Hello Reader,

🧭 Where in the World?

We’re both in Spain right now, continuing travel after a week in Andalucía. Kris spent the time in Cádiz, home of the sherry wine industry and the city of Jerez de la Frontera, 2026 Gastronomy Capital of Spain. She assured Tom that she has now thoroughly sampled all the various types of sherry and most of the delights of the local cuisine – from the traditional to the latest creations of award-winning chefs.

Tom spent the week in Málaga, brushing up on his Spanish language with Expanish Spanish School. Expanish has specific courses for 50+ travelers and Tom had fun in a small class of nine “experienced” travelers from five different countries. The class schedule also included visits to a chiringuito (a beachside seafood restaurant), the lovely Museum of Málaga, and an authentic flamenco show on a tiny stage in an intimate setting.

More detailed posts on both of our experiences will follow soon.

🧳 Our Latest Posts

We’ve recently spent time updating and expanding some of the most popular and most read posts on our site.

Since Spring is the time of year when pilgrims begin considering walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago, we created one post, Our Complete Guide to Packing for the Camino, that includes all our advice on how to do what can be a challenging walk. Is it appropriate for us over-50s to walk the Camino? It certainly is, especially if you know how to pack properly.

Second, since we’re in Spain now, and because we’ve written more about Spain than any other country, we finally got around to creating one post that aggregates most of our Spain recommendations in one place. If Spain is in your future – and it should be – be sure to check out Spain Travel Guide for Travelers Over 50: Culture, Food, Slow Travel.

🛫 Get Going: Tours We Recommend For You

Now's the time to register for our special November 2026 week in Andalucia, in partnership with Elective Study Abroad. Join us for The Architecture and Cuisine of Andalusia! We’re all the more excited about this deep dive into Córdoba and Granada after our recent visits to the area. It seems there's always more to learn about Spain, and we can't imagine a better way than in this relaxed setting with top experts in the history and culture of the region.

NOTE: Travel Past 50 readers save $250 with the code TP502026. There’s no single supplement and, just for the asking, we’ll help with any of your pre- or post- travel extensions in Spain, our home away from home.

Read more about Elective programs – in Paris, Instanbul, Sicily – and inquire today if you have any questions about our November small group options in Andalucia.

🗞️ Travel News From Around the Web

• Since May is "Older Americans Month," according to somebody, Road Scholar is partnering with The John A. Hartford Foundation to present a free screening of the PBS Documentary, “Aging in America: Survive or Thrive”. The event includes a live discussion with the producers. Enroll for the free online program, May 21 at 2 p.m. ET.
• ​Delta Airlines is cutting back on drinks and snacks on its shorter flights. I guess that’s one way of making up a little bit of the sky high jet fuel costs brought on recently.
• And, speaking of jet fuel, high prices are causing air fare hikes all over, but there are actual shortages in countries that get their fuel from the middle east. And that is causing lots of flight cancellations in Europe and beyond. If you’re headed that way in the near future, but sure you schedule allows for possible disruption – and be sure your travel insurance includes trip interruption coverage. Also, when possible, take the train.

📖 What We're Reading

Since our evenings have mostly been filled with activities connected to our Jerez and Málaga sojourns, we haven’t been reading as much as when at home.

But Tom is still working on the charming The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and hopes to finish it by his online book club meeting next week.

Kris just re-read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery and is starting The Correspondent, too.

You can see most of the books we recommend in one place at our Amazon book shop. If you'd prefer an alternative to Amazon, there is Alibris.com, where we frequently buy used books, and Bookshop.org, which supports independent booksellers. And, if you're into art books, like we are, check out the catalog at Taschen, the world's foremost publisher of art books.

If you buy a book through our links, we make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

❝Travel Quote of the Week❞

To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. – Benjamin Franklin

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Have any feedback? Ideas for future posts or email topics? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at feedback@travelpast50.com.

Happy travels,

Kris and Tom

Tom Bartel and Kristin Henning ​Travel Past 50​ Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Join our Facebook community.

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