Autumn is the best time to visit Italy. The tourist season is over, and there are fewer crowds and lower prices. Venice has been one of the world’s most desired tourist destinations for ten centuries. It should be on every senior traveler’s bucket list.

The first sights when visitors typically come ashore in the cruise ship’s boat are on the entrance to the Grand Canal. It’s a thrill to glide along rows and rows of magnificent waterfront Renaissance homes and churches.

A summer visit, which is not advisable, offers Mars-like landscapes with 100-plus temperatures that can kill in minutes. Autumn and winter visits offer stunning experiences with both flora and fauna against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Those contrasts make it one of the most beautiful  National Parks in the U.S.

Its close proximity to both Los Angeles and Las Vegas makes it a convenient visit to the southwestern United States.There are almost endless opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, photography, exploring and other activities.

When judging where it’s easiest to get around, the best has to be New York. There are other good ones, but they can’t compare with the scope and extensive services pr0vided by the buses, subways, trains and ferries available to New Yorkers and visitors.

1. New York: With the largest subway system in the world, cheap public transportation in New York City and its five surrounding boroughs covers just about any trip. Residents and visitors can get quickly to and from work, shopping, entertainment, dining and just about anything else on the subways, trains, buses and elevated trains.

Our seasoned experts have wandered extensively in the South, and recommend favorite towns there where seniors can find relaxation and enjoyment without spending a lot of money. Warning: If you enjoy peace and quiet, don’t show up at these towns during spring break time. They’ll be full of loud and rowdy students. However, at other times of the year, particularly autumn, consider:

South Padre Island TX: The 100-mile stretch of sandy beaches is south on the Gulf of Mexico between Corpus Christi and the Mexican border. It boasts year-round tropical weather, and is great for swimming, surfing, fishing and boating. Visitors can see undisturbed flocks of sea gulls, pelicans, plover, falcons and other species at the island’s National Bird Sanctuary.

Blue Bay Inn and Suites, 901 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island TX 78597, 956-761-4350. Close to restaurants, amusements, snorkeling and fishing. Room prices from $80, including breakfast.