Let’s be honest, Generation X—you’ve earned your stripes. You grew up before mobile phones, navigated life without Google Maps, and survived a time when leggings were strictly for aerobics. So why should gap year adventures be just for the twenty-somethings with TikTok accounts and bottomless metabolisms?
It’s time to flip the script. You’re fabulous, free, and fifty-something (or a whisker either side). This is your golden opportunity to explore the world on your own terms—with confidence, curiosity, and a good pair of walking shoes.
This isn’t a guide to sitting on a coach and politely clapping at landmarks. This is your Over 50s X-Factor Travel Guide, filled with holidays that are thrilling, soulful, and sometimes a little sweaty. Just how we like it.
1. African Safari: Big Five Meets Big 5-0
You’re not here to tick boxes. You’re here to roar—literally and figuratively. An African safari is pure magic, especially when done responsibly. Seek out small group safaris or tailor-made adventures that support conservation and community projects. Whether it’s Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania or Botswana, you’ll be blown away by the wildlife, the landscapes, and probably your own sense of bravery.
Top solo tip: Some safaris offer women-only groups led by female guides. It’s bonding, empowering and you get to talk about lions without someone mansplaining migration.
2. Costa Rica: Jungle Boogie for the Brave
Never zip-lined through a rainforest? No better time than now, and Costa Rica is the place to start. This Central American gem is a haven for wildlife lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Think rafting down the Pacuare River, spotting sloths in the trees, and swimming beneath jungle waterfalls like you’re in a shampoo advert.
Fancy something gentler? Volunteer on a turtle conservation project or just kick back in a hammock with a view of the volcano. Your adventure, your rules.
3. Ecuador & the Galapagos: Because Life Does Begin at 50
Galapagos = iconic. And you deserve nothing less. Swim with sea lions, stroll among giant tortoises, and marvel at marine iguanas doing their thing like it’s no big deal.
But don’t skip mainland Ecuador. Roughly the size of the UK, it’s bursting with diversity: cloud forests, Amazon jungle, Andean markets, and colonial cities. Honestly, it’s like opening a travel piñata.
4. Gorilla Trekking: Face to Face with the Wild
You haven’t truly looked into your soul until you’ve locked eyes with a silverback in the misty mountains of Uganda or Rwanda. It’s a trek—yes, there will be sweat—but the payoff is life-changing.
This is the kind of travel that makes you whisper, “Wow,” under your breath, and not because you’ve finally figured out how to use the selfie stick.
5. Inca Trail: Because the Kids Shouldn’t Have All the Fun
Let the millennials Snapchat Machu Picchu. You? You’re going to walk there, thank you very much. The Inca Trail is a test of spirit, stamina and waterproofs—but worth every step.
Small group tours are popular with solo travellers over 50, and the camaraderie you build on those switchbacks is unforgettable. Bonus points if you do it with your kids before they swan off on their own gap year.
6. Southeast Asia: A Sensory Feast for the Fabulous
Southeast Asia is a glorious contradiction. One moment it’s serene temples and jungle stillness, the next it’s tuk-tuks, spicy noodles and karaoke bars. Sound familiar? Like your 50s—part zen, part chaos.
Go on a multi-country trip—Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. Choose a mix of group tours and free time. Embrace the food, the foot massages, and the fact that you can finally afford the nicer hotels.
7. Italy: Not Just for Honeymooners
Yes, the Amalfi Coast is romantic—but who says it’s just for couples? You and Italy are a match made in heaven. Hike in Tuscany, explore Sicily’s volcanoes, or discover quiet corners of Umbria and inland Sardinia.
Join a culinary tour, take a painting class in Florence, or go truffle hunting with a dog named Luigi. And remember, solo doesn’t mean sad. In Italy, it means extra gelato and not sharing your wine.
8. Japan: Like Nowhere Else on Earth
Japan is a revelation. Elegant, efficient, and utterly fascinating. Ride the bullet train through cherry blossom country. Soak in a steamy onsen after a long walk along the ancient Nakasendo Trail. Visit temples, take a tea ceremony, and spend the night in a traditional ryokan.
Japan is incredibly safe for solo travellers and surprisingly easy to navigate—even if you can’t read a single kanji. And yes, you will eat something from a vending machine. Embrace it.
9. Sea Kayaking in Croatia: Paddle Your Way to Paradise
Who says kayaking’s a young person’s sport? Nonsense. You’ve got life experience—and possibly better arm muscles.
Sea kayaking in Croatia lets you explore secret coves, island-hop to your heart’s content, and escape the summer crowds. Plus, the Adriatic Sea is as calm as a cat on a sun-lounger. Add in delicious food, history galore, and charming local guides, and you’ve got a solo-friendly adventure with serious soul.
10. Small Ship Cruises: All Aboard the Dream Boat
Forget those behemoth cruise liners with bingo and buffet stampedes. Small ship cruising is where it’s at. Whether it’s a Turkish gulet, a yacht in the Galapagos, or an Arctic expedition vessel, you get the benefits of cruising minus the madness.
With only a handful of passengers, these trips feel more like a floating book club—with better views and fewer arguments. Ideal for solo travellers who like a splash of company with their seascapes.
11. Sri Lanka: Spice, Scenery and Serendipity
If you remember Sri Lanka as Ceylon, you’re not alone. But this dazzling island has come into its own in recent years.
From the ancient wonders of the Cultural Triangle to the wildlife-rich national parks and coastal hideaways, Sri Lanka is a soulful solo travel destination. Go cycling through villages, try a cooking class, or simply soak up the sun on the newly reopened northeast coast.
The people are warm, the curries are hot, and the sunsets are unforgettable.
12. Whale Watching in the Azores: Splash Out with Style
The Azores, Portugal’s best-kept secret, are one of the most ethical whale watching destinations in the world. Come summer, the Atlantic is alive with fin, blue, sperm and pilot whales—not to mention dolphins galore.
Join a research trip or simply sit in quiet awe. Combine with volcanic hikes, local wine, and swims in geothermal rock pools. Because if you’re going to chase whales, it may as well come with cheese and vinho verde.
Final Word: It’s Not Too Late—It’s Just the Beginning
Your 50s are not a wind-down—they’re a power-up. Travel now means fewer compromises, better choices, and far more interesting stories. Whether you want to hike a volcano or sip wine under one, it’s your adventure. Go solo, go slow, go bold.
Because Generation X women don’t do boring holidays. We do holidays with the X factor.
