Best vacation for 50 year olds

Searching for a vacation for 50 year olds? Maybe you’re a 50 year old that’s looking forward to what could be one of the best vacations to date. Perhaps you’re just getting started on your journey to travel this beautiful planet and want to start out with something simple. No matter what your reason is, there are plenty of options at hand!

Looking for a vacation that is perfect for 50 year olds? You’ve come to the right place. Below are our top three picks for the best vacations for 50 year olds, along with relevant details and thought-provoking questions. Let’s get started!

Many people dream of having a long break after working long years. Some want to travel and want to go to famous tourist places in USA and some other countries around the world. However, there are some people who just like staying at home and prefer spending time at home relaxing their minds. These are the people who do not feel like traveling far for a break but would rather stay closer to home base. For friend, simply going out and doing something that is fun is enough for them.

The best vacation for a 50 year old is one that takes you back to your childhood.

You have a lot of memories in your brain, but they’re probably getting dusty and faded. You’ve got to go back to the source: that time when you thought the world was just perfect, and everything was possible. So go back there! Go back to the place where you had no worries about money or relationships or health problems—where it was just all about having fun with your friends, making mountains out of molehills, and finding treasure in your backyard.

If you’re a 50-year-old, you’re probably tired of people telling you to take it easy. You’re also probably not ready to let go of the life that got you to where you are today. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best vacations for 50-year-olds.

If you love nature and want to unwind in a place where there are no crowds or lines, consider visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The reef is the world’s largest living structure and is home to more than 1,500 species of fish. You can snorkel or scuba dive among them while they swim around you!

If you’re looking for something more relaxing, try an extended stay at one of the many beach resorts along Thailand’s Gulf Coast or Koh Samui island. These beaches are known for their white sand and clear blue water—and for being less crowded than other popular destinations like Bali or Phuket Island.

U.S. National Parks

GOOD FORadventure, discounts, road trips, multigenerational fun

No matter where you land on the outdoorsy spectrum—from those who peer into the Grand Canyon from the rim (pictured above) to those who paddle through it on a canoe—the wonders of the U.S. national parks system are accessible to visitors with a range of inclinations and physical abilities. Not every traveler over 65 will want to haul herself up the sheer rock face of El Capitan at Yosemite. But how about a ranger-led nature walk amid the geysers of Yellowstone? Or a scenic drive past forests, wildflowers, and maybe a black bear or two in the Great Smoky Mountains? For a onetime fee of $80, Americans aged 62 or older can get the National Park Service’s lifetime senior pass to experience all the natural splendor they could ever want to see.

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Beach in Cuba

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The Caribbean

GOOD FORrelaxation, low physical activity

“Our research for travel trends,” says Gillen of the AARP, “shows that a top motivator is relaxing and rejuvenating—this idea of wanting to get away from normal everyday obligations.” If taking it easy is what you’re after, the Caribbean supplies an ideal setting, with its velvety sands, sky-blue waters, and flip-flop-friendly weather. Those who have trouble getting around might want to see the region via ocean cruise. All the major lines have worked to make their ships and excursions more accessible for all passengers (if you have specific needs, call ahead to let the cruise company know). A cruise is one of the easiest ways to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cuba (pictured above) happen, too. To rent wheelchairs and other mobility equipment for a cruise, visit Scootaround or Special Needs at Sea

And for some destination inspiration, our features on our favorite islands in the Bahamasbeaches on Antigua, and tourist-free experiences on Barbados should give you a good start. 

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Cruise ship in Juneau, Alaska

Heather Shevlin on Unsplash

Alaska

GOOD FORadventure, easy pace, bucket lists

Alaska is irrefutable proof that you don’t have to leave the United States to check off items on your travel bucket list. Huge glaciers, whales, and grizzlies are all part of the state’s supercharged land- and seascapes. And you don’t have to be a wilderness explorer in peak physical condition to see some of the best stuff, either. Alaskan cruises, which provide accessible accommodations for pretty much everyone, showcase coastal marvels and port cities such as Sitka and Juneau—one of our Best Places to Go in 2018 for its revitalized waterfront and burgeoning food scene. “Flightseeing” and helicopter shore excursions provide eye-popping views of mountains, forests, and wild waterways. A leisurely inland alternative to cruising is a ride aboard the Aurora Winter Train, which chugs through Christmas-card-worthy scenes between Anchorage and Fairbanks from fall through spring—which happens to coincide with primetime for seeing the Northern Lights.      

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Cochem, Germany

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Central Europe’s Rivers

GOOD FOReasy pace, low to high activity level

A cruise is also a great way for seniors to journey through scenic swathes of GermanyAustria, and Hungary, courtesy of iconic European waterways such as the Danube and the Rhine. “River cruises allow you to have a more intimate experience and see more places,” the AARP’s Gillen points out, referring to itineraries that string together up-close views of bankside castles, vineyards, storybook villages, and showstopping cities including Vienna and Budapest. Yet despite the multitude of sights, the pace on deck is nice and easy, with picturesque landscapes scrolling by like the world’s most impressive stage backdrop. Of course, travelers craving more action can opt for excursions involving wine tastings, opera performances, and bike tours—many with electric-assist bikes for those who need a little added pedal power on hills and steep medieval streets.

Pictured: the German village of Cochem along the Rhine river  

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New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe

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Santa Fe

GOOD FORhealthy climate, outdoor adventure, arts and culture

Santa Fe’s Spanish Colonial adobe buildings and magical setting in the foothills of the rose-tinted Sangre de Cristo Mountains have made New Mexico’s capital city a magnet for artists and other scenery hounds for generations. Additional lures for the 65-and-over set: a warm, dry climate and a compact and walkable historic downtown centered on a leafy plaza that dates to the early 1600s. You don’t have to stroll far to find scores of art galleries, museums paying tribute to the region’s rich Native American traditions, and restaurants serving Southwestern cuisine (devotees of chocolate and chili peppers take note). Depending on the time of year, rugged types can go hiking or skiing in the surrounding mountains. 

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Machu Picchu in Peru

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Machu Picchu

GOOD FORbucket lists, adventure, group tours

The epic way to approach Peru’s mysterious citadel in the Andes is a hike along the Inca Trail. But if an arduous trek in high altitudes doesn’t sound like it’s for you, that doesn’t mean you have to scratch Machu Picchu off your bucket list. A train from Cusco will get you there, too, and you’ll be treated to spectacular views of lush valleys and snow-capped peaks along the way. A guided group tour can help not only with planning and accommodating specific needs but also with meeting new people. “One thing we do see [about] the value of package tours,” says Gillen of the AARP, “is being able to socialize with others”—especially during solo trips, “a topic that we’ve seen pop in our online community.” You can browse hundreds of available Machu Picchu tours at a clearinghouse site such as Stride Travel, which even has a filter for tours marketed to travelers 50 and up.

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Moraine Lake at Banff National Park in Alberta, Canaa

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Canadian Rockies

GOOD FORtrain trips, outdoor activities, photography

Another stunning natural landscape that can easily be appreciated from the comfort of a train car is the Canadian Rockies. The top-of-the-line option would be to book a seat aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, which offers luxury rail journeys featuring gourmet meals, plush berths, and glass-domed carriages for unobstructed views of western Canada’s imposing peaks and glacier-fed lakes so perfectly turquoise you’d swear they’d been Photoshopped. Prices for the ride are sometimes as steep as the Rockies, but you can piece together a more affordable alternative by booking your own tickets on Via Rail, Canada’s answer to Amtrak. Routes from Alberta to British Columbia link national parks, wildlife preserves, ski runs, and hiking trails in JasperKamloops, and other mountain beauties.

Pictured: Moraine Lake at Banff National Park in Alberta  

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Golden Buddha statues at a temple in Bangkok

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Thailand

GOOD FORbudget, relaxation, food, new experiences

“Cost is a top barrier to travel for those 60 and over,” the AARP’s Gillen told us—and come to think of it, cost is a big barrier for those under 60 as well. She recommends weekend road trips for budget travelers looking for domestic destinations. To find bargains overseas, it pays to go where you can benefit from a favorable exchange rate. The U.S. dollar stretches a long way in Southeast Asia right now, making upscale restaurants, spas, and four-star hotels sometimes remarkably affordable. With its beaches, Buddhist temples, floating markets, and the nonstop excitement of Bangkok, Thailand is an enticing choice for seniors who crave variety, culture, and a little relaxation, but would like to avoid completely scrambling that nest egg. The locals’ deep respect for elders is just an added bonus. 

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Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida

Jennifer Perez

St. Augustine, Florida

GOOD FORwarm climate, history, getting around

America’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement is a must for history buffs, who can explore what remains of more than two centuries of Spanish rule, starting in 1565. A compact, magnolia-lined historic district—four blocks of St. George Street, from King Street to the Old City Gate, constitute the heart of it—make the sights easy to see for those who can’t walk far. And convenient hop-on, hop-off sightseeing trolleys (often with buy-one, get-one discounts for those over 55) make it even easier. Good places to hop off include the well-preserved 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos masonry fortification, the Victorian curio-stuffed Lightner Museum (pictured), and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. (Hey, it can’t hurt.)

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