Washington, DC · Maryland · Virginia
Travel Circle 55+ is a community for adults 55 and over who want to keep seeing the world. We offer practical sessions on traveling protected and traveling well, taught plainly and with time for your questions.
Source: Federal Trade Commission, "Avoid Scams When You Travel" (opens in a new tab)
The Circle
Travel changes after 55. There is more time for it, and often more at stake: health coverage, mobility, documents that lapse quietly, and offers that sound better than they are.
Travel Circle 55+ brings people together to talk through those questions with advisors who work in travel every day. Our sessions are educational. Nothing is sold in the room.
What we teach
Each one is sized for a single meeting and ends with open questions.
Travel protected
Consumer protection
From the FTC
Scammers insist on wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, payment methods that are very hard to get back once sent.
consumer.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab)Coverage
From Medicare
Medicare usually does not cover health care while you are traveling outside the U.S. There are limited exceptions, and some Medigap policies cover emergency care abroad.
medicare.gov (opens in a new tab)Documents
From the State Department
You can generally renew by mail if your passport was issued within the last 15 years, when you were 16 or older. If you travel in less than 3 weeks, make an appointment.
travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab)Travel well
Access
In the session
We compare how different kinds of trips handle mobility, so you can choose with a clear picture of each day.
Solo travel
In the session
We talk through what to ask before booking alone, and how travelers find companions they enjoy.
Cost
In the session
We read a sample price quote together, line by line.
Trip styles
In the session
A plain comparison of trip styles, with no cruise line or tour company favored.
Family
In the session
We cover how families plan a shared trip so every generation has a good day.
Heritage
In the session
We look at how to plan a journey around history and culture rather than sightseeing alone.
For program chairs and group leaders
We offer sessions to retiree associations, senior centers, faith communities, and civic groups. There is no fee, and nothing is sold in the room.
Request a sessionYou choose the subject.
Any subject on this page, sized to your program slot.
We bring the materials.
Printed handouts for every attendee, with a phone number and a QR code to this site.
Your members ask their questions.
Every session ends with open Q&A.
Hosts
Host
Voyage & Vibe Travel
Dr. Ray founded Voyage & Vibe Travel to help older adults travel well. He is a senior advisor with a financial services agency and a university professor who has chaired more than 150 doctoral dissertations. He holds CATA and TAEC certifications and builds journeys around accessible luxury and cultural depth. He lives in Prince George's County.
drmarbury.com (opens in a new tab)Co-host
2 Tacks Travel
Chef Marina founded 2 Tacks Travel. She is an honors graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts, brings 25 years in culinary and hospitality work, and is a professional photographer. She is a Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA) and a Certified Cruise Specialist, and holds the TAEC certification. She is a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
2tackstravel.com (opens in a new tab)Stay in touch
Session dates, new handouts, and the occasional travel note. Nothing more, and you can leave the list at any time.
Prefer to call, text, or write? Every channel is welcome.
Call or text