If the idea of dinner in the home of an artist on Haida Gwaii or speaking to a Broadway actor — on Broadway — sounds appealing, you’ll want to check out Mandate Tours, a Surrey-based company specializing in travel for older adults.
Melinda Burns, who runs Mandate with husband George, says the couple recently re-branded the company “Ageless Adventures,” which better suites the spirit of the services they offer.
“We thought it was more clear and whimsical,” said Burns. “As you age, you still want adventure, but we won’t have you jumping out of planes. What we provide is soft adventure.”
Burns explains their tours are popular with travellers as young as 50 to adventurers in their 80s and 90s. Each tour is led by a professional and friendly guide who creates a fun and casual atmosphere. All tours are thoroughly researched and designed for the mature adult. Clients can expect diverse sightseeing, comfortable accommodation, quality meals and activities organized to provide historical perspective. Ageless Adventure Tours also supports B.C. Children's Hospital, World Vision and the MS Society with participation in the annual MS Walk, Run or Roll Program.
Burns says due to feedback from clients, the company is now offering popular Stay ‘n’ Play packages that include three or more nights in one hotel, which is then used as a base for adventures and tours. It’s an alternative to moving from hotel to hotel, something some older adults still enjoy. According to Ageless Adventures criteria, hotels, resorts and lodges must have a three-star rating or better, include amenities such as a pool and hot tub or spa and offer rooms with ocean and lakefront views.
Each Stay 'n' Play package includes at least two sightseeing tours and most meals. Burns notes when free time is booked into an itinerary, tour guides offer optional activities and dining ideas. Clients can then decide whether to dine and wander alone or join the group. Burns says by keeping group numbers smaller — typically less than 30 — it allows more opportunity for interesting activities, such as enjoying an indigenous feast in the home of a First Nations elder.
“It allows us a lot of inclusion,” says Burns.
Tours are broken down by physical requirements with some more strenuous than others.
“I saw a women in her 80s who needed help to keep her balance, but could walk forever,” says Burns. “And then I saw people in their 60s with no balance problems who couldn’t keep up with her.”
Some past Stay 'n' Play tours include Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Jasper Park Lodge Spring Fling; Storm Watching in Long Beach, Calif.; Palm Springs Getaway; Discover Maui; and Tucson Sun Getaway. Some of the fall tours on offer include Chicago Arts and Architecture; Kettle Valley Railroad, Wine and Casino in Penticton; Thanksgiving in Sidney, B.C.; and Christmas in Branson, Mo.
“Stay 'n' Play is all about staying in one location when possible and getting to know the area,” says Burns. “It’s a cruise ship mentality.”
For more information, visit mandatetours.com.
@sthomas10
