We're travel buddies. It all began way back – we both worked at the same company for years. I was making breakfast in the work kitchen, and overheard Marie chatting to a colleague, outlining that she had a spare spot on a ski trip.

I'd never met Marie, but I really needed a ski crew, and she looked fun enough. I jumped right in, offered my services as a ski companion, and we never looked back. I think I'm a bad influence really. I've often just sent Marie a screenshot of last minute flights somewhere like the Philippines, and before you know it, she's replied with an itinerary—where we could stay, the balance between working and surfing, and neither of us need more convincing than that.

Our partners look after the pets, our bags are packed and off we go for a month. That tells you a lot about who looks after what at DECADES.

How we divide things up

I dream up the trips, tell people like you that we're going (people call this marketing I think), and chat to each and every one of you to make sure it's a good fit both ways.

Marie opens a fresh spreadsheet, outlines the stops, great accommodation, how we'll get from A to B and hires a group of high calibre folks to host your trips.
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And it just works!I must say—Marie didn't need a lot of persuading to join me. Starting a travel business with your travel buddy? What could be better?!

Marie and Laura, founders of Decades
Marie and Laura, founders of Decades

Why we built this

We've both solo travelled for years—from surfing in the Philippines, catching buses through Nicaragua, setting up camp in the Mekong Delta or even in Marie's case, planning then hiking all the way around Mont Blanc (!), this moment has been a long time coming.

Putting all this to use by creating gap year travel for people over 50 from the UK feels very worthwhile to us. We've both seen people retire, find themselves at a loose end, and in some cases, lose those opportunities too soon. You have to make it count. We don't want that to happen to us, so we're ultimately building for something better–Southeast Asia, South & Central America, Australia & New Zealand, the Greek Islands... there's no limit to where we'll take you. Come with?