These are the over 50s holidays worth planning for
If you thought the best travel adventures were only for youngsters, think again! Here are our top picks for over 50s holidays, from Antarctic expeditions to Mississippi cruises…
The idea of adventurous travel as something reserved for those in their 20s is a thing of the past. Our sense of adventure doesn’t diminish with age, and travelling in your 50s, especially for retirement holidays, can be superior to globetrotting as a youngster.
Over 50s holidays allow you to travel on your own terms. Perhaps the kids have just flown the nest and you’re planning a getaway where you can do things your way? Or perhaps the pandemic delayed your plans for an epic trip, and you’re looking for a faraway escape with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Maybe you’re looking closer to home with a bucket list of UK and European travel experiences you’ve always dreamed of.
You might find you have a bigger budget for eye-opening travel, allowing you to explore new terrains while still travelling in comfort. Forget the days of bunking in a shared dorm with snoring strangers – over 50s holidays mean exploring the world without sacrificing luxury.
Going on a cruise is a great way to travel in style and to see several parts of a country in one trip. Exploring the world by train is another option for hassle-free travel, as you whizz between cities through awe-inspiring natural scenery.
So whether you’re planning a far-flung adventure or an escape closer to home, we’ve rounded up the best over 50s holidays to get you dreaming…
1. Cruise from New Orleans to Memphis on a steamboat
Got America's Deep South on your bucket list? The southern states are treasured for their elegant architecture, flavoursome food, and impossibly beautiful countryside.
One sensational way to explore the Deep South is by cruising down the iconic Mississippi River, which winds its way through some of the USA’s most idyllic countryside. You’ll see sprawling plains and marshes, which are a haven for millions of birds, fish, and other wildlife.
Good Housekeeping is offering the trip of a lifetime on board a classic paddlewheel steamboat along the mighty Mississippi River - a journey as memorable as the destination itself. If that sounds like a holiday that floats your boat, join the incredible trip on the modern American Queen paddle steamer in 2023, sailing from New Orleans up to Memphis.
2. Island hop in the untouched Hebrides
If you’re looking for a holiday a little closer to home, a trip to the Hebrides are bound to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the magic to be found in the British Isles.
Everyone needs to experience these magnificent Scottish islands once in their life. You’ll discover a land of wild, untamed beauty, with deserted beaches, dramatic lochs, and lofty mountains to explore.
Good Housekeeping's 11-day cruise allows you to sail in comfort around these magical isles. You’ll travel on the modern and environmentally friendly ship, MS Spitsbergen, which will take you from island to island in comfort, enjoying spectacular views along the way.
3. Take the ultimate adventure to icy Antarctica
When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime discovery trips, an Antarctic expedition is hard to beat. On an Antarctic adventure cruise, you can whizz on zodiacs, passing glaciers during the day as you spot penguins, seals and whales, and return to a warm and cosy cabin in the evenings.
It’s also a great way to explore Buenos Aires in Argentina, the starting point of many Antarctic cruises. This buzzing city is a fusion of European and Latin American influences and is a real thrill to explore.
On Good Housekeeping’s epic 12-day cruise, you’ll venture into the icy waters of Drake’s Passage and head for the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This remarkable and once-in-a-lifetime experience is surely the ultimate adventure for over 50s.
5. Visit Norfolk and enjoy a unique culinary experience with Delia Smith
One of the many advantages of travelling in your 50s is the opportunity to meet new people who have similar interests. There are plenty of trips on offer where you can participate in fun activities with like-minded people, indulge in your hobbies, or even learn a new skill.
One of these is an exciting five-day trip to Norfolk, where keen cooks can enjoy a day hosted by Delia Smith for a full day at her food and wine workshop. You'll have a special Q&A session with Delia, a three-course lunch with wine tasting, a cooking demonstration and a cocktail masterclass.
You’ll also have plenty of time to explore the tranquil Norfolk Broads and the lovely city of Norwich.
5. Visit volcanic Madeira and experience its fabulous flower festival
If you’ve spent many a happy summer holiday in Europe’s classic holiday destinations, like the south of France or the Italian Lakes, you might be tempted by a trip to one of Europe’s lesser-known locations.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable garden holiday, the volcanic island of Madeira could be the location for you. Madeira is known as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’ because of the vast range of tropical gardens and plants that thrive in this subtropical climate.
In spring, Madeira becomes even more flamboyantly flowery with the arrival of its annual Flower Festival. You can visit this festival and explore the island with Good Housekeeping on our tour in April 2023, where you’ll have a grandstand seat for the festival’s main parade. You’ll see floats passing along the streets of downtown Funchal as live music plays and fragrant scents fill the air.
Alternatively, you can visit in May and join gardening expert Christine Walkden as she tours the islands most beautiful gardens and shares some of her tips for your own outdoor space.
6. Explore Highgrove and the Cotswolds' finest gardens with Christine Walkden
When planning your over 50s holiday, you might find places right on your doorstep that you’ve never taken the time to explore. Luckily, there are many tours and trips that will allow you to indulge in the beauty of England’s countryside.
One of the most delightful parts of England is the Cotswolds, with their rolling green hills and plentiful lush gardens. Whether you’ve never visited or have already been wooed by its idyllic charms and want to return, there are plenty of ways to explore.
On Good Housekeeping’s trip, you can see some of the finest gardens in England, including the garden at Highgrove House, the country home of HRH The Prince of Wales. You’ll be joined by The One Show’s gardening expert Christine Walkden so you’re bound to learn lots.
7. Ride the little trains of the Dolomites and visit Lake Garda
Travelling by train is a wonderfully hassle-free way to experience a new destination. You can travel easily from one attraction to another while meeting like-minded travellers and enjoying spectacular scenery as you go.
One destination with a range of lovely train rides on offer is the magnificent Italian Dolomites. You can traverse these mountains by train, cable car and funicular railway as you get to know this sensationally scenic part of northern Italy on a nine-day trip with Good Housekeeping.
A highlight of this holiday is a peaceful boat trip across Lake Garda, where soaring mountains and sensational panoramas will surround you as you sail.
8. Admire springtime blooms along Dutch waterways
Another location that should be considered unmissable for any keen gardener is the Netherlands, with its iconic tulip fields surrounding wooden windmills.
Spring is the best time to visit, when the fields burst into flamboyant colour as seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths bloom in the famous gardens of Keukenhof. You’re bound to leave feeling full of inspiration for your own gardening projects.
You can visit Holland’s kaleidoscopic Keukenhof and Appeltern Gardens with Good Housekeeping in spring 2023. You’ll be exploring these wonderful gardens with the expert company of Adam Frost, the popular Gardeners' World presenter.
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