When you hit retirement age, it’s common for your body and brain to go on a forced vacation. The relaxed work environment and flexible schedule you’ve grown accustomed to can suddenly feel like a curse, as you find yourself wondering what to do with the newfound free time.
One option is to take up an active hobby, perhaps running or biking, which can help ward off heart disease and arthritis. But if you’re interested in tackling something more challenging than your local 5K road race, consider embarking on one of these age-appropriate adventures.
Below are some other adventure ideas for people are find themselves nearing retirement age:
1. Put your wildlife spotting skills to the test by going on a safari.
2. Learn how to scuba dive or take up snorkeling en masse with a kayak tour of the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Go up, up, and away by paragliding in Rio de Janeiro, where you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the city as you parachute down.
4. Take to the seas with a sailboat cruise from Barcelona, where you’ll have an opportunity to see dolphins and whales along the way.
5. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, which can be climbed year-round and offers views of Mt. Meru and the Great Rift Valley.
6. Visit historic Athens, where you can climb to the top of the Parthenon in order to get a bird’s eye view of the Acropolis.
7. Spend hours exploring Peru’s Machu Picchu, which was once home to Incan royalty and is now one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations.
8. Try your hand at caving in Kentucky, where you’ll explore some of the deepest caves in the U.S., including Mammoth Cave National Park and Onyx Cave Preserve, which are both open for tours year-round.
9. Walk on water by paragliding in Rio Janeiro, where your feet will be just a few inches off the ground as you glide over the city.
What should an older couple do to prepare for a weekend adventure?
For older couples who are looking to experience a weekend adventure offered by rafting or skydiving, it can be helpful to take part in some light stretching beforehand.
Position the body so that you are perpendicular with your foot flat on the floor and your hands resting palms-down on the ground. Alternate between touching both hands to one knee, then switching legs by moving one hand up while also retracting the opposite leg.
Repeat this stretch five times for each limb before testing yourself with walking – if you’re able to move about freely without pain, then an outdoor pursuit is worth exploring!
The above 9 adventures for people over 50 are suitable for nearly any age group. If you’re an adult looking to go on a weekend or week-long adventure, we’re confident that these ideas will surely lead you in the best direction to enjoy an adventure of your lifetime.