These post-retirement adventures are just what you need to kick off your golden years!
Could there be a better time to discover the world than right after you enter retirement? I really don’t think so. You’ve worked hard your entire life… So now it’s time to play!
Once the reality of your new situation begins to set in (that you have all the time in the world and are free to do whatever you want), your next step is planning the ultimate trip.
From iconic experiences closer to home to faraway destinations, here’s my list of the 10 best post-retirement adventures to take now that you have all that free time!
Have a post-retirement adventure in Costa Rica
Looking to experience the pura vida way of life? Well, let your post-retirement adventure begin because the motto, “Enjoy life and be happy,” is a favorite saying in this Central American nation.
Various environments, including jungles, rainforests, volcanoes, Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, and hot springs, make it a captivating place to visit. Wildlife lovers can see wildcats, whales, reptiles, monkeys, sloths, and sea turtles living in their natural habitats.
After diving, surfing, playing golf, hiking, or exploring nature, you can relax on an immaculate beach or in a dense rainforest. Five-star hotels and luxurious resorts are conveniently situated all over the country, so you can choose your favorite surroundings to guarantee you find what pura vida means to you.
Here’s what you can look forward to: In Guanacaste, the W Costa Rica is enveloped by the beautiful sands of Playa Conchal. In the core of Costa Rica’s rainforest, Playa Cativo Lodge is an upscale beachfront property only accessible by boat.
And Nayara Gardens, which is located on the edge of this beautiful country’s Arenal Volcano National Park, boasts open views of the volcano.
Costa Rica has two international airports you can choose from: Daniel Oduber Quiros in Liberia and Juan Santamaria in San Jose. So remember to check the most convenient airport and ground transportation when booking your lodging.
Have a post-retirement adventure in China
Since it’s so far away and has such a vast expanse of land to explore, this post-retirement adventure has most likely been a destination you’ve waited your whole life to visit. Well, now you have the time!
Begin your trip in Hong Kong, where you’ll find delicious dining, excellent shopping, breathtaking skyline views, and beautiful harbor views from the top of Victoria Peak. You can also ride the Star Ferry to Kowloon to catch more of the iconic harbor.
Then, make your way to Beijing, China’s imperial capital, where you can view the Forbidden City, the largest surviving ancient palace complex worldwide, and historic Tiananmen Square. Stroll along a portion of the 4,000-mile-long Great Wall, enjoying the scenic views and contemplating its role in China’s lengthy history.
You can also take a quick flight to Xi’an to see the wondrous Terracotta Army, over 7,000 life-sized clay sculptures of horses and warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
Your next stop should be Shanghai, China’s biggest city and financial center, where you can walk along the Bund, a well-known waterfront promenade streaked with colonial-era buildings. Make sure you try the specialty xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at a few restaurants while visiting. They all claim theirs to be the best. You be the judge!
Have a post-retirement adventure in Blue Ridge Parkway
Celebrated as “America’s Favorite Drive,” this dazzling 470-mile route joins Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Head out on a road trip and take as much or as little time as you want on this post-retirement adventure, which averages between 3,000 and 4,000 feet in elevation. While on this trip, you can take advantage of the outstanding views from roadside pullover areas or stroll through quite a few of the 80-plus trails.
And the best part is that from upscale log homes and campgrounds, plenty of lodging is available, and you can enjoy culture, biking, history, nature, traditional music, and even golf along your way. In Asheville, North Carolina, I highly recommend exploring the majestic Biltmore Estate, built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt.
Self-guided tours will take you through the 250-room house and garden, which is like a “time travel experience.” You can also spend a night or two at the Estate’s hotel, The Inn, or your very own cottage.
All the info you need to plan your tour can be found on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s website. Plus, they offer an app that includes historic and scenic sites, lodging, and activities to guide you on your trip.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Africa
If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting Africa, whether for a post-retirement adventure, wildlife, or photography, now’s the time! On this trip, you’ll get the privilege of seeing the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebras travel from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, searching for grazing grounds.
There are many ways to experience this destination, too, from booking a stay at a luxury lodge and exploring the destination on day trips to joining a pre-booked safari and traveling through a few destinations.
There are even walking safaris, with camps in Mfuwe Lodge and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, where you can see elephants, giraffes, hippos, and antelopes at the Lodge’s lagoon. You can also choose an elegant tented camp or luxury lodge near Kruger National Park in South Africa with Beyond in their Ngala Private Game Reserve.
This is where you’ll have an opportunity to see rare white lion cubs. Or, consider the all-inclusive Kenya Wildlife Safari. It’s a 14-day itinerary that includes a visit to Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphans’ Nursery, nine-game drives, a cruise along the Zambezi River, and many more fun adventures.
With multigenerational travel becoming more and more popular these days, you can even have grandkids or other family members join you. For example, adventures by Disney’s 10-day South Africa trip starts in Cape Town and includes stops at Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, Kapama Game Reserve, Knysna Elephant Park, and more.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Rocky Mountaineer
Do you prefer leaving the driving to someone else? If so, then your ticket might just be a luxurious post-retirement adventure through the Canadian Rockies aboard one of Rocky Mountaineer’s glass-domed, comfortable railway cars. You can choose from options, like the Grand Adventure Circle Journey.
This is an 11-night trip that includes five days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and even overnight stays in Lake Louise, Whistler, Jasper, and more. The journey starts in Vancouver with plenty of time to explore and relax.
The next morning, you’ll board the Rocky Mountaineer and head toward British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Corridor on your way to the charming resort town of Whistler. Up next? You’ll wind your way through stunning canyons and farmland en route to Quesnel, then to Jasper National Park for some much-needed downtime.
Then, to get to Lake Louise, you’ll travel through the picturesque Icefields Parkway, where you’ll have the opportunity to ride an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier.
And once you get to Lake Louise, you’ll have lots of time to explore before heading to Banff and back to Vancouver through Kamloops. Be sure to check for Rocky Mountaineer itinerary options online.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Ireland
Looking for inviting pubs, lush green scenery, and friendly folks? Or maybe you want to learn more about your ancestors and discover the towns they once called home. Well, a trip to Ireland definitely fits that bill.
Begin your post-retirement adventure in Dublin, where you can visit the prison-turned-museum Kilmainham Gaol to hear about Ireland’s history, Trinity College to marvel at the architecture and ancient manuscripts, and the Guinness Storehouse to pour yourself a proper pint and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city.
You can even join a pub crawl and hear traditional Irish music while enjoying the lively bar scene. Other beautiful cities worth exploring in the country include Belfast, Dingle, Kinsale, Killarney, and Kilkenny.
You’ll want to drive the 110-mile Ring of Kerry along the Iveragh Peninsula for historical sites, breathtaking views, waterfalls, stunning beaches, and monuments. And I highly recommend staying in a castle like Dromoland Castle, Adare Manor, or Carton House.
Fun Fact: The seaport town of Cobh in County Cork was the departure spot of the Titanic. So a tour of the White Star Line ticket office is a memorable and moving experience.
If you plan on driving, just remember that you’ll be on the left side of the road, and cars have right-hand drive. It can be a little confusing, especially with a standard shift car. So you might want to go for an automatic vehicle or a driver for safer, comfortable touring.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Australia
With a long flight between 16 and 21 hours from the US and a vast area to visit, a trip to Australia probably doesn’t fit the younger generation’s schedule. But luckily, you’re ready to begin your post-retirement adventure!
While here, you can tour the iconic Opera House in metropolitan Sydney and see it from another viewpoint on a harbor cruise. Take a relaxing stroll across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or climb to the highest point of its steel arch if you have a more adventurous side.
But I also highly recommend familiarizing yourself with Australia’s remarkable wildlife on Kangaroo Island’s nature reserve, where you’ll see wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, fur seals, penguins, and kookaburras.
To experience marine wildlife on your post-retirement adventure, the Great Barrier Reef, which is situated off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia is home to numerous species of mollusks, starfish, colorful fish, turtles, dolphins, and sharks. Melbourne’s Great Ocean Road, at Australia’s southern tip, is the perfect area to see jagged cliffs, sandy beaches, rugged seashore, and even the dense Otway rainforest.
And since you’re already here, don’t miss Brisbane, Queensland’s capital, located along its scenic river and crossed by the Story Bridge. You can also cruise the Yarra River in Melbourne for outstanding views of the city’s skyline and landmarks.
Before booking your trip, remember that the seasons are opposite in the Southern Hemisphere. So most travelers to the southern part of Australia prefer visiting during the summer, from November through March.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Scottsdale, Arizona
This post-retirement adventure has many excellent hotel options if you want to be rejuvenated and spoiled in luxurious surroundings. The Andaz, for instance, offers bungalows and suites.
And the retreat’s secluded cluster of bungalows has its own swimming pool. Hotel Valley Ho, on the other hand, is faithfully restored with mid-century modern style and contemporary comforts, and it greets guests with classic furnishings that will take them back to the 50s.
The good thing is that Scottsdale is about a mere 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, so you can start unwinding as soon as you land. When you’re sufficiently restored and ready to see some sights, you’ll find walkable Old Town’s art boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and craft breweries that are fun and convenient.
While on this post-retirement adventure, be on the lookout for One-Eyed Jack, a giant stylized jackrabbit, which is just one example of Scottsdale’s commitment to public art.
The Museum of the West features an impressive collection of artifacts, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, photography, and drawings.
Meanwhile, the captivating Museum of Contemporary Art offers a variety of paintings, photography, installations, and videos. Visitors to Scottsdale should visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.
This was his winter home and architecture school. Tours display the home, furnishings, and structures, as well as much about Wright’s personality and life.
Have a post-retirement adventure in Sicily
This island that hangs off Italy’s toe is another exciting place for those seeking ancestral towns. Plus, you can explore it while looking for the perfect pasta alla Norma or cannoli. Many Italian Americans can trace their roots to Sicily as a result of migrations that happened in the late 1800s and early 1900s in our nation.
Palermo, which is Sicily’s capital, is a vibrant city with spectacular cathedrals, colorful outdoor markets, and delicious street food, including fried rice balls that are called arancini. Enjoy them with some delicious Sicilian wines, many from vineyards around Mount Etna, Sicily’s active volcano.
Unique and friendly cities along the coastline and in Sicily’s interior offer something for everyone on their post-retirement adventure, including ancient ruins at Siracusa, Agrigento, Selinunte, and Taormina, a testament to the island’s history, which has been occupied at various times by the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, and a few others.
Miles of beautiful coastline and beaches, fresh seafood, impressive architecture, and friendly locals are just a few reasons to visit Sicily. You can also easily travel between cities by bus, train, car, or private driver. Just remember that if you rent a car, the main highways are generally in well-marked and good condition, unlike some local roads.
Also, highway speeds are fast, and Sicilian drivers seem to adore tailgating. Within the cities, the streets are narrow, and parking is nearly impossible. But you can usually find public parking on the edge of towns in a “parcheggio.”
Have a post-retirement adventure on a United States Coast-to-Coast Road Trip
“See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet!” You’ve heard of the song, right? Well, even to this day, it remains good advice for post-retirement adventure travelers with lots of time on their hands! There are many places to explore and sights to see… and even ways to drive across America.
Of course, you can take the iconic Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles. This is the best option if you’re feeling nostalgic and want to experience kitschy landmarks, charming small towns, and an incredible view of the Grand Canyon.
Begin or end your journey on the Santa Monica Pier, the western end of the famous road. Just don’t forget to take a pic at the Santa Monica “End of the Trail” sign. Or, try the southern route connecting San Diego and Savannah. If you go this route, you’ll go through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Now, if you cut across the middle of Route 50, linking Maryland and northern California, you’ll get to see the Sierra Nevada, Appalachian, and Rocky Mountains, plains, deserts, and farmland. Washington, DC, the world’s tallest arch in St. Louis, and Lake Tahoe are also big highlights on this route.
So, grab a map and a traveling buddy and plan your cross-country trip TODAY! And if it seems like too much, simply rent a vehicle one-way and fly back!
So what do you think about all these post-retirement adventures? Be sure to leave a comment to tell me about your favorite option.
Meanwhile, before you head out, read through these 6 Genius Solo Travel Tips Seniors MUST know about