At 70 years old, Julia Hughes from Britain radiates joy as she swims through the turquoise waters off Turkey's stunning Lycian coast. Her eyes sparkle with the same enthusiasm she's had since learning to swim at age seven, and her energy leaves some swimmers decades younger trailing behind her.

"As you get old, I truly believe you should carry on doing what you love doing," Hughes says with a smile. "I love swimming. I just feel happy in the water. It's such a lovely thing to do."

Hughes is part of an inspiring movement transforming how we think about aging and travel. Active holiday tours—combining adventure travel with activities like ocean swimming, hiking, and cycling—are experiencing remarkable growth as seniors seek meaningful experiences that keep them vibrant and engaged.

Swim guide Aoife Doran marvels at participants like Hughes. "You actually just reminded me that she's 70 because, in my eyes, she's 45 or 50," Doran says. "She has a young energy and that's what we see so much with the people that do come on these holidays. They are reminded to play and reclaim that young energy that we all have."

The trend has surged dramatically, particularly since COVID lockdowns encouraged people to reconnect with outdoor activities. "People don't want to just go on cruise ships or just lie out in the sun all day," Doran explains. "People actually want adventure and to do something healthy and move and see different parts of the world."

Her fellow guide, 23-year-old former World Swimming Championship competitor Ilgin Ilter, notices that her most dedicated students are often retirees. "They have more free time to just focus on themselves," she observes, celebrating how her older participants embrace self-care and personal growth.

The health benefits are compelling. Sydney-based heart specialist James Otton, also an ocean swimming enthusiast, notes that staying active helps with blood pressure, insulin resistance, and strength. "The more active you can be in terms of both strength and mobility and flexibility in your middle or later years, the longer you'll be able to preserve independence," he explains.

But it's not just about physical health. Sixty-four-year-old Bryn Nyman, who took up distance swimming after her children became adults, loves that it's something she can enjoy well into her 90s. "I hate being bored and just lying by the pool is nothing for me," she says enthusiastically.

American traveler Carol Gifford, 65, cherishes how active adventures keep her mentally sharp. "I like to do things I've never done before or that get me out of my comfort zone, because that keeps me mentally good," she shares. "You feel good every day and even better every day based on all the exercise."

The daily routine on the Turkish coast perfectly captures this new approach to aging: two 2-kilometer swims, lunch on a traditional fishing boat, breathtaking scenery, and new friendships spanning generations. Sydney doctor David Yeo sums up the appeal: "When you get to the end of the day and you've done something useful and enjoyable, you really can enjoy that cocktail or beer."

For Julia Hughes, swimming is her fountain of youth. "In the ocean, I just relax and go with the flow because if you've got aches and pains, you can still swim," she says, already planning her next adventure.