4 Best European Vacations for Retirees
After a lifetime spent working towards retirement, it’s only fair to want to treat yourself by traveling to far-flung places. Europe offers some of the best vacations for retirees, with its well-connected array of countries that each have their own distinct personalities. This wealth of options can make it tough to choose, so here are some suggestions that maximize the use of your newfound free time without running you ragged.
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1) United Kingdom
One of the biggest benefits of the United Kingdom is that its size allows you to base yourself in only a couple of cities and take a variety of day trips, as opposed to hauling luggage on and off transportation every other day and resettling into different hotels in order to see everything you’d like. Not only does London alone have enough to keep you busy for a whole trip with its overlap of marvels both old and new, but it also serves as a hub for many nearby attractions like the mystical Stonehenge or the enchanting Cotswolds.
Similarly, Edinburgh serves as a base for Scotland with the cultural haven of Glasgow or the sweeping natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands in easy reach of day trips. And while the Scottish accent in particular can sometimes be difficult for Americans to navigate, the lack of a language barrier in traveling to the United Kingdom is something many find incredibly comforting.
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2) Italy
Check off a few bucket-list items by visiting Italy’s “Big Three”: Rome, Florence, and Venice. The Colosseum, Michelangelo’s David, and the Grand Canal are some of the world’s most iconic sights to be seen and they’re all just a luxurious train ride away from one another. If you’ve already had the chance to cross those off of your bucket list, as well as Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, Italy is still saturated with wonders just waiting to be discovered.
For more delectable wine amidst a backdrop of rolling hills, consider Piedmont in the north. If you’d like to spend more time gazing upon colorful buildings embedded into coastal cliffs, journey through the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre. Or for an outdoor adventure, consider spending some time in the Dolomites mountain range. It’s this incredible diversity in destinations that makes Italy home to some of the best vacations for retirees.
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3) Portugal
Still not quite as popular or expensive as other countries in Western Europe, Portugal has the unique ability to provide you an ideal vacation with fewer crowds and a little more of your retirement savings preserved. For the utmost relaxation, the golden sand and crystal blue waters of the Algarve rival the bustling beaches of Spain.
Meanwhile, the rich wine and sprawling green scenery of the Douro Valley serves as a fantastic alternative to Bordeaux or Tuscany. No matter what way you choose to spend the bulk of your time, you would likely fly into Lisbon or Porto, and either city is well worth spending a day or two in to stroll the streets lined with fascinating architecture.
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4) Austria
Austria matches almost everything you could want from Germany on a smaller, more laidback scale. Much of the hearty cuisine is shared, majestic architecture is punctuated by castles dotting the landscape, and you’re never far from soaring mountains. You could head to the busier cities like Salzburg and Vienna, where classical music and art flourish, or you could spend some time relaxing closer to nature in Innsbruck.
Another perk to Austria is that, unlike many destinations, it’s just as much of a pleasure to visit in the colder months if you don’t mind bundling up a bit. The mountains begin to look even more breathtaking with fresh layers of snow and if you visit in December, there are Christmas markets abound in every city to shop for unique souvenirs and street eats.
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