Some vacations are nearly universally viewed as “extravagant bucket list adventures,” from Antarctica and Mt. Everest to African safaris and round-the-world cruises.
Aside from the costs — which can be extreme, depending on your mode of travel — many of these adventures also have inherent physical limitations that might not make them the best options for retirees.
Certainly, going on a cruise to, say, Alaska can be relatively easy — although there will be long distances involved. But sailing to Antarctica is another adventure entirely. From the potentially rough seas to the requirements to get out on a zodiac boat to get the most of the adventure, these types of trips should be limited to active seniors.
Even visiting the Great Wall of China may require more physical exertion than some retirees can handle. Other adventures, such as renting a car overseas or taking a tour to the Patagonia glaciers, may have actual age requirements as well, so you may be better off trying these trips while you’re still younger.
As Lynn Cutter, senior vice president for Smithsonian Travel, said, “The important thing is to always be realistic about your own abilities. There are 80-year-olds who may have no problem climbing a flight of 100 stairs that might be too challenging for a 65-year-old.”
