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The Ageless Traveler--Romantic Escapes, Change the World, Italy Travel Tariffs, Safari Plans, Longevity Tourism
Published 6 days ago • 7 min read
Dear Ageless Traveler,
Happy Passover and Happy Easter. I find this time of year to be one of renewal. Perhaps it’s the burgeoning of spring, the holidays that bring family together, or the new beginnings of baby chicks and lambs that gives the time an aura of wonder and possibility for me.
It’s also a bit disconcerting. The usual joys of travel are dampened by the world situation; in the US and worldwide, problems like homelessness and hunger persist. Yet it’s heartening to discover that one person can still change the world. For this week's podcast, we feature the story of individuals whose global journeys and related efforts impacted the world. Their stories are inspiring and a tutorial on how purpose can empower and propel anyone of us to be an agent of change.
In our usual sections, you will find:
Ask Adriane: Buying a Trulli home in Italy
News You Can Use: Scandinavian Happiness, Longevity Travel, Italy Travel Restrictions
Culture Vulture: Romantic Holidays Around the World
Luxury Travel for Less: Travel Movies that Get You Going From Your Armchair
If Africa or Morocco has been whispering your name, don’t ignore it. I’m personally curating two extraordinary journeys—one to Kenya with Ronick Tours and one to Morocco with Sahari Tours—designed specifically for Ageless Travelers who want depth, comfort, and a little magic.
Spots will be very limited. If you even have a flicker of interest, reply here and write or say “AFRICA” or “MOROCCO.” I’ll send you dates, pricing, and first access before we open this publicly.
P.P.S.
Cruise deals are moving fast—if you’ve been thinking about one, now is the time. Don’t wait until the good cabins are gone. Great deals from CruisesIt: Grab them now!
This Week's Highlights
On Our Podcast
Anyone Can Change the World
"Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all that ever has." Margaret Mead
In this week’s episode of The Ageless Traveler, I explore your potential to change the world. I passionately believe that actively pursuing your sense of purpose enhances your longevity and healthspan. Research indicates that individuals who feel they have a compelling purpose in life can reduce their risk of mortality from any cause and regardless of ethnicity, race or gender…so that’s all of us!
Listen here and enjoy a brief exercise to pinpoint and articulate YOUR compelling purpose and meet inspiring people who are real-life examples of how to make a significant impact on issues that matter. One poignant example is the story of a woman who transformed the perception of dementia in Nigeria through a public service announcement campaign. This initiative not only educated communities but also fostered understanding and compassion for those affected by dementia.
Join me for a journey that highlights the intersection of self and activism and learn how you can harness your passions to contribute to a better world! Discover how to pursue your life focus with gusto and results!
Tourists enjoy the nearby towns of Martina Franca, Alberobello(a UNESCO SITE), OttoConi, and the laid-back Puglian lifestyle. Many cruise ships also stop in Bari, so it can get a bit over-touristed at times. I researched unrenovated Trulli and found a few around $60,000, but they need amenities. And renovated ones can be as much as $500,000. See Idealista.
But I passed them up as I felt the heating and renovation were not manageable for me long-distance. Yes, Italy welcomes US buyers, but you must use a lawyer or notary to protect your interests.
News You Can Use
Scandinavian Countries Are the Happiest on Earth:
“For years I’ve been craven’ to be Scandinavian”, is the beginning of a poem I wrote on my first trip to Sweden. Now I know why. According to the 2026 World Happiness Report, Finland is the world's happiest country for the ninth year in a row. It’s followed by Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands.
It’s Not Just Venice: Italy's Sustainable Travel Restrictions
Italy is imposing additional costs on tourists to enjoy its bounty of sites: Rome now charges a non-resident fee to view the Trevi Fountain, Venice charges an access fee, and a reservation is required for Cinque Terre’s iconic “Path of Love” hiking trail. Capri, Florence, and a small mountain village in the Dolomites are planning restrictions that will start in summer 2026. Group tours are limited to forty people, no loudspeakers by guides, no colorful umbrellas, and no stickers with your group name or number. Tourists toss them in the streets and trails. When you travel to Italy, please use our discount tools for booking. The above Italian sites are already linked to selected trips that obey the new rules.
Longevity Tourism
I have been writing about Longevity Tourism for years. During the COVID pandemic, I served as the Executive Director of the Kitalys Institute for the prevention and delay of age-related diseases. The institute now advocates for the introduction of the Thrive Act in Congress, which would allow the government to cover drugs and approve them if they prevent diseases, not just cure them.
Longevity Tourism, like stem cells, injections, cryonics, nutraceuticals, and gene therapy, is proliferating because these treatments are not FDA-approved, and some are illegal in the US. See this important article on The Longevity Tourism Boom. I regularly attend the RAAD Fest longevity conferences and the Stanford Center on Longevity meetings. I do not condone illegal and unproven longevity travel treatments, but I want you to know they exist and will be available in more places, at lower cost, and some will be validated and part of our everyday routines, as vitamins are today. Let me know if you would like a live Q&A on this topic.
Culture Vulturing Around the World
August 5th marks my 55th wedding anniversary, and I researched the most romantic places to visit, according to travel experts specializing in such celebrations. It turns out that London, our favorite place to travel, comes out on top for city folks like us. But other places we have enjoyed have been designated “romance cities.”
Here are a few I selected for you. Full disclosure, for our anniversary, we chose the Galapagos because they offered us a tiny dinner boat for two to enjoy a private celebration—not on any list for romance but our own.
Discovery magazine suggests the top romantic hotels in their neat article. I have been to the Griti Palace and many Safari Lodges, and I have another great pick for you…The Pera Place, Istanbul, Turkey. Before you go, check the safety of the location, which can sometimes be in flux during times of unrest in the Middle East. The location is an Uber away from the center of town—Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, etc.—but oh, the romance. Beautiful rooms…we stay at the Greta Garbo room because…well, you know…we want to be alone. The prosecco at the old-fashioned bar, right out of Agatha Christie, is a hoot.
I love adventure, and Reykjavik, Iceland, and Christchurch, New Zealand, lead the list. You can adventure anywhere, but the spa and wellness features of Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon and the romantic parks and romantic hikes of New Zealand take the cake.
For me, nothing is so romantic as a jazz bar, a bubbly, and a mellow mood. That’s why, if you JOIN OUR Facebook Salon, you get my musical posts at a jazz bar every Thursday on Not Date Night (not so romantic for me…I go by myself).
But for a couple, it’s jazz in New Orleans. Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is New Orleans’ famous nightlife hub. Of course, you must experience the storied Preservation Hall, which has been hosting jazz musicians since 1961.
I must mention my husband’s most romantic setting…Buenos Aires. Yes, watching tango is a turn-on for any couple. But I think he likes the rodizio and the romantic politics mythologized in Evita.
I’ll end with the romance of Africa at the Masai Mara, Kenya. Our man in Africa, Derek Remember, has a romantic ballooning trip included in our 2027 safari itinerary. If you want details, check out our podcast with him, and write to me at adrianegberg@gmail.com. This is an exclusive trip only for twenty of my audience members.
(Of course, I am remiss if I don’t mention Venice as romantic…but you knew that.)
Luxury Travel for Less
Movie Night Around the World (No Jet Lag Required) Get some popcorn and watch these movies that feature iconic hotels, fantasy trips, and travel romance. Let me know your favorite travel movies and plays by sharing them on our Facebook Salon.
Thank you to the Palm Springs Culture Center for making these hotel-focused movies part of its iconic series on the largest screen in Southern California.:
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (India) – Reinvention, friendship, and a reminder that adventure doesn’t retire. Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
Key Largo (Florida Keys) – Stormy weather, sharp dialogue, and old-school glamour. Watch on: Max
The Grand Budapest Hotel (Fictional Europe) – Whimsical, stylish, and a love letter to grand hotels of the past. Watch on: Hulu
The Shining (Colorado Rockies) – Okay, maybe not your next hotel pick—but unforgettable scenery. Watch on: Max
Grand Hotel (Berlin) – The original “everyone has a story” hotel drama—still holds up. Watch on: Max
Some Like It Hot (Miami) – Fast, funny, and proof that travel can lead to the most unexpected adventures. Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
If you’re not traveling this week, feed your curiosity anyway. The more places you “visit,” even from your sofa, the more confident—and excited—you’ll be when you go for real.
Here’s a must-do tip from one of the outstanding members of the Age Wise Collective to which I belong:
Join gerontologist Sally Duplantier for Wellness Wednesdays to learn practical, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.
These programs are free to The Ageless Travelers and are also recorded in case you can’t attend in real time.
Dear Ageless Traveler, Happy Passover and Happy Easter. I find this time of year to be one of renewal. Perhaps it’s the burgeoning of spring, the holidays that bring family together, or the new beginnings of baby chicks and lambs that gives the time an aura of wonder and possibility for me. It’s also a bit disconcerting. The usual joys of travel are dampened by the world situation; in the US and worldwide, problems like homelessness and hunger persist. Yet it’s heartening to discover that one...
Dear Ageless Traveler, This has been two weeks of “FIRSTS.” I've just returned from a stint as a cruise ship speaker for the first time. I also visited the Azores for the first time, and below in Luxury Travel for Less, you'll discover that a quick trip can become a Wellness experience. It was also the first time that an airline lost my luggage. This was no joke as I was slated to speak on the ship four times and wanted to look my best. In News You Can Use, you'll see how I managed and a few...
Dear Ageless Traveler, This has been two weeks of “FIRSTS.” I've just returned from a stint as a cruise ship speaker for the first time. I also visited the Azores for the first time, and below in Luxury Travel for Less, you'll discover that a quick trip can become a Wellness experience. It was also the first time that an airline lost my luggage. This was no joke as I was slated to speak on the ship four times and wanted to look my best. In News You Can Use, you'll see how I managed and a few...
