Second ActRetirement is the golden ticket to go where you've always wanted to go — unhurried, on your own terms.
Answer six quick questions — how you like to travel, how long for, your budget, who is coming, and how much walking suits you — and you'll get destination ideas with day-by-day itineraries and rough costs. Nothing is booked and nothing is sold; it is a starting point you can take to a travel agent, a friend, or straight to a search engine.
"Retirement travel tip #1: You can leave on a Tuesday. Nobody can stop you."
Going further, more comfortably, for less — including what to ask for before you book.
Trips that unpack once tend to work best. River and ocean cruises, rail journeys, and single-base stays with day trips avoid the repeated packing, transfers, and airport queues that make multi-city itineraries tiring. Small-group guided tours handle logistics and supply company for solo travellers. Off-season travel is quieter, cheaper, and easier on the body — and midweek departures avoid the worst of the crowds.
Often, though you usually have to ask. The America the Beautiful Senior Pass gives U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 and over entry to national parks and federal recreation sites, as an annual or lifetime pass. Amtrak typically discounts fares for travellers 65 and over. Many museums, theatres, city transit systems, and hotel chains hold unadvertised senior rates. AARP membership adds further discounts on hotels and car rental.
Usually yes, and the medical component matters more than the trip-cancellation component. Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States, so a medical evacuation abroad can be extremely expensive without cover. Read the pre-existing condition rules carefully — many policies waive those exclusions only if you buy within a short window of your first trip payment. Declare existing conditions honestly; an undeclared condition is the most common reason claims are refused.
Book the accessibility in advance rather than hoping on arrival. Airlines provide free wheelchair assistance through the airport if you request it when booking. Cruise lines hold accessible cabins that sell out early. Rail operators offer assisted boarding with advance notice. When choosing accommodation, ask specific questions — step-free entry, lift access, roll-in shower — rather than relying on the word 'accessible'. River cruises and single-hotel tours generally involve the least walking.
Yes, and solo travel is one of the fastest-growing segments of the older travel market. Practical precautions do most of the work: share your itinerary with someone at home, keep digital and paper copies of documents, arrange airport transfers in advance, and choose central accommodation so you are not walking far after dark. Small-group tours are a common middle path — you keep your independence during the day but have company at dinner.