Best over 50s vacations
Generation X deserves vacations with the X factor. As schools and universities taunt students with adventurous trips and gap year opportunities, rather than sitting around saying ‘wow, those vacations weren’t available when I was a kid’, and indeed, often they weren’t, this Over 50s vacation guide encourages you to join the party. Many 50-year-olds took time out to backpack, Interrail or work their way around Oz. There were no small group tours to take you around in the 80s – at least not for those without an American Express card or a yuppie lifestyle. So, yes the Loire is lovely and the Dordogne is divine. But snowshoeing up a Sicilian volcano? Swimming with whales in the Azores? Seeing gorillas in the mist? They all have the X factor.
1.
African safari
2. Costa Rica
3. Ecuador & Galapagos
4. Gorilla watching
5. The Inca Trail
6. Southeast Asia
7. Italy
8. Japan
9. Sea kayaking in Croatia
10. Small ship cruises
11. Sri Lanka
12. Whale watching in Azores
2. Costa Rica
3. Ecuador & Galapagos
4. Gorilla watching
5. The Inca Trail
6. Southeast Asia
7. Italy
8. Japan
9. Sea kayaking in Croatia
10. Small ship cruises
11. Sri Lanka
12. Whale watching in Azores
African safari
1. African safari
It’s the Big Five for the Big 5-0. An African safari is hard to beat, although traveling with a responsible safari company who doesn’t mistreat animals, works with expert local guides, interacts with communities and so on, turns an amazing trip into the best of your life. With some 20 countries and a plethora of national parks, reserves and conservancies, the choice is huge. Go tailor made, small group or even cycle.
Costa Rica
2. Costa Rica
If you haven’t zip lined through a rainforest before, Costa Rica is the where, and your 50s are the when. As well as the wildlife that it’s rightly famous for, such as turtles, dolphins, birds galore and howler monkeys, you can do all the adventurous things you never thought you would. Raft down the Pacuare River, wild swim in the Sarapiquí Valley, volunteer on a turtle conservation project. Or you could just chill.
Ecuador & Galapagos
3. Ecuador & Galapagos
The Galapagos are unique and no better way to celebrate your half century than swimming with sea lions, walking with tortoises or sailing around this archipelagic paradise on a traditional schooner. However, one big tip. Don’t overlook mainland Ecuador. The size of the UK, it’s a packed piñata of Amazon jungle, Andean páramo, cloud forest and snow-capped volcanoes. Because life does begin at 50.
Gorilla watching
4. Gorilla watching
Seeing rare gorillas in the wild is an experience that taps into that 50-something desire to start seeing life from a different perspective. To take stock. Because trekking through rainforest to see a family of gorillas has a huge impact. It’s a moment in time when the line between animal and human is briefly blurred, leaving you with a profound understanding of what it means to be a part of the primate family.
The Inca Trail
5. The Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is the ultimate gap year thing, but don’t let your kids beat you to it. Or, even better, do it with them before they fly the nest. Trek on ancient pathways through Andean high, windswept tundra or cloud forest to share the magic of Machu Picchu. Solo travelers also rate our small group tours on the Inca Trail highly. And no way are they all gappers. Just adventurers of all ages.
Southeast Asia
6. Southeast Asia
Chaotic, crumbling, modern and ancient, is how many travelers describe Southeast Asia. And, indeed, a bit like how many of us describe our 50s. One day darting around, the next feeling a bit dilapidated. Which is why a multi-country tour of Southeast Asia works perfectly. Chill in rural Vietnam, bounce around the culture of Thailand, lose yourself in little-explored Laos and if you fancy adding on Cambodia too, just opt for a tailor made trip.
Italy
7. Italy
Sauntering around Rome and Florence is wonderful, but look beyond the museums and galleries to picture perfect natural Italy. Hike in Tuscany, discover the Aeolian archipelago volcanoes, the dramatic Dolomites, inland Sardinia and the undulations of Umbria. And for that romantic tryst, we will always have Amalfi, darling. Where, as well as the glamour, a whole world of traditional farms and real Riviera life awaits.
Japan
8. Japan
Japan is one of those countries when you visit you will think, why did I not come here years ago? Its unique history from Edo to earthquakes, Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo long distance walking trails, volcanoes, ancient traditions, hot spring baths, ryokan living, amazing food and incomparable welcome, as well as the most efficient bullet train in the world, will have you turning Japanese. I really think so.
Sea kayaking in Croatia
9. Sea kayaking in Croatia
You are never too old to start sea kayaking and if you already know and love Croatia, seeing it from the water will enable you to appreciate it in completely different ways. Plus you keep fit, avoid summer crowds, swim lots and access sublime, secret beaches. There are over 1,000 islands along the Istrian and Dalmatian coasts, so get paddling. Put your hiking boots in your drybag too; they are all worth exploring.
Small ship cruises
10. Small ship cruises
Unlike massive cruise liners, small ship cruises take you off the usual wanderers’ wavelengths, away from massive marinas to island idylls. And forget that ‘lie on deck and eat all you can’ ethos. These trips combine kayaking with whale watching in the Arctic, snorkelling in the Galapagos, doing yoga on board a Turkish gulet. And with small ships come expert guides, naturalists and burgeoning libraries. Dream boats really.
Sri Lanka
11. Sri Lanka
Over 50s will remember Sri Lanka as Ceylon and, although there are still vestiges of colonialism, it’s young Sri Lankans who are sussed to sustainability. With a fine reputation for expert local guides, combine wonders of the Cultural Triangle with cycling along tropical back roads or coastal wetlands of Bundala NP. And head to the northeast coast for beach bliss, only now opening up since the end of the war in 2009.
Whale watching in Azores
12. Whale watching in Azores
The Azores is of the most responsible whale watching destinations, for fin, blue, Sei, pilot, minke and sperm whale sightings. As well as orcas and dolphins. This is beyond a school of whales; this is a full on Oxbridge, from late June to early October. Go on photography or research trips, or combine it with superb hiking, such as to the top of Mount Pico, followed by swims in unique tidal lava pools.
Our Over 50s Vacations
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
From
US $4199 to US $5179
15 days
ex flights
Japan golden route vacation
9 night classic Japan trip: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto
From
US $2625
10 days
ex flights
Highlights of Morocco vacation
Explore the diversity of romantic Morocco
From
US $1399 to US $1549
15 days
ex flights
Archaeology vacation in Greece
A small-group archaeology tour of Greece
From
€1390
8 days
ex flights
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1849 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1845
9 days
ex flights
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More about Over 50s
These vacations allow you to take time to immerse yourself in a culture, activity or landscape. About having a special 50th (or 60th...) birthday celebration...
Over 50s vacations are just the same as under 50s vacations, as none of our vacations have any age restriction, other than the odd minimum age for kids...
Read on for over 50s vacation tips, from learning something new to being open to new experiences and giving solo travel a go on a small group tour...
Over 70s vacations are a chance to really make the most of things, such as not having to worry about annual leave, and so being able to take extended vacations...
Book a small group tour if you don't fancy going truly solo, or a special interest vacation - like yoga or photography - which attract plenty of solo travelers...
