Over 50’s travel guide
2 minute summary

If you'd like to chat about over 50's travel or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.
What we rate & what we don't
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL’S BEST & WORST
Underrated




Sea kayaking in Croatia
Or indeed anywhere, but Croatia has one of the best sea kayaking infrastructures, expertise and of course exquisite seascapes, with its burgeoning, beautiful archipelago. This is one of those activities you are never too old to try. Most holidays give beginner techniques, and sea kayaking holidays are about paddling slowly and gently, so that you can enjoy the coves and secret hideaways that are on offer.
Walking trails in Japan
If you have read any Murakami, then Japan’s forests, mountains and coastal pathways must be calling. Just as Murakami seduces us into his beautiful world, so do the Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo long distance walking trails. Both following ancient footsteps of Samurai on the former, or pilgrims on the more southern and spiritual, shrine-bedecked Kumano Kodo Trail. Places where you can ‘Hear the Wind Sing’.
Wildlife holidays
Safaris in South Africa, Kenya or Botswana, for example, are high on anyone’s list. But remember that the wildlife world stretches way beyond Africa. And beyond the back seat of a jeep. Go see Rajasthan’s tigers in the morning, and camel trek through desert in the afternoon. Explore the glories of the Galapagos aboard a traditional schooner, or do some serious trekking into Rwanda’s rainforest to watch gorillas in the mist.
Tasmania
One of the Australia’s best kept secrets, and not just for tagging onto a trip to see the rellies. Spend a couple of weeks taking in its 19 national parks (yes, nnnnnn-nineteen), every day offering a different view, whether you are hiking on the Cradle Mountain Overland Track, bushwalking in the northernmost Narawntapau NP, or blissing out on one of its 300 islands. Oh, and fine food and wine. Tassie-tastic.
Rated




Beyond the cities
Seeing a few more of those cities you have always wanted to see is wonderful, but do take time to check out what lies just beyond them. Dubrovnik is gorgeous, but Mljet National Park offers idyllic island cycling only two hours away for. Florence is not to be missed, but hiking through Tuscany or Umbria paints a whole other pretty picture. And Edinburgh always rocks, but so do Scotland’s rail holidays.
Walking holidays
Going on a walking holiday doesn’t equate with slowing down in life. It just means you appreciate the true meaning of slow travel. Now one of the most popular ways to holiday among people of all ages, as many of us are craving a need to get back to nature. Eat local food and engage with local people as you walk the Lycian Way in Turkey, the Tour de Mont Blanc or even the Inca Trail.
Sri Lanka
Famed for years for its glamorous colonial scene, as well as Paul Theroux’s 1975 hit travel journal, The Great Railway Bazaar, this vibe still exists. But post tsunami, many Sri Lankans have taken ownership of their fine attractions and trained expert guides, in both cultural and natural heritage. They offer homestays, take pride in their superb culinary prowess, Ayurvedic skills and wildlife watching – including whales.
Italy
Who doesn’t love Italy? By your 50s the chances are you have already been at least once. However, there are always more beautiful landscapes waiting in the wings, more wines to drink, and gourmet gorgeousness to indulge in. Hike in Umbria, snowshoe on Mount Etna, cross country ski in the Dolomites, or cycle in Puglia. Ramble the Riviera and then just chill on Capri. Because everywhere, la via è bella.
Overrated




Giant cruise ships
So long the clichéd domain of the mature traveller, perceived as an easy way to see the world. But you also have to go easy ON the world. Unlike the giant polluting behemoths. To make life easier, seek out sublime seafaring holidays on small ship cruises, where passenger numbers usually range from ten to fifty. Also, because they are smaller, they get access to many more remote places.
Second homes
Who wouldn’t love a second home on, say, the French Riviera? Most of the French to be honest. You may be the exception to the rule, use it lots and leave plenty of money in the local economy. But the fact is there are over two million empty homes in France at any one time. Mass second ownership nearly always creates community resentment too. In short, rarely is it the epitome of responsible tourism.
Car hire
Sometimes it is necessary, but consider a self-guided walking or cycling holiday instead, where your bags are transported for you from one hotel to another. SO much more fun, no arguing over maps (except OS ones), take things at your own pace, and see the country properly. Not from behind a wheel, with a GPS shouting at you. Or go on a small group holiday and hand over your keys and all hassles to an expert guide.
Piste palavers
Either you have been going downhill skiing every year for as long as you can remember, or you have never skied and think you are too old to start. Downhill is a disaster environmentally anytime, and beginners can learn to cross country ski or snowshoe, well away from the chalet brigade and piste posers, in cool places like the Carpathians, or Lapland, where you can also do incredible husky sledding.
What do we mean by 'over 50s holidays'?
There's no such thing as over 50s holidays
The reason we have written this Over 50s holidays guide is to share with you some of our favourite spots or activities that you may not have thought about already, for whatever reason. Maybe your children have just reached the age when holidays en famille are not the cool thing to do. You may have spent the last 10 to 20 years of holidays seeing relatives, camping, booking a resort, or renting a house with friends in the country - because the kids love that. But now you have, hopefully, a bit more time to think about the types of trips YOU want to do.
Or you may not have children, and have travelled independently for years, but want to give the small group holiday thing a go, or take on a self-guided or tailor made holiday, because you are fed up sorting out all the logistics yourself – or you fancy trying out somewhere a bit more adventurous, where travelling independently could be tough.
We also want to take this opportunity to sing the praises of small group holidays. Sometimes, the notion of a small group holiday makes 50-somethings nervous. Memories of 18-30s holidays, or worse, school trips. But the world has changed. Small group holidays run by responsible companies have really sussed not only sustainability, but also solo travel and mixed generational travel.
Age ranges on a small group holiday vary, and you can check with your tour operator what the average age might be, and also they will always give detailed guidance as to fitness levels required. Although in our experience, especially on hiking and cycling holidays, it is the 50+ holiday makers who are in it for the long haul.
Over 50’s holidays for single travellers
GOING SOLO
I would love to go to such and such a destination, but am nervous about going on my own
Will I always be able to have my own room and, if so, will I have to pay a supplement?

Will I be the only single traveller on a small group tour?
Do you sell holidays specifically for solo or single travellers?
Costa Rica wildlife holiday
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
Japan golden route holiday
9 night classic Japan trip: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto
Small group adventure holiday to Patagonia
Explore the spectacular wilderness and mountains of Patagonia
Croatian coast walking tours, self guided
Self guided walking tour on the sunny Croatian coast
Umbria cooking holiday, Italy
Learn traditional italian cooking in a beautiful farmhouse
Southern Peru small group tour
Journey through south Peru, the heartland of the Inca Empire
South Africa safari holiday, 14 days
Award winning safari in South Africa
Galapagos holiday cruise options
Excellent selection of small and midsize Galapagos cruises
Costa Rica highlights holiday & beach
Short highlight itinerary covering city, forests and beach.
Self drive holiday in Costa Rica
Tailor made, flexible self-drive in stunning Costa Rica
Andalucia self catering accommodation, Almeria, Spain
Farmhouse accommodation on 2 acre finca with swimming pool
Cycling holiday in Croatia, Dalmatian Coast
Cycling through the Dalmatian Coast Islands in Croatia
Whale watching in the Azores
Sustainable whale watching in the beautiful Azorean archipelago
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
Shanghai to Hong Kong tour, discover China
Cities, wildlife, ancient history and rolling rice paddies.
Sri Lanka holidays, tailor made
Independent tailor made holidays to Sri Lanka
Self guided walking holiday in France
Idyllic walking in France with great food, wine and ambiance