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The Ageless Traveler--Travel Tuesday: Travel Health, Africa & Hidden Europe — All in One Issue
Published about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Dear Ageless Traveler,
Have you put travel in your healthcare budget yet? Science tells us that travel extends the power of our minds and bodies to fight many of the negative effects of aging. When you take a vacation, you are not escaping life. You are re-engaging with it.
As I approach 78, I have some unspoken questions:
Will I slow down?
Will I need help if I travel?
How do I stay curious?
Those thoughts are natural. And I am happy to say that travel has been the breakthrough that keeps me on course to happy aging. That is why, from time to time, I will bring you geroscience information that not only makes the case that travel keeps you younger, but also what kind of travel and where.
For example, Stanford and Harvard researchers studying aging and cognition have repeatedly shown that novelty — especially immersive travel — forces the brain to build new neural pathways. When you navigate unfamiliar streets, hear a different language, taste unexpected flavors, your hippocampus lights up. That matters because it lowers cortisol levels (high cortisol adds pounds), raises dopamine levels (the happiness chemical), and strengthens cells.
In our usual weekly sections, we cover:
Ask Adriane: A strategy for teachers and others to live part-time in Europe
News You Can Use: A place for adults to play--Meow Wolf, Great Gardens that bring healthful nature to you.
Culture Vulture: A splendid itinerary through hidden Europe
Luxury Travel for Less: More cities designated as Capitals of Europe that you can visit, without breaking the bank and fighting the crowds.
On this week’s podcast, I interview Derick Remember, "our man in Africa,” about a new trip we can take together in Kenya, Uganda, and for the African Cup.
In our Facebook Salon, most of you say you joined to find like-minded people to travel with…Let’s do it in 2027… by going to Africa together… and if there are other places you want to go, tell me. I get solicited every day by tour operators who want me to put a trip together with you. If you want me to pursue this, now is the time to tell me here or by email at adrianegberg.agelesstraveler@gmail.com
Never stop traveling
Cheers,
Adriane
P.S.
It’s time to book your cruise! Hundreds of discounted cruises are available through our affiliate CruisesIt. If prices drop below what you booked, you’ll be notified and receive the best price. Click here to select your trip. Bon voyage!
This Week's Highlights
On Our Podcast
East Africa: The Great Migration, Maasai Culture & Transformational Travel
This week’s episode dives deep into extraordinary journeys in Kenya and Uganda with safari specialist Derick Remember of Ronick Tours & Travel.
We explore one of the most breathtaking experiences, the annual Great Migration across the Serengeti ecosystem, where more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras follow rainfall patterns in a dramatic circular movement between Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
If Africa is whispering to you, let’s go together in 2027… I invite you to send a text or voice mail and tell me if you are interested in a 2027 KENYA/UGANDA/AFRICAN CUP TOUR. Express your interest here.
Q. Q. How do I begin a part-time relocation to Europe? I am a teacher and want to use my skills.
Evelyn from Alberta
A. First: clarity. Ask yourself: What climate? What healthcare system? What tax structure? What language tolerance? What political environment? is attractive to you?
Next: Platforms like Expatsi (created by Jen Barnett and Brett Andrews) provide a structured relocation assessment. Your answers help clarify the right locations for you. The Expatsi Test also evaluates the cost of living, residency pathways, lifestyle compatibility, and healthcare access, then outlines visa processes step-by-step.
For educators, Search Associates specializes in international school placement. Securing employment before relocating simplifies residency approvals dramatically. This may help you pay for your “double life.”
News You Can Use
Meow Wolf & The Neurology of Play
If you want to feel young — engage your senses, and re-establish your relationship with play!
Meow Wolf, an immersive experience found in Vegas, Santa Fe, Grapevine, Texas, and a growing number of locations, creates multi-dimensional art environments, fantasy scapes, and music and magic. I love the place and have crawled through fireplaces, opened secret washing machines, followed hidden storylines, and solved environmental puzzles.
Their immersive exhibition, The Real Unreal, earned a Brass Ring Excellence Award from IAAPA — widely considered the highest recognition in themed entertainment.
Biophilia & Longevity--Botanical Gardens as Preventive Medicine
Biophilia means love of living things. Geroscientists now encourage structured exposure to nature as a strategy for extending healthspan. For a fascinating discussion, listen to my podcast interview with Lucy Faunu about her fabulous garden in Fiji.
Last week’s newsletter on hidden European cities got a great response. Many of you asked how many days they should plan to stay. I have visited many of them, and have included links to my favorite guided tours for each city…They are on the beaten path, but feel like you are adventuring:
Valencia blends Mediterranean ease with architectural ambition. Explore the City of Arts and Sciences, dine in the birthplace of paella, cycle along former riverbeds transformed into green corridors, and enjoy one of Europe’s most walkable coastal cities.
Crowned by Trenčín Castle, the city overlooks the Váh River and hosts an annual year-round program of Slovak music, theater, and design exhibitions. It offers authentic Central European charm without the pressures of overtourism.
Oulu, a European Capital of Culture, merges Arctic identity with technology and contemporary art. Expect bold installations, community-driven exhibitions, and access to northern light excursions.
Nova Gorica celebrates cross-border cultural unity with Italy. Vineyards, festivals, and relaxed pacing encourage connection and lingering meals.
Luxury Travel for Less
Europe’s Designated Capitals Without Crowd Anxiety
To follow up on places I could not include last week, here are TWO Capitals of Europe designated for the beauty, extraordinary events, history, art:
Guimarães, Portugal: European Green Capital
The birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães, combines medieval history with contemporary sustainability initiatives. The city’s Green Capital designation highlights its pedestrian-friendly historic center, extensive green spaces, and commitment to environmental innovation.
Grenoble Alpes Metropole, France, and Aalborg, Denmark: European Capitals of Innovation
The French Alpine city of Grenoble combines mountain culture with innovative technology. It appeals to travelers interested in design, sustainability, and Alpine experiences. Aalborg, Denmark’s fourth-largest city, showcases Scandinavian innovation and design while offering waterfront charm and cultural attractions.
Passport to Longevity
To get you started on seeing travel as a handmaiden to better health, listen to my podcast where I explain the science behind my claim that travel is your passport to longevity. Then indulge in a minute of meditative fun:
A One-Minute Exercise
Close your eyes.
Imagine yourself navigating a new street. Hear unfamiliar sounds. Smell unfamiliar spices. Feel cobblestones underfoot.
Notice what shifts inside you.
That spark is neural activation. That anticipation is dopamine. That curiosity is vitality.
Friends Meeting Friends
Here’s A Fresh Perspective on Midlife and Aging
The Late Bloomer Living Podcast inspires you to find joy, embrace change, and live playfully at ANY age. Whether you’re navigating midlife, moving beyond it, launching a new career, or simply looking for more fun and fulfillment, this show will empower you to take bold steps toward the life you truly want.
Redefining What's Possible at Midlife & Beyond
Every Wednesday, join host Yvonne Marchese on latebloomerliving.com as she interviews inspiring guests who’ve dared to reinvent themselves after 40 and experts who provide valuable guidance on navigating the unique challenges of midlife and beyond.
Don't Forget to Download Our FREE Ageless Traveler eBooks
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