The travel bucket list for the over 50s

Travelling in your 50s and beyond can be far superior to travelling in your 20s. Retirement funds can give you a bit more financial stability, allowing you to travel in style and stay where you like – no sleeping in shared dorms or counting out the pennies!

I remember one of my first-ever travels abroad with a friend. We planned a six-week (pre-uni) budget, backpacking trip around Australia. Our first mistake – staying with friends and family to begin with. Let’s just say we got a little too used to the home comforts! When it was time to begin our adventure by ourselves, we managed to pick the grottiest hostel in Sydney. One look at the dormitory and tears rolled down my face. I picked up my backpack and booked myself into the nearest 3-star hotel, blowing the budget and backpacking lifestyle out the window!

I must have soon acclimatised because since then, I’ve always enjoyed a bit of globetrotting here and there. It wasn’t until I had children that this was put on hold. Now, I dream about all the places I haven’t been and jot them down on my travel bucket list for when I am free to wander again.

It’s not just your budget that changes as you creep towards retirement but also your travel tastebuds. What I would have found exhilarating and a must in my 20s, no longer seems appealing. Instead, I find myself seeking more enriching and meaningful experiences.

When I travelled through New Zealand, we went during their winter and I found myself feeling disappointed that we had chosen to visit at that time of year. It’s not until now, that I look back and fully appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the country. It truly has some of the most stunning backdrops and star-studded skies, I have ever seen.

Everyone’s bucket list is unique and reflects what’s important to them. There are the popular once-in-a-lifetime destinations that we all read about, like discovering Machu Picchu, snorkelling in The Great Barrier Reef or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. But, certain practicalities need to be considered.

Planning a trip of a lifetime takes careful research. Don’t just research the area but also research the time of year you plan to travel. Do you prefer warmer climates or colder ones? Are visas required for the length of time you intend to stay? It may not be about the destination but more about the activity you want to do there, like kayaking in the Norwegian fjords or learning how to prepare authentic Thai food in Thailand.

After researching you might find due to certain factors, it may no longer be the perfect place to visit. It’s not about limiting dreams but instead, finding something that ticks all the boxes. Let’s face it, we can all be a bit more particular in our older years.

A great way of kickstarting your research is by creating a Pinterest board. It’s a way of visually collecting ideas of the many places you’d like to visit. You can search keywords and pin other people’s experiences to give your bucket list plenty of inspiration. Many images will often stem from an article, that can then be read later on at your leisure. You could even have several boards, splitting your bucket list into categories such as continents or best destinations for certain activities.

I still have lots of places I want to visit abroad on my bucket list such as Japan and Canada, but I also have places I’d like to visit in the UK. Travelling doesn’t necessarily mean you have to travel far, there are many amazing things to see and do closer to home. I’ve always fancied challenging myself by attempting to hike around the coast of the UK. Now the King Charles III England Coast Path is set to open, maybe this will become more of a reality. The Hebrides are also said to be quite spectacular to visit.

Some don’t enjoy the jet-setting lifestyle and prefer to travel on other modes of transport. Train travel allows you to whizz between cities whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this through the ancient cities of Italy. Or, why not cruise the world’s wonders? Cruising can be a great way to see multiple destinations in one trip.

Making time and opportunities for the travel that you’ve always longed to do, is often a big part of retirement planning. Travelling the big wide world can be just as daunting when you’re older. It’s wonderful to be able to share your dreams with a travel buddy or plan a family getaway to Disneyland with the grandkids. But, don’t let travelling alone stop you. There are a number of different tour operators that specialise in a range of tours. They can either help prepare your travel itinerary for you or you can join a group tour and travel with like-minded travellers, whilst having the added benefit of an expert local guide.

So, whether you’re strategic in planning your next adventure or a more spur-of-the-moment, close-your-eyes-and-spin-the-globe type of person…just remember there should be no stress, only enjoyment!