Backpacking - great for Seniors.
If you are on a budget, but would love to travel, consider backpacking. My sister, who is 49, has just returned from 4 weeks backpacking around Malaysia. She is not hard up, but very frugal, and so she has stayed at hostels everywhere.They have all been very cheap, well run,safe,clean and in handy locations.You can get a private room at little cost, although you may have to use communal bathroom facilities, but it's not like you spend all that much time in the bathroom.
You have to travel light, pack very few clothes, but you won't be going anywhere "posh" so you don't need much more than a couple pairs of cotton pants and some t-shirts and undies. (Remember , ladies - in many Asian and Pacific countries, dress modestly, cover shoulders, do not wear shorts or singlets unless you are at a resort).
This is an example of the type of accomodation she used - http://www.sama-sama-guesthouse.com/
The thing is to avoid tours and do your own thing,this way you see only what you want to see and can choose more budget accom.and eating.
Holidays and roughing it
Tried that in my younger day.
These days to me a holiday is luxury which I do not get at home.
Like everything to each his/her own.
I would hate backpacking..................
I am not one for camping either though and like lots of my own things and not living too close to strangers either :)
As far as Hostels I would not like my kids going that route to be honest much less older than teenagers but I always say takes many different types of folks to make a world and do what suits yourself dosn't matter what anyone else likes. Nah not an age thing I have always liked some of the finer things in life ) nowadays beer money champagne tastes) lol.
All the best
Phyl.