{"id":213453,"date":"2020-10-22T08:31:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T12:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=213453"},"modified":"2026-01-02T21:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T02:56:32","slug":"retirement-senior-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/retirement-senior-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Retirement Travel: How to Get the Most Out of Senior Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Today’s guest post is from Kristin Henning. She and her husband Tom Bartel are perpetual travelers and publishers of the blog TravelPast50.com<\/a>, where they discuss travel for older travelers looking to make the most out of retirement. Kristin is here to give her best tips on retirement travel (since I obviously don’t know much about this subject!).<\/em><\/p>\n

Many hardworking people dream of the time when they\u2019ll retire from their regular jobs and hit the road. For almost as many, the allure of travel is offset by the stress of planning and packing and leaving home for more than a few days. <\/p>\n

Getting started can be especially difficult for senior travelers because of the \u201cbaggage\u201d accumulated over a lifetime, including habits, pets, elderly parents, children and grandchildren, medical and other professional support networks, and assorted household stuff. Managing even a couple of months away can be complicated.<\/p>\n

We were lucky to start our retirement travel early. We sold our house in 2010 and moved to South America, starting with a brief time teaching English. For the next ten years we traveled in almost every way imaginable: from months overseas to weekend trips in the USA<\/a>; from road trips to bike trips to walking across Spain<\/a>; from solo adventures to luxuriating together on a river cruise; from house-sitting<\/a> to hotel-hopping. <\/p>\n

We had no idea when we started out where this journey would take us, but before we knew it, we\u2019d visited more than 70 countries on six continents! <\/p>\n

We know such extensive travel isn\u2019t for everyone. But the benefits of travel are available to anyone willing to take the leap and devote a month or two, at least, to exploring with interest and curiosity.<\/p>\n

In any case, regarding retirement travel, we want to focus on using time and flexibility to your best advantage. Let\u2019s replace the idea of a fully scheduled holiday \u2014 those plans you squeezed into your too-short paid vacation time \u2014 with the concept of independent, slower travel, because that\u2019s when discoveries blossom. (Even if you do participate in a package holiday, we encourage you to surround the experience with additional weeks on your own to realize the rewards of independent travel.)
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Why Seniors Love to Travel \u2014 and are Good At It<\/h3>\n

\"Tom
\nWe older travelers<\/a> have some great advantages. We have time to extend our trips, the freedom to focus on the present instead of a job back home, and a desire to make the most of our time, experiences, and relationships. <\/p>\n

Following our noses and personal interests, we can pursue opportunities that pop up along the way. Unrushed, we can stop to ask questions or read a roadside marker; we can add a few days to our travels to detour to an unusual site; we can decide to linger longer in a favorite spot.<\/p>\n

So, while acknowledging our logistical barriers \u2014 and the need to adapt to new pandemic-related travel protocols \u2014 let\u2019s remember why travel still calls. Here\u2019s why we keep on traveling, right into even older age!<\/p>\n

1. Natural beauty: Discover diverse scenery and ecosystems<\/strong>
\nWe love moving beyond our Great Plains roots to spend time in the mountains, to explore the deserts, to appreciate oceans and wetlands, and to view geological mysteries. The history of the Earth is long, and our time to witness all its glories and sunsets is short. <\/p>\n

2. Historic context: Travelers love to learn<\/strong>
\nNo matter where we travel, we\u2019re likely to start our visit with historic sites and museums to gain perspective on the area\u2019s cultural heritage. These experiences not only add meaning to travel but often steer us to the next destination (or detour!) in order to follow some thread of the story. <\/p>\n

3. Healthy lifestyle: Travel for your health<\/strong>
\nTravel means more fresh air and exercise than we ever manage at home. The best of travel is active travel; walking in cities, hiking through national parks, and enjoying biking or water sports make for healthy bodies and engaged minds. Active travel also means you are that much closer to local people, as opposed to being escorted around by bus. Try it! <\/p>\n

4. Food and culture: Find common concerns around the globe<\/strong>
\nWho can deny the joy of watching a festival, eating the best regional dishes, and enjoying the local wine? These are the windows into the culture of a community, and we travelers are lucky to sample the fare and recognize these common concerns and joys around the world. <\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

5. Increased resilience and patience: Calm down and enjoy the present<\/strong>
\nJust because our children tell us we\u2019re set in our ways doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s true! Facing the unknown isn\u2019t easy, but travel teaches patience and adaptability. Handling delays, changes, or adversity calls on us to solve problems and propose solutions. Problem-solving builds confidence, and confidence builds self-reliance, which in turn brings more joy to travel. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s also true that senior travelers aren\u2019t afraid to take a day of rest. Sightseeing is most enjoyable at whatever pace one finds manageable. <\/p>\n

6. Youthfulness: Surround yourself with all ages<\/strong>
\nTraveling helps us feel young and energized. Interest in exploration and discovery is ageless, and fellow travelers love to share tips and stories. It\u2019s easy to strike up conversations with all sorts of people when you are abroad. We especially enjoy meeting young travelers and hearing about their homes and travels. Most are interested in hearing about us, too.<\/p>\n

7. Simplify your life: Travel light <\/strong>
\nWhen you travel for an extended time and pack light<\/a>, it becomes clear that joy comes from experiences more than things. Appreciate the lightness of living with only a roller bag and backpack for a few months and you\u2019ll be inspired to declutter or downsize once you\u2019re back home.
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Prepare Now to Enjoy Travel Later<\/h3>\n

\"Tom
\nWith a little preparation, you\u2019ll feel much easier about starting your retirement travels, whether that means several weeks on a road trip or a couple months overseas. Consider these tips to alleviate stress, to ready yourself for leaving home, and for more carefree travels. <\/p>\n

1. Take steps to leave your home safe and sound<\/strong><\/p>\n