A Travel Timeline For The Best Experiences
When we’re young, traveling often involves budget-friendly accommodations and active adventures as we make friends from around the world. When we’re older, we tend to lean towards comfort and we’ve worked hard to earn our luxurious vacations. When there’s a whole world to explore, deciding your next trip can be a difficult decision. Let our lists guide you in the right direction to choose the best trip for your age.
1. Backpacking Southeast Asia
Backpacking trips anywhere are best when you’re young, fit, and can tolerate questionable accommodation. Countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam can be done fairly cheaply too, beneficial to a student on a tight budget. These countries are accessible by public transportation and offer a splendor of natural paradise to explore on foot. There are hostels galore for meeting other young travelers.
2. Working Holiday
Many countries offer working holiday visas but they have an age limit. Typically they’re given to people under 35 years old. These visas allow you to work in another country which can help fund your long-term travels. Most people work in the tourist industry or on farms in rural areas. It can be an incredible experience to meet new people, learn about a different culture, and explore a new country.
MathieuMD (If you can improve this photo development, ask me the RAW). on Wikimedia
3. Traveling Through India
For many reasons, a trip to India may be best while you’re young, sprite, and curious. India is a huge country and travelling across it involves long train rides and a lot of walking. If it’s a new culture for you, it can also be quite the culture shock, but when you’re young you’re more open to different ways of life and you’re a sponge for learning. India can be done without breaking the bank too and its vibrant culture mixed with its zen temples is good for growing souls.
4. Music Festival Hopping
We’ve all bumped into those seasoned partiers in the crowd who’ve been attending festivals their whole life but for many of us, festivals are most enjoyable when we’re young and have the energy to party all night long. Music festivals are known for vibrant atmospheres and sleepless nights. If you do catch some shut-eye it’s likely in a tent surrounded by other tents. Around the globe, you’ll find world-class festivals where you’ll make friends and memories to last a lifetime.
5. Road Tripping Across Australia
Road tripping through the land down under is an unreal experience that should be on every youngster’s bucket list. From the breathtaking beaches to the vast outback, there is so much to explore. However, living out of a camper van for months might sound more exciting when you’re an adventurous twenty-something-year-old who doesn’t need a premium mattress.
6. Mountain Hiking Trips
Hiking trips are for all ages but the hard-core hikes will be more manageable when you’re at your peak of fitness. Hike to some of the world’s highest peaks in Patagonia or challenge yourself on the snowy slopes in New Zealand or British Columbia. You can sleep under the stars in the most secluded destinations while you’re fit enough to get yourself there.
7. Surfing In Central & South America
Surf’s up dudes! When you’re young, you tend to be more fearless and eager to try adventurous activities. Surfing takes a lot of muscle, determination, and tolerance for mouthfuls of saltwater but it’s a thrilling experience. Surf at the most beautiful beaches in the world on the rolling waves. A country like Costa Rica is a surfers’ paradise with numerous surf schools and swells for all skill levels.
8. Scuba Diving In A Tropical Oasis
From the Great Barrier Reef to the Galapagos Islands, the underwater world is worth exploring. Scuba diving is easier to learn when you’re young and healthy as it requires breathing techniques and strong swimming skills. A scuba diving trip is an unreal adventure where you can swim alongside the ocean’s most bewildering sea creatures.
Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash
9. Volunteering In A Developing Country
Gain meaningful experiences on a trip with value and purpose. There are many opportunities to volunteer in a country in need of assistance. As a young adult, you can learn about the world’s greatest challenges and bring a new sense of gratitude back home with you. It’s an eye-opening experience where you’ll help others while exploring a new country and culture.
OCG Saving The Ocean on Unsplash
10. Eurorail Trip Across Europe
The lower price for the youth pass is reason enough to travel across Europe by train while you’re young. The youth pass encourages young people to travel with an affordable and accessible mode of transportation. It’s an opportunity to see many incredible countries in one trip.
For many of us, as we get older, the longing for travel doesn’t dissipate but the type we traveling we do differs from our early days of backpacking. If you’re seeking trips for retirement, these travel ideas may be just what you’re looking for.
1. Wine Tasting In Tuscany
Treat yourself to a tipsy trip in the most beautiful wine country in the world. Just like a fine wine, a vineyard tour in Tuscany only gets better with age. You’ve had years of tasting different wines and know your palette and have a better understanding of tasting notes. You can travel through Tuscany by car or bike so you can do it at your own pace or hire a driver or shuttle.
2. Food Tour Through The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is a coastal dreamland that is accessible and greatly appreciated when you’re older. You’ve earned a vacation of eating the freshest food while basking in the sunlight as you gaze across the turquoise sea. You’ll get your fill of vitamins from all the sunshine, fresh air, and food while you live on the Mediterranean diet and active lifestyle.
3. River Cruise On Danube
Explore Europe by boat on a leisurely river cruise. You don’t have to cook or clean, all you need to do is get off the boat when it anchors you in an incredible destination. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided onboard and you can relax in your river-view room as long as you please.
4. Castle Hunting In Scotland & Ireland
Explore the castles and ruins in the fairytale lands of Ireland and Scotland. You can save this trip for retirement and escape to a real-life history lesson. Stay overnight in adorable B&Bs or hotels along the coast. There are many small towns, golf courses, cozy pubs, and historical buildings to explore.
5. Luxury Hotel In Vietnam
You roughed the backpacking trip as a teen, it’s time to see Vietnam without relying on overloaded hostels. Compared to most Western countries, 5-star accommodation in Vietnam is more affordable even if you have a decent pension. You can explore the wilderness and the beaches knowing you have a private shower and a fluffy bed to jump into at the end of the day.
6. Safari In Africa
Immerse yourself in the jungle on a safari in Africa and see the wild animals up close. A safari is a more expensive trip and you don’t need a lot of physical endurance to do it which are the two main reasons it can wait for retirement. From start to finish, you’re in the hands of your experienced tour guides.
7. Polar Bear Tour
Take an adventure to the snowy wilderness and see the beautiful polar bears in their natural habitat. Tours are offered in places like Alaska and Churchill, Manitoba where you’ll take a journey with knowledgeable guides on a life-changing holiday. You’ll be transported by bus and boat so you don’t have to worry about driving or navigating. You can sit back and relax bundled up in your snow gear.
8. Caribbean Holiday
After years of working hard, it’s only fair to treat yourself to a Caribbean holiday. Relax on the white sand beaches as you sip tropical cocktails and binge-read books. You can live the island life at your own pace and take as many dips in the pristine ocean as you like. From Cuba to Barbados, the tropical islands are calling you.
9. Greek Island Hopping
A holiday to Greece is the best of both worlds–– you can tour famous historical landmarks and relax in paradise by the ocean. Greek island hopping can be done leisurely and on the days you’re not traveling by boat, you can rest in your sea-view villa or on one of their many picturesque beaches. You’ll dine like royalty in a laid-back environment, exploring ancient lands at your own pace.
10. Train Tour In Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime train journey through a jaw-dropping landscape of mountains, lakes, and forests. Peek out your window into the wilderness from your luxurious seat on a world-class train. You need to save up for this trip, it’s far from cheap, but you make stops at remote destinations that not many people will get to experience.
