Below, read four key considerations to help you travel down the right path.
A pre-pandemic study found that exploring the world is one of the first and most important things many people want to do when they retire. After years of fitting in breaks around work and paying peak season prices, you’re finally free to go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want.
A key dilemma many excited retirees face is whether to take multiple shorter holidays or enjoy extended travels. Both options have their pros and cons for different people, and while you’re less likely to face the same time restraints that you’re used to, it’s important to think about which experience would suit you best.
Below, read four key considerations to help you travel down the right path.
What type of travel do you enjoy
Firstly, think about how you like or want to holiday. If you’re someone who enjoys sitting around a pool or laying on a beach all day and relaxing, then shorter resort-style holidays will continue to suit you in retirement.
Alternatively, if you want to immerse yourself in foreign cultures and explore regions more in-depth, then extended trips covering multiple places are likely to be your bag. You might sit somewhere in the middle of course, in which case short-to-medium adventures covering two-to-three locations could be a good option.
What’s your financial situation
While older travellers account for 60% of the UK’s travel and tourism spend, that’s not to say cost won’t be a key factor on your mind. You could have savings to conserve or might need an alternative way to raise funds, like using equity release from your mortgage.
Whatever your situation, longer trips don’t necessarily have to be more expensive if you’re smart about accommodation. You’ll still have extra meals and activities to account for, however.
What have you got going on at home
Another thing you could be looking forward to in retirement is spending more time with family and friends. If you have several birthdays, weddings and other events in your social calendar, a longer trip could mean missing out.
On the flip side, if you have no commitments and don’t mind being away from home, then you won’t have any concerns in this regard.
Where do you want to go
Are there certain destinations that have always been on your bucket list? Your chosen location might naturally lend itself to a shorter or longer trip.
If you’re travelling halfway across the world to New Zealand for example, it makes sense to extend your travels. But if you’re hopping across the Mediterranean or even staying put in the UK, shorter trips could be more viable.
Which style of travelling are you leaning towards? Ultimately, it’s a nice dilemma to have!
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
