What do we mean by 'over 50s vacations'?
We absolutely do not mean that we have a load of dusty old vacations, where no ‘under 50s’ are allowed. In fact, at Responsible Travel we don’t like to put our travelers in boxes at all. Whether you are looking for an over 50s, 60s, 70s or, to infinity and beyond vacation. Travel is about freedom, crossing boundaries, engaging with new cultures, young and not so young. Most of all travel is life affirming, and who doesn’t seek that once they cross the 50 mark?
The reason we have written this Over 50s vacations guide is to share with you some of our favourite spots or activities that you may not have thought about already, for whatever reason. Maybe your children have just reached the age when vacations en famille are not the cool thing to do. You may have spent the last 10 to 20 years of vacations seeing relatives, camping, booking a resort, or renting a house with friends in the country. Because the kids love that. But now you have, hopefully, a bit more time to think about the types of trips you want to do.
Our Over 50s Vacations
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
From
US $3579 to US $4199
15 days
ex flights
Japan golden route vacation
9 night classic Japan trip: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto
From
US $2625
10 days
ex flights
Costa Rica highlights vacation & beach
Short highlight itinerary covering city, forests and beach.
From
£1455
13 days
ex flights
Sintra Natural Park accommodation in Portugal
Eco-friendly B&B, in Sintra Natural Park near lovely beaches
From
€90 to €120
per room per night
Cycling vacation in Croatia, Dalmatian Coast
Cycling through the Dalmatian Coast Islands in Croatia
From
US $1549 to US $2479
8 days
ex flights
Scotland by railway vacation
Experience authentic Scotland independently and car-free
From
£1135 to £1195
8 days
ex flights
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1658
9 days
ex flights
Whale watching in the Azores
Classic whale watching trip in the Azores archipelago
From
£610 to £745
7 days
ex flights
Umbria cooking vacation, Italy
italian cooking in a farmhouse between Umbria and Tuscany
From
€1440 to €1650
7 days
ex flights
Southern Peru small group tour
Journey through south Peru, the heartland of the Inca Empire
From
£3386
14 days
ex flights
Gorilla Safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
From
US $4979
16 days
ex flights
Orkney & Shetland self drive vacation, Scotland
Self-drive island-hopping through the Northern Isles
From
£825 to £940
7 days
ex flights
Self drive vacation in Costa Rica, Pacific Coast
Self-drive Costa Rica's Pacific coast, away from the crowds
From
£4495
17 days
ex flights
Southern Croatia cruise in comfort
Cruise Croatia's beautiful islands on a small cruise ship
From
£559 to £805
8 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka vacations, tailor made
Independent tailor made vacations to Sri Lanka
From
£2145
15 days
inc UK flights
Croatian coast walking tours, self guided
Self guided walking tour on the sunny Croatian coast
From
€595 to €750
7 days
ex flights
Small group adventure vacation to Patagonia
Explore the spectacular wilderness and mountains of Patagonia
From
£4042
20 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€715 to €799
8 days
ex flights
Classic Cuba vacation, 11 days
Get into the Cuban swing over just ten days.
From
£1125
12 days
ex flights
Archaeology vacation in Greece
A small-group archaeology tour of Greece
From
€1250
8 days
ex flights
Self guided walking vacation in France
Idyllic walking in France with great food, wine and ambience
From
€1110
6 days
ex flights
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1549 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Tiger tour in India, land of the Tiger tour
Wildlife tour through India
From
US $2949 to US $3579
15 days
ex flights
South Africa safari vacation, 14 days
Award winning safari in South Africa
From
£3865
14 days
ex flights
Japan small group vacation, Japan unmasked
Whistlestop Japan highlights with an expert tour leader
From
£2470 to £2855
14 days
ex flights
Cycling vacation in Portugal, self guided
A leisurely cycling vacation in the Algarve
From
€665 to €729
7 days
ex flights
Transylvania vacation accommodation
Stay at a Count's guesthouse
From
€100 to €174
per person per night
Mekong Adventure in Laos & Cambodia
Follow the Mekong, one of the world’s greatest rivers
From
US $2550
17 days
ex flights
Or you may not have children, and have travelled independently for years, but want to give the small group vacation thing a go, or take on a self-guided or tailor made vacation, because you are fed up sorting out all the logistics yourself – or you fancy trying out somewhere a bit more adventurous, where traveling independently could be tough.
Small group vacations
We also want to take this opportunity to sing the praises of small group vacations. Sometimes, the notion of a small group vacation makes 50-somethings nervous. Memories of 18-30s vacations, or worse, school trips. But the world has changed. Small group vacations run by responsible companies have really sussed not only sustainability, but also solo travel and mixed generational travel.
On a small group vacation, which could be anything from hiking the Tour de Mont Blanc, to traversing Indochina, everything is taken care of. The companies we represent on Responsible Travel know their destinations like the back of their hand, work with local experts, know the best times to travel, how to avoid the crowds, how to keep you safe and, very importantly, how to make sure you have the time of your life.
Small group tour sizes can range from two to 24 travelers, but the usual numbers are between four to 16 people, with an average of about 12. You won’t be bussed everywhere either; small group vacations are not coach vacations, so let that one go. They may use local transport, comfortable yet compact sprinter coaches or specially designed overland vehicles – or you hike or bike from one place to the next. Whatever one you opt for, all the worrying is done for you. You just have to get up in the morning and enjoy the adventure.
Our top Over 50s Vacation
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
From
US $3579 to US $4199
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 3 Nov, 14 Nov, 19 Nov, 21 Nov, 24 Nov, 28 Nov, 19 Dec, 22 Dec
2021: 2 Jan, 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 21 Jan, 28 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 9 Feb, 11 Feb, 13 Feb, 20 Feb, 25 Feb, 27 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 16 Mar, 20 Mar, 23 Mar, 25 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 14 Apr, 17 Apr, 21 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct ...
2020: 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 3 Nov, 14 Nov, 19 Nov, 21 Nov, 24 Nov, 28 Nov, 19 Dec, 22 Dec
2021: 2 Jan, 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 21 Jan, 28 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 9 Feb, 11 Feb, 13 Feb, 20 Feb, 25 Feb, 27 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 16 Mar, 20 Mar, 23 Mar, 25 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 14 Apr, 17 Apr, 21 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Over 50s or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Age & accommodation
Age ranges on a small group vacation vary, and you can check with your tour operator what the average age might be, and also they will always give detailed guidance as to fitness levels required. Although in our experience, especially on hiking and cycling vacations, it is the 50+ vacation makers who are in it for the long haul.
If you are traveling alone, you may want to have your own room instead of sharing a room with someone of the same gender, in which case you usually have to pay a solo supplement. But all those details are given to you well in advance.
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...
Explore our best over 50s vacations, from gorilla watching to tracking the Big Five, hiking the Inca Trail or kayaking from island to island in Croatia...
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...
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Ross Huggett] [What do we mean by over 50s vacations?: Rosanetur]
[What do we mean? - Couple, Myanmar: Neville Wootton]
[What do you mean? - Woman with guide: McKay Savage]
[Small group vacations: Guilhem Vellut]
[Small group vacations hiking : Jerry Kirkhart ]
[Age & accommodation - fitness: kcxd]
[Age & accommodation: KB Collection Hotels & Resorts]
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