Freedom from a lifetime of financial obligations (such as mortgages and childcare) have provided older adults with the opportunity to finally knock lifetime travel goals off of their bucket list. According to AARP, more than 62% of adults age 50+ plan to take at least one leisure trip in 2023 and are likely to spend approximately $6,700 on vacations―nearly four times as much as their younger counterparts between the ages of 18 and 49.
While traveling is not a substitute for medicine, older adults note that each stage of the traveling process, including planning, during, and after, benefits their health because the vacations improve their emotional well-being, connections with loved ones, and energy levels. An older adult with chronic aches and pains even noted that the adrenaline rush of traveling outweighs any physical toll on their body caused by traveling and keeps them in a younger frame of mind.
It is imperative that older adults interested in traveling plan wisely. For instance, it is worth noting that spring is the most popular time for domestic travel, while summer is more popular when traveling abroad. Guided travel excursions may help to alleviate extensive travel planning, are great for solo travelers, and may be more affordable.
Regardless of where old adults go on vacation, they share one common sentiment: “you don’t age” when you travel.
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