Tour in Thailand for 50 something solo woman

[winsinbin]

I think I might be in this forum a lot over the next few weeks. I will shortly be taking a sabatical and hope to travel a bit. I am not well travelled as work/kids/money/travel averse husband have restricted me over the last few years. I want to take the opportunity now while I have some spare cash and still have good health. My Dad always planned in travelling when he retired but he died in his early fifties and never got the chance. I am late fifties now and don’t want to make the same mistake.

I want to visit Thailand first. I like the idea of an escorted tour as I think I would be nervous to travel entirely solo in a country where I don’t speak the language or understand the culture so I’ve been looking at a t2/3 week tours or treks. I’ve found a few but they all have age restrictions eg no-one over 30/no-one over 50 or at the other end of the scale restricted to 60+ Years. The 60+ ones are all super expensive and they sound quite tame. I am quite fit and active (I walk 40-50 miles a week, do yoga/aerobics etc) so I don’t want to be on a tour where we are bussed everywhere, I want something a bit more dynamic, but equally I don’t want to be the only menopausal woman with a bunch of youngsters who want to go clubbing and stay up until dawn at full moon raves.

Can anyone recommend a trip or tour which accepts a wide range of ages?

Have a look at Intrepid or Explore tour companies. Intrepid do yours with different "comfort" levels and Explore have a lot that are activity based. There's also Exodus, which is a similar thing.

Intrepid "basix" appeal more to the younger crowd, and the others have an older age range (mid 30s+) although it's been a while since I travelled with any of them.

I've been to Thailand/Asia a few times. I would recommend a tour that goes to the palace and temples in Bangkok. Also the enormous Chattatuk market is interesting to walk around. If you get a chance go to Chang Mai during their 3 day water festival in April. There are also lots of temples. You can fly or train from Bangkok. Another recommendation is fly from Bangkok to Krabi, then get ferries to islands like Koh Lanta, Koh Lipi, then Langkawi, then fly back to Bangkok. The full moon party on Koh Pangan is worth a visit to watch the fire dancers.

We have booked our own flights, hotels, ferries. However, if is your first time, a tour would be a good introduction. Don't forget travel insurance, travel injections, don't over pack you may want to bring back souvenirs. You will love it !

Try bamboo tours and join 'young at heart' Facebook page. Lots of support and inspiration plus a ready made group of friends. All the best and enjoy your travels. I love Southeast Asia and getting around is very easy and I've felt safe.

I have no advice, but want to tell you to definitely do it !
I know a 65+ lady who just books a flight to somewhere ( she's been to Thailand,Vietnam, Australia ) and the first few days books into a budget hotel to get her going . She then spends the next 3 weeks or so just travelling about ( unaided) to see the country.