We are often asked what the best vacation option might be for each age group. While there certainly is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to this, and the response will differ for each individual, some general observations can be made.
If you have been wanting to take a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. but have been waiting for your retirement to do so, these ideas will provide a way to spread out some of the top bucket list choices throughout your lifetime. Life is short, after all, and certain experiences can be better enjoyed at different stages of your life.
This list provides one trip you should do in every decade of your life; whether it’s traveling across Japan on the Shinkansen or seeing animals on a safari in South Africa, your bucket list dreams can come true!
Europe in Your Twenties
Your twenties are among the most thrilling and poignant times of your life, and Europe is the ideal destination to explore new passions, meet people from all backgrounds, and broaden your understanding of history and culture. With 33 countries at your disposal, if you purchase a Eurail Global Pass, the continent is literally at your fingers. In addition, there are other value-packed travel options that can be arranged.
Many young individuals who are studying abroad or taking a gap year try to explore as many places in Europe as they can, often on a whim. This is totally doable. When you get to your destination, you may spend the night touring before boarding a train to go to your next location, or you can stay at one of the numerous value-priced hotels.
Traveling on a tight budget is not really “comfortable,” but we understand it may be necessary for this age group. Regardless, this is why we recommend you do it in your 20s. Whatever your fancy, Europe has it all: explore Camden Market, take a double-decker bus, marvel at Buckingham Palace in London, enjoy a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, experience paragliding in Interlaken, stay in a quaint hotel in Copenhagen or sip a pint while taking in live music at Temple Bar in Dublin Europe can provide you with a great experience.
Japan in Your Thirties
Having checked off your European experience (for the time being, at least), you undoubtedly feel like a more seasoned traveler. Take a break from your 9–5 routine and plan your next amazing journey: seeing a new continent. A wonderful spot to start exploring Asia is Japan. You’ll be reminded that the globe is big and that even the most commonplace events, like riding the metro or placing an order at a restaurant, may feel novel when you experience a radically different lifestyle and culture. This will require a bit more study. Japan is a very hospitable country, and with more and more people living there, English is becoming more widely spoken.
Start your trip in Tokyo to experience the vibrant city life: go to the fashion and cosplay hotspot of Harajuku; take a picture with the famous Tokyo Tower; have sushi served on a conveyor belt; and more. Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka to see more cultural sites, including the gold-colored Buddhist Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Arashiyama bamboo forest, and Osaka Castle. After visiting the main cities, go to Hakone to see Mount Fuji, relax in a traditional ryokan on a tatami mat, and have a hot spring bath. Japan will delight you!
Bolivia and Peru in Your Forties
It may become more difficult to take a long vacation by the time you are forty years old. Time flies when you have children or are in a leadership position at work, so don’t forget to plan another once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Exploring Peru and Bolivia, two of South America’s most breathtaking nations, will take you south of the equator.
Arrive by plane in the vibrant city of Cusco, then travel to Machu Picchu by train or by foot along the Inca Trail. See the flowers at Miraflores Cliff, explore the Peruvian city of Lima, and get a snack at the storied Mercado de Surquillo. Before taking a quick trip to La Paz, Bolivia, the world’s highest-elevation capital city, see the several communities that make up the Sacred Valley. Experience the world-famous cable car transit system of the city before visiting the Valley of the Moon’s Mars-like rock formations and Salar de Uyuni, the biggest salt flat in the world.
Iceland in Your Fifties
In your fifties, a tranquil getaway is just what you need, but that doesn’t mean your upcoming vacation has to be dull. Reykjavík is far more accessible by plane than Barcelona or Milan, and you can see a lot of Iceland’s natural splendor in only one week by traveling there and back. Winter and summer are the best times of year to travel. You’ll need to wear warm clothing in the winter, but your chances of viewing the northern lights are higher. Here, you can experience spelunking in ethereal frozen tunnels, relax in the Blue Lagoon, witness the purplish pink sunset over the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and schedule an ice cave trip.
Summer is puffin season when the island will be blanketed in a vivid green. During this season, be sure to see the powerful Goðafoss Waterfall, observe the geysers erupting at Geysir Hot Springs, and stroll along the black sand beach at Reynisfjara featuring hexagon-shaped rock formations.
South Africa in Your Sixties
It’s going to be a huge 60th birthday, so make plans for a fantastic trip to Africa. To see the “Big Five” on safari, take a plane to Johannesburg and then take a tour to Kruger National Park. After you’ve seen enough wildlife, travel to Cape Town and spend a day in the Breede River Wine Valley wine sampling. Visit the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which features trees, flowers, and plants from five of South Africa’s six distinct biomes, and take the aerial cableway to the summit of Table Mountain, a flat-topped sandstone peak with unmatched views.
Danube River Cruise in Your Seventies
Make sure you treat yourself to another vacation to commemorate being seventy years old. Enjoy a river cruise down one of the world’s great rivers, such as the Danube. On a cruise, it’s simple to enjoy the sights at a much slower pace. Everything is planned out for you, so you don’t have to worry about meals, activities, or getting on the next bus or train. From Hungary to Germany, a Danube River cruise on Ama, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld, or other companies will reveal the charm of Eastern Europe. Extensions like walking tours, hotel stays, museum admittance, cuisine samples, and more allow you to make the most of your trip. It’s the ideal approach to revisit your earlier travel experiences around Europe or to discover hitherto unexplored regions of the continent.
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer Train in Your Eighties
While there’s never a bad time to go on vacation, taking a leisurely train excursion in your eighties to appreciate the countryside without any hassles is great. If a lengthy journey is out of the question, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies by taking the First Passage to the West train, which runs from Banff, Alberta, to Vancouver, British Columbia, on the Rocky Mountaineer. Travel across mountain passes, via the famous Spiral Tunnels, and through canyons to traverse the Continental Divide. Get off to explore Kamloops, a city steeped in history, and the stunning blue waters of Lake Louise. A Rocky Mountaineer or other rail trip is sure to delight you.
Conclusion
While these experiences are certainly not restricted to the age groups we have shown, and are availble, and enjoyable, to all ages the above will provide some ideas for you to consider. When you are ready to move forward working with a professional travel advisor like Travel N Relax will provide you with a relaxed trip planning experience fully customized to your needs and desires. Give us a call at 303.317.6945 to start planning your next bucket list experience!
