If you're spending this festive break pondering your next big trip, take a look at these over 60s travel ideas.
Where will your 60s take you? Whether you want to get active outdoors or fancy a leisurely cruise, these over 60s travel ideas prove you’re never too old for an adventure. Book it soon and you might even get a bargain in the January sales…
1. The gap year you never had
Gap years aren’t just for 20-somethings – in fact, now’s a great time to take a ‘year out’ (or at least a few months) to travel. These days you you can go round-the-world in style rather than on a shoestring, and travel outside of peak times to get the best deals.
How about a month of yoga and temple-hopping in Asia, two months cruising the Americas, or six months to explore Australia? If you watched enviously as your children skipped off on their own gap year, it’s time to plan your own…
More like this: “Why I took a ‘grown-up gap year’ – and you should too”
2. The hobby holiday
What really makes you tick? Whether it’s singing, sewing or stand-up comedy, there’s a holiday out there that’ll indulge your passion – and introduce you to other like-minded people to give your social circle a boost.
Whether it’s painting in Portugal, making ceramics in Greece or even knitting your way around Scotland, there are plenty of tour companies out there offering an excellent array of hobby-inspired holidays.
More like this: How to take your hobby on holiday
3. The round-the-world cruise
If you’re fortunate enough to be retired in your 60s, you’ve likely got no restrictions on how long you can travel for. Why not explore the world the slow way – by cruise ship?
Cunard have a range of incredible round-the-world cruises on stunning, luxury ships, charting the globe over the course of around three or four months. You’ll take in glitzy capital cities, glorious sunny islands, and man-made wonders like the Panama Canal. The opportunity to see penguins on a beach in Cape Town then flop on a beach in Mauritius just a few days later is unmissable in your 60s.
More like this: Wheelchair accessible holidays: the best hotels & accommodation
4. The learning trip
The days of fly-and-flop holidays are over: for over 60s travel, it’s all about getting the most out of your break. Take the opportunity to learn a new skill that you’ve always fancied trying, under the guidance of genuine experts.
From cooking classes to jewellery-making holidays in Europe, GoLearnTo have a brilliant selection of educational holidays where you’ll pick up a new skill – and maybe even language – while having a relaxing time.
6. The epic road trip
There’s nothing like the freedom of the open road, and America’s wide, straight highways make an awe-inspiring landscape for long drive. Whether you want to see the Pacific Coast Highway in California, or drive through the Wild West’s Monument Valley, there are stunning vistas aplenty.
Take it slow and stop off in plenty of small towns and big cities along the way to get a full flavour of American life. Read our tips on road tripping in California.
6. The break from your comfort zone
By the time you’re in your 60s, you might feel like you’ve seen it all. So now’s the time to throw caution to the wind and explore somewhere totally new – somewhere far-flung and utterly out of your comfort zone. To get the most from your trip, book with a tour operator that really knows its onions – a company with the best guides, exclusive access to the must-see highlights, and the inside scoop on the loveliest hotels.
Riviera Travel run a fabulous selection of India trips for the over 60s. Try taking in New Delhi and Rajasthan by luxury train or hop on board for a beautiful river cruise along the revered Ganges.
7. The European river cruise
Over the years you’ve probably clocked up quite a few weekends on the continent – but a leisurely river cruise in Europe is worlds away from a whistle-stop tour, and is the perfect way to travel when you’re in your 60s. For starters, arriving in those famous cities by boat is a thrill: you wake up right in the centre, with all the best bits on your doorstep.
Whether your destination is Paris or Porto, Basel or Barcelona, there are river cruise ships to suit every style and budget – and options to explore independently or in a group. You’ll soon see that Europe’s cities deserve far longer than just a weekend.
Book it: Riviera Travel’s exceptional river cruise offering includes excursions, beautiful, five-star boats and expert guides.
More like this: The best European river cruises to book for 2019
8. The walking holiday
Forget the walking holidays you endured as a child – you can afford to splash out on a few luxuries these days. An en-suite bathtub, or even hot tub, is essential for soaking away the strains of the day, and make sure there’s a good restaurant within staggering distance too.
Whether you set your sights on the lovely Lake District or Portugal’s Douro Valley, the simple pleasures of a great walk are universal: fabulous views, a huge sense of achievement, and the golden ticket to eat whatever you want at dinner. By the time you’re in your 60s, you’ve earned it!
9. The hard-earned luxury break
After decades of putting your finances and family first, spending big bucks on a luxury getaway feels deliciously decadent (and a little terrifying) – but trust us, you’ve earned every moment.
Deciding where to go is all part of the fun. Will you sip cocktails on a sugar-white beach? Venture to Venice on the Orient Express? The choice is all yours, but be warned: once you’ve splashed out on a five-star holiday, there’s no looking back. The Travelodge will never just ‘do’ – you’ll be all about the Ritz now, darling.
10. The multi-generational holiday
Multi-generational family holidays let you spend more time with the people you care about – getting to know your grandchildren and enjoying some down-time with your kids.
If this is your first multi-generation break, it might be a good idea to set some boundaries. Remind your offspring that you’re not just a free cooking/washing up/babysitting service, and remember that they’re not there to entertain/feed/chauffeur you either. Unfortunately.
More like this: The top 10 destinations for travellers over 50
