Anne Pinto likes touring other cities, but since her husband died 17 years ago, she has had trouble finding a traveling partner.

So instead of just sitting at home watching The Wheel of Fortune, Mrs. Pinto called some friends, who called some friends, who called some friends - and in no time Mrs. Pinto became the founding member of AP Friends, a group of seniors who travel together.

"These are mostly women who are lonely, women whose husbands have died." said Mrs. Pinto. "By doing this, when we go away, we're each other's partners."

Like many other Staten Island groups, AP Friends travel to Atlantic City and the Three Little Baker's Theater in Pikes Creek Valley, Delaware. They also take long distance trips to Branson, MO., Hawaii and Las Vegas.

"Seniors are willing to go anywhere in the world." said Peter Fanizzi of Going Places Travel, Castleton Corners. "But days out off Staten Island have become a big deal."

Fanizzi said travel agents realize seniors are working on a fixed budget and work hard to stay within that price range. "Many places reduce their price for big groups."

Whether you're traveling with the AARP, a bunch of friends or with your significant other, there are plenty of places that fit within a fixed budget to spend a day or a week.

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They're like going to a wedding, sort of," said Fanizzi. "It's just as much fun and people get good entertainment." …..