Once your kids have left home, you’ll find you’ve got a lot more time on your hands. Many couples take up new hobbies or start renovation or remodeling projects, but for adventure lovers, it means one thing: lots more time to explore the world!
Without having to worry about choosing places that your kids will enjoy, you will discover many more options. For many, it is a great time to start ticking places off their bucket lists, while others will want to splash out on something a little more lavish, like a luxury cruise deal or a fancy beach resort. You can also take as much time as you want to travel, without having to worry about school holidays. This may bring a few more far-flung, exotic locations into play.
Here are our top picks for romantic, adventurous, and luxurious destinations for empty nesters.
Venice is the perfect destination for an elegant and sophisticated getaway. Explore the canals by gondola, enjoy the views from the Rialto Bridge, and wander the streets lined with beautiful Italian architecture. Venice is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare that is lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower offers views of the city’s rooftops.
New Zealand is an excellent choice for couples who enjoy the outdoors. With its stunning fiords, glaciers, and rainforests, there’s plenty to explore. New Zealand’s landscapes are some of the most remarkable on the planet, and it’s hard to imagine a more adventurous and exciting way to celebrate your empty nest freedom than hiking Tongariro Crossing or paddling across Milford Sound. And being able to taste some of the best wines in the world in the Waipara Valley or Central Otago isn’t half bad either!
The Maldives is a paradise for beach lovers, and one of the most famous romantic destinations around. With its crystal clear water and white sand beaches, it’s the perfect place to soak up some sun. The warm, calm lagoons are delightful to swim in, and the shallow yet exquisite coral reefs make snorkeling and scuba diving a must. And, if you’re looking to add a little deluxe romance to your trip, there’s nothing quite like a stay in an overwater bungalow.
Paris is known as the City of Love, and as you might imagine features highly on many couples’ bucket lists. But Paris is so much more than just candlelit romance and accordion music! Paris is one of Europe’s cultural capitals, with some of the best art galleries, museums, and concert halls in the world. Explore the Louvre or the Jardin de Tuileries, take in the Musee D’Orsay or the Pompidou Center, and catch a concert at L’Olympia. Kid-friendly experiences these are not, so they are perfect to enjoy as empty nesters!
For a trip that combines luxury, excitement, and more than its fair share of thrills, nothing beats a safari in Africa. Head to one of the great wildlife reserves in Kenya, Namibia, or South Africa, and experience a stunning combination of natural wonders and ultimate luxury. Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing wildlife, like lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippopotami, while enjoying the most glamorous camping experiences in the world, with total five-star comfort and sumptuous cuisine.
immerse yourself in the ancient traditions of this fascinating country and discover its remarkable culture, fantastic landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine. Don’t miss the gorgeous cherry blossoms in the spring, and make sure you experience the joys of sharing a hot natural thermal bath with a troop of snow monkeys in Jigokudani, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
