Have you considered a life of travel after retirement?
Have you ever imagined the adventures awaiting you after retirement? Well, the world is your oyster! Being retired opens up a whole new chapter of your life filled with endless possibilities. And one of the most exciting aspects is undoubtedly the idea of travel after retirement.
Picture this: no more rushing around to catch flights or squeezing in a few trips into your limited vacation time. Instead, you have the luxury of time to embark on unforgettable journeys whenever possible.
That’s why Golden Years Bliss is delving into 10 incredible trips you MUST take as soon as you retire. From exploring exotic landscapes to immersing yourself in rich cultures, these 6 retirement destinations offer a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery.
So sit back, relax, and let your imagination wander as we take you on a virtual tour of the world’s most enticing “travel after retirement” destinations.
Ready to pack your bags? Let’s start planning your next great adventure!
Ireland
Looking for inviting pubs, lush green scenery, and friendly people? You may want to learn more about your ancestors or discover the towns where they lived. Well, if you wish to travel after retirement, a trip to Ireland will fit that bill.
Begin your adventure in Dublin, where you can visit Trinity College to admire the ancient manuscripts and architecture, prison-turned-museum Kilmainham Gaol to hear about Ireland’s history, and the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy a pint and the 360-degree view of the city.
Take part in a pub crawl and hear traditional Irish music while watching the lively bar scene. Other beautiful cities in the country worth exploring include Belfast, Kinsale, Dingle, and Kilkenny.
Drive along the 110-mile Ring of Kerry along the Iveragh Peninsula for historical sites, spectacular views, waterfalls, beaches, and monuments. Stay in Dromoland Castle, Adare Manor, or Carton House.
Fun Fact: The seaport town of Cobh in County Cork was the leaving point of the Titanic, and a grand tour of the White Star Line ticket office is a memorable experience.
If you plan to drive, remember that you’ll be on the left side of the road, and cars have right-hand drive. So opt for an automatic vehicle or a driver for comfortable, safer touring.
China
So far away and with such a vast expanse of ground to explore, China may have been a destination you’ve always waited to visit. And now, you have the time.
When you travel after retirement, begin your trip to Hong Kong, where you’ll find delicious dining, fantastic shopping, stunning skyline vistas, and harbor views from the top of Victoria Peak. You can also ride the Star Ferry to Kowloon to see more of the famous harbor.
Then, head to Beijing, China’s imperial capital, where you can view the Forbidden City and historic Tiananmen Square. Walk along the 4,000-mile-long Great Wall, enjoying the scenic views and contemplating its role in China’s long history.
After that, take a short flight to Xi’an to see the extraordinary Terracotta Army, which includes over 7,000 life-sized clay sculptures of warriors and horses buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Your next stop might be Shanghai, the country’s biggest city and financial center, where you can take a stroll along the Bund, its famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era structures.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” this breathtaking 470-mile route connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smokies in North Carolina. It’s the ideal trip to take if you wish to travel after retirement but want to stay in the States.
You can take as much or as little time as you desire on this scenic route, which averages 3,000 and 4,000 feet in elevation. Enjoy the remarkable views from roadside pullover areas, or hike some of the trails you’ll find along the way.
From upscale log homes to campgrounds, you’ll find plenty of lodging to suit your needs, and you can enjoy culture, traditional music, biking, history, nature, and even golf along the way.
In Asheville, North Carolina, stop by the majestic Biltmore Estate, built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. Self-guided tours allow guests to explore the 250-room house and garden, characterized as a “time travel experience.”
And while visiting this retirement destination, you can spend the night at the Estate’s hotel, The Inn, or in your own private cottage.
Egypt
If you’re mesmerized by Egypt’s ancient civilization and have always wanted to see the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Nile, this could be the perfect time to make your plans for this retirement destination.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is ready to be explored, with over 100,000 artifacts and about 20,000 on display, including 5,400 objects recovered from King Tut’s tomb.
But even if you usually travel alone, we highly recommend a well-planned group excursion that takes care of the entry tickets, transfers, meals, tours, and other arrangements. For instance, Adventures by Disney offers a 10-day trip to Egypt, making planning straightforward.
The itinerary includes a trip to the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, snorkeling in the Red Sea from a private yacht, and a three-night cruise on the Nile.
A papyrus-making demonstration and a hieroglyphics workshop are also in the cards for you if you want to travel after retirement around this incredible place.
Sicily
This island jutting off Italy’s toe is another exciting location for those seeking ancestral towns. You can explore it while searching for the perfect pasta or cannoli. Many Italian-Americans can trace their roots to Sicily due to migrations in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Palermo, for instance, is a vibrant city with spectacular cathedrals, colorful outdoor markets, and delicious street food, including those yummy fried rice balls called arancini. Pair them with Sicilian wines, many from vineyards near Mount Etna.
Unique and inviting cities along the coastline offer something for everyone, including ancient ruins at Siracusa, Agrigento, Selinunte, and Taormina, which is a testament to the history of this island that’s been occupied at various times by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and many others.
Miles of beautiful coastline and beaches, fresh seafood, unique architecture, and friendly people are just a few reasons to visit this incredible place, simply perfect for travel after retirement.
But remember that if you rent a car, the main highways are typically in good condition and well-marked, unlike some of the local roads.
Within the cities, the streets are narrow, and parking is practically nonexistent. But you can usually find public parking on the border of towns in a “parcheggio.”
Rocky Mountaineer
Tired of driving and you want to leave it to someone else when you travel after retirement? A lavish journey through the Canadian Rockies on one of Rocky Mountaineer’s comfy, glass-domed railway cars could be your perfect ticket.
You can choose from a few options, like the Grand Adventure Circle Journey. This 11-night trip comprises five days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and overnight stays in Jasper, Whistler, Lake Louise, and a few others.
The trip begins in Vancouver with time to explore and rest. The following day, you’ll hop on board the Rocky Mountaineer and make your way to British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Corridor on your way to Whistler.
Up next? Make your way through farmland and gorgeous canyons en route to Quesnel, then over to Jasper National Park for a day of relaxation.
After that, to get to Lake Louise, you’ll travel via the picturesque Icefields Parkway, where you can ride an Ice Explorer to the center of Athabasca Glacier.
Once you arrive at Lake Louise, you’ll have plenty of time to explore before heading to Banff and back to Vancouver via Kamloops. And don’t forget to pack your Fitness Tracker, to track your progress since you’re already get your steps in on your adventure!
Now that we’ve revealed all these incredible places where you can travel after retirement, be sure to tell us about your experiences in the comments below.
And if you liked this article about retirement destinations, we strongly recommend also reading about 15 Fun Retirement Hobbies to Kick the Golden Years Blues
