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To Oldly Go: Tales of Adventurous Travel by the Over-60s
A brand new collection of remarkable travel tales from Silver Travelers . Dervla Murphy traveling in Havana at the age of 74, Matthew Parris swimming the Thames at 60, and Colin Thubron climbing the last stronghold of the Assassins in his 60s are among the writers recounting their adventures, often defying expectations and the odds and going outside their comfort zone to take a less-traveled path in later life. Published with participation from the Silver Travel Advisor, this single volume brings together contributions some original, some previously published from independent-minded souls whose experiences have been entertaining, amusing, thrilling, and even a little irresponsible. Other contributors include Roger Bray, Green Goddess Diana Moran and our very own Hilary Bradt."
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2015
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95 people want to read
About the author
Dervla Murphy
51 books270 followersDervla Murphy’s first book, Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, was published in 1965. Over twenty travel books followed including her highly acclaimed autobiography, Wheels Within Wheels.
Dervla won worldwide praise for her writing and many awards, including the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize, the Edward Stanford Award for Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing and the Royal Geographical Award for the popularisation of geography.
Few of the epithets used to describe her – ‘travel legend’, ‘intrepid’ or ‘the first lady of Irish cycling’ – quite do justice to her extraordinary achievement.
She was born in 1931 and remained passionate about travel, writing, politics, Palestine, conservation, bicycling and beer until her death in 2022.
Dervla won worldwide praise for her writing and many awards, including the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize, the Edward Stanford Award for Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing and the Royal Geographical Award for the popularisation of geography.
Few of the epithets used to describe her – ‘travel legend’, ‘intrepid’ or ‘the first lady of Irish cycling’ – quite do justice to her extraordinary achievement.
She was born in 1931 and remained passionate about travel, writing, politics, Palestine, conservation, bicycling and beer until her death in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 12, 2016
To Oldly Go was sent to me by Silvertraveladvisor
The book is a collection of 41 travel tales, compiled by Silver Travel Advisor. It features challenging and unusual travel by the over 60s. Some are by well-known travel writers, others are winners in a travel writing competition to find people who have ventured outside their comfort zone. Most of them are set in far away, exotic places, so I feel I can’t compete with the as I am a modest traveller.
They all show a desire to push the limits of experience and not give up due to advancing age, which I suppose anyone can do on a more modest manner. It is a question of saying yes to opportunities which come along, rather than finding reasons not to participate. ‘Why not’ instead of ‘I don’t think so’.
I like two ideas from the book especially. ‘Avoid, for as long as possible, casual visits to the doctor. Problems you haven’t been aware of come to light, drugs you might not need prescribed, and travel plans curbed.’ Not sure of the wisdom of this idea, but there is a tendency to notice each little ache and pain and dwell on your declining body. Best to ignore age as much as possible and go forward with determination – as long as the mind is sane and the body still moves, there are horizons to reach!
The other idea is that growing older slows you down, but doesn’t end the desire to explore. There is no necessity to rush round looking for the exotic or far-away places though. Instead focus on the detail that is around you and appreciate the smaller picture. In the words of Marcel Proust: ‘The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes’.
This book came at the right time for me. Early 70s and another birthday looming, and I was beginning to feel my age and wonder if travelling days were over. I found it quite inspirational!
My daughter asked me to go on a wildlife adventure holiday with her. Yes please!!
The book is a collection of 41 travel tales, compiled by Silver Travel Advisor. It features challenging and unusual travel by the over 60s. Some are by well-known travel writers, others are winners in a travel writing competition to find people who have ventured outside their comfort zone. Most of them are set in far away, exotic places, so I feel I can’t compete with the as I am a modest traveller.
They all show a desire to push the limits of experience and not give up due to advancing age, which I suppose anyone can do on a more modest manner. It is a question of saying yes to opportunities which come along, rather than finding reasons not to participate. ‘Why not’ instead of ‘I don’t think so’.
I like two ideas from the book especially. ‘Avoid, for as long as possible, casual visits to the doctor. Problems you haven’t been aware of come to light, drugs you might not need prescribed, and travel plans curbed.’ Not sure of the wisdom of this idea, but there is a tendency to notice each little ache and pain and dwell on your declining body. Best to ignore age as much as possible and go forward with determination – as long as the mind is sane and the body still moves, there are horizons to reach!
The other idea is that growing older slows you down, but doesn’t end the desire to explore. There is no necessity to rush round looking for the exotic or far-away places though. Instead focus on the detail that is around you and appreciate the smaller picture. In the words of Marcel Proust: ‘The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes’.
This book came at the right time for me. Early 70s and another birthday looming, and I was beginning to feel my age and wonder if travelling days were over. I found it quite inspirational!
My daughter asked me to go on a wildlife adventure holiday with her. Yes please!!
October 31, 2015
This is a rich, diverse and excellent anthology of travellers' tales by folks over the age of 60 who just won't stop and act their age(s). Dervla's forward captures the spirit and philosophy our generation of wanderlusters beautifully.
"In the travellers’ world, social media have enlarged the generation gap. The internet has brought a change in the very concept of travel as a process taking one away from the familiar into the unknown. Now the familiar is not left behind and the unknown has become familiar even before one leaves home. Unpredictability – to my generation the salt that gave travelling its savour – seems unnecessary if not downright irritating to many of the young. The sunset challenge – where to sleep? – has been banished by the ease of booking into a hostel or organised campsite with a street plan provided by the internet. Moreover, relatives and friends evidently expect regular reassurance about the traveller’s precise location and welfare – and vice versa, the traveller needing to know that all is well back home.
Notoriously, dependence on instant communication with distant family and friends is known to stunt the development of self-reliance. Perhaps that is why, amongst younger travellers, one notices a new timidity."
My favourite tale was of the middle-of-the-night swim across the Thames and subsequent near-naked race for home though London streets.
"In the travellers’ world, social media have enlarged the generation gap. The internet has brought a change in the very concept of travel as a process taking one away from the familiar into the unknown. Now the familiar is not left behind and the unknown has become familiar even before one leaves home. Unpredictability – to my generation the salt that gave travelling its savour – seems unnecessary if not downright irritating to many of the young. The sunset challenge – where to sleep? – has been banished by the ease of booking into a hostel or organised campsite with a street plan provided by the internet. Moreover, relatives and friends evidently expect regular reassurance about the traveller’s precise location and welfare – and vice versa, the traveller needing to know that all is well back home.
Notoriously, dependence on instant communication with distant family and friends is known to stunt the development of self-reliance. Perhaps that is why, amongst younger travellers, one notices a new timidity."
My favourite tale was of the middle-of-the-night swim across the Thames and subsequent near-naked race for home though London streets.
August 4, 2018
Invoking extreme wanderlust, this book of short stories/essays all written by the older people is also an inspiration that we can always travel, and that too not like a boring tourist to the same old places.
I enjoyed reading the worries authors' escapades on bicycles, road, boats, air while they are exploring the corners of the earth. What inspired me more is how some people traveled - trying to teach English or learn Arabic or exploring monasteries in Armenia or looking at the midnight sun amidst the fjords or unconventional trysts with prostitutes... Giving me hope that I too can travel for years to come!
I enjoyed reading the worries authors' escapades on bicycles, road, boats, air while they are exploring the corners of the earth. What inspired me more is how some people traveled - trying to teach English or learn Arabic or exploring monasteries in Armenia or looking at the midnight sun amidst the fjords or unconventional trysts with prostitutes... Giving me hope that I too can travel for years to come!
April 17, 2019
Fun and inspiring for those who are "60-something" and wish to "boldly go." Loving travel is a prerequisite! The intrepid female travellers of the 19th century such as Mary Kingsley and Alexandra David-Neel (and many more) would be pleased!
July 14, 2025
The collection of tales reinforces ‘you’re never too old to travel’ although some trips sound more hair-raising than others! Really enjoyed the stories and admired the energy, daring and spirit of adventure jumping out of the pages.
February 7, 2020
A collection of short tails of older people travels. Good because lots of different interests.
October 11, 2015
It is not doubt a very inspiring book. Sixty is the new forty and one day when I retire, I will embark on journeys similar to these writers.
I love travelling but remain rather cautious and tend to stay away from anything or places that seem dangerous. If I cannot step outside my comfort zone at this moment, it is my wish to do so in my retirement. These stories tell me that if adventures are possible with the silver-heads, they can happen to me too.
I love travelling but remain rather cautious and tend to stay away from anything or places that seem dangerous. If I cannot step outside my comfort zone at this moment, it is my wish to do so in my retirement. These stories tell me that if adventures are possible with the silver-heads, they can happen to me too.
February 5, 2017
An interesting collection of travel exploits.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews