When you were much younger, vigorous and good looking, you probably had no trouble meeting new people while roaming alone. If you were really lucky, you were overwhelmed by eager characters wanting to meet you. On the other hand, if you’re now 55 plus, and although you’re still quite a handsome character, you must admit your good looks have matured a bit. Meeting people while traveling may have become a more complicated task. But don’t be discouraged, take a positive attitude and jump in with both feet to what could be an enjoyable experience.

Unless it's just for a day trip or an evening out for dinner, you shouldn’t travel alone if you want to meet new people. Two men or two women together are usually more successful in mixing in with others. You have much easier chances of meeting with other twosomes to mix and match at bowling alleys, theaters, cafes, clubs, concerts, sports events, bars or other places where singles gather to ogle and pair off.

For trips of more than a day, the lone senior traveler has many options to get acquainted with others. If your trip is for business or education, you're sure to rub shoulders at meetings, conferences and conventions with many people who have similar interests to yours.

You may also consider joining in on volunteer vacations and excursions, such as Habitat for Humanity, where you’re sure to meet great people. If any appeal to you or make positive gestures for getting better acquainted, you can be assured of safe ... and hopefully pleasant ... times with your fellow volunteers.

If you're traveling for pleasure, and are willing to sign up for structured trips such as cruises and excursions, select those that cater to single (or those pretending to be single) people of your age, orientation, education and other common interests. If you want to do your senior singles traveling with more independence, you'll find many opportunities to meet new people on flights, cruises and excursions, at museums, theaters, fairs, restaurants, concerts and at scads of other gathering places.

Of course, the matter of personal safety should always be uppermost in your plans. With many areas of the world now mired in economic, political and war upheavals, most agencies and experts recommend you avoid traveling to foreign countries alone, and in some extreme cases, not at all. Whatever your choices, our best wishes to with you for a most successful time in meeting and enjoying new people whenever and wherever you decide to travel.