From Pretzel Seats to Premium Lounges: 42 Years of Traveling Together

As we sit down at our computers surrounded by open guidebooks, maps, and half-empty coffee mugs planning our next big adventure, we can’t help but laugh at how much our travel style has changed over the years. It got us thinking about a question we get asked a lot by our readers and fellow globetrotters: Is traveling as a senior better or worse than when you’re young? Is it a true golden age of discovery, or is it just a burden on the lower back? Having hit the road together since 1984, we’ve looked at this question from both sides of the generational divide. Trust us, we have some thoughts.

Here is our truth about how the passage of time changes the way we see the world.

The Energy Crisis vs. The Gift of Time

There is no denying that our 1984 engines had a lot more horsepower. On our very first trip to Rome, we thought nothing of walking from the Vatican, crossing the Tiber, and marching all the way to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in a single afternoon—probably in terrible shoes without a single complaint from our lower backs.

Today? Just thinking about that itinerary makes our knees ache. Now, we split that exact trek into two days of slow, deliberate exploration. But here is the secret: when we were young, we were chained to limited vacation days. We had to sprint because the clock was always ticking. Now that we are semi-retired, time is our greatest luxury. We don’t have to rush through a museum to check a box; we can actually enjoy the art or sit in a café watching the world go by, just savoring the moment. Slow travel beats fast travel every single time for us.

Ditching the “Hard-as-a-Board” Pension for Real Comfort

We fondly—and sometimes horrifically—remember the days when we would rent the cheapest room in a local pension. The bed felt like a literal sheet of plywood, the bathroom was sketchy, and the ambience was “early institutional.” But back then, we didn’t care. The room was just a place to crash for a few hours of shut eye before hitting the pavement again.

Our criteria for a good night’s sleep have drastically evolved. Nowadays, where we rest our heads is just as important as the historical landmarks we came to see. A bad night’s sleep can derail an entire day of sightseeing. We need a comfortable mattress, a bit of character, and a sanctuary where we can put our tired feet up. Spending a little extra on accommodation isn’t a splurge anymore; it’s a necessity for our sanity – and our poor tired feet!

The Death of the “Pretzel” Flight

When we were travel babies, our budget dictated everything. We actively hunted for the absolute cheapest, multi-stop, red-eye flights. Jet lag? Never heard of it. We would unfold our bodies from whatever middle-seat pretzel configuration we had been crammed into for ten hours, step off the plane, and immediately hit the streets running.

Fast forward a few decades. Now that we have a few more dollars in our pockets, we happily trade budget-fliers for a little more legroom. We appreciate the comfort that train and airline upgrades provide. Instead of pacing a terminal for a six-hour layover, you’ll find us tucked away in a lounge. If we arrive too early to check into our accommodation, we appreciate airport hotels that allow us to book a few hours to help stave off jet lag with a hot shower and a nap before we ever step foot into our destination.

Have you found a travel upgrade that’s worth every penny? Tell us in the comments — we’d love to know.

Rushing through Life vs. Smelling the Roses

In our youth, time felt infinite. There were endless days ahead and a lifetime of adventures just waiting for us. We rushed from country to country, collecting passport stamps like badges of honor.

But living a few years—okay, more than a few years—teaches you a profound truth: life is fleeting. Now that we have more days behind us than in front of us, the way we value experiences has shifted. We no longer feel the need to conquer a city. Instead, we want to connect with it. We want to enjoy what we call “café society” for a couple of hours, watch the locals go by, and truly smell the roses. Senior travel isn’t a burden. It is the reward for a lifetime of hard work, and frankly, we’ve never enjoyed the journey more.

Age hasn’t slowed our desire to see the world; it has just taught us how to appreciate it in a new way. We might take fewer steps in a day than we did forty years ago, but every single step means so much more.

Ready to Travel Your Heart — at Any Age?

Whether you’re just starting out with a backpack and a dream or rediscovering the world at a slower, sweeter pace, there’s never a wrong time to see what’s out there. We’d do all 42 years over again in a heartbeat — and we’re just getting started on the next chapter.

📺 Watch our adventures on YouTube

🎙️ Listen to our Travel Your Heart podcast for more stories from the road

📩 Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss an adventure

Travel Your Heart

Grandpa Bobby &

Grandpa Scott