50-Plus Travel Top Travel Experiences

1. Cycling and Winetasting in France

Boomers like being active, just hold the hang gliding please. Cycling is a very popular activity among the 50+ crowd, and growing ever more so. Cycling tour companies generally offer a variety of levels from easy to challenging, and guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and routes.

France is an especially popular destination for boomers, and cycling in France is a common tour activity. Whether or not it’s the focus of the tour, or a 3 hour excursion, the countryside is unmatched in beauty, the rolling hills of vineyards beckon you to rustic wineries, and lovely towns dot the landscape where you can pull up for a delicious charcuterie plate as you relax from the day.

2. Luxury Safari in Kenya

An African safari is on top of many a bucket list. If you’ve never been and feel that this experience is now out of reach, think again! Luxury safaris have been a tradition for many years, Comfortable lodges in national parks, where you can have champagne on a private veranda, perhaps glimpsing an elephant in the far distance, are much more available today. Kenya is arguably the oldest safari destination, though Tanzania is maybe more popular today (the two countries are often combined on trips of a week or more).

Luxury lodges may make the accommodation and food options as comfortable as possible, but it is difficult to make a jeep ride anything but bumpy. To that end safaris, where wildlife viewing is a focus, are going to be most enjoyed by 50 plus travelers who don’t mind some dust and bumps.

3. Gardens, Golf, Castles, and Coastline in the United Kingdom

The UK is a trip for lovers of the classics. Classic literature, classic television, classic history, classic castles, classic sport. The UK is where you go to take a walking tour in brisk air, through amazing castles, before heading to a local pub to warm up and enjoy a pint with the locals.  

For fans of Masterpiece Theater, a lovely vacation through the United Kingdom will bring many stories, such as Downton Abbey, vividly to life. 

Golfers will love visiting St. Andrews in Scotland, and being in the birthplace of this most sophisticated sport. Playing the many historic courses in Scotland is a bucket list item for many in the 50+ crowd - a tour can help make this dream a reality.

4. Danube River Cruise

In keeping with the Masterpiece Theater theme, imagine sailing down the beautiful Danube entering the heart of Budapest as the sun sets lighting up the Parliament building in intense gold sunlight.

River cruises are a spectacular way to travel, particularly for the 50+ crowd who have more leisure time to travel. You’ll hit several countries, and can choose which excursions you partake in. Note that those who have difficulty walking or use a wheelchair should think twice about booking a river cruise.

Not all vessels are equipped for wheelchairs and rooms are smaller than they would be on a small ship cruise, for example. Additionally there is usually no elevator, so you need to climb a short staircase to reach the viewing deck.

But once you’re there? Enjoy lingering over a glass of wine as Europe glides by you, observing small towns and incredible landmarks from your unique vantage point in the middle of the river.

4. Small Ship Cruises

Slightly older travelers may with to consider a small ship cruise instead of a river cruise. Here you’ll have more choice in room size, and can venture into wider open seas for a true feeling of “getting away” but still in great comfort, with a lot of personal assistance available from ship staff.

Some of the more popular destinations for small ship cruises include Alaska, Canada’s Northern passages, Antarctica, or of course extended journeys that might take you around South America, or through the Mediterranean.

5. Historic sites, winetasting, and espresso bars in Italy

Italy has countless travel opportunities to offer, from spectacular ruins and archaeological sites to the boisterous and friendly culture, to their love of food, wine, and having a good time. Visiting Italy is a great tour choice for 50 plus travelers for this variety.

And if you’ve visited previously, and are a bit tired of the heavily trafficked and, sure, let’s face it, touristy, Rome, Venice, and Florence, consider a tour to Sicily or perhaps the northern region with beautiful lakes, or Bologna with its food heritage.

Those familiar with Italy’s coffee culture will love enjoying the beverage like the locals do. This is a ritualistic event in Italy, such that tourists stand out like a sore thumb if they are unfamiliar with the process. 1) Milk drinks (cappuccino, latte, etc) are only drunk in the morning. 2) The term “espresso” is meaningless. Espresso = coffee in Italy unless you specify otherwise. 3) Simplicity is key - none of your syrupy Starbucks concoctions. 4) Lastly, lingering over a coffee is a distinctly un-Italian way to drink. But you’re on vacation, so...we’ll permit it.  

6. Birding in South America

One of the fastest growing activities for boomers is birding. It requires minimal physical exertion unless you want it to, there is a wonderful sense of achievement as you add to your “life list”, and it provides the opportunity to improve your nature photography skills.

Birding tours offer a great way to meet travelers with similar interests, and are usually a very supportive group, as you share tales of previous birding adventures and the rare or elusive species each has yet to capture through the lens.

South America is home to some of the most densely populated biodiversity in the world, including over 1800 separate species of bird. It’s truly a birder’s paradise!

7. Learning and Educational Tours

A top tour attraction for 50+ travelers is the opportunity for in depth learning from expert guides, often professors or leaders in their field. These tours take you through Egyptian tombs with an Egyptologist, up to Machu Picchu with an archaeologist, exploring the Vatican with a professor of Religious iconography.

You might also take a cooking class, learn a native language, or try on traditional dress. These tours are all about discovering culture and history in a tangible way.

8. Visiting the Historic Galapagos

Surround yourself with one of the most fascinating and historically significant natural locations in the world. Tours to the Galapagos can be done in comfort aboard a small ship cruise, with island excursions for hiking, nature photography, and of course a tour through the Charles Darwin Research Center.

The wildlife on the Galapagos is famously unafraid of humans, and not due to captivity. These animals have simply never had reason to fear humans, and as a result go about their natural existence without a care in the world. This allows for stunning photographs, and unforgettable encounters.

9. Machu Picchu and Wider Peru

There are more ways to get to Machu Picchu than hiking the Inca Trail. The PeruRail train from Cusco is an extremely popular route. As it rolls through the Peruvian countryside, you’ll pass other ancient ruins viewable through the clear large windows.

Machu Picchu comes alive on a tour, as experts in archaeology and history walk you through the ruins, describing how incredibly advanced the construction was for the time, and the importance of the buildings placement.  

While Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s largest tourist draws, there is so much more Peru has to offer. Visit fascinating Lake Titicaca, visit other Inca ruins, and explore the cities and towns displaying Spanish colonial architecture. There are also ample national parks with incredibly diverse wildlife to explore. Peru is Machu Picchu and so much more!

10. Banff National Park, Canada

Rounding out our list is a visit to the beautiful and pristine Rocky Mountains in Canada, known especially for stunningly blue lakes and wildlife.

Lake Louise is definitely one of the largest draws within Banff National Park. Canoe through the amazing turquoise water with views of Mount Victoria in the distance, or talk a nice walk around the perimeter of the lake. The Banff gondola is also a very popular activity - you can soar above the trees and mountains for an unbelievable and unobstructed aerial view.

There are many hotels and resorts that make visiting Banff the perfect combination. You can enjoy wildlife and nature walks, with nice meals and comfortable accommodation.