"It's A Completely Immersive Experience": Older, Well-Traveled Adults Are Sharing The Vacation Destinations That Are Actually Worth It

“When I turned 50, I made a committedness to myself: I was going to question for me,” Tomiko Harvey, laminitis of Passports & Grub, told HuffPost. “No much waiting for the ‘right time’ oregon putting my bucket database connected clasp because, well, I americium good into my 50s. I privation to soak up each spot of luxury, civilization and escapade on the way, including trips with my hubby, girlfriends and solo.”

To animate each the quinquagenarian vacationers retired there, we asked Harvey and different seasoned travelers who are 50-plus to stock the destinations they urge visiting astatine this age. From scenic roadworthy trips and relaxing land stays to epic adventures and magical sights, there’s thing for each traveler. 

Responses person been lightly edited for benignant and clarity.

"For 50-plus travelers looking for a amusive and progressive sunshine holiday, I tin highly urge the Greek land of Andros," said question blogger Heather Cowper. "Only 2 hours by ferry from Athens, there’s a relaxed and authentic ambiance that’s a satellite distant from the busier islands of Mykonos and Santorini nearby."

She recommended visiting the galore beaches, swimming nether waterfalls, hiking astir the 240km of marked trails and enjoying the delicious nutrient successful the charming land municipality of Chora. 

"Arusha, Tanzania, is simply a large spot to sojourn successful your 50s!" said question writer Francis Tapon. "Climbing Kilimanjaro is highly hard for elder citizens, but astir radical successful their 50s tin inactive acme Africa’s tallest highest if they walk a fewer months getting successful signifier up of clip and instrumentality the one-week itinerary."

He added that galore 50-somethings person saved capable wealth to bask the costly but once-in-a-lifetime acquisition of a Serengeti safari. 

"Do these 2 activities portion you inactive person stamina, spot and cash," Tapon urged. 

"Cappadocia is thing abbreviated of magical," said question writer Patti Morrow. "Located successful cardinal Turkey, it’s celebrated for its unsocial 'fairy chimneys' — towering, cone-shaped stone formations and Bronze Age homes carved into vale walls by cave dwellers and aboriginal utilized arsenic refuges by aboriginal Christians seeking to debar persecution."

In her opinion, the champion mode to acquisition this surreal scenery is by taking a sunrise blistery aerial balloon ride. 

"For those acrophobic of heights, it is conscionable arsenic enchanting to ticker the balloons from the rooftop viewing terrace of 1 of the cave hotels," Morrow added. 

"One portion successful Italy that I deliberation is cleanable for 50-somethings is Piedmont, successful the country's northwest," Keith Jenkins, laminitis and steadfast of the Velvet Escape luxury question blog.

While the superior metropolis of Turin is simply a beauteous spot to sojourn for a fewer days, helium recommends spending much clip exploring the broader region.

"From the glistening peaks of the Italian Alps to the gentle hills of Monferrato and the spa towns of Lago Maggiore, there's truthful overmuch to acquisition successful this divers region," Jenkins said. "Home of the Barolo, Piedmont besides has a tantalizing array of exquisite wines and immoderate of the champion cuisine successful the country. You won't find the crowds of Rome, Venice oregon Tuscany here, truthful if you're looking to debar the masses and immerse yourself successful art, culture, past and nature, caput to Piedmont."

"San Miguel de Allende is the cleanable question destination successful your 50s — particularly for women looking to acquisition a vibrant, culturally rich, and visually stunning spot that feels some welcoming and inspiring," said S. Anne Marie Archer, aka BaldGirlWillTravel.

She praised the city's cleanable equilibrium of escapade and comfort, mild climate, thriving arts scene, welcoming community, relaxing blistery springs and vibrant Día de Muertos celebrations. 

"The culinary country successful San Miguel is exceptional, offering everything from authentic Mexican thoroughfare nutrient to gourmet planetary cuisine," Archer said. "When the prima goes down, San Miguel comes live with unrecorded music, bars, and rooftop lounges that make an unthinkable evening atmosphere. Whether you emotion intimate jazz clubs, lively cantinas oregon elegant cocktail bars, there’s ever thing happening."

"The Adelaide Hills is simply a cleanable getaway for over-50s looking for a scenic and relaxing roadworthy travel from Adelaide,"said Lisa Bundesen, creator of The Middle Age Wanderer. "Just a 30-minute thrust from the city, the rolling hills, charming towns and award-winning wineries marque it a must-visit destination."

In summation to enjoying the region's world-renowned achromatic wine, she recommended stopping successful Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement, to stroll the charming streets, store and bask the section nutrient — particularly the celebrated chocolates. 

"Indulge successful section delights portion soaking successful the caller state aerial and stunning views," Bundesen said. "With truthful overmuch to see, sensation and explore, the Adelaide Hills is simply a imagination destination for a relaxing and indulgent escape."

"If you bask question watching and formation combing, caput to the Oregon coast," said question writer Nancy D. Brown. "Oregon seashore hotels person built a concern astir tempest watching. Oregon’s beaches are little crowded than parts of the California coast."

She recommended Surfsand Resort successful Cannon Beach, which was precocious remodeled and is simply a premier destination for multigenerational trips and dog-friendly coastal escapes.

"This paradise land federation successful the Indian Ocean boasts turquoise lagoons and blinding achromatic beaches, bustling towns, colorful markets and a mountainous interior that begs to beryllium explored," Jenkins said. "It's an land wherever I tin instrumentality my clip to bask the section culture, the glorious sunsets (with a cocktail successful hand) and the mesmerizing lagoons."

As for accommodations, Mauritius has luxury resorts, charming beachside furniture and breakfasts and everything successful between, helium added. 

"At 55, I’m each astir progressive question — getting retired determination to hike, motorcycle and research portion I inactive can," said question blogger Sherry Ott. "If you’re successful your 50s and looking for an escapade that’s disconnected the beaten way but affluent successful civilization and connection, Japan’s Michinoku Coastal Trail is simply a must. Stretching 622 miles on the rugged, scenic seashore of the Tohoku region, this long-distance hiking way is much than conscionable a locomotion — it’s a travel done resilience and renewal."

Although the country was devastated by the 2011 earthquake, she noted that the section communities person rebuilt their homes "with unthinkable strength." It's not uncommon to conscionable radical anxious to stock their stories and showcase the beauteous landscape. 

"The champion part? You don’t person to hike each 622 miles. Opt for a week-long conception and bask the highlights astatine your ain pace," Ott added. "And aft a time connected the trail, thing beats sinking into a steaming onsen to soothe those well-earned aches. For anyone successful their 50s who wants an escapade that blends nature, culture, and a spot of indulgence, this is it!"

"Sweden’s large gully is quality itself," said Kristin Henning, a question writer and co-founder of TravelPast50. "For travelers successful their 50s — whether going solo, successful pairs, oregon successful groups — the operation of modern cities similar Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg with gorgeous landscapes and a affluent taste past satisfies a full scope of travelers’ desires."

She highlighted the world-class museums and historical sites showcasing modern art, Nobel Prizes, ABBA artifacts and adjacent a fascinating 17th period ship. The nationalist transit and easiness of communicating successful English marque Sweden elemental for Americans to navigate. 

"In nature, observe sailing and h2o sports successful the archipelago," Henning added." Enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing successful the mountains astir Åre, wherever seasonal covering tin beryllium rented."

"All crossed Sweden, she went on, "find spectacular nutrient based connected caller section products and welcoming radical successful cozy environments scattered crossed the heartland. Coffee and cardamom rolls sensation adjacent amended by a fire."

"Sri Lanka is simply a imagination destination for over-50s, offering a premix of wildlife, culture, delicious nutrient and lukewarm hospitality," Bundesen said. "This land federation is casual to explore, with thing peculiar astatine each turn."

For Bundesen, the item of a Sri Lanka sojourn is simply a safari successful Yala National Park, wherever you tin spot elephants, leopards, exotic birds and more. She recommends Kulu Safaris arsenic your escapade host.

"Beyond wildlife, Sri Lanka’s vibrant nutrient country is simply a treat," she added. "From fragrant curries to caller seafood and celebrated Ceylon tea, each repast is simply a delight. The affable locals marque the acquisition adjacent better, welcoming visitors with genuine warmth. For a much relaxed pace, research past temples, lush beverage plantations and stunning beaches."

"Bologna is the cleanable destination for those looking for an authentic Italian acquisition without the crowds," said Irene S. Levine, a question writer and shaper of MoreTimeToTravel. "This metropolis is affluent successful art, architecture, history, and culture, and offers a much relaxed ambiance than Rome, Venice, oregon Florence."

She praised the city's iconic covered walkways, magnificent cardinal square, the Piazza Maggiore, and of course, the fantastic cuisine. 

"The Emilia Romagna portion and its superior city, Bologna, are a mecca for nutrient lovers," Levine said. "The portion is known arsenic Italy’s 'Food Valley' due to the fact that of its PDO products similar parmigiano reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella and balsamic vinegar, and its celebrated dishes specified arsenic tagliatelle, tortellini and lasagna Bolognese. If you inquire Italians wherever they’d astir similar to dine aft their mother’s kitchen, Bologna would apt beryllium their answer."

"When I wanted a premix of relaxation and culture, and Phuket delivered," Harvey said. "This land is truthful overmuch much than conscionable beaches — it’s wellness retreats, breathtaking island-hopping tours, and immoderate of the champion massages I’ve ever had. I started my mornings with yoga, ate the astir flavorful thoroughfare food, and adjacent took a vessel circuit to the celebrated Phi Phi Islands."

The quality of Thailand is that you tin indulge without breaking the bank, she added. 

Travel writer Barbara Weibel similarly praised Thailand for its opportunities for authentic taste immersion and wide array of tourer experiences. 

"Most visitors to Thailand commencement successful Bangkok — the thriving, pulsating, fast-paced superior metropolis that is location to the Grand Palace, celebrated temples specified arsenic Wat Po and Wat Arun, the world’s largest play marketplace Chatuchak, a mind-numbing array of upscale buying centers and the largest Chinatown successful the world," she said.

"But Thailand is much than Bangkok," she added. "The southbound is celebrated for stunningly beauteous beaches, portion the northbound features the country’s highest mountains, wherever residents of elevation people villages unfastened their homes to visitors and let them to enactment successful regular colony life. The Jewel of the North, Chiang Mai, features breathtaking festivals and immoderate of the world’s astir delicious food."

"An Inside Passage cruise successful Alaska is an unforgettable experience, particularly for over-50s who emotion escapade without sacrificing comfort," Bundesen said. "Gliding done glacier-carved fjords and snow-capped peaks, each presumption feels similar a postcard travel to beingness — each from the comfortableness of a luxury cruise ship."

She besides raved astir the caller Alaskan seafood, stunning Davidson Glacier and charming larboard cities similar Juneau. And spending a time successful Glacier Bay is 1 of her astir magical memories. 

"Watching monolithic crystal sheets interruption disconnected and clang into the oversea is quality astatine its astir almighty and breathtaking," Bundesen said. "Off the ship, the adventures are conscionable arsenic exciting. Imagine taking a floatplane heavy into the Alaskan wilderness, landing successful distant carnivore state to ticker brownish bears sportfishing for salmon — a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"Morocco should beryllium connected everyone's over-50 question to-do list," said question contented creator Lisa James. "Let’s look it, if you are successful your 50s, you merit a spot of magic successful your life, and Morocco is that magic. Morocco is genuinely a state wherever escapade has nary expiration date. It is for travelers who privation everything: coastal calm, upland retreats, godforsaken romances, cities that consciousness arsenic if you’ve stepped into the pages of a puerility publication of acold disconnected lands. "

She's a instrumentality of sipping a elemental cupful of mint beverage portion radical watching astatine the Jemaa el-Fnaa Medina successful Marrakech, past diving into the hustle and bustle of the souk. 

"If you privation to commencement retired dilatory and enactment your mode to the chaos of Marrakech, commencement successful the little talked-about Rabat," James suggested. "With its wide avenues lined with imposing thenar trees, its cleanliness and cosmopolitan vibe, a fewer days moving dilatory volition hole you for a sojourn to Fez. Fez is the younger relative of Marrakech — little imposing and calmer. But the quality of Fez is the past and a consciousness of stepping backmost successful time. And don’t hide the good preserved and sprawling Roman ruins lone 2 hours for Fez."

"Located astir 160 miles from Tahiti, Bora Bora is surrounded by an iridescent turquoise lagoon, tiny islets called 'motu,' and a obstruction reef," Morrow said. "James Michener proclaimed it to beryllium 'the astir beauteous land successful the world' and I agree."

Visitors tin snorkel successful crystal-clear coral gardens and research the lush scenery by hiking oregon Jeep.

"Staying successful an iconic overwater bungalow, portion pricey, is simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Morrow said. 

Morrow recommends taking a safari abrogation successful Kenya successful your 50s. 

"There are plentifulness of large reasons to spell connected a safari," she said. "Whether you privation to spot the Great Migration oregon get up adjacent and idiosyncratic with the Big Five, a safari successful Africa volition ne'er disappoint. 

She noted you tin take from a scope of safari options, from fund to luxury.

"In summation to the wildlife, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the bush experiences are similar thing you’ve experienced before," Morrow added. "It is intolerable not to beryllium changed by a safari." 

"In galore ways, Seville could beryllium considered the astir Spanish of each Spanish towns, and that’s wherefore we urge it to inquisitive travelers," said Tom Bartel, a question writer and co-founder of TravelPast50. "It has beauteous walking neighborhoods specified arsenic Santa Cruz that diagnostic picturesque, flowered balconies and fountained patios. It has a world-class good creation museum, the Museo de Bellas Artes."

He besides touted the city's authentic flamenco culture, monumental cathedral, Moorish palace and aged Jewish quarter, which talk to the affluent past of the Andalucía region.  

"Classic tapas bars and family-owned restaurants tin beryllium recovered connected astir each country of Seville," Bartel added. "And, if that’s your thing, it has bullfights. In short, it tin beryllium a wholly immersive acquisition for idiosyncratic of a definite property who is culturally astute."

"As an equestrian question adept with 2 hep replacements, I similar brushed escapade activities with my experience-driven vacations," Brown said. "With that successful mind, I took a solo travel to Vista Verde Ranch adjacent Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Not lone does the ranch connection horseback riding, but they besides person alert sportfishing successful a freestone river."

She besides enjoyed the opportunities for hiking and biking and the show of the leaves changing colors successful the fall.  

"As we get older, our travels go little astir relaxation and partying, and much astir having authentic, unsocial taste experiences," Weibel said. "Nepal has a staggering 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites successful the Kathmandu Valley alone."

For those who are adventurous, she believes the destination is large for autarkic travel, alternatively than taking a pre-arranged tour. 

"The bluish [part] of the state is location to the world’s highest mountains, which emergence supra the plains successful their snow-capped majesty," Weibel said. "The confederate steamy jungles are location to nationalist parks wherever visitors tin spot tigers and achromatic rhinos successful the wild. And the halfway of the state is location to the lakeside metropolis of Pokhara, the 2nd astir fashionable destination successful the state aft Kathmandu and possibly the champion accidental for taste immersion."

"Bodrum is simply a imagination if you emotion lounging successful a beachside cabana with a solid of vino successful hand," Harvey said. "It’s wherever past past meets modern luxury — deliberation boutique hotels similar the Bodrum Edition, gorgeous bluish waters and the benignant of sunsets that marque you pause."

She recommended feasting connected caller seafood and baklava and exploring the beauteous surroundings. 

"I wandered done Bodrum Castle, indulged successful a accepted Turkish hammam, and sailed 7 days on the Mediterranean Riviera with Scic Sailing," Harvey said.