Five Countries for Retirement Travel
Retirement allows seniors to travel and get to see the world. This is the ideal time to see places that you’ve always dreamt of visiting. We live in an age where travel has become very accessible – even if the pandemic has put travel on hold for now. But once the world has opened up once more, it should again be easier than ever before to explore the globe and feed your soul, irrespective of physical abilities, age, or budget.
There are many different tours for different tastes and needs. You may love adventures and want to walk on mountain paths, or enjoy scenic train rides. If you are a thinker or walker, or you want to engage yourself and volunteer in subjects stretching the intellect, you can get all of these and more in different parts of the world.
Regardless of physical ability, if you want to enjoy your retirement in a foreign land, here are five countries you could consider.
Iceland
The population of people in Iceland is a little less than 500,000, according to the World Bank. This makes it a perfect destination for you to enjoy your retirement. You will find that most of the people that know about Iceland or have visited the country adore it. In Iceland, you can enjoy the geothermal geysers, taking in the waters. There are also the Northern Lights which can be seen here. It does not matter if you are an adventure seeker or sedentary. Iceland is a lovely country and is a place to consider for your retirement travel.
Thailand
Although it has zig-zagging tuk-tuks and many chaotic roads, Thailand remains an exciting destination for retirees. Thailand offers complete relaxation at a relatively low price. The atmosphere in northern Thailand, coupled with the picturesque valleys, gorgeous waterfalls, hot springs, and elephant camps, make it a top destination. If you are also looking to meditate, then there are thousands of temples for this in Chiang Rai or Pai.
Thailand also has several historical sites to visit around Bangkok, with the most famous ones being Wat Pho, Wat Phra Keo, and Ayutthayan. In these places, you will see Buddha statues, as high as 10-stories, covered in gold with the monks chanting sutras for hours.
Towards the south you will find some of the world’s most beautiful tropical islands. Some of these islands are Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui.
Thailand is a large country and has a lot to offer. You can use the local airlines to travel to different parts of the country or air-conditioned sleeper trains.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a lovely country and is one that you should consider for your retirement travel. As conventional as the word “hello” is, the word in Maori is “Kia ora,” and this translates to be healthy or have life. A phrase as beautiful as this, used so commonly, is a testament to the sincerity and delightful warmth of the people of New Zealand.
As a senior traveller, you are not going to enjoy the warmth of the people alone but the beauty of nature in this country. Your experience is undoubtedly going to be a worthwhile one in this country. You can use buses, boats, or trains for transportation around the country.
USA
There are several urban sprawls in the US, with places like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York being very popular. However, the USA offers a gorgeous and highly contrasting natural environment.
There are currently 59 areas in the US that are protected and show the infinite beauty in nature. These protected places include Death Valley in California, East Glacier National Park in Montana, Alaska’s Denali, Canyonlands in Utah, and Everglades in Florida, as well as the globally recognised Grand Canyon in Arizona.
These are unforgettable natural locations in the USA. One of the reasons they are ideal for retirees is that you can get plenty of information from the NPS (National Park Service). The NPS, run by the government, provides visitors with accurate online information, making it easier to plan your trip. Many of these reserves and national parks operate round the clock.
In addition, the infrastructure and roads in the USA are excellent, making it relatively easy to get around and at a convenient time for you.
Portugal
This country is located along the Iberian Peninsula’s western coast in the south of Europe. Portugal is one of the best countries for seniors to consider for their retirement travel for many reasons. For instance, if you want a country that’s steeped in history and culture, then Portugal is ideal for you. In addition, this country, resting on the Atlantic, boasts many fascinating beaches and provides a relaxed and affordable experience for travellers.
Conclusion
Over 60 years old, seniors and retirees travel more often now than before. This is the stage of life where you need to relax and enjoy the fruits of all the labour of the last few decades of work. So you can travel anywhere you want, do whatever you want, and see the world for all your hard work. This will help you make new friends, enjoy the new environment, and new cultures at your own pace.
Author Sherri Carrier is a professional writer for dissertation writing services and a member of several writing clubs in New York.
Photo Unsplash
