2025 Retiree Travel Outlook: What the Latest Data Reveals

Survey Insights: Cultural and Historical Exploration  

The beauty of retiree travel is the newfound freedom, where seniors no longer need to worry about clocking into their 9 to 5 jobs. Instead, they can now reward their decades of hard work by doing something they truly love. For many, that’s travel. Retirement travel allows seniors to immerse themselves in new cultures and continue on a path of lifelong learning that keeps them engaged and connected with others around them. Based on our Thought Leader Survey, seniors are ready to pack their bags overseas to enjoy cultural and historical exploration opportunities. So, what are the most popular travel destinations for seniors? Take a look:

Italy

Overall, Italy serves as one of the favorite destinations among seniors interested in cultural and historical exploration, with 57% of respondents ranking Italy as their top choice. And that’s for good reason! Italy has a lot to offer its many visitors. Cities like Rome, Florence and Venice act as open-air museums with Renaissance art, Roman ruins and iconic architecture, such as the picturesque Duomo. Seniors can stroll ancient cobblestone streets, visit the Vatican and indulge in mouth-watering, traditional cuisine.

Greece

Next on our list of the top destinations for seniors interested in cultural and historical exploration is Greece, with 17.3% of survey respondents eager to explore areas like Athens, Santorini and Crete. With a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere, Greece offers a slower, relaxed pace that’s perfect for seniors interested in spending their time exploring sites like the Acropolis in Athens or the Knossos Palace in Crete. Through these discoveries, seniors can gain a better understanding of Western civilization’s origins and the many developments that originated with Greek culture. Traveling in retirement to Greece offers a unique blend of historical sightseeing opportunities, offering scenic island hopping and quiet coastal stays, where hospitality and fresh cuisine are part of the allure.

Egypt

13% of survey respondents have Egypt on their list of places to go for retirement travel, and rightfully so. Egypt captivates visitors with its sheer scale of history, from the pyramids of Giza and temples of Luxor to the Nile River and the bustling city of Cairo. Seniors can enjoy river cruises that connect archaeological sites to gain a better understanding of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

Japan

Rounding off our list of the top places for seniors to visit is Japan, with 12.7% of respondents interested in this country’s rich culture and history. Japan blends ancient traditions with modern ease, allowing seniors to explore sites like Kyoto’s temples, castles, and gardens or Tokyo’s museums and historic districts with reliable, fast, clean and safe transportation.

Seniors enjoy traveling in retirement to places like Italy, Greece, Egypt and Japan because these destinations offer a rich mix of history, culture and meaningful experiences. When setting foot onto the soil of these countries, seniors can stand where ancient civilizations once thrived, walking through ruins and seeing firsthand how the past still shapes daily life. These countries are home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which means there’s no shortage of attractions to discover.

Think ancient temples, medieval towns, sacred shrines and grand monuments — all dotting the landscape of these regions, and all asking to be explored. But what really draws people in is the ability to slow down and connect with local traditions, whether it’s learning how to roll fresh pasta in a cooking class in Tuscany or cruising the Nile while hearing stories of pharaohs. For many older travelers, it’s more than just sightseeing. Travel allows for the opportunity to dive deeper, ask questions and connect with fellow lifelong learners to forge meaningful relationships.

So, let’s dive into some of the rules for traveling in retirement. There are several personalized travel tips based on our survey findings to ensure you make the most of your adventures. Here are some ways to tailor your cultural travel experiences:

Choose guided tours

Joining guided tours designed for seniors is an excellent way to uncover the hidden gems sprinkled throughout the area you’re looking to discover. Our expert and knowledgeable guides bring historical landmarks to life and are ready to answer any questions you may have. Guided tours for seniors are also held at a comfortable pace and take the stress out of planning logistics like transportation and lodging so that you can be fully present in your explorations.

Focus on historical sites

Many famous historical sites are accessible, such as those in Rome, Athens and Cairo, with ramps, lifts or alternative routes so that you can explore at your own preferred leisurely pace. Many of these sites have engaging visitor centers with exhibits and information, ensuring you have access to the history you’re looking for with the accommodations you need for a comfortable visit.

Join local cultural experiences

One of the best ways to have a truly unforgettable retirement travel experience is to include hands-on cultural experiences. Cooking classes, traditional craft workshops and music or dance demonstrations offer a personal connection to the destination’s culture, offering a great way to interact with locals and learn something new.

Overall, 9.3% of survey respondents prefer group travel with guided tours, while a much larger 64.3% favor solo travel with flexible itineraries. However, solo travel doesn’t mean you have to experience travel on your own. Our Road Scholar programs welcome solo travelers into our group trips, offering flexible itineraries that allow time for both guided tours and independent exploration. Additionally, 44% of respondents, when choosing a destination, rated group travel companionship as somewhat or extremely important. This shows how important sharing travel experiences with others is for senior travelers.

How to Plan for Group Travel

There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to retiree travel. However, there are several key rules for traveling in retirement to keep in mind. Here’s how to plan for group travel:

• Look for reputable travel companies like Road Scholar that specialize in senior travel, ensuring they offer well-reviewed programs designed for seniors.
• Check for local travel clubs that allow you to connect with others who share similar interests and pace.
• Consider multigenerational adventures if you’re planning on traveling with family, ensuring the program you choose offers activities for all ages that work for both older and younger travelers.
• Read reviews and compare itineraries that include downtime, accessible transportation and accommodations and small group tours.
• Focus on retirement travel budget planning​ to ensure you cover your finances for transportation, dining and activities.
• Keep our helpful travel tips for seniors in mind once your trip is booked.

North American Destinations

For seniors looking to stay a little closer to home, North America and the United States have a lot to offer. Based on our survey results, here are some of the top destinations in North America that seniors are interested in:

National parks

North America’s national parks are the most popular destinations for retiree travel, with 44.7% of seniors looking to explore these protected lands. From Yosemite and Yellowstone to Banff and Jasper, North America is home to pristine locations perfect for wildlife viewing and capturing unrivaled natural beauty.

Coastal cities

30.3% of survey respondents are eager to explore North America’s coastal cities, such as Charleston and Savannah, which are known for their rich history and vibrant culture

Urban centers

Next up are North America’s urban centers, such as Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C., where 13.7% of retirees are interested in exploring. These cultural hubs offer travelers everything from knowledge-provoking museums to regional cuisine and seasonal events.

Wine regions

From our Travel Trends Survey, 11.3% of survey respondents find North America’s wine regions appealing, such as Napa Valley in California and the Finger Lakes region in New York. Here, seniors can understand the art of winemaking from expert sommeliers while imbibing on the fruits of their labor.

Suggestions for North American Trips

There are several unique North American trips for seniors to consider, including:

• Santa Fe, New Mexico:

Santa Fe is a gem for seniors interested in art, history and Native American culture. Here, retirees can find a combination of Pueblo, Spanish and Anglo influences in everything from architecture to local cuisine.

• Québec City, Canada:

Québec City feels like a slice of Europe without leaving North America, featuring cobblestone streets, historic stone buildings and French-speaking locals for a rich cultural experience.

• Boston, Massachusetts:

Travelers can step back in time and relive Revolutionary War era events by walking Boston’s Freedom Trail for a deep historical experience while also enjoying modern amenities and attractions like a harbor cruise or a stop at the Boston Public Garden.

There are several exciting benefits of multigenerational travel to consider, such as:

• Building relationships between grandparents and grandchildren through shared experiences like learning about new cultures together, enjoying an exciting activity like biking through Ireland’s countryside or swimming in the Mediterranean.
• Exploring destinations that appeal to all ages, ensuring all family members have the opportunity to discover a region that speaks to them and their interests.
• Learning new skills at a multigenerational level, encouraging each generation to share their own insights and personal experiences with one another to gain a keener perspective and foster individual growth.
• Finding educational tours that pique everyone’s interest.

To make the most of your multigenerational trip, careful planning is a must. To start, it’s important to select a destination that appeals to and offers experiences for everyone. This might mean resorts that offer activities for all ages or family-friendly tours. It also requires collaboration, allowing everyone, even children, the opportunity to share what they’d like to do and see. Lastly, the rules for traveling in retirement require you to allow yourself to enjoy the experience to the fullest extent, immersing yourself in the region’s culture and traditions while enjoying pure quality time with your loved ones.

Preferred Travel Seasons

Overall, summer is the time of year when retirees prefer to travel most, with 43.7% of survey respondents preferring this season. Spring (27%), fall (26%) and winter (3.3%) followed, with summer reigning supreme due to its warm temperatures and abundance of seasonal activities. Spring and fall, however, are hand-in-hand a close second, serving as excellent times to avoid peak summer heat and bustling crowds and explore popular cultural attractions. Finally, wintering in warm destinations helps travelers escape the cold and embrace new cultures and traditions.

Lifelong Learning During Travel

One of the benefits of retiree travel is the ability to partake in cultural activities like history tours and other learning experiences. Our Travel Trends Survey found the following learning experiences of most interest to seniors:

• Art and architecture workshops (10.3%)
• culinary classes and food tours (17.3%)
• local cultural performances or traditions (48.3%)
• wildlife and nature photography (24%)

These experiences enhance travel for retirees by offering personal growth and enrichment, along with the opportunity to connect with other lifelong learners through a shared experience. They also allow for intellectual engagement, skill development and the fulfillment of educational goals, helping seniors live rich and meaningful lives.

To find and book lifelong learning experiences, look no further than reputable travel companies like Road Scholar. Our team offers a number of reasons to travel with Road Scholar, the least of which is by taking the stress out of planning itineraries, activities, transportation and lodging so you can focus on the excitement of your travels. You’ll also have time for relaxation and exploration on your own terms to ensure you have the opportunity to recharge and explore what interests you most.

What do these trends reveal about the future of retiree travel? Mostly that seniors are eager to travel, and guided group travel is a preferred option. This means the travel industry will need to offer rich experiential learning programs that allow retirees to explore new cultures and learn something new.

With these insights in mind, it’s time for retirees to begin planning their next adventure. Road Scholar has an exciting collection of senior travel programs that span the globe. Our guides handle logistics, answer questions and keep things running smoothly, so that participants can enjoy their specific type of travel to the fullest.

Seniors can choose from those based on their preferred destination, interests and activity level. They can also enjoy the guidance of our professional guides, who offer rich insights into local cultures, history, wildlife and geography. Choose a destination and start traveling in retirement with a trusted travel organization like Road Scholar. Review some of our tools and resources, as well as other practical information, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.