Best places for older couples to vacation

Olvera, Spain

Travel is the perfect way to make the most out of every day, and exploring one of the ten most popular destinations for senior travelers ensures that you make the most of your travel time.

Whether in a familiar destination or immersed in an exciting discovery somewhere new, every new experience gives us an entirely different perspective on the world around us. Find ancient villages that radiate timeless charm. Sample impressive cuisine shaped by centuries of shared cultures. Indulge in luxury or embrace adventure.

While every traveler is different, the following list offers our most requested destinations for senior travelers with Zicasso.

Overview

1. 1. Italy
2. 2. Greece
3. 3. Australia
4. 4. Spain
5. 5. New Zealand
6. 6. France
7. 7. Croatia
8. 8. Ireland
9. 9. Portugal
10. 10. Scotland
11. Explore Our Most Popular Destinations to Visit for Seniors

1. Italy

Rome, Italy

From ancient wonders like the Colosseum to Venice's historic elegance, the enticing beauty of the Amalfi Coast to the enriching confluence of Mediterranean culture in Sicily, Italy can open your eyes to both historical significance and the splendor of cultural heritage.

Italy is a country of great layers and exceptional depth, with most senior Zicasso travelers spending around 13 days on their Italy tour. When traveling to the peninsula, Italy travel specialists Daniela and Matteo suggest that you target the shoulder seasons. “April to May and September to October are less crowded,” they say. “The weather is more enjoyable, as well. Warm and sunny without being too hot.“

It is not just Italy’s number of famous monuments or iconic attractions but also the sheer diversity of possibilities, from visiting grandiose villas to learning how to make tagliatelle pasta with Bolognese ragu. When traveling, Italy travel specialist Cameron recommends a mix of sightseeing and hands-on activities. The combination of excursions, activities, and downtime could help you settle into Italy’s diversity at the pace you prefer, whether traveling as a couple or with your extended family.

“Art cities usually offer the best conditions for seniors with all of the facilities to make life easier for our senior travelers,” said Daniela. Some coastal destinations, like the Amalfi Coast or Capri, for example, might be challenging in terms of mobility, but an excellent travel specialist can make every stop on your tour as easy as possible.

Learn more: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Italy 

2. Greece

Santorini, Greece

Greece is the type of country that you can visit over again or as the realization of a dream vacation. As one of Europe’s most popular destinations, the typical Zicasso senior traveler spends an average of 14 days visiting the mainland and islands for a comprehensive experience of ancient ruins, the Mediterranean sun, and contemporary life shaped by the preserved past.

The famous white-washed walls of Cycladic architecture shine against the volcanic cliffs of Santorini while the restored pillars of the Parthenon loom over the streets of Athens. The waters of the Aegean lap against the medieval castle of Monemvasia while the monasteries of Meteora perch on the soaring karsts above the town below. Greece has endless options and surprising diversity. “Leave free time and do not fill up your schedule,” recommends Vasilis, a Greece travel specialist.

Whether traveling as a couple, with the family, or with friends, you should keep in mind that most places in Greece require a fair amount of walking, but the summer heat can be tiring. If on a multi-generational trip, Vasilis suggests that you “...do not travel too far off-season, since grandchildren will probably want to see the islands at their peak.” It is equally important to know that peak season can get very hot around Greece, making traveling the mainland and islands much more comfortable during the shoulder season, both for the cooler days and smaller crowds.

You can spend your time exploring ancient ruins from the Acropolis to the Palace of Knossos or wandering narrow cobblestone lanes leading to panoramic views of the sea when visiting places like Athens, Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos, Paros. When considering where to explore and how to visit Greece, “...you don’t have to go on cruises,” Vasilis says. “You miss so much!”

Learn more: Greece Vacations & Tours • Greece Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Greece 

3. Australia

Sydney, Australia

Australia is a country of remarkable diversity spread across its unexpected breadth. Australia is a land of discovery with the world’s oldest cultures, crystal-clear waters, and landscapes that shift from jungle to billabongs, white-sand beaches to red-sand desert. Most senior Zicasso travelers take nearly 20 days for an Australia trip uncovering the Great Barrier Reef or the bohemian ambiance of Melbourne’s arcades. “Anything is possible when visiting Australia,” says travel expert Dick.

Australia is a year-round destination where you can sip wine in a vineyard or lounge on a beach. Dick says, “There are great options for families of all age groups. The whole country is accessible! The cities, the outback, and Uluru or the Great Barrier Reef.” Whether enjoying a multi-generational getaway to mystical Uluru or exploring Sydney’s beach culture as a couple, Australia’s diversity and breadth make it a fantastic space to experience at your pace and leisure.

As a senior traveler, you can experience nature, wines, cuisine, urban grandeur or rural charm as you prefer, but if you travel as a family, you can also find the right balance in the enormity of Australia for everyone to enjoy. "Your travel specialist can appropriately customize your itinerary for any detail. If traveling with grandchildren fifteen years and up, it's ok to split the activities. For example, seniors may explore the Opera House, while the grandkids do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb," suggests Dick.

Australia is an ancient landscape with an adventurous spirit and possibilities open to your preference. You can learn to surf, sample indigenous-inspired cuisine, or look out for kangaroos. “Plan it in advance,” Dick says. “Don't be scared to ask your travel specialist who can customize the experience to fit all levels of medical or mobility conditions.”

Learn more: Australia Tours & Vacations • Australia Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Australia

4. Spain

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Spain is a country where you can appreciate tradition and embrace the unexpected. With a celebrated slower pace of life, the cuisine signs with famous dishes like paella and bellota ham, while architecture like the elegant Alhambra or surrealist La Sagrada Familia reflects the evolving aesthetic of immersive art in practice. Our Zicasso travelers usually spend more than 15 days on a Spain trip as they uncover the charms particular to each region and specific cities.

“Spain is a country that keeps traditions very alive, so it is a great opportunity for grandparents to enjoy culture and history with their grandchildren,” says Lalo, a Spain travel specialist. Whether traveling on a multi-generational trip or finally taking the vacation you have always dreamed of, the enjoyment of nature is an essential way to experience Spain. From indulging in the beauty of a sherry vineyard, spending time on a San Sebastian beach, or visiting the lush mountains of Asturias, there is something for all ages.

Nearly every destination in Spain is prepared for senior travelers. Large cities offer grand visions of the past, and the smaller towns provide insight into the preserved culture instilled in daily life. The time you visit Spain could have a profound effect on the kinds of experiences you could enjoy. “If I would need to choose a season,” says Lalo, “I would say Spring is nicer. April to May are wonderful months to travel in Spain.”

A travel expert can plan for any contingency and help you tour Spain in comfort and according to your preferences. “A travel specialist makes your life easier,” Luis says. “We get in charge of everything, so you just have to come and relax. We arrange accommodation, transportation, tours, and so on. And you have us 24/7 on the phone to help with any issue you might have, like language, purchases, tickets change, etc.”

Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Spain

5. New Zealand

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Nature in New Zealand can reach the point of surreal in its raw power and staggering diversity. Snowcapped peaks, hidden coves, shimmering glaciers, and expansive fiords emerge as national treasures connected to the preservation of indigenous culture supporting colonial history. Thundering waterfalls and jagged mountain peaks accentuate the erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools on the immersive islands.

The natural splendor from north to south can seem inaccessible, but with the average senior Zicasso traveler spending nearly 20 days exploring the country, the key to visiting New Zealand for seniors is diversity and accessibility. “Our beautiful country is very user-friendly for all abilities,” says Geoff, a New Zealand travel specialist.

The natural landscape and distinctive culture make it a fantastic place to explore at your own pace and at your leisure. With so many opportunities for exploration, it is easy to

enjoy a cruise down Milford Sound in search of dolphins and whales, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion in Gisborne, or walk the ice of Fox Glacier.

From finding hobbit-holes in Hobbiton to hiking steep mountainscapes, witnessing the Maori haka to meeting local vintners, “Mobility access is common in accommodations, restaurants, retail shops, malls, public facilities, and parks,” says Geoff. New Zealand is a country of action-packed adventure throughout the year but can also be a place of quiet beauty, delicious food, award-winning wine, and impressive discovery.

Learn more: New Zealand Tours & Vacations • New Zealand Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit New Zealand

6. France

Colmar, France

France is a place to indulge. As the home of historically famous wines, equally celebrated coastline, a wide breadth of artwork, and world-renowned cuisine, it is easy to understand why the average senior Zicasso traveler takes approximately 13 days to bask in the cultural and natural splendor found across the country. With wide boulevards shaded with trees and expansive lavender fields waving with purple petals, France has inspired artists, and itself resembles an artistic masterpiece.

France can feel cozy and quaint or lavish and gourmet. The French Alps share rich cheeses and charcuterie, while the northern coastline supports classic fishing villages. Parisian cafes celebrate bohemian beauty, and the chateaux of the Loire Valley reflect the luxury of the former aristocracy.

Traveling around France is easy, but there are instances of crowds or stairs that could create a challenge, especially when visiting hilltop towns or walking around larger cities. For example, using the metro in Paris can get you around the city efficiently, but you also must contend with the timelines of the trains, the large crowds sifting through the city, and the stairs involved with climbing down into, and up from, the platforms.

The towns, villages, and cities across the country are accessible and easy to navigate. When visiting in the shoulder seasons, such as April and May or September and October, you can enjoy warmer weather without summer's intense heat or crowds. You can experience the country’s variety through its flavors, monuments, and storybook surroundings no matter where you visit.

Learn more: France Tours & Vacations • France Tour Guide • Best Time to Visit France

7. Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia is an idyllic representation of the Mediterranean with preserved architecture steeped in medieval history and cuisine filled with the aromas of lemon zest and the sea. From quiet islands draped in white pebbles to the fertile hill and vineyards of the Istrian Peninsula, the pleasures of Croatia attract the average senior traveler for approximately 13 days with promises of beauty along the land and sea.

“The best destinations in Croatia for seniors are coastal towns like Rovinj, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik,” says Andrea, a Croatia travel specialist. A moderate climate creates a unique ambiance across the country, especially in May and June or September and October, making the corners of the country more accessible whether you want to meet an oyster farmer or search for truffles.

By considering how you want to travel and what you want to see, a travel specialist can make sure you have an experience tailored to your preferences and needs. “Our guides pay special attention to seniors,” Andrea says. “They make sure to set an appropriate pace, take a break where people can sit down and have a drink, enjoy the ambiance, and walk our clients back to their hotel. Also, we always advise our clients which places are senior-traveler friendly.”

Learn more: Croatia Vacations & Tours • Croatia Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Croatia

8. Ireland

Cliffs of Maher in County Clare, Ireland

Ireland is mystical, majestic, and filled with enticing stories. The scenery shares the mythology for which the Emerald Isle is known, opening to lush rolling hills and steep cliffs plunging into the sea, medieval castle ruins, and tufts of grass protruding front winding mountain slopes. Endlessly friendly, from the charming cities to the iconic villages, the usual senior traveler invests approximately 14 days to explore the picturesque landscapes and welcoming culture.

“Don't try to pack too much in and maybe pick two or three locations to base yourselves,” recommends Paula, a travel specialist for Ireland. By finding the perfect spot to use as a base, you can have a more immersive experience of the rich culture, relaxed ambiance, and dramatic landscapes. Visit the historic castles and wander through blossoming gardens. Look for the colorful pages of the Book of Kells and travel the coastal wonders around the Ring of Kerry.

Exploring Ireland is easy, fun, and accessible. Whether you prefer to drive between destinations or have a base from which you can visit popular places across the country, you can make sure you feel comfortable during your visit. By understanding your needs and goals when visiting Ireland, you can be better prepared for the style of exploration you can and should do, such as if you need to change to a hotel closer to a particular destination or plan a specific tour for a certain time of day.

No matter what you wish to see, a travel specialist can ensure your experience is tailored to your preferences, goals, and needs. “A travel specialist is available if our travelers need any assistance whatsoever while they are here on the ground,” Paula says. “Sometimes, you just need to be guided in the right direction if you need any assistance.”

Learn more: Ireland Tours & Vacations • Ireland Travel Guide• Best Time to Visit Ireland

9. Portugal

Peña Palace in Sintra, Portugal

Portugal takes you beyond history brought to life with cobblestone streets, medieval castles, and beaches glistening with golden sands attracting most senior Zicasso travelers for a 14-day trip. Whitewashed walls decorate antique neighborhoods of Lisbon, and historic vineyards line the winding riverbanks of the Douro Valley. From the traditional wine bars of Porto to the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, the fairytale castles of Sintra to the mountains of Serra do Geres, Portugal emerges from the shadows of its neighbors as a country of treasured custom and unforgettable beauty.

Engaging with the ancient history found across Portugal only enhances the remarkable culture that spreads from the inland plains to the Atlantic coast. The country is incredibly accessible, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is comfortable and without the summer's heat or crowds. The heat can be especially difficult in places like Lisbon, the Douro Valley, or Porto because of the excessive hills. However, the famous trams in larger cities can make exploring more manageable and offer a touch of local heritage.

Whether enjoying the sunshine in April and May or September and October, Portugal feels accessible and welcoming within the popular cities or the quiet villages. The ideal weather makes it easy to walk along the riverbanks, lounge on the coastline, and sample the iconic cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula while enjoying a view of the vineyards. As you settle into the natural beauty and cultural wonders, it is easy to understand why the average senior over 65 spends nearly 14 days on a Portugal trip.

Learn more: Portugal Tours & Vacations • Portugal Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Portugal 

10. Scotland

Neist Point on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

With big skies, ancient culture, surprising wildlife, and enchanting mythology, Scotland captivates the average Zicasso senior traveler with a 14-day trip. Whether by boat, train, private car, or hiking trail, Scotland shines with marvelous scenery, endless adventures, dramatic castles, and fascinating battlefields. The remote Highlands embody a sense of strength in adversity, leading to romantic stories and hidden lakes. The cities reflect a historic grandeur revitalized for contemporary luxury.

Whether enjoying a golf excursion to St. Andrews or a historical tour of Edinburgh, visiting Scotland from March to May or September to October gives you excellent weather without the main crowds of summer. You could even find snow in the Highlands and the Cairngorms. The warmer weather in summer makes it much easier to enjoy the depths of Scotland but also brings larger crowds.

While emblematic of remote landscapes, Scotland is very accessible for travelers of all ages, whether you wish to visit as a couple and stay on a romantic estate or explore as a family and listen to stories shared in a local pub. The scenery feels as poetic as the language as the culture and landscape intertwine no matter the time of year. It is easy to discover Scotland's diversity with bustling cities, icy mountains, and antique village charm while enjoying an experience uniquely tied to your preferences.

Learn more: Scotland Tours & Vacations • Scotland Travel Guide • Best Time to Visit Scotland

Explore Our Most Popular Destinations to Visit for Seniors

The Dolomite Mountains, Italy

Traveling as a senior opens up incredible possibilities, from exotic adventures deep into the jungle to exploring countries for weeks at a time.

You have unique opportunities to experience new perspectives around the world whether traveling as a couple, with friends, or looking for the best trips to take with your grandchildren.

Any trip can be tailored to your needs and goals with more information available on Zicasso’s Senior Travel Guide.

Where is the best place for couples to vacation?

Where can you go with senior citizens?

Can an 80 year old travel?