It's a good idea to mention the fact that you're a senior citizen when you first make your travel reservations, because almost all major airlines offer discounts for seniors. In Singapore you'll find very few hotels that offer such discounts, however virtually every attraction with an entrance fee offers a special discounted rate, and some tour companies will quote you a better rate as well. The good news is, in Singapore you qualify for the senior citizen discount at 55 years of age. The bad news is, who wants to call themselves a senior citizen at 55?!

Upon request, the STB can also help plan your trip, and can offer its own advice for senior travelers. Regarding this service, here's my advice: If you work out your itinerary with the help of STB, make sure you're firm about time constraints. Many of the tours and daily itineraries are rushed, with little time for a rest here and there. A common complaint is exhaustion by the end of just one day. In the heat, this is not only uncomfortable, but dangerous as well.

Members of AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons), 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049 (tel. 800/424-3410 or 202/434-2277; www.aarp.org), get discounts on hotels, airfares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP: The Magazine and a monthly newsletter. Anyone over 50 can join.

The Alliance for Retired Americans, 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (tel. 301/578-8422; www.retiredamericans.org), offers a newsletter six times a year and discounts on hotel and auto rentals; annual dues are $13 per person or couple. Note: Members of the former National Council of Senior Citizens receive automatic membership in the Alliance.

Agencies/Operators

Grand Circle Travel (tel. 800/221-2610 or 617/350-7500; www.gct.com) offers package deals for the 50-plus market, mostly of the tour-bus variety, with free trips thrown in for those who organize groups of 10 or more.

SAGA Holidays (tel. 800/343-0273; www.sagaholidays.com) offers inclusive tours and cruises for those 50 and older. SAGA also offers a number of single-traveler tours and sponsors the "Road Scholar Tours" (tel. 800/621-2151; e-mail: sales info@sagaholidays.com), vacations with an educational bent. Order a free brochure from the website.

Publications

101 Tips for the Mature Traveler is available from Grand Circle Travel (tel. 800/221-2610 or 617/350-7500; fax 617/346-6700).

The 50+ Traveler's Guidebook (St. Martin's Press).

Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (Contemporary Publishing Co.).