Top 20 Trips to Take After You Retire

When you don’t have to plan your life around your work schedule anymore, the best way to travel is slowly. After retirement, you finally have the time to get off the beaten track and really get under the skin of a destination. Your biggest challenge now is to decide where to travel to, with so much world out there to see. Here are some ideas.

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1. Hawaii

After Barack Obama handed over the presidency of the United States to his successor, he hit the golf links of his native Hawaii. The Aloha State also offers everything else a new retiree can dream of, including perfect beaches, great food and year-round warm weather.

Want more? Check out Hawaii's 20 most gorgeous beaches.

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2. Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

Getting to the remote Marquesas Islands is an adventure in itself. French painter Paul Gauguin spent his last years here, as did Belgian singer Jacques Brel, whose final album was named after the islands.

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3. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

One of the most scenic drives in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches over a little more than 750 km along the Great Smoky Mountains and through the home of bluegrass.

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4. Mekong River, Vietnam and Cambodia

A cruise along the Mekong River gives you some of South East Asia’s best: the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, laid-back rural villages, lush jungle, Buddhist temples, war sites and ancient Angkor Wat.

Plus, don't miss the 50 best countries to stretch your dollar.

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5. Highway 61, Tennessee and Mississippi

Officially called US Route 61, Highway 61 stretches over 2,300 km from Wyoming, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana. Bob Dylan sang about it, and the stretch from Memphis and through the Mississippi Delta is steeped in blues history and legend.

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6. Prince Edward Island

Canada’s smallest province has a mild climate for much of the year, making it perfect for leisurely days on the beach or the golf course. It’s also popular with fans of Anne of Green Gables and lovers of fresh seafood.

It also boasts one of the best coastal drives you can take.

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7. Sicily, Italy

Home of ancient ruins, medieval villages, beaches, Mount Etna and the Mafia, Sicily is also a foodie paradise. Marsala wine, pecorino cheese and cannoli all originated on this Mediterranean island.

If you're going to make the trip, don't miss Italy's most beautiful small towns.

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8. Route 66, USA

Although it doesn’t form part of the official highway system of the United States anymore, you can still get your kicks on Route 66. Parts of the original road that led from Chicago to Santa Monica and passed through eight states are now a National Scenic Byway known as Historic Route 66.

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9. Nevis, Saint Kitts and Nevis

The island of Nevis is one of the few in the Caribbean that hasn’t been tainted by endless impersonal beach resorts – yet. For now, it’s tranquil, and some of the best accommodation options on offer are in restored plantations.

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10. Agawa Canyon, Ontario

You can hike to the Agawa Canyon, but an even better way to get there is to travel the 183 km from Sault Ste. Marie by train. The journey is at its most spectacular in fall or winter.

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11. Douro River, Portugal and Spain

The Douro River is an up-and-coming destination for European river cruises. Most cruises start at Porto in Portugal, take you through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alto Douro wine region where port wine originated and then into Spain, with a side trip to Salamanca included.

Want more? Check out the 21 newest world heritage sites.

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12. Tulum, Mexico

Unlike overdeveloped Cancun, Tulum is still a laid-back piece of paradise along Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. You’ll find caves and cenotes to explore, stylish restaurants and boutique hotels and Mayan ruins overlooking a white, sandy beach and impossibly blue ocean.

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13. Charlevoix Region, Quebec

The stunning scenery of Quebec’s Charlevoix region has inspired countless artists and lovers of the great outdoors. The area is a foodie paradise too, with everything from craft beer and cider to handmade cheese and chocolate available.

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14. Tasmania, Australia

Mainland Australia may be synonymous with the epic road trip, but little Tasmania gives you historic convict sites, farm-fresh produce, world-class whiskies and outdoor adventure all within manageable driving distances from one another. The climate is mild too, and you may even be able to see the Southern Lights.

Need more Australia travel inspo? Check out the 20 most important things to see in Australia.

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15. Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, BC

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is home to the second largest hot spring in Canada. Here you can have the unique Canadian experience of bathing in the warm water while watching moose come to drink.

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16. Ireland

The many reasons for exploring Ireland include the country’s dramatic coastline, ancient castles and rich literary and musical heritage. For retirees, however, the most important may be the alleged youth-preserving health benefits of Ireland’s most famous stout.

For more, check out 30 Irish words Canadians don't quite understand.

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17. Canadian Badlands, Alberta

The Canadian Badlands is a great place for a journey into the past, whether you want to relive the pioneer days or go way, way back to the time of the dinosaurs. In June, the town of Vulcan also lets you travel into the future with the Star Trek-themed Spock Days.

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18. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is renowned for its ecotourism industry and also has fantastic golf courses and yoga retreats. Its Nicoya Peninsula is also one of the world’s five Blue Zones, where people live longer than anywhere else.

Did you know it also happens to be one of the best destinations for the young and broke?

Lighthouse on St. Simons Island, Georgia

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19. St. Simons Island, Georgia

One of Georgia’s barrier islands, St. Simon’s Island is a popular golfing destination. If golf’s not your thing, though, you’ll find plenty of other things to love, from beaches and biking to antebellum buildings and Southern soul food.

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20. Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Paris of France might be the world’s romance capital, but for unbridled passion, there’s no place like the Paris of South America. In Buenos Aires, you can show that you’ve still got it by tango-dancing in the streets before gorging on a juicy steak and a few bottles of Malbec.

For more, check out the full list of the most romantic cities in the world.