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The Top Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips for Older Women
With enough planning, seeing the wonders of the world is possible.
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Choosing a dream vacation destination can feel overwhelming. There is so much of the world to see and not enough time to do it all.
Making it to our wish-list spots requires saving up for those big trips and ensuring accessibility needs can be met. You also must always check with the U.S. State Department for help gauging the safety of a destination. However, with the right type of planning and working with an agent who specializes in the needs of older travelers, seeing the wonders of the world is possible.
On a recent trip to Greenland, I hiked with a group that included women who had a decade or more over my 50-plus years. On a trip to India, I was joined by older women enjoying themselves at every stop I made, from a rural farm to the Taj Mahal.
“I do believe my travels are more rewarding now because of my age,” says 80-year-old Peggy Goldman, founder and president of Friendly Planet Travel. “I am a better student now than when I was younger, and I have greater confidence in asking strangers questions halfway around the world. I’m also more open to new experiences that never would have happened as a young traveler,” she says.
Goldman is quick to note that her experiences are not unique. “I would encourage any senior who loves to travel and has an adventurous spirit to go on the trip, even to destinations that may seem daunting. Accommodations are made for those of us who are less young, who might require a slower pace and maybe even a few workarounds, so don’t give up on your dream trips and experiences,” she says.
Here are some hot spots and incredible experiences that should be on every older woman’s travel list.
The Northern Lights: Iceland, Greenland or Norway
Cavan/Alamy Stock Photo
Watching brilliantly colored green and pink lights dance in the sky above me in Iceland and Greenland was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I have ever had. Although the Northern Lights are occasionally visible from the lower 48 states, they appear more reliably in areas around the “auroral oval.” Iceland, Greenland and Norway are some of the best countries to visit for northern lights viewing. The northern lights may also be visible from Fairbanks, Alaska and Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, places that are situated just outside the auroral oval.
Typically, October through March are the best months to catch the lights. Plan to stay for several nights to give yourself the best chance of seeing this breathtaking and unforgettable display.
I’ve seen the Northern Lights in Iceland and Greenland, and every time, Mother Nature puts on a different show and it’s spectacular every time.
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East African Safari
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African safaris offer a rare opportunity to visit remote, untamed landscapes, giving you a front-row view of some of the earth’s most extraordinary creatures running, hunting and playing.
Witnessing East Africa’s Great Migration is a quintessential safari experience that takes place in Kenya and Tanzania from July through November. No barriers separate you from sightings of zebras, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, gazelles and hyenas traversing Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
An African safari is that wish-list trip that requires accumulating savings, though it is also an excursion that is not physically demanding. “This is an easy trip because you do very little walking, as you are in a vehicle for the game drives,” says Doni Belau, 62, the founder of Girls' Guide to the World, a women-only travel company.
The Taj Mahal: India
Alamy Stock Photo
In the 17th century, a Mughal emperor built the majestic, gleaming white marble Taj Mahal as a monument to his wife after she died giving birth to their 14th child. Today, the building and its surrounding gardens are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, which is one of the three primary cities in India's Golden Triangle, a popular route that takes visitors to Agra, the pink city of Jaipur and city life in Delhi, giving travelers a blend of India’s rural and urban experiences.
When I finally saw the Taj Mahal, I was stunned. Even after seeing so many photos of this majestic shrine, I could hardly believe its scale and the artistry of its intricate carvings.
The Great Pyramids: Egypt (again, check with the U.S. State Department to gauge the safety of this destination before making a plan)
J Marshall/Tribaleye Images/Alamy Stock Photo
Visiting the Great Pyramids, an ancient wonder of the world, is better than ever. In 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum opened after a 20-year wait. The museum lies just outside the pyramids’ grounds and is one of the world’s largest archaeological museums, housing more than 100,000 Egyptian artifacts, including those from the tomb of King Tut.
For those who prefer to be driven rather than hike, electric buses are available to take visitors around the pyramid complex, offering numerous chances to pick up souvenirs as there are ample shops at every stop.
Seeing the Great Pyramids has been a goal of mine since I first learned about Egyptian civilization as a young child. I finally made the trip, a big and wondrous trek that definitely belongs on a travel wish-list.
Machu Picchu: Peru
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Located in Peru’s Andes Mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a 15th-century Incan fortress that is home to some 200 beautifully crafted stone structures. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, this belongs close to the top of a dream travel list.
Archaeologists have discovered sites within Machu Picchu that the Incas used for agriculture, astronomy and land that sprouts rare species of flora and fauna. While some areas require hiking over rugged terrain, many of the touring options only require a gentle walk through the complex.
Machu Picchu is another site that exceeded all of my expectations. Standing in the ancient Incan city, I couldn’t help but wonder what life must have been like when all this splendor and artistry was created, centuries before the advent of technology.
To get started on planning a trip of your lifetime, contact a travel agency that specializes in older travelers. Road Scholar, HX Expeditions, Intrepid Travel and Explore Worldwide all offer tours appropriate for those of us who are Ethel-aged, hungry for adventure and eager to make our travel dreams come true.
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