We all like the idea of a holiday, and sometimes traipsing around the UK isn't enough for us. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing places around the world worth visiting. To give you some ideas, we're presenting some top international holiday destinations for over-50s.
We have locations for everybody in our top picks, whether it is a city you've been wanting to visit for years, a relaxing island resort or a trip to Spain – we have it covered.
New York
Holidays for over-50s don’t just have to be in quiet locations where nothing really happens, with New York City being the perfect example. The ‘Big Apple’ is the one city which it could be safe to say that 80% of people would want to go visit in their life. It is the famous city which features in countless movies and TV shows.
It is quite a challenge to fit everything there is to see and do in New York in one short section of this blog but we will give it a go. First thing is to make sure you visit the observation decks on the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock (The Rockefeller Centre). Up there you get to see the famous New York City skyline and the views are truly incredible. We advise that you visit Top of the Rock during the day – to see Central Park in all its glory – and then visit the Empire State Building at night to see Times Square all lit up.
Next we have Times Square. You have seen the bright lights and huge advertising displays on the TV but standing there in person is just a whole different experience. You can shop, eat, socialise, and simply sit and watch the world go by in this area of the city. If you want space, though, we suggest going early in the morning – once Times Square begins to fill it doesn't really quieten down until around 2am.
There are loads of trips, excursions, tours, and museums which you must try and fit in to your schedule. Carelink24 suggests visiting the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium, 9/11 memorial, Madison Square Garden, and Grand Central Terminal.
Menorca
Often labelled as the quiet version of Majorca, Menorca is an ideal holiday destination for the over-50s. This little Mediterranean island has everything you need for a relaxing week or two in the sunshine.
Not only is the island full of your traditional sandy beaches, restaurants, and bars, but it is also home to various Bronze Age and Roman Settlements for you to explore. This will give you an excellent trip through time as you discover unique artefacts from those time periods.
If you are feeling adventurous then there are plenty of sporting activities for you to take part in. You can choose to go out to sea on jet skis, kayaks, canoes, or on the many different boat tours – one of which has a glass floor so you can see all of the fish below.
On land you can go horse riding or on a Jeep Safari. Thrill seekers also have the choice of water parks depending on the resort you choose to stay in. Menorca is the perfect example of a relaxing summer holiday in Spain – without having to worry about all those young ones partying in the street.
Rome
If you like your food and like to walk around locations full of history, then Rome could be for you. The city is full of ancient buildings with the most popular being the Colosseum. Get up close to this famous structure – where gladiators once fought – and learn more about its history on the tour.
Other landmarks that you need to visit include the Piazza Navona Fountain, the Roman Forum and the Arcibasilica di San Giovanni church. These are just a few examples, as Rome is full of ancient architecture and history – a trip to Rome will ensure that you learn more about Italian history and in particular the mighty Roman Empire.
When you are done with all the history, it is time to go and try all of the Italian restaurants. The city is full of specialist family-run restaurants which offer the best traditional dishes such as pizza and pasta. The menus go beyond the regular style of pizzas, with traditional Roman dishes available for you to try.
If you don’t feel like walking afterwards you can always jump on a Segway – yes you really can rent these in Rome.
Mauritius
Holidays for over-50s should be relaxing, and if you are looking for a lazy couple of weeks then what could be better than simply laying on a beach on a sunny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean? Mauritius is a great example of such an island – a place where you can just forget about the usual everyday world and relax in the sun with a cocktail.
Along with the usual stretches of beach that you find on island destinations, Mauritius is full of excellent hotel complexes, restaurants, bars and traditional shops. You can explore the amazing culture and history of the Mauritian people during your stay on the island if you wish to.
The ocean around the island is full of different species which you can see for yourself, either on boat trips or on the Blue Safari Submarine. On this trip you will also see wreckage from boats which date back to the 17th century.
If you do want a break from all the sunbathing then you can go walking, cycling, or quad-biking through fields and forests to see just how amazing this island is.
These are just some examples of locations for holidays for over 50s. Let Carelink24 know about your favourite holiday destinations in the comments section below this post.
Editor's Note: This article was updated on 29th April 2024.
