20 Trips to Take in Your 40s

The perfect 40th birthday gift to yourself is to be good to your body. India has some great Ayurveda clinics where you can relax, unwind and learn how to change your lifestyle so you’ll stay younger for longer.

With tourism still in its infancy, El Salvador is the kind of destination where the locals are genuinely glad to see you and will do everything they can to make you feel welcome.

The winding Ruta de las Flores in the country’s Western Highlands offers charming colonial villages, stunning scenery, waterfalls, great food and coffee that will make you cry tears of happiness. Between October and February, the route is lined with colourful flowers.

Australia is the ultimate road trip country but if you have kids in tow, the huge distances between towns can become a nightmare.

Tassie, however, is small and compact and offers everything you could possibly want in a road trip: historic towns, vast swathes of wilderness to explore, unique wildlife, adventure sports and great beaches. It’s an up-and-coming foodie destination and did we mention the wineries and whisky distilleries?

Madagascar is not for the inexperienced traveller or someone on a shoestring budget, so you won’t appreciate it in your 20s.

In your 40s, you have the patience to deal with the difficulties and reap the rewards of this amazingly diverse island country: animals you won’t find anywhere else, wonderful cultural traditions, landscapes that range from rain forests to deserts and baobab-lined roads in the middle of nowhere, as well as plenty of tropical beaches.

Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of Anne of Green Gables, gorge on fresh seafood or get active in the great outdoors, picture-perfect Prince Edward Island offers it all.

The diversity of things to do means it’s a great summer destination for families and if all else fails, you can always hit one of the many stunning beaches.

You need to be fit to make it to the top of Kili so you want to do it before you get too old.

The good news, however, is that you don’t need technical skills. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, like you can conquer the world, and afterwards you can go on safari.

Kiev is a fascinating city at any time of year, with elaborate monasteries competing with the bleak functionality of Soviet architecture.

Christmas in Kiev is a big event with a huge seasonal market, ice skating and lots of food. Best of all is that it falls on January 7, so you can celebrate at home and then celebrate again two weeks later.

You only need to look at one of Paul Gauguin’s later paintings to see why you need to visit the Marquesas Islands.

Gauguin was in his early 50s when he came to this Polynesian paradise and his grave is near that of another inspiring artist: Belgian singer/songwriter Jacques Brel was in his late 40s when he decided to make the Marquesas his home.

The best way to see the Panama Canal is from the deck. Cruise ships aren’t just for the blue-rinse army anymore but they are becoming increasingly popular with families.

If that’s still not quite your thing, you can sail the Canal in style by chartering a yacht.

In the winter, Quebec City’s fairytale architecture becomes extra beautiful.

You can also celebrate the colder months here with gusto, whether it’s at the Winter Carnival, with a stay at the Ice Hotel or simply by playing in the snow.

New York is one of those destinations that will enchant and excite you no matter what your age.

Small children and teenagers alike will love it and if you want to visit without the kids, being in your 40s means you can appreciate the museums and fine dining while still being able to go clubbing until the early hours.

Whether you want to explore castles and museums, enjoy coffee and something sweet while watching the world go by or let the sounds of Mozart wash over you, Salzburg will give you a good dose of culture and romance.

If you’re travelling with kids, remember that other thing Salzburg is famous for: ‘The hills are alive with the sound of music.’

Of course you can go on an African safari in the back of a Land Cruiser but it’s much for fun to do it in a dug-out canoe.

The Okavango Delta is a prime wildlife-viewing destination and the area is dotted with luxurious camps where you can listen to lions roaring in the distance while sipping a cocktail at sunset.

There are foodie destinations and then there’s Oaxaca with its seven varieties of mole sauce, chocolate and tlayudas.

Try roasted grasshoppers if you’re brave and if you need to work up the courage first, remember that Oaxaca is also mescal country.

If you’re feeling as if your youth is slipping away, nothing will help you get your mojo back quite like tangoing in the streets of Buenos Aires.

The Paris of South America also offers everything from great food and shopping to sports, with one common denominator: passion.

It’s not uncommon to reach your 40s and start asking questions about where we come from and how we got here. To find the answers, it’s best to go straight to the source: the islands that got Charles Darwin thinking about evolution.

Take an island cruise, go diving or hiking and take comfort in the fact that many of those giant tortoises you can see here are much, much older than you.

You’re still young enough to go hiking or snowshoeing but old enough to really appreciate the spectacular scenery of Jasper National Park.

The kids will love trying to spot the bears, elk, moose, wolves, beavers and the other animals that call the park home.

A rich history, worldly and simply rocking: Dublin personifies everything that’s great about being in your 40s. Celebrate this phase in your life at one of the city’s many, many pubs and remember that you’re still younger than the members of U2.

Singapore isn't only about shopping ‘til you drop, although that is certainly a great reason to visit.

It’s also a vibrant mix of cultures, impressive architecture, sports, tranquil parks, beaches and mouth-watering food.

Follow the lead of Shirley Valentine, the title character in the 1980s movie who left her husband a note that she went to Greece, had a holiday romance in Mykonos and learned to love herself.

The sea here is impossibly blue, the windmills impossibly white and the food simply out of this world. As the sun sets, sip wine on Agios Ioannis beach, just like Shirley.

Still in your 20s? Here's a bucket list just for you: 20 Epic Trips You Need to Take in Your 20s

In your 30s? We've got you covered, too: 20 Epic Trips You Need to Take in Your 30s