INTRO
So many of my friends are travelling right now - our 50's and 60's (and even 70's) seem to be the ideal time to head out and discover new places and experiences. I think it's the freedom and flexibility that comes with greater financial freedom and more time to ourselves. Today I'm sharing a collaboration that celebrates the joys of Midlife travel - and why it's such a great fit.
WHY YOUR FIFTIES ARE THE BEST YEARS FOR TRAVELLING
For most people, travel experiences only get better with age. You may find there’s less pressure to stick to a must-see list of attractions, and instead feel a greater desire to immerse yourself in local cultures and experience spontaneous moments. Whether you want to plan a long-haul adventure, a city break, or a slow-travel-inspired staycation close to home, doing so in your fifties can feel incredibly rewarding.
In this article, we’ll look at why this stage of life offers the perfect balance of confidence, freedom, and flexibility for making the most of every trip.
For many people, this stage of life also comes with fewer financial pressures. You may have a smaller mortgage and children who’ve left home, with an income that’s more stable than it was earlier in your life. On the other hand, it may just be that you’ve learned to make wiser, more strategic financial choices – such as when it’s better to spend versus save.
These habits create more room for bucket list adventures, whether that means taking a month-long road trip through Europe or finally booking the safari you’ve talked about for years. You know how to make your money work for you, and that pays off when it comes to exploring the world.
Having more freedom in your fifties can have a positive impact on your travels. You can avoid busy peak seasons, take longer trips, and spend more time properly exploring each place that you visit, rather than having to rush through attractions and experiences on your trips.
There’s also a certain level of confidence that comes from having more life experience. Delayed flights, language barriers, and unexpected itinerary changes can feel less stressful at this age, because you’ve dealt with life’s complications before. When you can put travel stress to one side and appreciate each experience that crops up - including the somewhat inconvenient ones - travel becomes far more enjoyable and rewarding.
In this article, we’ll look at why this stage of life offers the perfect balance of confidence, freedom, and flexibility for making the most of every trip.
SMARTER BUDGETING EQUALS GREATER FINANCIAL FREEDOM
By the time you reach your fifties, you’ll usually have a much clearer idea of how to budget for your travel expenses. You’re less likely to waste cash on expensive tourist traps, and more likely to invest in trips that actually mean something to you.For many people, this stage of life also comes with fewer financial pressures. You may have a smaller mortgage and children who’ve left home, with an income that’s more stable than it was earlier in your life. On the other hand, it may just be that you’ve learned to make wiser, more strategic financial choices – such as when it’s better to spend versus save.
These habits create more room for bucket list adventures, whether that means taking a month-long road trip through Europe or finally booking the safari you’ve talked about for years. You know how to make your money work for you, and that pays off when it comes to exploring the world.
MORE TIME AND FLEXIBILITY TO EXPLORE
Travelling in your younger years may mean squeezing trips around work priorities and fewer annual leave days. In your fifties, life can feel far less restricted. For example, you might have more holiday allowance that comes with a longer length or service, or you may have already retired.Having more freedom in your fifties can have a positive impact on your travels. You can avoid busy peak seasons, take longer trips, and spend more time properly exploring each place that you visit, rather than having to rush through attractions and experiences on your trips.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, AND APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY EXPERIENCE
Perhaps the most rewarding part of travelling in your fifties is that you know yourself better - you’re less influenced by what other people are doing, and are far more likely to travel with purpose and intention. You may want to explore your family history, visit places you’ve dreamed about for decades, or just enjoy good food, beautiful scenery, and time spent out of your everyday routine. You have the means to follow the latest trends, and they’re likely to feel like more fulfilling travel experiences when you have the time, money, and appreciation needed to enjoy them fully.There’s also a certain level of confidence that comes from having more life experience. Delayed flights, language barriers, and unexpected itinerary changes can feel less stressful at this age, because you’ve dealt with life’s complications before. When you can put travel stress to one side and appreciate each experience that crops up - including the somewhat inconvenient ones - travel becomes far more enjoyable and rewarding.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you found travel in the second half of life has been more relaxed with the flexibility that this stage of life brings with it? I know I enjoy not having to travel during school holidays or other busy times - I love taking advantage of the lower pricing available during off peak seasons, and not being so crowded when we're out and about.
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We travel these days differently - we're less likely to cram things in, more likely to spend longer in a single destination, and more likely to build in rest days. We compromise more and take our time more.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - I think that's the secret to enjoying travel as we get a bit older - less rush and more connection to where we are. You both do travel so well - both locally and overseas - and always tempt me to pack a suitcase and follow...
DeleteGood topic and one of interest to many. I did my "one and only" OS trip to US as a 56 year old because "it was the time" for me to do that. I have, as you have read a bit from me, been tempted to travel OS to the UK (my heritage travel wish) but my compromised health put that notion aside. I am in my mid 70s and even a night away requires a plan. It's good for those who can plan and afford their travel (often a goal of many) to make those memories when they can.
ReplyDeleteDenyse x PS and have good health!!
Hi Denyse - I did the majority of my travelling in my late 40's and into my 50's. It felt like the right time - I had more finances, I went on a couple with my mum, and I was keener to get out and see the world. These days I'm happy at home and taking smaller jaunts - so I definitely agree with you that it's good to go when you're in good health and when finances permit.
DeleteHi Leanne - Yes, I agree that the latter half of our lives is better for travelling. We are much more financially secure; we have more time, with less commitments; and we have naturally slowed down quite a bit to enjoy the travel. And more importantly, many tour packages now have a "senior citizens" section, where tours are planned with our priorities in mind.
ReplyDeleteI did some travelling last year, especially in the second half. Hopefully, there will more in the coming years.
Hi Pradeep - you are so right on each point - and I love that when I stopped work I no longer had to fit my travel time around my rostered leave. The flexibility to be able to go at off-peak times is a real bonus.
DeleteI’ve been lucky to travel quite a bit throughout my younger years, but just before the pandemic hit I was in my mid fifties and felt I wanted a break from holidays. Well be careful what you wish for! I certainly had that break during the pandemic! Then in 2021 I was diagnosed with cancer and major surgery followed. That certainly changes you and I felt I should make the most of life and travel again. I do worry about us becoming ill whilst we travel but I’m learning that I’d never do anything if I let that get the better of me! If you want to travel and enjoy the world don’t wait, do it as soon as you can afford it. Make memories, Chrissie
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - I really admire people who go through a really traumatic time and use that experience to motivate them to embrace life even more fully. Good on you for stepping up and stepping out - and reclaiming your love of travel. I haven't been overseas since the pandemic and haven't felt motivated to jump on a plane for 15 hours - so I'm glad I did my travelling in my 50's and didn't miss out.
DeleteHi Leanne, we are definitely a lot less stressed when we travel than we were in our younger years. Delays and little inconveniences mean less when you have time to pivot. We also devote a lot more time to planning. In the old days, we just picked a resort and planted ourselves for a week. It's nice to have the time to be more creative.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - I love following along with you on your travels and seeing where you're going and how you're getting there. The extra planning and the more creative ways to travel are certainly a bonus that comes with having more time and headspace in Midlife.
DeleteWe were still too bogged down with children and work to travel much in our 50s. But we are enjoying making up for lost time in our 60s!!
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie - I think my 50's were our peak travel time, but that's because our kids were off our hands and we had the time off here and there to make it work. Our 60's would be a great time too, but we're very happily settled at home and not much appeals right now.
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