It's the “s” word. No, not sex, school! Haven't you ever wished for ten lifetimes? Wanting to experience different careers or travel and see sights that have been beyond your reach all those hard working years. Now is the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy the experience of short-term senior summer school vacations. Who ever thought up the words school and vacation in the same sentence would have been flunked by me years ago, but by today's standards these learning vacations are a breath of fresh air to those retiring or retired. Boomers and retirees nationwide are signing on to this new type of vacationing idea. Grab your buddy, pick a university and a region to visit then sign up for an all inclusive summer school vacation experience. At www.seniorsummerschool.com there are numerous university facilities nationwide which offer accommodations linked with hotels providing room/board, meals, shuttle service to area attractions, transportation out to day trips and tours, as well as the regular daily room service and all the hotel amenities such as pools, spas, exercise rooms and social gatherings for the senior.

Senior summer school is comparably fordable to the usual traveling vacation, depending upon which part of the country you chose to study in. For single occupancy you can expect the fees to run between $1200 for two weeks up toward $4000 for an eight week stay, all inclusive with the exception of the non-itinerary side trips you might discover while in the region. Each university offers courses for the adventurous senior who has the time and is ready to put aside a couple of weeks up to a couple of months and enjoy learning and exploring new regions of the United States or Canada. Tests? Only your endurance! Can you stay up with the group? A high stepper or moving at a turtle's pace, your seniors group will assist you. All programs offer social events, movies, live entertainment, some evening lectures, and of course the opportunity to explore the fabulous places where you'll be “hanging” out. After all you are the new college kid in town! Unlike your memories of a strict schoolmaster, you are encouraged to indulge in your interests and let the juices of creativity flow through your veins. Become inspired by these awesome destinations. Here you are encouraged to daydream and let your imagination run wild! Okay, rein it in, some! You're still in school, buddy!

Locations for the senior summer schools are found in Madison, Wisconsin, America's heartland (Money magazine rated as the #1 most livable city, www.wisc.edu ), San Diego, California (70 miles of beach, sparkling bay, mountains, and desert, www.sandiego.com , www.sdsu.edu , www.ucsd.edu , www.handlrey.com ) and Los Angeles California (the forefront of American Jewish education www.ci.la.ca.us ), Greensburg, Pennsylvania (home of the famed Frank Lloyds Wright Fallingwater, French Renaissance), Bangor, Maine (center for anthropology and libraries of the masters, www.maine.edu ), New Brunswick, Canada ( known for its fauna and flora and commitment to environmental conservation, www.mta.ca/seniors ), Boone, North Carolina (Blue Ridge mountain country and home of Grandfather Mountain, one of the most environmentally significant mountains in the world. Recognized by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve, the mountain is home to 47 endangered species, www.visitboonenc.com ), Boston, Massachusetts (European flavored, tea anyone? www.collegesfenway.org ), Florida, and recently an excursion trip has been added to Prague and Vienna.

Does anyone have any questions, students, seniors? Yes, you can fall asleep in these classes! No, you do not have to attend class and will not be sent home with a failing grade! Remember those lectures we gave our kids about these things, well, here is mine for the month: if you sign up for this “summer school” be prepared to participate. You are going to meet some very interesting seniors from around the nation who enjoy being in each other's company sharing knowledge and experiences.

The day you plan to sleep in and “skip” class will be the day class is held on the deck of a yacht or in a splendid waterfall garden with sightseeing attached as part of the assignment. Are you alone? Call a friend and tell them about this unique opportunity. Some workaholics, even retired ones, shun the idea of vacations; however, going to “school” might just be what will motivate that individual to take some time away.

All in all, senior summer school looks to be pretty much like an all inclusive vacation package with the senior in mind. Handicap accessible accommodations and scheduled meals, transportation, and a well planned itinerary make each of these locations structured, safe, and group oriented. For those just beginning to get into the fun of travel or singles afraid to venture out alone, this would seem to be the idea starting place for meeting and greeting other seniors and finding out they do it too! Happy Traveling

If you have questions you may contact me at:

Rhonda@photoandtravel.com