Goodbye 9 to 5 grind, hello, retirement! What’s on your retirement wish list? Many would say spending more time with their loved ones is at the top of the list. But the truth is traveling to new destinations is what many of us desire. After all, with unlimited vacation time and no work hounding you wherever you go, retirement lets you savor every bit of your holiday like never before. Here are some of the best retirement travel destinations across the country and around the globe to inspire your wanderlust.
Across the US
Grand Canyon Camping Trip
As one of world’s seven natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is not to be missed. More so when you have all the time in the world to explore its endless beauty from towering cliffs to colorful rock layers to magical sunrises and enchanting sunsets. With lots to see and explore, a camping trip is the best way to enjoy this breathtaking site. You can view the Canyon from its north and south rims and hike down to the Inner Canyon. If you’re a tad adventurous, you can take the Colorado River Rafting or go on a helicopter trip and be awed by the natural splendor below.
Yellowstone National Park Nature Trip
With nearly 3,500 square miles of wilderness, incredible hydrothermal features and bountiful wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is every nature lover’s dream destination. Its famous Old Faithful and Grand Prismic Spring will leave you awestruck. Head to Lamar Valley for an enthralling sight of bisons, grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, moose, elk, and bald eagles. The park also boasts of its own Grand Canyon where you’ll find not just one or two waterfalls, but three giant waterfalls!
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
It’s often said that the journey is destination. This adage couldn’t be truer than going on road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. Running through Washington, Oregon and California, this scenic coastal route – one of the world’s most beautiful – offers stunning vistas of rugged coastlines, endless beaches and coves, towering redwoods, and amazing wildlife. In between, there are landmarks, towns, restaurants, and wineries that will make you want to stop, gawk, and experience.
Around the world
Go on a safari at Serengeti.
This World Heritage Site is synonymous with incredible wildlife and classic African scenery. Located in Tanzania, Africa, the Serengeti National Park is home to the ‘big five’ – lions, leopards, African elephants, the Cape buffalo, and hippos. It is also the only place on earth where you can witness The Great Migration, considered one of the world’s largest animal migration as over a million wildebeest, zebras and gazelle traverse the Serengeti in search for greener pastures.
Chase the northern lights in Iceland.
Winter couldn’t get any better than seeing the aurora borealis light up Iceland’s skies with vibrant streaks of green, blue, yellow and red. While there are many other countries where you can see this magical phenomenon – like Alaska, Norway and Finland to name a few – Iceland’s proximity to the Artic Circle makes the light show visible in this country for more than 100 nights per year.
Climb the Great Wall of China
With more than 10 million people visiting the Great Wall of China each year, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the world’s most popular attraction. And for good reason: this massive architectural marvel is the largest man-made structure ever built, stretching over 5,000 kilometers from east to west. Any way you look at it – from its storied history to its mindboggling engineering to its breathtaking vista – this ancient engineering wonder is truly awe-inspiring.
So, if you want to achieve your travel bucket list when you retire, consider investing in an Indexed Universal Life (IUL) now. This type of insurance offers lifelong coverage and builds cash value over time. With your cash value or the savings component of your policy, you have the potential for higher returns given favorable market conditions. Know more about IUL by asking Mercado Global’s account representative. Together, you can map out your goals for a truly fulfilling retirement.
