Guide to Retirement Travel Planning in 2025

Defining Your Retirement Travel Goals

When it comes to retirement travel, it’s important to carefully consider what you want to get out of your next journey. Each destination and program offers unique benefits and experiences, so it’s important to consider what interests you most and will make for an unforgettable adventure. As you sit down and plan where in the world you want to end up next, keep these factors in mind:

• Educational-focused travel: No matter where you decide to travel, you’re bound to learn something new. However, some travel programs are designed for unique interests, such as art, history and nature. Take time to reflect on your passions and interests. From there, you can narrow your retirement travel plans to find a trip that speaks to you.
• Adventure vs. relaxation: Another one of the top retirement travel tips is considering your desired activity level. Do you want an adventure-based experience filled with nature hikes, walking tours and plenty of movement, or are you more interested in a slow-paced learning adventure that offers moments for rest and relaxation? As you browse through our collection of travel adventures, you can filter based on activity level and interests to find the perfect match.
• Solo travel or group learning experiences: At Road Scholar, we have an exciting selection of group-based learning experiences perfect for solo travelers, couples and families. Whether you’re going alone or with someone you love, you’ll be able to travel with a community of like-minded people from various backgrounds, enjoying spirited conversations that help forge lasting memories and relationships.

Top Retirement Travel Destinations for 2025

With so many places in the world to choose from, narrowing down the destinations on your bucket list can be a challenge. To help make your decision easier, here’s a look at some of the top retirement travel destinations this year.

Cultural Immersion Destinations

For retired travelers seeking deep cultural connections, there are countless destinations that immerse you directly into local cultures for an enriching travel experience. Some of our top picks for culturally immersive destinations include the following:

• Kyoto, Japan: As a city steeped in history, Kyoto serves as the heart of traditional Japan. Visitors can attend tea ceremonies, explore ancient temples and geisha districts, and, if visiting in the spring, marvel at the colorful cherry blossoms that transform the city into a beautiful blanket of pinks and reds.
• Istanbul, Turkey: The city of Istanbul serves as a crossroads of civilizations, blending European and Middle Eastern cultures that are woven throughout the city’s architecture, traditions and history. A trip to Istanbul can bring you to landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, along with local bazaars and restaurants that offer immersive experiences through cuisine and the arts.
• Cusco, Peru: Serving as the capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco offers an immersive Peruvian experience that blends colonial and Indigenous heritage. From Cusco, visitors can trek to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most famous ancient civilizations perched high in the Andes Mountains. The Sacred Valley and nearby villages provide authentic cultural encounters with Quechua communities where travelers can interact with locals and partake in traditions.

Nature & Wildlife Adventures

For outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers, our planet is home to an abundance of otherworldly landscapes worth exploring. Retirement travel is the perfect opportunity to enjoy all that Earth has to offer us, from spotting rare wildlife to photographing pristine vistas. Here’s where you can travel in retirement to get the most out of Mother Nature:

• Costa Rica: Enjoy the pura vida way of life in this biodiversity hotspot teeming with rare species and unrivaled panoramic views. Go zip lining through rainforests, hike volcanic mountains and spend a day relaxing on world-class beaches. From wildlife spotting in national parks like Corcovado and Monteverde to enjoying water sports like surfing, snorkeling and boating, Costa Rica drops you into the heart of nature.
• Patagonia: At the base of Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a remote landscape with cascading snow-capped mountains and untouched scenery. Retired travelers can go horseback riding along rivers, trek in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Park and enjoy the scenery of glaciers and dramatic peaks brimming with wildlife.
• Banff National Park: The Great White North is home to a paradise for nature lovers, and Banff National Park might be its prized possession. With turquoise-blue glacial lakes surrounded by towering mountains, Banff is not only picturesque but also a short trip from home compared to other global adventures. Enjoy hiking, canoeing and skiing in the Canadian Rockies, which has diverse wildlife and alpine meadows.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Learning Experiences

Travel after retirement allows you to enjoy your free time in ways you probably couldn’t previously. You can go off the grid to off-the-beaten-path destinations for a truly unique learning experience. As a retired traveler, you might want to consider these destinations:

• Madagascar: A trip to Madagascar is unlike any other. With 95% of its reptiles, 89% of its plant life and 92% of its mammals found nowhere else on Earth, you can spot wildlife and fauna most have only seen in books or online. This off-grid nature experience allows you to interact with locals and understand a new way of living rooted in nature and tradition.
• Northern Greece: While you might picture the Acropolis or Santorini when you think of Greece, the northern half of the country is quieter without compromising on history and beauty. Here, you can marvel at the Ottoman influences in art and architecture, explore ancient ruins and walk buzzing markets to find souvenirs from local artisans.
• National parks: America is home to some of the most visited protected lands in the world, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. But there are plenty of national parks you might not have heard of, such as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, Congaree National Park in South Carolina or North Cascades National Park in Washington. If you envision your retirement travel staying close to home, consider these easy-to-travel-to national parks.

Budgeting & Financial Planning for Retirement Travel

One of the most important retirement travel tips is to budget accordingly to make the most of your adventure without breaking the bank. To maximize your travel budget, plan to take advantage of lower prices on airfare, lodging and activities. It’s also worth looking into all-inclusive group travel programs that take care of all logistics and planning so no unexpected expenses pop up. Explore Road Scholar’s special offers to find travel deals that work for your budget and find affordable educational adventures that interest you. 

When planning for long-term travel, save by traveling during the offseason when prices for many accommodations and activities are lower, use any rewards points you may have accrued with your credit card and join free activities like walking tours and visiting public parks and museums.

Preparing for a Safe & Enjoyable Journey

Planning is key for enjoyable travel in retirement, as it helps ensure your adventure goes to plan. To start, look into travel insurance, which can serve as an added layer of financial protection in the event of an unexpected medical emergency, lost luggage or any other unplanned expenses. 

It’s also important to keep your health top of mind as a retired traveler. Make sure to manage your medications and ensure they’re packed and stored safely. Consult with your health care team to assess your accessibility needs and what activities are safe for you on your adventure.

From there, pack accordingly for your educational travel experiences. Understand your destination’s weather patterns and climate, and pack layers that you can dress up or down to accommodate fluctuating temperatures throughout the day. Additionally, make sure you have chargers for electronics and any adapters you may need.

Why Choose Road Scholar for Your 2025 Travel Adventures?

At Road Scholar, we’re a true University of the World with inspiring instructors and diverse cohorts of like-minded learners that allow you to forge deep, lasting relationships. Through our expert-led learning experiences, you can ask any questions that arise throughout the trip and receive thoughtful answers from instructors with a depth of knowledge about the destination or subject matter of the trip. With a strong sense of community and hassle-free travel planning, we make it easy to enjoy travel in retirement.

Make 2025 Your Year of Discovery

There are many benefits of lifelong learning through travel in retirement, from learning new knowledge to forming new relationships and enjoying a rich social connection. At Road Scholar, we help retirees engage, explore and enrich their lives through experiential learning programs around the world. Start planning your 2025 learning adventure today!