Top 5 Holidays for the Retired Travel Enthusiast
Our Leisure Travel Managers believe that when you work hard all your life, you deserve to enjoy yourself through your retirement. So where are the best places to go now you’ve re-discovered your freedom?
Here, we explain our top five holiday destination suggestions for the retired traveller.
Barcelona
A short two-hour flight away, Barcelona is a Spanish city that is rich in refined culture and sights. This vibrant area is splashed with colourful architecture and is the perfect place to visit if you want to dip your toes into Spain’s rich history.
Places to stay range from five-star delights such as the The Mercer Hotel Barcelona, through to smaller yet no less enriching establishments such as the Hotel Granvia.
Our Leisure Travel Advisors suggest that sights worth visiting in this captivating city include the awe-inspiring Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, the intriguing rock formations found at Sant Jeroni or, if you are feeling creative, you can even opt to take a mosaic art classes at Mosaicos: an activity that embeds everything that there is to love Barcelona: art, design and an endless heartbeat of creativity.
After a long and productive day, a bite to eat may be on the agenda. Barcelona is enriched with beautiful restaurants and will be sure to keep surprising and tantalizing your taste buds each time you dine out. We recommend visits to the Petit Pau restaurant, which although isn’t centrally located in the city, is worth the short journey for the expertise of the owner, his chefs, and the beautiful dishes that exemplify their culinary philosophy. We can organise your car for you, ensuring you do not have to take your mind off the meal you are about to have.
Iceland
This snowy country is home to some of the most isolated, scenic views the world has to offer, and Reykjavik is somewhere you need to see to believe.
In terms of accommodation, the city offers everything from modern styled apartments through to more traditional hotels in the form of the Grand Hotel Reykjavik which is a bastion of excellent service and warm hospitality.
With respect to atractions, one of the most popular sights to see is the Golden Waterfalls known as Gullfoss. This natural scene will steal the heart of all that visit, and will be the cornerstone of your photo collection.
Hallgrimskirkja is the home of the church that dominates Reykjavik’s skyline. The interior is laced with a beautiful, cream laden decor the room’s focus is a striking organ that is guaranteed to leave the soul with a sense of peace.
Of course, most people venture to Northern Europe to witness the Northern Lights. We thoroughly recommend that you try to experience this awe-inspiring phenomena whilst in the capital, and to find out more information while you’re there about the Northern Lights then you can visit the quaint yet undoubtedly informative Aurora Reykjavik; a museum centred around the beautiful turn of nature. Allow our Leisure Travel Managers to organise your visit.
Maldives
The Maldives are regarded as some of the most luxurious islands on the planet, with a fantastic range of hotels, attractions and restaurants that are perfect for watching the world go by and enjoying the moment.
The accommodation on these islands is wondrous. Our Leisure Travel Managers recommend a stay at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa – a striking establishment that seems to be ripped from the country’s history books.
The allure of Dusit Thani Maldives will also tug at your travel cravings, offering beautiful beach villas right along the coast, as well as excellent cuisine and views that are sure to make you gasp.
Places to dine vary on whichever island you chose, yet the hotels such as the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives promise tales of wonderful food and dishes that will leave you satisfied beyond anything you have ever experienced before.
Republic of Ireland
A destination a little closer to home, yet no less inspiring, is Southern Ireland. A good place to start is the county’s capital: Dublin. Allow us to book your stay in the wonderful hotel, Westin Dublin or The Marker Hotel, and sights worth visiting include the Irish Whisky Museum tour as well as Dublin Zoo and the Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum. Our Travel Managers can arrange your full itinerary for you; all you have to do is tell us where you want to go.
Yet if you’re looking to stray further from the city centre and hope to see some rural terrain during your visit, then we recommend a visit to Glendalough. This is a stunningly beautiful valley that calls County Wicklow its home. The evergreen scenery will leave you feeling revitalised, and being just a short hour drive away from Dublin means it’s incredibly accessible if you rent a vehicle whilst exploring this southern nirvana.
Mexico
For those seeking somewhere with a warmer climate, our Leisure Travel Managers recommend Mexico.
This exquisite beach paradise will leave a lasting impact on your heart and will make you want to take up residence on these beautiful shores.
Cancun is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and is a 10-hour flight away from London. All-inclusive deals are a popular option when staying on these shores, and hotels such as Le Blanc Spa Resort and Secrets The Vine Cancun all offer relaxing experiences that will leave you feeling brand new.
In terms of sights to see, Mexico is home to a wealth of luscious beaches. Cancun also offers the chance to swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, something we can arrange for you. Other popular attractions include the Museo Maya de Cancun which is one for the history enthusiasts who are interested in the Mayans, and also the Avenida Kukulkan, which is home to a wealth of hotels, malls and clubs, making it the cultural and social heart of Cancun.