Retirement comes with a lot of perks—among them lots more time to travel without the hassle of needing to accrue vacation days and get sign-off from higher-ups to jet off. Trips can be longer or more frequent (or both). That really opens the door to many awesome opportunities to wander near and far. Maybe it’s taking the long-haul flight to a far-off destination that’s been on your bucket list for years. Perhaps, it’s escaping to a Caribbean island for some uninterrupted beachfront unwinding now that you have a calendar that’s free from conference calls and Zoom meetings. Surely, there are some action-packed city breaks that just felt too exhausting when you had students, patients, coworkers or investors in the back of your mind, but now it all seems nothing short of exhilarating. All this is to say that you’ve got a lot of options, from chill desert towns and beautiful beaches to game reserves and even the icy final frontier. Scroll on for ten retirement travel ideas that will make you even more excited for a post-job future.
10 Trips to Take When You Retire That Are Anything But Sleepy
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- Why we love it: golf, spa, resorts, hiking, scenery
- Where to stay: Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows (from $269/night), Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (from $495/night), Quiet Estate with Heated Pool ($529/night)
Scottsdale is one of the most relaxing and simultaneously energizing destinations in the Southwest. World-class golf courses and spa resorts sound like a recipe for retirement bliss. In between hitting the links and relishing rejuvenating facials and massages that put the pressures of work in the past, travelers can look forward to delicious meals at the many excellent local restaurants, nature walks through the desert and slumbering peacefully in sprawling rooms at five-star properties.
- Why we love it: adventure, scenery, wildlife peeping
- Where to stay: Sarova Mara Game Camp (from $274/night), Fairmont Mara Safari Club (from $396/night), Angama Mara (from $1,400/night)
Back in the old clock-in-clock-out days, the closest you probably ever got to lions, leopards and elephants was the zoo. Retirement is the period to change all that by embarking on a life-changing safari to Masai Mara. If possible, we recommend timing your trip to the great migration (July and August) when over 2 million wildebeest and zebra trek from the southern Serengeti to Masai Mara in southwest Kenya.
3. Grenada
- Why we love it: relaxation, beach, cuisine, resorts
- Where to stay: Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club (from $298/night), Spice Island Beach Resort (from $663/night), Silversands Grenada (from $900/night)
Whether you’re a foodie, adventure seeker or sun worshiper, Grenada fits the description of a perfect Caribbean getaway. The Spice Isle has top-notch rum distilleries, chocolate factories, nutmeg plantations and restaurants. Snorkeling enthusiasts will love the warm, turquoise tides and underwater sculpture park. For some adrenaline-pumping fun, book a zipline excursion or a dune buggy tour. Of course, we wouldn’t fault you for just posting up by the pool at one of the breezy beach resorts.
- Why we love it: adventure, scenery, wildlife peeping
- Where to stay: Go Ahead Tours cruise + hotels (from $9,869/12-night itinerary)
Getting to Antarctica requires way more time, energy and planning than simply hopping on a plane. And it certainly isn’t a trip that can be done in a couple of days. That’s why it’s such a great retirement adventure when you have a few weeks to spend setting sail on a sophisticated ship bound for the end of the world. So what exactly is waiting on the southernmost continent? Glaciers, icebergs, penguins and seals.
- Why we love it: history, culture, cuisine, affordable
- Where to stay: Shintana Saya Residence (from $51/night), Viroth's Hotel (from $86/night), Jaya House River Park (from $119/night), Angkor Wat & Vietnam Tour + hotels (from $3,729/15-day itinerary)
Affordable and tourist-friendly, Siem Reap is best known for Angkor Wat, the seat of the ancient Khmer Empire for centuries. The sprawling UNESCO-listed complex of preserved structures stands as the largest religious monument in the world. There are many other fascinating ruins to explore as well. In between visiting the famous temples, take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Khmer cuisine, watch an Apsara dance performance and book tickets to Phare, the Cambodian Circus.
6. Costa Rica
- Why we love it: adventure, scenery, wildlife peeping, beach, jungle
- Where to stay: House in the Mountains of Heredia ($from 99/night) Hotel Nantipa (from $370/night), Nayara Springs (from $885/night), Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo (from $975/night), Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife Tour + hotels (from $2,649/9-day itinerary)
The joyful, laid-back pura vida way of life makes Costa Rica an ideal destination for a retirement getaway filled with good vibes, spa rituals and a deep connection to nature. Topping the list of drawcards for visitors, the diverse landscape means the chance to see rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, hot springs and beaches. Because the Central American nation is relatively small, it’s easy to split days between the lush interior and the sun-splashed Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.
- Why we love it: history, culture, landmarks, shopping
- Where to stay: English Country House in the City ($205/night), Old Chelsea Modern Apartment ($222/night), Kensington Apartment with Garden ($273/night), London Experience Tour + hotels (from $2,119/7-day itinerary)
Clean and walkable and full of cultural attractions, restaurants and hotels, plus high-end designer shops and incredible thrift stores, London really has it all. There are recognizable landmarks from Buckingham Palace and Big Ben to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. You can snap pics with royal guards and peering out of the classic red phone booths, get your tourist on riding around on a double-decker bus and do a fancy afternoon tea.
- Why we love it: adventure, scenery, wildlife peeping
- Where to stay: Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel (from $195/night), Pikaia Lodge (from $1,520/night), Ecuador & Galápagos Islands cruise + hotels (from $4,619/10-day itinerary)
Visiting the Galápagos Islands ranks among the ultimate bucket-list trips for wildlife enthusiasts. (It’s also a great place to bring animal lovers of all ages. Maybe even the grandkids?) This volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean—where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution by natural selection—exhibits a diversity of unique flora and fauna. You’ll find everything from giant tortoises, penguins and blue-footed boobies to sea lions, marine iguanas and pink flamingos.
9. Cairo, Egypt
- Why we love it: history, culture, landmarks
- Where to stay: Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo (from $134/night), Fairmont Nile City (from $162/night), The St. Regis Cairo (from $360/night), Nile River Cruise + hotels ($2,539/9-day itinerary)
Cairo is a dream vacation destination for ancient history buffs, career sightseers and fans of mummy movies. Set on the banks of the Nile River, Egypt’s bustling capital boasts a truly overwhelming number of significant sites—the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and Coptic Cairo for starters. That’s one of the reasons it’s such a great trip for retirees who are able to plan a longer stay to cover more sacred ground.
10. Switzerland by Train: Lucerne to Zurich
- Why we love it: relaxation, scenery, culture
- Where to stay: Switzerland by Train + hotels ($4,209/12-day itinerary)
The snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps, sparkling lakes and stylish cities are certainly worthwhile individual trips. But you know what’s even better? A 12-day luxury train journey around Switzerland to discover some of the country’s most iconic sights. Highlights include riding on the GoldenPass Railway, Glacier Express and Bernina Express as well as wine tasting at Lavaux Vineyards, visiting enchanting Chillon Castle, witnessing the wonder of the Matterhorn and touring Zurich with a knowledgable guide.
