As the pandemic wound down and the world reopened, many people sought new experiences.
We gathered stories and tips from several older Americans who took on fresh adventures.
I worked with a local dive shop and began a 30-hour online course.
It covers everything from safety steps to the sign language that divers use to talk to each other.
Next was an open-water course one day in a pool and two days in the ocean.
I was amazed at the feeling of weightlessness as we swam a few feet over a reef.
Its a different world down there.
My first coral-planting dive was in February 2021.
But the satisfaction is immense.
Once a fish nipped at my hand as I worked.
Its so fulfilling now to see coral that I planted and how much its grown.
That training and practice is essential for first-timers.
Look for certification programs from theProfessional Association of Diving InstructorsorScuba Schools International.
Talk with your doctor.you should probably be in good shape to dive.
Start by getting a checkup.
Look for dive shops that belong to PADI or SSI.
But I never skied backcountry before.
There are no lifts or anything.
I hiked up from our base for four to five hours to the summit of the mountain.
I was immersed in nature.
And then I skied down in untouched snow.
In Norway, we stayed in a small village, Lambhaug.
Its close to a big fjord.
Every morning, we drove to a location and started backcountry skiing.
Going down was harder than I thought, but it was exhilarating.
My 19-year-old son, Luca, was the youngest in our group.
He didnt train for it, but he adjusted.
I had trained for two months byhikingand running for 5 miles two or three times a week.
Its something we will treasure together, a good bonding experience.
I remember when I used to hike with my father in Italy.
My father loved the mountains.
And he would take us on these big hikes.
Choose an expert guide.It can make all the difference.
Guides can help you find the best areas so you get the most out of your experience.
They will also be skilled in avalanche awareness.
But last year, I completed the certification process to become a life and weight-loss coach.
One person lived in Argentina, and the rest of us came from various places in the United States.
In Buenos Aires, we had an 18-course meal.
We also went to the spa and did a dinner show with authentic tango dancers.
From there, we flew to Mendoza, which is in wine country.
The house was on a vineyard, and it came with a house manager who prestocked the fridge.
He also came over every day with a chef to cook for us absolutely amazing.
I feel changed by the trip.
It was a great trust exercise to let someone create the experience for me.
I ate and drank things I probably wouldnt have otherwise.
Everyone had the space to be alone if they needed it, Council says.
We made sure we would have outlets for all the things, she says.
I wanted to be present and open to all the experiences that were available.
Im an ocean person.
You put me near the water, and Im in my element.
At the resort, every morning, I woke up to aview of the ocean.
The best moments were sitting on the beach and feeling the waves crash on my feet.
And I met a lot of fun people.
If I wanted to hang out with people, Id go to the pool.
Otherwise, Id enjoy my rooms plunge pool and read.
This trip was exactly what I thought it would be so serene and beautiful.
Ive started making a bucket list of all the places my husband and I wanted to go.
I just recently got back from another trip at an all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia, and Iwent aloneagain.
Now Im planning a trip to Belize.
First-timer resort tips
Book early.Resorts generally take reservations up to a year in advance.
The benefits of early booking may include more choices, lower rates and smaller deposits.
Ask about packages.Travel agents can often access land-air bundles that can help you save money.
Know whats covered.All-inclusive isnt necessarily so.
Motorized watersports equipment and golf are usually extra.
Some resorts also have additional charges for amenities such as cabanas and fitness classes.
Leaving for a long time gives me anxiety.
But for my sons 21st birthday, we wanted to spend more time together.
Whistler is breathtakingly beautiful.
I connected with nature; I connected with who I was.
It was so peaceful.
I had time to roast marshmallows with my kids.
Normally, Id be stressed out and trying to get work done.
In Las Vegas, we did the whole touristy thing, like going to see the different hotels.
My kids loved speed racing; you rent cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis and drive them on a track.
My son was, like, That was the best thing Ive ever done in my life.
We bonded as a family more on this trip.
I felt less stressed because I didnt feel rushed.
You dont have a clock running.
Doing that together was special to me as a mom.K.B.
Dont overschedule.You dont want to need a vacation after your vacation.
His parents went RVing when they retired and loved it.
The RVs interior was brown.
Once I spruced it up, I was happy.
We decided to visit Texas for our first trip, and wed drive each day until we got tired.
The first day we made it to southern Illinois.
We stayed in a hotel instead.
The next night we made it to Little Rock.
Some of the roads in Arkansas were really bumpy.
We need to make that repair now that were home.
What surprised me most was that living in such a small space wasnt that difficult.
I was worried that we would get on each others nerves, but it was fine.
We spent a lot of time outside.
Backing up was the biggest challenge, so her husband practiced in a church parking lot.
Buy used.Purchase estimates that they saved roughly $40,000 by buying a used RV instead of a new one.
But be cautious: Some campgrounds dont allow RVs that have passed the 10-year mark.
