Prior to the retirement years while still raising a family and advancing on the job, people are often so tight on funds and time that taking an extended vacation is not always practical.

Even if it is doable many people despise the planning process. Similarly, those in the retirement years may have their finances a bit more in order and have more time for travel, but they too despise the detailed planning process for a short getaway or a long one and often give up on taking a trip all together due to trip planning irritation.

As frustrating as planning a trip can be at times, research has shown that people who travel, regardless of age tend to feel physically, emotionally and mentally more content. In other words, a bit of traveling, whether near or far, is good medicine. 

Fortunately for those who desire a getaway but are easily frustrated by trip planning, Manteca’s Senior Center Trip and Tours group take the frustration out of trip planning by working with trusted travel agencies such as Collette Travels to prearrange exciting short trips, day trips and extended vacations throughout the year. 

Though Trips and Tours is a group developed through the senior center, Mary Stewart, one of the nine volunteers and also marketing specialist for the group pointed out the trips are not just for seniors.”

 The group was created with the idea of taking away the trip planning stress for retired people, working people, grandparents who want to travel with their grandchildren and so on.

 Prearranged extended trips in and out of the country include things such as touring significant landmarks, fine meal planning and staying at 4-star hotels.   Day trips are just as exciting and are geared toward bus rides to casinos, San Francisco, Monterey, Fallon House Theater in the nearby town of Columbia and other local sights.

 Not only does the Trips and Tours group handle the planning details so travelers don’t have too, they also look to various ways to keep costs down knowing that retired people have set incomes and those still in the workforce have families and mortgages to pay.

“As a group, we participate in various fundraising events throughout the year to help cover various trip costs,” Stewart said. “That’s why many of our local trips are offered at such a good price.”

As of now, 15 people are signed up to attend the end of the year 10-day trip to Italy which includes a visit to Rome, the Coliseum, Assisi, Murano Island, and Florence.  While details for the international trip are being finalized, Trips and Tours has already begun to organize their 2016 calendar of extended trips which include:



American Music Cities

(April 24-May 1, 2016)

Eight days and 12 meals. Travel to New Orleans’ French Quarter, then on to Memphis and Graceland, Elvis’s home, and Nashville.



South Dakota

(August 20-26, 2016)

Seven days and 9 meals. Travel to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Hills Gold, Badlands National Park, and much more.



Shades of Ireland

(October 12-21, 2016)

Ten days and 13 meals. Highlights include: Dublin, Waterford, and the Blarney Stone.

 Whatever season you’re in, whether retired with more time for vacation or still working with limited time why not receive some good medicine and let Manteca Senior Center’s Trips and Tours do the planning for your much needed getaway.

For more information contact the Trips & Tours Office (located inside the Manteca Senior Center) Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. or call (209) 456.8562.