Retirement – it’s the ideal time to travel! You’re free to go at your own pace and enjoy your own schedule. No more begging your boss for extra annual leave or paying extortionate fares on public holidays! However, with so many incredible destinations to see, deciding where to go can feel overwhelming. A good place to start is to create a retirement bucket list. Write down the destinations and experiences you really want to see or do and share it with our team here at Fine Travel. We’ll find the perfect tours to match your travel dreams.
Tell us where you want to go and how much you want to spend. We’ll take care of the rest, including all the time-consuming admin and research. All you need to do is get excited about your trip! Need some inspiration? Here are four of our favourite retirement travel experiences to get your wanderlust flowing.
1. See the best of Spain
Experience the excitement and energy of Spain with the Globus Spanish Fiesta Tour.
Over 14 days, you will explore the wonders of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Vitoria, Pamplona, and Seville, as well as the Costa del Sol region (famous for its white sandy beaches and trendy boutiques).
Each Spanish stop offers something special. Immerse yourself in art, culture, and shopping in Madrid, admire Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona, and tour an 8th-century mosque in Cordoba.
Globus Tours has organised a few extra touches along the way to make the journey extra special. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy wine tasting and tapas in Ribera del Duero, walk along the street where the ‘running of the bulls’ takes place in Pamplona, and visit the Real Maestranza (royal) bull ring in Seville.
Offering history, art, and architecture at every turn, and delicious Spanish food at every meal, Spain truly is a feast for the senses.
This trip is fun-filled but not too fast-paced – there’s ample time to relax and sneak in a few siestas.
2. Visit Machu Picchu in Peru
One of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is high on most people’s bucket lists. Yours, too? You can see the magnificent Inca city on the Globus Legacy of the Incas Tour.
Visiting Machu Picchu is the highlight of this 12-day tour, but you’ll also see many other ancient ruins and archaeological treasures that will take your breath away.
For example, you’ll visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, an ancient fortress that was built in the 12th century. Some of the stones weigh more than 350 tons, and others are so close together that you cannot fit a piece of paper between the cracks. To this day, it remains a mystery how they built this masterpiece without modern technology.
You’ll also get a chance to see the famous Nazca Lines. The lines form distinct geometric shapes when viewed from the air, such as monkeys, spiders, and plants. The Nazca Lines are another mystery of history to ponder while you enjoy traditional Peruvian food with your tour companions at the end of each day. With so much history to discuss, you’ll make fast friends!
The Legacy of the Incas Tour also offers several opportunities to meet local people and hear their experiences and stories. You’ll come home with plenty of amazing memories to share with your friends and family.
3.Taste the fruits of South Africa
If your wine collection is filled with exotic international blends, then you might want to consider sampling right from the wine’s origin. Does your collection include African flavours? If it does (or even if it doesn’t) this is the tour for you.
The Winelands and Garden Route Self-Drive tour takes you along the Western and Eastern Cape, through some of South Africa’s most scenic landscapes, including the gorgeous Winelands. The Franschhoek Valley’s lush geography is home to some of South Africa’s best wineries and hospitality. There’s no better way to enjoy a glass of wine than overlooking the very landscape that produced it.
The tour features a leisurely drive along Route 62 and the Garden Route, with pitstops at stunning destinations like Oudtshoorn and Knysna along the way. You can also enjoy game drives and receive access to a family-owned private game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
Hike, bird watch, canoe or just enjoy lounging on the beaches, this travel itinerary will allow you to experience Africa in its fullest. This tour has a little something for everyone, satisfying all your wildest dreams.
4. Island hop in Hawaii
Does cruising from one idyllic island to the next sound like your ideal retirement holiday? Our Hawaii Cruises are perfect for sun-seekers and beach lovers who enjoy relaxing holidays with a splash of adventure.
Local cruises are seven days, while cruises that start on the West Coast are usually between 14 and 15 nights. Most cruises will visit the enchanting islands of Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the big island of Hawaii, and longer cruises may also visit Fanning Island in Kiribati.
Whatever cruise you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to explore hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches and to see lush emerald valleys and smouldering volcanoes, as well as experience the unique Hawaiian culture.
A Hawaiian cruise can be as relaxing or as action-packed as you make it. Spend your days relaxing at the beach or exploring the charming Hawaiian towns. Most cruises offer several day excursions for you to choose from, allowing you to really make this holiday your own.
Which bucket list experience will you tick off first?
Whether you’re dreaming of Spain, Peru, South Africa or Hawaii (or all four!), we can help you turn your dreams into reality. Talk to us today to start booking experiences on your bucket list.