YOU’VE WAITED AND WORKED AND SAVED YOUR WHOLE LIFE FOR RETIREMENT. NOW IT’S HERE AND IT’S YOUR TIME TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY. WHAT WILL YOU DO? FOR MANY, IT’S A TIME TO SEE THE WORLD. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE THE TIME TO GO WHERE YOU WANT. TO DO WHAT YOU WANT. HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY TRAVELLING WHEN YOUR OLDER HAS ITS BENEFITS!
THERE’S LESS PRESSURE
Travellers in their 20s may have youth on their side, but being young also means there are certain pressures – to focus on a high-flying career, for example, or settle down and have kids. But a little later in life, you can afford to take a more carefree approach to exploring. Chances are, you’ve already got the career bit nailed, and any kids on the scene might even be big enough to take care of themselves at home.
YOU CAN TRAVEL WHEN YOU LIKE
Forget battling with the crowds on public holidays or paying twice as much for a trip away just because the kids are out of school. With all that behind you, you’re free to travel whenever and wherever you please.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
One of the best things about getting older is that you have a better idea of what you want from a trip away. Why waste your time on a guided tour when you know that your perfect holiday involves exploring alone? And why bother with five different museums when you’re perfectly happy to lose yourself in a good book on the beach? With experience you learn to focus on what you really want to get out of travelling, rather than trying to keep others happy.
YOU CAN REALLY LIVE THE DREAM
As you progress from backpacker budgets, you might gain access to top-end travel experiences that your pennypinching former-self might have once dreamed of. That’s not to say that all older travellers are rich, but having a couple of years (even decades) of work behind you means that ‘luxury’ travel is now within reach – buy the caravan of your dreams, motorhome or simply find accommodation to suit your needs.
IT CAN MAKE YOU HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER
Taking the plunge and heading out on a big adventure later in life could actually be beneficial for your health and happiness.
Travelling is one of those great pastimes that, if done properly, can keep mind and the body ticking along like clockwork. That isn’t just an opinion: studies have suggested that taking trips away may actually increase longevity.
With a little planning and foresight, senior travel can be an amazing experience. LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!