Li poses for a picture in front of the British Museum.

As an adolescent, she was fascinated by depictions of mysterious overseas destinations she'd read about in literary classics, such as the isolated Chateau d'If in The Count of Monte Cristo and Verona city in Romeo and Juliet.

She dreamed of seeing them. Decades later, she did.

"People assume it's difficult for elderly folks like us to backpack overseas," Li says.

"How can you know if you don't try?"

Li has leg problems, and her 76-year-old husband has a benign brain tumor.

This means they have to do more to prepare for their trips than just booking itineraries and getting visas.

They exercise to stay healthy. Kong has also studied remedial massage.

Li taught herself English at the age of 60 and became proficient within a year and a half.

Kong agrees the extra efforts are worth it.

"The magnificent buildings we've seen have stirred my soul," the 76-year-old retired engineer says.

"Experiencing cultures, sceneries and historical sites makes overcoming difficulties worthwhile."

Most tourists left Tel Aviv as the violence escalated.