Retirees are becoming bold new globetrotters
Travellers over 60 pushing boundaries, booking unique, adventurous destinations
Have time, will travel. For many retirees, freedom 65 (or 60, or 70), means it’s time to pack bags and get out of town. And not just to beaches and golf courses, but to worldly destinations that offer a sense of adventure.
“A lot of retirees are looking outside of their comfort zone. They may still spend a week down south or (in) Florida, but their vacations are really beginning to consist of more thought-provoking activities, cultural excursions and physically motivated trips,” says Megan Vonhone, a top Flight Centre agent, based in Toronto. “When retirees are looking to have experiences such as these, they are not going to look in your typical U.S., or down-south locations.”
So, where are they looking? The following destinations, which are among the popular choices for travellers over 60, according to a Flight Centre survey of its agents.
Culture on the Iberian Peninsula Spain and Portugal each offer a wealth of sensory delights, at a pace as relaxed or vigorous as one chooses. White sand beaches, rich history, an incredible culinary scene, plenty of music, dance and visual art, and inspiring architecture make both countries an appealing option for those who want a European experience, but at a slightly better price point than Italy, for example.
“Spain and Portugal, specifically, give retirees the opportunity to experience the culture at their own pace and at a more economical price,” Vonhone says. “Portugal has an assortment of opportunity for all types of retired travellers. The mainland has a more traditional European feel, but they can easily get out into the islands of Portugal for more nature and adventure experience.”
Noteworthy: Despite the mindblowing beauty of Portugal’s Azores, this series of nine islands in the Atlantic hasn’t been overrun by tourism. Outdoor excursions are a mustdo, but there’s plenty of food, drink and cultural experiences to be enjoyed too, all just a short flight from the Portuguese mainland.
Discover Iceland If you haven’t noticed, this Nordic nation has been a trending travel destination as of late, for explorers of all ages. It’s a weird and wonderful place, with a landscape characterized by black sand beaches, fjords, green valleys, glaciers and volcanoes, where legends of elves and trolls live on. Visit in the summer to experience the midnight sun, when the sun is visible nearly 24 hours a day.
“We have seen an incredible increase of inquiry (in Iceland) year over year. Iceland really offers a mixture of adventure, great cuisine and even a little bit of enchantment with their storied history in fairies,” Vonhone says. “You can walk down the quaint streets of Reykjavik searching for fairy doors and passages, or get out into the Golden Circle and really experience nature. Iceland offers boiling geysers, freezing cold glacier walks and a national park where you can hike between the tectonic plates!”
Noteworthy: The Golden Circle comprises three attractions: the Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and the Geysir Geothermal Area. Take a self-guided drive from Reykjavik or join a tour.
Scandinavia by boat In addition to Iceland, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are other pop- ular Scandinavian destinations for globe-trotting retirees, especially boat cruises that take travellers to multiple spots in style. But these aren’t Caribbean cruises, where sunbathing and tropical drinks are the name of the game. Scandinavian cruises often feature less time cruising, and instead focus on delivering full-day cultural explorations in city capitals and other noteworthy stops.
“Cruises provide the opportunity to travel to multiple places, over multiple days with the convenience of only having to unpack once,” Vonhone says. “River cruising in particular allows travellers to get into the smaller ports and in smaller groups of people. It’s giving people who typically spend their time cruising the opportunity to experience a more intimate journey and more of the world’s hidden treasures.”
Noteworthy: If you’re not a fan of crowds, consider small ship and river cruises, which have smaller passenger capacities (providing an opportunity to get to know your fellow shipmates), as well as access to smaller, less-trodden ports.
The world by bike and foot For adventurous spirits in good health, trekking and biking tours offer natural beauty, lessons in history and geography and a physically connected experience. Among the most popular options for the over-60 crowd are the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the hills of Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland, and parts of the El Camino trail in Spain.
“Inquiries that we have been regularly seeing from retirees are more ‘bucket list’ experiences,” Vonhone says. “They’re dreaming of hiking Machu Picchu, or biking the Patagonia trails. Retired travellers are getting out there and doing what they’ve spent their entire lives dreaming of.”
Noteworthy: Don’t equate guided walking tours with roughing it; many companies offer three- to five-star accommodations along the way. So after a day of exploring the mystical Scottish highlands, you can kick your feet up in a deluxe hotel with a deluxe meal to match.