Article by ‘Kay Pascale’

If you’re retired (or at least near retirement), you’ve finally made it. For the first time in what probably feels like forever, you get to call the shots in your life without having to request PTO or check your kids’ school schedules. The world is simply an adventure waiting to happen.

 

Many couples spend their golden years exploring all the places they’ve always wanted to visit. Maybe it’s a romantic cabin in the woods or a hiking trip in the rainforest. Whatever it is that you’ve always dreamed about, what better time than now to go on a trip? Here is our list of

’10 Places to Travel in Your Golden Years’ to help you plan.

 

If you don’t already have a bucket list of destinations you’d like to visit, here are some top vacation spots to visit in your golden years.

 

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica really does have it all. If you’re looking for a gorgeous beach, they’ve got it. If you want to zipline over the trees, it’s there. If you’re looking for a secluded “treehouse” type getaway, there are dozens to choose from. It’s a destination that fits everyone’s needs and has options for just about every budget.

2. The Caribbean

Why visit one island when you can visit a handful of them? Cruises are a great way to enjoy all the best parts of a Caribbean vacation without having to limit yourself to one island. You can use the trip to relax, explore the destinations, and sample some of the best rum the world has to offer.

3. Phoenix, Arizona

If you’re into golf, beautiful scenery, and perfect 80-degree days (without humidity!), Phoenix, Arizona is a great place to go during the winter and spring months. Phoenix is easy to get to by plane and offers great resorts and entertainment throughout the city.

 

4. Australia

Australia is a tough vacation to take when you’re working because it requires extra time for travel (a flight there can be as long as 20+ hours) and there’s so much to see that you really want to maximize your time—which makes it a great option during retirement years! There’s something for pretty much everyone in Australia: nature, beaches, culture, and music.

 

5. Europe

One of the best parts of Europe is that you can visit so many places in one trip. There are numerous travel companies that you can work with to set up a tour of multiple countries, and they typically will work out the itinerary for you. It’s a fantastic way to see the world in a leisurely way.

 

6. Denmark (Particularly During the Holidays)

There’s a reason Denmark is known as one of the happiest places in the world, because they embrace the spirit of hygge (coziness) and there’s no better time to experience that spirit than around the winter holidays. The streets are decorated with soft, warm Christmas lights and everything is covered in snow. It’s basically a real-life snow globe scene and something that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

 

7. Alaska

If you haven’t been to Alaska, there are a lot of reasons to go check it out, but particularly during the months where you can see the Northern Lights. It’s an experience unlike any other, plus you don’t have to have a passport to get there.

 

8. Amalfi Coast

There’s no shortage of destinations in Italy for someone with wanderlust to check out, but the Amalfi Coast should definitely be toward the top of the list. The water is warm, the scenery is beautiful, and the food and wine are out of this world.

 

9.  Southern Africa

Have you ever dreamed of going on a safari? Southern Africa is a wonderful destination for someone wanting to experience a bit of adventure and a fun culture. It’s a big tourist spot, so it’s safe to visit and US dollars go a long way there, so you may be surprised at just how affordable it truly is.

 

10. Staycation
If the travel bug hasn’t bit you quite yet, or you’re a little uneasy about blowing through all the retirement money you’ve saved over the years, a staycation is a great option, too. According to House Method, use your time off to do those little updates around the house you’ve been wanting to do or create a backyard oasis that feels like a vacation every time you step out there. Just because the world is now your oyster doesn’t mean you have to travel far to enjoy it.

 

Whatever you decide to do, use these years to relax and enjoy yourself, because you’ve earned it.