15 Unforgettable Trips for People Over Age 50

People who love to travel don’t lose the desire once they hit 50. Many older people even travel solo. With those thoughts in mind, here are 15 unforgettable trips for people over 50.

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the USA, is a hit with people over 50. Whether it’s the dry, warm climate, history, arts, and cultural scene or outdoor adventures, is unclear. History buffs will love the historic plaza (which harkens back to the 1600s), the well-known San Miguel Mission, and Native American museums. There are also various art galleries, various concerts, the neighboring Puye Cliff Dwellings, and the popular Spanish Colonial adobe city in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and special live events.

2. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is said to be the best city in the region. It’s famous for its hospitality and US history. Stroll the charming walkways, see the charming buildings and meet the friendly locals. Take one of the group tours.

They offer food tours, graveyard walks or a history tour via boat, bus, or even horse-drawn carriage. This city has close connections to both the famous American Revolution and the Civil War. Ah , but its boutique hotel and restaurants are contemporary. There are several cheap and free activities available too.

 

3. The US Capital

Washington, D.C. offers numerous architectural, cultural and historical landmarks for you to see. Admission to several worthwhile museums such as the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History is free. There are other free activities offered too such as visiting all the iconic memorials around the National Mall.

Take a hop on and off sightseeing tour. The tours offer flexibility and are inexpensive too. Go at night and see the memorials and monuments when they are lit.

 

4. An Alaskan Cruise

Cruise through America’s 50th state and see the rugged, beautiful wilderness. A cruise can be as active or relaxing as you wish. Veteran visitors suggest a mid-size cruise through the state’s Inside Passage.

(Larger tour vessels cannot access the ports here.) The IP is a popular coastal waterway of fjords and verdant scenery teeming with wildlife. Visit the great Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and see the glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. You can ride a train or helicopter, go ice-fishing, mountain biking, and white water rafting too.

 

5. California’s Pacific Coast Highway

Cruise from the city of San Francisco to sunny San Diego. It’s a budget-friendly, scenic road trip and you will see things you’ve never seen. See the great Golden Gate Bridge then head south through the surf towns. Dine on fresh seafood, see the state parks, the cliffs, and coastal mountains. Stop in Big Sur either ensconced between famous San Simeon and Carmel. Don’t miss the various vineyards, and the kitschy, cool roadside attractions either.

 

6. The Famous Florida Keys

If you prefer a slower-paced “vaca”, Key West is for you. It’s famous for having a laid-back attitude. This place is the nation’s little “slice of the Caribbean.” It’s famous for coral reefs and pastel-colored homes.

Its proximity to Havana also means you can sample some Cuban-inspired cuisine too. So stop in at a few of the isle’s eateries. Take a day trip to popular Dry Tortugas National Park too.

7. U.S. National Parks

Take a scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy a ranger-led nature walk amidst Yellowstone Park’s geysers. Go canoeing through the great Grand Canyon.

The United States national parks are perfect for people of all interests, ages, and even physical abilities. People 62 and up can purchase a yearly pass for $20.00 or a “lifetime senior pass” for $80.00. You can visit over 2,000 recreation sites, including forests, grasslands, wildlife refuges, and national parks. After seeing the nation’s national parks one surely has a new sense of admiration and respect for nature.

 

8. Train Ride Through the Canadian Rockies

Take in the incredible Canadian Rocky Mountain landscape from Banff to Vancouver amidst the comforts of a quaint train car. Ride the rails through this snow-dusted mountain region aboard the exceptional on Rocky Mountaineer. You will partake of gourmet meals, and enjoy glass-domed observation cars and nice, plush seating.

You’ll take in unobstructed views of the glacier-fed, turquoise lakes and stunning peaks from the train’s popular open-air vestibules too. Your ticket also includes overnight hotel accommodations and meals as well. Trips can be customized and run from April through October. You can also take optional sightseeing tours as well.

 

9. European River Cruise

These cruises provide a number of sightseeing options. You will see a new view from your window every day free of the extra time and effort required to plan a multi-country trip. You can take of these affordable river cruises along the Seine, Rhône, Rhine, and Danube.

These boats are smaller than the ocean behemoths too. They provide passengers with an on-deck atmosphere that is more easygoing. Enjoy picturesque landscapes that are a part of various shore excursions while the boat is docked in different historical cities. There you can participate in wine tastings and even ride bikes around medieval towns.

 

10. The Northern Lights

Seeing the colorful Northern Lights, a.k.a. aurora borealis can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This oft-times elusive experience depends on factors such as weather, solar activity, and darkness. Nevertheless, there are several exciting locations for seeing this kaleidoscopic natural light show. Guided tours from Alaska to Sweden are offered to those who seek out this noteworthy natural phenomenon and other exciting outdoor activities such as soaking in hot mineral springs and hiking through the impressive Arctic wilderness.

 

11. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most famous cultural sites. It is also one of the official Seven Wonders of the World and a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are an adventurous traveler this simply must be somewhere on your personal bucket list.

If you sign up with a guided group you will not only have less to worry about in terms of planning but you may meet someone special as well. This ancient, awe-inspiring Incan temple and citadel is ensconced high in Peru’s famous Andes Mountains. Take a comfy train or hike there via the Inca Trail.

 

12. South African Safari

Get a gander at the incredible wildlife of Africa on a safari adventure. See the “Big Five” up close from the safety of an all-terrain vehicle. Watch these magnificent animals freely roaming the boundless natural landscape. Sign on with a guided safari package through the well-known Kruger National Park.

It’s one of the continent’s biggest game reserves. Additionally, these low impact excursions are even reported to be budget-friendly. While you’re there take a Cape Town Safari adventure too. There are also beach getaways, vineyard tours, and even tram rides up the local Table Mountain.

 

13. Explore Italy

There’s simply so much to do here in Italy. You can rent a quaint villa in Tuscany and live like the locals for a month. Spend some time hiking through the various ancient seaside villages of famous Cinque Terre. Explore the city of Rome and all its ancient ruins and renowned art museums and restaurants.

If you are over 50 and traveling solo you will pretty much have your personal pick of picture-perfect coastal villages, countryside towns, and Italian cities. If you don’t like doing your own thing then look into any one of the many businesses that specialize in group activities and international trips for folks over 50. Some of these companies will help you plan an Italian adventure and offer options such as room sharing and group trips free of the dreaded “single supplement fee.”

 

14. San Antonio, Texas

If you decide to stay within the continental US, the state of Texas has a lot of very affordable places to visit. San Antonio is especially recommended by those in the know. U.S. News & World Report slotted this city in at number nine on its official “Best Affordable Destinations in the USA” chart. WalletHub also named it the most affordable “foodie city” and declared it a “must-visit” location.

But this major metropolis is more than a place with a burgeoning restaurant scene. It also includes the historic Alamo site. In fact, the five missions comprise the state’s only official UNESCO World Heritage site. Its pedestrian-friendly famous River Walk and the neighboring Natural Bridge Caverns also add to the city’s budget-friendly aspect.

 

15.“Czech” Things Out In Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. Visit it anytime you wish because it is always inexpensive. Uber and exceptional public transportation make getting around convenient too. Mind you, if you’re healthy this beautiful place is quite walkable.

English is spoken in most places and there are a lot of unusual hostels. Prague is also a great European choice for those travelers into art and history too. Be sure to see the famous Prague castle complex. The beer and meals are cheap and hearty here as well!

 

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