Vacations You Should Add To Your Retirement Bucket List
Written by
Cara Danielle Brown
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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For many, retirement can be a time to live life to the fullest. Kids are grown and independent, a 9-to-5 is no longer weighing you down and personal passions can finally be prioritized. So why not kick off those dream journeys you’ve been postponing for decades?
Here are three vacations you should absolutely add to your retirement bucket list that combine affordability and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
China
Combining accessibility, affordability and adventure, China should top every retiree’s bucket list, attested Martina Li, travel expert and member of Ink Voyages.
“Elevators, cable cars and eco-shuttles let you immerse in ‘wild’ landscapes without the strain” of physical exertion, wrote Li. Meanwhile, cozy guest houses can be found for a mere $20 per night and elegant resorts are offered at a fraction of Western prices.
Per Li, China offers serene escapes like the Li River Cruise (from Guilin to Yangshuo), meditative wellness retreats in the Wudang Mountains (the birthplace of Tai Chi), unique opportunities to observe pandas in their natural habitat, sunset tea in Sanya Bay and accessible marvels like the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing (which offers “cable cars and smooth pathways that make one of the world’s greatest wonders surprisingly easy to enjoy”).
South Africa
South Africa not only offers a diverse array of attractions and culture, but serves as an affordable destination for those traveling from North America or Europe because of the favorable exchange rates.
Retirees can drive the Garden Route (boasting stunning coastal landscapes and opportunities for whale watching), hit Cape Town (with diverse culinary offerings and the iconic Table Mountain) and, of course, visit Kruger National Park (offering can’t-miss safaris with a variety of lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras and more).
Dianna Hetzel, luxury travel advisor and owner at Mer Bleue, stated that, with a few thoughtful tweaks, safaris can be an incredible experience for retirees.
“Keeping with private guides and vehicles for flexible game drives, staying in malaria-free areas, limiting the number of lodges to two and picking lodges that are prepared for mobility issues, if needed, make [this] truly a bucket list experience,” she added.
Machu Picchu, Peru
A 15th century Incan citadel located in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its intricate stonework. It is believed to have been either a royal estate or a sacred religious site for ancient Incan leaders.
And, according to Travel and Leisure, it should 100% be added to any retirement bucket list. While some choose to trek the Inca trail to arrive atop the infamous Machu Picchu, retirees may opt for a scenic train ride aboard Peru Rail or Belmond’s Hiram Bingham luxury train.
Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru is not inherently affordable, but opting for a DIY trip instead of a guided tour can be done on a budget. BrenOnTheRoad.com recommended taking a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo ($8 roundtrip), a train to Machu Picchu town ($100 roundtrip), staying two nights at the Supertramp Hostel ($20) and then buying tickets to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu ($62) for a grand total of $200. Affordable food options can be found in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes.
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