Trips That Seniors Need to Take as Soon as You Retire Part 2
Chris Morse, Corporate Travel / The Travel Center / Senior Travel
You are retired or getting close! — and if you’re reading this, you probably love to travel. With the youngest baby boomers turning 59 this year, and the first group around age 77, most of us are likely retired or semi-retired. According to AARP’s 2023 Travel Trends survey, the majority of travelers over age 50 (67 percent) planned to travel in 2024, taking at least four trips throughout the year. And since 2023 has brought record-breaking travel numbers, it’s likely that even more boomers are hitting the road this year. And while older travelers were more likely to plan a domestic trip last year, about 43 percent of people ages 50 and up planned to travel both within the U.S. and abroad.
Southeast Asia River Cruise
Many of us have been on great river boat cruises in Europe. Now it is time to do the same in Asia! If this part of the world is new to you, a river cruise will offer adventure, luxury, and convenience, with all the arrangements made for you. Several companies, including AmaWaterways, offer Mekong River cruises that stop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. The seven-day cruise in southern Vietnam and Cambodia can be extended to include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Angkor Wat in Siem Riep.
With an extension, you’ll spend a few days in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, and enjoy a blend of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers. An excursion to Halong Bay follows, where you’ll board a ship to sail among the magnificent limestone rock formations and spend the night in modern comfort.
Next, you’ll take a short flight south to Siem Reap in Cambodia for a visit to Angkor Wat, a massive temple complex built in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. After exploring Angkor Wat, board your river ship for the seven-day Mekong River cruise.
China
So far away and with such a huge expanse of land (and several major cities) to explore, China may have been a destination you waited to visit. And now, you have the time.
Start your trip in Hong Kong, where you’ll find great shopping, delicious dining, and stunning views of the skyline and harbor from the top of Victoria Peak. Ride the Star Ferry to Kowloon to see more of the iconic harbor.
Then, fly to Beijing, China’s imperial capital, where you can view historic Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the world’s largest surviving ancient palace complex. Walk along a portion of the 4,000-mile-long Great Wall, enjoying the panoramic views and contemplating its role in China’s long history. Take a short flight to Xi’an to see the wondrous Terracotta Army, more than 7,000 life-sized clay sculptures of warriors and horses buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Your next stop might be Shanghai, China’s largest city and financial center, where you can stroll along the Bund, its famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. Be sure to sample the specialty xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at a few of the restaurants that claim theirs to be the best. You can be the judge.
We have the best China preferred vendors to take you on this great trip that fits your budget.
Egypt
If you’re fascinated by the ancient civilization of Egypt and have always wanted to see the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Nile, this could be the time to make your plans. The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to in early 2024, with more than 100,000 artifacts and about 20,000 on display, including 5,400 objects retrieved from Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Even if you usually travel on your own, you may want to consider a well-planned group excursion that takes care of the transfers, entry tickets, meals, tours, and other arrangements. For example, Adventures by Disney offers 10-day trips to Egypt that make planning simple. The itinerary includes a trip to the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, snorkeling in the Red Sea via private yacht, and a three-night cruise on the Nile. A papyrus-making demonstration and a hieroglyphics workshop is also part of the experience.
Iceland and the Northern Lights
What travel wish list doesn’t include seeing the aurora borealis? The challenge with getting a good look at the mysterious northern lights is that they don’t appear on schedule. Certain times of year (September through March) are better for viewing with the long winter nights. Travelers also need to avoid nights with a bright moon. Now that you have time to wait patiently for the spectacular show in the sky, why not plan a trip to Iceland?
While you’re there, don’t miss the Blue Lagoon. Book a day visit or stay in one of the hotels, like the Silica Hotel or the five-star luxury Retreat Hotel. The 102-degree milky blue water is said to be excellent for the skin, and its scenery and unique waters make it Iceland’s most-visited attraction. You might even be lucky enough to see the northern lights as you luxuriate in the warm water of the lagoon.
As an example, Hotel Ranga, a family-owned boutique that celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, is a popular place to stay while you wait for the northern lights to appear. Their on-site observatory, outdoor hot tubs, aurora alert service, cozy rooms, gourmet meals, and hospitality make the anticipation relaxing and enjoyable.
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Senior Travel/The Travel Center
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