The freedom to fly to anywhere in the world without having to take time off work is one the best perks of retirement. It’s what so many people who’ve clocked 40 years or more in the office look forward to.

But it’s more than just an aspiration or lifestyle. Travelling, especially in your golden years, has numerous health benefits. With that said, we’ll take a look at three senior trip ideas for you to consider if you’re close to or have reached retirement age and want to see some new scenery.

These travelling ideas will no doubt give you a new appreciation for this chapter of your life.

Travel Ideas For Seniors

We’re not going to list individual locations in this post (maybe in another!), but we will give you some ideas that can inspire your choices in a future destination. In other words, we’re talking about types of trips and vacations you can take.

Flights In a Group & That Don’t Involve a Resort

Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way – flying. When we think of vacations and trips, taking a flight to some tropical paradise is probably the first thing that comes to mind. And it’s certainly one of your options.

But you can definitely get more creative. Although a simple trip to a place of eternal sunshine, white sand beaches and turquoise waters never hurts, there are many other things to see and do. For example, you can take a trip with family members or senior groups to explore the museums of Europe and archeological sites of Asia, or the herds of African wildlife galloping away in their savannas.

These are the kind of trips that aren’t easy to plan for or take during your working years. They’re also the kind of trips that will leave you with profound memories and plenty of stories to tell your kids and grandkids.

Cruises To See Wildlife & New Coastal Ports

Spending time on cruise ships are one of the most common senior trip ideas for retired adults. Yet still, many people confine themselves to the cruise ship itself or the same popular destinations.

For example, you can take cruise tours even within North America, where you can see the majestic sights of whales somersaulting in and out of the sea. Or if you’re history buff, you can take cruises to coastal port cities that have been trade centers for thousands of years.

Again, these are the kinds of trips that your children and grandchildren may not have the time to make, and also, the ones that will make you realize how expansive the world really is.

Road Trips

Road trips are often common among young adults, and admittedly, can be a bit tough on aging joints and muscles. However, with a bit of planning, a road trip can be one of the better senior travel ideas available to you.

Many of you have lived in the same city, county or state for years. Do you know all of the parks, mountain ranges, lakes, scenic routes and historical sites within them or in the next state? A quick look at some of these places may reveal how much there is to see in your own backyard. And best of all, a trip on the nearest interstate may be all you need to get you to these spots.

Health & Wellness Benefits Of Senior Travel Ideas

Now it’s very important to consider how these trip ideas can affect your health and wellness for the better. Travelling offers much more than a temporary escape from routine, and it’s worth your while to take advantage of these benefits.

Travelling Boosts Mental & Cognitive Health

Numerous studies have identified travelling as an ideal way to improve one’s social life, strengthen relationships and relieve stress, all of which can counteract feelings of depression, anxiety and dark moods. With the reduction of these negative moods, elderly adults can stave off more serious concerns such as dementia and maintain good mental health.

Taking a trip out of your city also boosts your brainpower. New faces, new scenery, new experiences and new activities create new neural pathways that keep the mind sharp. That means age doesn’t have to sap your attention span, memory or ability to learn new things.

Travelling Prevents Boredom & Cyclical Living

Closely related to the previous point is the issue of boredom. The feeling of being stuck in a rut may not seem like a big deal, but boredom in older adults has been linked to increased risk of mental illness and cognitive decline.

Travelling counteracts this by allowing you to take a break from mundane, everyday activities. And if you’re an artistic or creative individual, a new landscape or experience may inspire your next masterpiece.

Travelling Maintains Good Heart Health

Travelling is a stress and anxiety reliever, and therefore, can reduce the risk of heart problems. In fact, one study shows that men who don’t take an annual vacation have a 20% higher risk of early death and a 30% greater risk of heart disease. So yes, exercise to keep your ticker healthy but also make sure to leave town as well. Your heart will benefit from a getaway as well.

Get Your Wheels In Motion

With these trip ideas and their health benefits on the table, you have no reason to spend your newfound free time at home. There’s a lot to see out there and by putting yourself in a new setting, you’ll give your brain and body the boost they need to stay young and vibrant. So get to it – the world awaits you!