sites now and you need to be aware that they are becoming very popular. I met a few travellers who used them (with great stories and success to tell).

2.Hiking Clubs
I was surprised to learn and I was very naive to know that over 50s love to keep fit and hike. I know, I was a bit ignorant. And each and every hike I have done since the age of thirty, I became more and more aware that we love the outdoors and nature more and more as we age. We love the challenge of keeping our bodies in shape.

“Trying to keep your bag of bones in trim” – Noel Gallagher.

Hiking in China

3.Against the Old School Flow
It might seem like the old fashioned approach is gone, but there is a brave mix now. SO much so that mixing ages has become a great travel craze. Break the boundaries. 

4.Room Sharing Hostels
Did you ever meet an over 50 year old in a hostel room? Yes you did because if you didn’t, then you haven’t really whackpacked it in dorm rooms. I shared dorm rooms with many an over 50 and later, I was to learn one of the reasons…

Hostel dorms

They still feel young, they still feel more energetic than you. And they are. Yes, we know that factually they have an earlier date of birth and possibly their physicalities have limits (I say possibly…) but they are of a young mind. But to meet like-minded folk, perhaps it’s no wonder that sites like older-dating.com have become popular in recent years as they really do work. I met many people on my trips that met through such sites, and you know, it’s the same as anyone – we just look for love, friendship and fun.

Good luck on your travels, whether “old”, “young” or “middle aged”!

“There must be more to life than stereotypes” – Damon Albarn.