Baby boomers are continually proving that age is a state of mind.
Born between 1946 and 1964, the “gray tsunami” generation that defined itself by breaking convention is now redefining the art of travel. Rather than slowing down, they’re hitting the road in search of opportunities for discovery, growth, and a new outlook on retirement.
So what does travel look like in your “golden years”?
Chasing Experience, Staying Active with Immersion Travel
Baby boomers want experiences when they travel. In some ways, this doesn’t make them much different from other generations. Where this generation diverges from younger travelers, however, is how they capture those experiences.
What is travel immersion?
Cultural immersion travel, sometimes called experiential travel, is a type of tourism where visitors prioritize “experiencing” a destination by engaging with local customs, culture, and cuisine. With immersive travel, we seek authenticity, novelty, and human connection.
For baby boomers, this often takes the form of hands-on learning experiences. While we still see bus tours catering to older travelers — the reality that many of this generation are challenged by mobility, hearing, and vision impairments keeps this style of travel in demand — there are more choices for diving into a destination now than ever before.
Many baby boomers are booking smaller, niche tours led by local experts. This is why we’ve seen the rise of excursions offering everything like author- and historian-hosted tours of Quebec to culinary tours in Italy and guided bicycle trips through Vienna and Prague.
Finding the right tour company is frequently the key to a golden travel experience.
Best Baby Boomer Travel Agencies
Some of the best tours for older travelers balance active experiences with a more relaxed pace.
- Backroads offers Dolce Tempo tours with e-biking, “easy” walking, and plenty of luxury in between.
- Road Scholar is an educational tour company that specializes in travel for active seniors. When browsing their tours, you can filter by destination, interests, and even several activity levels.
- Trafalgar is a top-rated travel company with senior-friendly packages all over the world. They also have tours for solo travelers and women-only tours.
- Walking the World offers unique walking tours for active seniors both domestically and abroad.
- ElderTreks is an adventure travel company designed for travelers 50 and over, offering a wide range of experiences across 100 different countries.
Baby Boomer Luxury Travel vs. Traveling on a Fixed Income
All these tours and experiences sound great. But they do come with a price tag, some of them rather large. Can you afford, in terms of time, money, and health, to take the kinds of trips you want?
In early 2024, AARP asked travelers aged 50 and up why they weren’t taking a trip that year. The top reasons were the high cost of travel and decreased discretionary funds due to inflation.
That same AARP survey found that older adults planned to spend more than $6,600 on vacations in 2024. And Seven Corners customers in the baby boomer generation habitually spend more on travel insurance than other generations (this, in part, can be explained because higher trip costs mean higher premium for trip protection plans).
If these two things — avoiding travel because it’s expensive and yet embracing luxury travel — seem contradictory, they are. But what we see in baby boomer travel trends is a story of two extremes.
Those who can afford luxury continue to travel and are comfortable paying more to do so. Those who are on a more fixed income are being more frugal. Some are forgoing trips, while others are simply pulling back.
Vacations aren’t something we’re willing to give up easily, even with the rising cost of travel. Since COVID, we began seeing the value of traveling differently.
The pandemic emphasized just how important travel is to our enjoyment of life, spending time with others, and how travel can keep us young. The idea of waiting to embark on these adventures is hardly appetizing.
And this brings us to some good news. COVID forced us to rethink how we travel, and this may help us answer the question: How do you travel on a fixed income?
How to travel on a fixed income
A good budget is a valuable tool for any traveler. Try these tips for traveling in retirement.
- Stay flexible on your travel dates. Unless you’re traveling for a specific event, it pays to not lock yourself in. By being flexible, you can adjust your itinerary to travel on the cheapest days.
- Travel in the off-season or shoulder season. Peak season tends to come with peak prices. By visiting a destination when there are fewer people, you’ll save money on accommodations, flights, and more.
- Take advantage of credit card rewards and perks. If you can get free air miles just by getting the groceries you were going to buy anyway, use them for that exciting getaway. Make sure you can pay off your bill every month, though. Interest rates on these cards tend to be more than you’re getting in perks and rewards, meaning they aren’t worth the perceived savings if you can’t maintain a zero balance.
- Sign up for loyalty programs. Just read the fine print before you do. Not all loyalty programs are the same, and you might not want to get saddled with an annual fee later. Nor do you want to find out that there are so many rules and blackout dates that you can’t actually use your perks. But when you find a good program, you might be able to rack up free transportation, meals, or rooms.
- Beware hidden fees. Before you book anything, read the details of the contract. The last thing you want is to get hit with a higher bill than expected at check-out. You can’t always avoid the fees, but you can plan for them. And sometimes, you have a better chance of having those fees waived if you ask before you travel rather than after.
- Ask for discounts. Many places, from airlines to restaurants to museums, offer cheaper rates for seniors, AAA members, veterans, or travelers with disabilities (and a companion).
- Prioritize free activities. Strolling through a park, people watching, or “window” shopping at a farmer’s market don’t cost a thing. That’s money that stays in your pocket or that can be put toward a splurge activity later in your trip. Plus, it forces you to slow down a bit and really soak up the experience.
- Choose your destination wisely. When traveling internationally, opt for countries with a favorable exchange rate. And consider that some places are simply more expensive than others, no matter the currency. Would you rather spend a week in Paris or two weeks in a more budget-friendly region of France where you could maybe take the train in to see the Louvre one day and still save money?
- Plan early. The sooner you start mapping out your itinerary, the sooner you can start looking for good deals.
- Find a buddy. Single supplements can add cost to your trip. If you usually travel alone, ask a friend to come with you and share the costs. If no one is feeling adventurous, book a tour. More and more companies are catering to the solo traveler.
Earn money while traveling
Consider ways to make money on the road if you’re concerned about bankrolling your travels.
- Become a digital nomad. This is a great move if you’re semi-retired. Offer your expertise as a consultant or freelancer. You have a lifetime of experience built up — use it.
- Become a guide. Amtrak hires volunteers to serve as guides on some of its trains to help passengers learn more about the sites they pass through. As a volunteer, you don’t get a salary, but the cost of your train journey is covered. Other tour companies and volunteer organizations might also hire guides and group organizers.
- House or pet sit. This is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in a single location for a longer stretch of time. Register with a company like MindMyHouse or TrustedHousesitters, and you can stay at someone’s home to look after their house or pets while they’re traveling themselves. Again, you won’t get paid for your duties, but you also don’t have any lodging expenses at your destination. It’s one of our favorite ways to travel for “free."
Best Baby Boomer Travel Destinations
For baby boomer travelers looking for adventure without the chaotic hustle and bustle, Frommer’s has compiled a diverse list of destinations that will not disappoint. The best vacation destination for seniors is going to depend on the type of experience you’re seeking and the budget you have.
We dug into where Seven Corners’ baby boomer travelers went in 2024. The most popular destinations were the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom. That was followed closely by France and Mexico.
Spain, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Portugal rounded out the top 10. Clearly — and not surprisingly when you look at other baby boomer travel trends — Europe is a leading destination when you get the itch to be on the move.
For road trip warriors and retirees living the RV life, there are many domestic travel destinations worth exploring. RoverPass has some helpful tips for seniors to get started RVing.
Visiting U.S. national parks is a budget-friendly way to explore the many unique landscapes the country has to offer. Seniors can even get a lifetime pass for all national parks at a very low rate.
Whether you have a fixed budget or are splurging for luxury, the destinations below are just a few that deliver some serious vacation vibes for the 50+ crowd.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
From wide-open spaces to quaint country towns, world-class art to cowboy roughing it, Oklahoma has many roads to explore.
Oklahoma City has a surprisingly varied collection of museums, with many of them dedicated to showcasing the people and culture of the region. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a must-see, as is the First Nations Museum, which frequently hosts special events, markets, and festivals throughout the year.
While Oklahoma City has plenty of dining to keep your tastebuds happy, foodies might want to branch out farther afield. Oklahoma has a surprising (to us) number of wineries, some of which have upscale bistros and wine clubs. Enjoy a short road trip in and around Oklahoma City to sample the local vintages.
Charleston, South Carolina
When you’re looking for a slow-down on your vacation, it’s hard to beat Charleston, South Carolina. It’s also ideal for combining Southern charm and hospitality with a bit of luxury.
Relax on a harbor cruise or tour a plantation — Boone Hall is one of our favorites — at your own pace.
If you’re looking for history, you can’t go wrong with Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. We filled an entire day touring the USS Yorktown. Even if you don’t want to do the stairs and tight spaces below-deck, there’s still loads to see and excellent exhibits on the main level.
Charleston is also one of my favorite food cities. Shrimp and pimento cheese grits should be tried at least once in your lifetime. Pair it with a nice cocktail (or mocktail) during a lazy dinner at a seaside restaurant, and you’ll never want to come home.
Alaska
Active seniors looking for outdoor adventure and unique experiences domestically may want to consider Alaska, where you can opt for picturesque train rides or view its incredible landscape via helicopter or small plane.
Cruises are also a great way to see Alaska. Certain areas of the state are only accessible by water, so choosing smaller ships or expedition cruises is a great way to explore areas that are visited by fewer tourists while still having the advantage of an experienced crew guiding the way.
Depending on the time of year, it’s also possible to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. You’ll have to brave some colder weather for this as the best time to catch the aurora borealis in Alaska is mid-August through mid-April.
Sicily, Italy
Warm weather, a leisurely pace, and boat loads of history — all good reasons to visit Sicily. Just off the toe of Italy’s boot, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. That means you get beaches galore and some gorgeous coastal towns.
Enjoy the outdoors at Isola Bella Nature Reserve or catch some sun at one of the 194 accessible sunbathing spots on the island.
Book a train ride to one (or several) of Sicily’s ancient historical sites. If you’re looking for classic Hellenic architecture, it doesn’t get much better than the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Agrigento.
Taormina is renowned for its Greek Theatre, the ruins of which you can still walk through. Views of the theater overlook the coast and Mt. Etna, so be sure to bring your camera.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
If all-inclusive resorts are more your style, it’s hard to beat a trip to Mexico. Start your search for the perfect oasis in Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. Every resort has its niche. Some are known for their high-end luxury, others for their wellness and spa offerings, and some, like the Marquis Los Cabos, are adults only.
Stay active by hitting the links. Cabo features more than a few world-class golf courses, including Puerto Los Cabos with holes designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. Even if your game isn’t great, the views are. Be sure to make reservations well in advance, no matter which course you decide to play.
When you’re ready to get away from the resorts — and if you’re in Cabo during the first few months of the year — book a luxury catamaran to see the humpback whales along their migration route.
Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
The best trips for seniors offer a wide range of activity (and inactivity), so the best travel insurance for seniors should offer a wide range of benefits. Look for plans with trip cancellation, lost baggage protection, medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, and more. Especially if you choose to go overseas, your health needs to be safeguarded while traveling.
Seven Corners Trip Protection plans offer benefits for trip cancellation, interruption, and delay. They also provide medical coverage for illnesses and injuries that occur during your trip. Most Seven Corners plans have coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Cancel for Any Reason coverage, an optional benefit you may be able to add to your Trip Protection plan, became increasingly popular during the pandemic. That popularity remains high because of the increased flexibility it offers travelers, including baby boomers, during uncertain times.
Seniors who travel frequently should also consider Seven Corners Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip. It includes many of the same benefits you want in a trip protection plan with the advantage of only needing to purchase coverage one time.
With our annual travel insurance, one plan offers protection for as many trips as you take during the course of that year. Whether your trips are planned well in advance or spontaneously, regardless of whether you travel two times or 20, Seven Corners Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip has you covered.
Contact us for a quote and to learn more about our travel insurance options.
