Best Destinations for Older Travelers
Age should be no obstacle to adventure, and reaching retirement age is no reason to hang up your travelling boots. Indeed, unless you have been lucky enough to make a career out of globetrotting, retirement can be the perfect point in your life to really spread your wings and fly, with the time on your hands to truly follow your dreams.
The caveat is, of course, that as you get older your body becomes, well, not as young as it once was. Travelling, as opposed to just holidaymaking, can be hard work, and often the most exhilarating adventures require you to endure a certain amount of stress and strain. Not that this needs to be avoided, but as you get older, you realize there is a balance to be struck between excitement and well-being – especially if you have an underlying medical condition.
So with that in mind, here is a short list of our destination picks where you can both quench your thirst for adventure and find a few home comforts in easy reach – and adjust the ratio of each to suit.
Utah, USA
Due to its sheer size and the staggering variety of its landscapes, the USA remains a great destination for experiencing true adventure in the Great Outdoors. While there are many contenders of exactly where to head, Utah wins our vote because it shows off so much of what the US offers, all in one state. From the snowcapped peaks of the Wasatch Range in the north, to the barren, arid deserts of the south and east, much of Utah remains a wild, sparsely populated yet stunningly beautiful hinterland. Its most famous destinations are probably its southern sandstone parks, where millions of years of wind and rain have turned the now dry canyons into an eerie lunar landscape of pinnacles, bluffs and arches. Well worth the dust and heat if you want to imagine yourself in an old Western.
Peru
Peru is nowadays a well known traveler haven, with thousands of tourists flocking to the South American country every year to trek the famous Inca Trail high in the Andes. A visit to the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu and Phuyupatamarca should be on any itinerary, but what is often forgotten is that Peru also boasts a large chunk of the Amazon Basis, with some of the world’s best rain forest nature reserves. So after you are done in the mountains, why not head off on a jungle adventure, heading to Iquitos – the world’s largest city which cannot be reached by road – by river boat, before taking in the 4.2 million acre Manu Biosphere Reserve, an UNESCO world heritage site and treasure trove for wildlife.
Indonesia
While the younger crowds flock to the likes of Thailand and, of course, Indonesia’s own tourism jewel Bali, the rest of the giant archipelago country remains one of the world’s great overlooked travel destinations. We say ‘one of’, but actually, it seems wrong to talk about Indonesia in the singular. Made up of 17,000 islands, and with the world’s fourth biggest population, Indonesian landscapes and culture are equally diverse, meaning there really is something for everyone. If you fancy some tropical island luxury off the beaten path, head to Flores, where you can kayak around islets and coral reefs in crystal clear seas, and head to the Komodo National Park to see the world’s biggest lizards. For a bit of history and culture, head to Java’s central highlands where you can visit some of the world’s best ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples amidst stunning lush green mountains. Or if you really want some adventure, there is always the option of visiting the orangutans in Borneo’s dense rainforests, or trying to catch a glimpse of a tiger and rhino on Sumatra.
Europe by River Boat
It is easy to forget that great adventures and special travelling experiences often sit right on our doorstep. The short hop across the Channel makes Europe seem very close and familiar to UK residents, but how many of you have travelled it by river? From ancient times, the history of the continent was shaped by travel down its great rivers, such as the Danube, Rhine, Elbe and Rhône. Nowadays, aside from commercial trade, the most common vessels tracing these historic routes are cruise boats, and they are especially popular with the over 50 demographic. For a real adventure, how about travelling all the way from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Bucharest, Romania, entirely by river?
Planning Ahead
Remember, whatever kind of trip you are planning, the ultimate aim is to have the time of your life, and do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you are a seasoned traveler, then push the boat out by all means. But understand your limits and put the right plans in place to stay healthy and safe.
If you do have a medical condition, always consult with your doctor first before you go, and take plenty of medications to last your whole trip, along with prescriptions and a written letter from your GP explaining what the meds are for. And make sure you take out the right kind of insurance, just in case. Many general travel insurance policies will contain exemptions for medical conditions and activities based on age. Avanti Insurance specializes in travel policies for the over 50s, and can also provide cover for specific medical conditions.
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