More than 50% of the over-65s living in Spain traveled for tourism in 2024. They spent an average of 6 nights away per trip, surpassing younger tourists. No wonder: going out to see the world is one of the best experiences to stimulate the minds of people entering old age. It helps them to feel independent, to socialize outside their close circle and to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
To encourage tourism among our seniors, the Community of Madrid has presented the 20th edition of Cultural Routes: a travel program for people aged 55 and older. As a novelty, this year there will be 25,000 more places available than in previous editions. In total, 350,000 people will enjoy one of the 1,400 itineraries covered by the project.
Today, March 10, is the deadline to apply for trips in the agencies participating in the plan. The new edition will run from April 2025 to March 2026, and stands out for offering new routes of great cultural interest. There are national ones, such as the Route of the Castles of Jaén, and international ones, such as trips to Calabria, Gambia and South Korea.
In addition, a new type of route called Express Circuit has been incorporated, with a duration of 5 days and 4 nights to medium-distance international destinations such as Croatia and Montenegro; Warsaw and Croatia; Naples and the Amalfi Coast or Florence and Tuscany.
All tours include accommodation in three (or more) star hotels; full board; an excursion program and an accompanying guide. Prices range from 350 to 1,995 euros, depending on the duration of the trip and the destination selected.
The Councilor for Family, Youth and Social Affairs, Ana Dávila, highlighted that Cultural Routes “promotes the physical, social and intellectual wellbeing of the elderly; favors the development of active aging; encourages a healthy and participative life, and also avoids possible situations of loneliness”.