INSPIRED Magazine publisher Barbara Risto is fulfilling one of her most passionate intentions – to do more travelling with interesting people.
It became obvious as she tracked the interests of INSPIRED readers that she wasn’t alone. Many had travel at the top of their must-do list. So, in 2019, Barbara launched the 55+ Travel Club.
A monthly travel newsletter quickly morphed into evening presentations featuring travel destinations offered by specially selected tour companies. As a follow-up to the presentations, Barbara began facilitating Buddy Brunches to help connect solo travellers.
Now, for 2020, she is inviting readers to become part of a personalized group called VIVA Vagabonds – designed for people who would like to travel with her to destinations around the globe.
“I never considered being a travel facilitator but as I took the first steps to help people connect, it became obvious this was an idea whose time had come.”
“I decided to use the ‘voice’ of the magazine I had created to reach out to the community and bring 55+ travellers together,” says Barbara. “Whether it is a partnered couple or a single person, we share a common interest in travel. This club brings us all together for mutual support.”
Within just a few months of spreading the word through the magazine, the club membership grew to over 400 and Barbara launched chapters in Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo.
“I represent a large subset of travellers – adventuresome women over 55 without partners,” explains Barbara. “Many of us enjoy travel but we don’t necessarily have ready access to companions to share the cost and provide the social element that can make travel so much more enjoyable, and sometimes safer.”
The brunches hosted by Barbara following each club event give singles an opportunity to meet each other in a small interactive environment of about 10-15 people, without obligation.
“The buddy brunch allows single travellers to get a good sense of one another. You are encouraged to exchange contact information with anyone who feels like a match,” she says. “I suggest a couple follow-up meetings, or maybe a short 1- or 2-day trip together to see if it really is a fit, before you embark on a longer trip.”
As the travel club membership continued to grow, Barbara wondered how she could personalize the experience further.
“I thought how wonderful it would be to gather together a group of people who shared my love of travel. I envisioned people who could become lifelong travel companions, so that every time we get together, it’s just a bunch of good friends on an adventure.”
Out of those musings sprang the idea of the VIVA Vagabond group.
“Over time, my hope is that VIVA Vagabonds will become a close-knit group of familiar faces who return time and again to travel together to different destinations.”
For her first VIVA Vagabond trip for 2020, Barbara has chosen a 10-day guided tour of Ireland with Collette Vacations. (See page 21)
“Whether you want to see Ireland’s many historic sites or absorb some of the Irish culture, this trip will not disappoint. Everyone I’ve talked to has given it top marks as a destination. It’s one of Collette’s most enjoyable tours. I encourage readers of INSPIRED who haven’t yet visited Ireland to join me in September for an unforgettable adventure.”
Guided travel provides the first level of security and sociability. When deciding on presenters at her magazine-sponsored travel club events, Barbara has sought out companies that offer guided tours and are keen on serving 55+ travellers – partnered or single – who are looking for worry-free adventure.
Travel industry presenters at the 55+ Travel Club events must be regular advertisers with the magazine.
“In selecting the presenters for the travel club events, I turn first to those who have an established history with INSPIRED Magazine because I know they have a keen interest in 55+ travellers,” says Barbara. “I also rely upon the testimonials of readers who have travelled with these companies. It’s important to me that these companies have a solid reputation for serving this unique demographic.”
“When I introduce them to our club members, I put my reputation on the line. If I give a company my endorsement, it’s with the certainty this company will do everything in their power to make every club members’ travel experience the best it can be.”
For those who have not heard about the 55+ Travel Club, the Buddy Brunches, or the VIVA Vagabonds group, here’s a short refresher:
55+ TRAVEL CLUB
The 55+ Travel Club is for anyone around or over the age of 55 who want to pursue more travel and are looking for opportunities to network with other travellers in this age group. The travel club is particularly helpful for solo travellers, especially women, who find themselves without companions either because they are single, divorced or widowed – or they have a partner who doesn’t want to or can’t travel due to illness or disability.
Currently around 400 members. Two events per year are held in each of these three cities: Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo. The first Victoria club event brought about 60 club members together at the elegant Berwick Royal Oak in May, followed by 85 attendees in October. A smaller September event in Vancouver brought 35 enthusiastic people together at the Renfrew Library.
On February 10, 2020, Barbara will host the first club event in Nanaimo at Berwick on the Lake. (See page 28 for details.) Visit www.seniorlivingmag.com/travelclub to RSVP if you’d like to attend.
BUDDY BRUNCH
Following each travel club event, Barbara hosts a Buddy Brunch where she invites single travellers to join her for a meal at a local restaurant to meet other single travellers looking for companions. Buddy Brunches provide a fun social opportunity for single travellers to share their travel plans with each other in hopes of finding someone to share one of their next excursions.
VIVA VAGABONDS
The VIVA Vagabonds group (VI for Vancouver Island, VA for Vancouver) is for people who would like to travel with Barbara. The goal is to build a nucleus of travellers so there’s always familiar faces – friends looking out for friends. Singles and couples are welcome. Barbara will offer 2-3 trips per year, with varying destinations and price points. There is no obligation to be part of all the trips. If you’d like to receive notification of next trips hosted by Barbara, email your contact information to travel@seniorlivingmag.com and ask to be added to the VIVA Vagabonds list.
IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 2020
Barbara’s first VIVA Vagabond trip of 2020 – a 10-day tour of Ireland, departing on September 28th from Dublin. You will be travelling under the wonderful care of Collette, one of the top tour providers in the world. Collette manages their tours in a way that gives you an immersive experience while allowing for plenty of flexibility. A third of your time will be spent seeing the iconic places you don’t want to miss; another third of your time will take you behind the scenes and off the beaten track to experience the local flavour that passing tourists often miss. The final third of your time is left for exploration – do some shopping, enjoy one of Irelands iconic pubs, or relax at your top-rated hotel with a massage… it’s up to you. More tour and booking information online at www.seniorlivingmag.com/tours
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