Who said you shouldn’t travel in your golden years? For some North Carolinians, now might be the best time to travel the world and take a well-deserved vacation.
So, whether you’re a fit retiree looking for adventure or just want to relax and unwind, these are the 20 destinations you should add to your retirement bucket list.
1: Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is over 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, but it’s not a “wonder.” The former Incan citadel provides breathtaking views of the ruins and the surrounding mountains.
The three most popular ways of visiting Machu Picchu are:
- Train
- 2-day Inca Trail trek
- 4-day Inca Trail trek
Active retirees should consider the approximately seven-mile, two-day Inca Trail trek, which will allow them to arrive at Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise.
Alternatively, if you want to give your thighs and lungs a good workout, the 26-mile-long 4-day Inca Trail hike is a worthwhile challenge.
2: Great Barrier Reef, Australia
What better time than retirement to learn to snorkel and dive? The Great Barrier Reef is an iconic Australian destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.
You’ll only be able to see a fraction of the Great Barrier Reef during your visit, as it covers approximately 133,000 square miles. However, one of the most effective ways to do so is to put on a mask and snorkel.
Scuba diving allows you to get a closer look at the reef.
If you do not already have PADI certification, you can take a PADI course in Australia.
3: Maeklong Railway Market, Thailand
If your job hasn’t pushed you out of your comfort zone enough, a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market near Bangkok will. Every day, locals set up shop along over 300 feet of active railway.
Trains arrive several times a day, forcing vendors to move their products and tents aside. As a tourist, riding the train into Maeklong Railway Market and then walking back along the tracks is thrilling.
Simply prepare to press yourself against the side of a building when a train passes!
The Maeklong Railway Market is one of the most unusual bucket list suggestions on this list.
Walking along the train tracks requires you to be steady on your feet because the stones are easy to trip on.
4: Lake District, Chile and Argentina
The Cruce Andino is a one-of-a-kind border crossing experience that transports passengers between the lake districts of Puerto Varas, Chile, and Bariloche, Argentina, via a network of boats and buses.
Although the approximately 12-hour experience is not strenuous, it does require getting on and off several modes of transportation throughout the day, which will be easier to do if you’re in good shape. The scenery is stunning, so bring your camera.
During your lunch break, you can even book a helicopter tour to see even more breathtaking views of Chile and Argentina’s lake districts.
The Cruce Andino runs daily in both directions, providing excellent flexibility for those planning South American itineraries.
5: Cappadocia, Turkey
Climbing into a hot air balloon and floating over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia is a must-do on any Turkey itinerary. Every morning at sunrise, hot air balloons take off, providing excellent photographic opportunities from both above and below.
Make sure to book your Cappadocia hot air balloon ride in advance, as they frequently sell out during the peak tourist season.
Travelling during the off-season will provide you with more opportunities to bargain for a less expensive experience, though the likelihood of weather-related hot air balloon cancellations increases.
Aside from hot air ballooning, Cappadocia offers wonderful short and long hikes. Staying in a cave hotel is also a traditional Cappadocian experience.
6: Sapa, Vietnam
Northern Vietnam is abundant with natural beauty. Hanoi is an excellent base for a day or multi-night trip to Halong Bay, which became famous after being designated as a UNESCO site.
But, while you’re at it, take a bus or train north to Sapa, which is near the Chinese border.
From there, you can choose between a full-day, two-day, or three-day trekking adventure that will take you through indigenous villages and provide breathtaking views of the Sapa rice fields.
If you choose a multi-day trek, you can stay in a hotel or with a local host family, which provides an even more immersive experience.
7: Yellowstone National Park, Western United States
Yellowstone is one of the most well-known national parks in the United States. It covers nearly 3,500 square metres of land, the majority of which is in Wyoming. If you enjoy nature and hiking, Yellowstone is an excellent choice.
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its landscapes, which include hot springs, geysers, and canyons. Keep an eye out for antelope, bison, elk, and other wildlife.
The best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park is summer.
Not only will you have perfect weather, but park rangers restrict access to certain areas of Yellowstone at other times of the year.
8: Costa Rica (Yes, All of It)
Costa Rica is an ideal destination for active retirees because it offers a variety of activities, including jungle hikes, surfing, and zip lining. It’s also a great place to take grandchildren or invite friends and family to visit.
Although I normally advocate for visiting capitals, I would recommend spending little, if any, time in San José.
Instead, visit greener and bluer pastures in Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, and other destinations.
Costa Rica has an abundance of wildlife. You can expect to see monkeys, sloths, lizards, and parrots in the wild. You can also visit rescue centres to learn more about the animals and help with rehabilitation and conservation efforts.
9: Patagonia, Chile and Argentina
If you plan to take the Cruce Andino, adventurers would be remiss not to include a visit to Patagonia on their itinerary. Patagonia is the southernmost region of South America, encompassing both Argentina and Chile.
Depending on who you ask, some people consider Bariloche and Puerto Varas to be part of Patagonia.
Some popular destinations in Patagonia are:
- Torres del Paine (Chile)
- Ushuaia (Argentina)
- Chiloe Island (Chile)
- El Calafate (Argentina)
El Calafate is a popular tourist destination because you can participate in both short and long glacier hikes.
Just make sure to book your hike in advance. I learned the hard way, as the long hike had already sold out for my travel dates when I went to make a reservation.
10: The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China requires no introduction. So, if Asia is on your bucket list, you should definitely include it. But don’t expect to walk the entire thing—the 5,000+ mile-long wall would consume 18 months of your valuable retirement time.
Instead, most people visit the Great Wall of China for one or two days.
April, May, and June are ideal months for walking the Great Wall of China.
The weather isn’t too hot or cold at that time, and you’ll see beautiful spring flowers blooming.
11: Europe by Car
Road trips are an excellent way to visit major landmarks and small towns alike. In Europe, however, “road trips” can also refer to train travel.
So, consider beginning your journey in England.
After visiting Stonehenge and indulging in far too many high teas, take the Eurostar (for pedestrians) or Eurotunnel (for drivers) to France or Belgium or the Netherlands, respectively.
From there, it’s up to you whether to stick to a predetermined route or create your own itinerary.
12: Highway 1, Western United States
Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) is a popular road trip route in the United States. The highway stretches approximately 650 miles from Capistrano Beach in Orange County to Leggett in northern Mendocino, California.
You should plan to spend at least one week driving the entire length of Highway 1. The scenery is stunning, but with so many turns and steep cliff drop-offs, you’ll need to pull over frequently to enjoy the views safely.
If you’re feeling particularly daring in your retirement years, you can drive along the Pan-American Highway.
The Pacific Coast Highway is a small portion of the Pan-American Highway, which spans more than 18,400 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina.
There is one small caveat: crossing into Colombia through the Darién Gap in southern Panama is dangerous.
As a result, if you want to drive the entire length of the Pan-American Highway, you should take a ferry from Panama to Colombia.
13: African Safari Tour
African safari tours are an excellent bucket list activity that allows you to combine sightseeing and education with a relaxing, unhurried vacation.
Please ensure that you are following responsible tourism practices by researching and booking with a safari operator that adheres to local animal welfare laws.
Once on your tour, you can let someone else drive while your tour guide points out animals you’ve probably never seen in the wild. You might see cheetahs, lions, elephants, and hippos, among other animals.
All-inclusive African safari tours offer varying levels of accommodation. So you can select the option that best suits your comfort level and retirement budget.
14: Northern Lights in Iceland
When you travel to Iceland in retirement, tap into your inner youth and plan for many late evenings.
They say the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is around midnight, but they can be seen whenever it is dark and clear.
Don’t be fooled by the word “dark”—because Iceland is so far north, the sky never gets dark enough to see the northern lights in the summer.
For this reason, you should plan your trip to Iceland between October and April. If you don’t already enjoy stargazing, seeing the northern lights could convert you into an astronomy enthusiast.
15: Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is another national park in the United States that is well worth a visit if you didn’t get to see it during your time at work.
It’s approximately one mile deep, 277 miles long, and 18 miles wide.
Many people travel to the Grand Canyon for hiking opportunities. But you don’t have to hike to enjoy the breathtaking views of the canyon. Lookout areas with flat entrances can be found near parking lots and restaurants that practically hang over the canyon’s ledge.
Do not miss the sunrises and sunsets, which provide excellent photo opportunities.
Although locals offer donkey rides into the canyon, please think twice before arranging one. The animals frequently work in long, exhausting hours.
16: Antarctica
Retirement is a time to cross off all of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences on your bucket list, and a cruise to Antarctica is one that many people consider.
An Antarctica cruise can be as relaxing or as active as you want, as you will be able to see icebergs, penguins, whales, and other wildlife without ever leaving the ship.
But the best part is that you will be able to participate in the cruise’s activities based on your abilities.
The duration of Antarctica cruises varies. However, many last for ten days or more.
Given that it takes two to three days to cross the Drake Passage, the waterway that connects South America and Antarctica, you’ll need to plan enough time to enjoy Antarctica once you arrive.
17: Maharashtra, India
If an eight-day luxury train ride through India’s beautiful scenery sounds appealing, the Deccan Odyssey is the place to go in retirement.
The Deccan Odyssey takes visitors through the Maharashtra region of India, which is part of the Indian Railways route. There are six different journeys to choose from, each with its own set of stops.
However, no matter which option you choose, one thing remains constant: the attention to detail to ensure a memorable vacation.
Despite its high price, the Deccan Odyssey Train can sell out well in advance. If you want to include this experience in your retirement travel plans, you should plan ahead of time.
18: Amazon River, South America
If the thought of Antarctica chills you to the bone, consider taking a cruise in hot, tropical weather in the Amazon.
Most Amazon River cruises depart from Iquitos, Peru and Manaus, Brazil. The cruises range from inexpensive to luxurious 5-star options. You’ll be able to sample delicious local cuisine and perhaps even learn a new skill, such as piranha fishing.
Although most tourists think of the Amazon River when they hear the word “Amazon,” the Amazon River Basin contains approximately 1,100 tributaries.
As a result, you can choose to cruise along some of these tributaries rather than the main Amazon River.
Cruises departing from Puerto Maldonado, Peru, provide an excellent example of tributary cruises.
19: Japan in the Spring
Japan is notorious for having some of the world’s highest longevity rates.
So, why not go there during your retirement and see what you can learn from them so you can continue to travel for longer?
While you’re at it, plan your trip to Japan around the cherry blossom season.
The peak Japanese cherry blossom season runs from late March to early April. Because Japan has such a diverse geography, you’ll most likely see cherry blossoms outside of that timeframe if you plan ahead of time and arrive at the right location.
20: Galapagos, Ecuador
Calling all nature lovers! The Galapagos Islands are about 600 miles from mainland Ecuador.
The archipelago is well-known for inspiring Charles Darwin’s discovery of natural selection and his theory of evolution.
Because the Galapagos are a fragile ecosystem, the Ecuadorian government limits how long visitors can stay on the islands. There are three options: an island-hopping cruise, a stay at a hotel on one of the islands, or a combination of cruise and land packages.
Less agile retirees should opt for a land-based package, as many cruise stops are “wet” landings.
What does this mean? To get to the shore, you’d need to jump off the ship and wade through the water.
