Don't wait Until Retirement to Check Off your Bucket List

"THAT TRIP IS ON MY RETIREMENT TRAVEL BUCKET LIST."
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Sound Familiar?

I've heard that a thousand times - I used to be one of those people!
After traveling to 70 countries and setting foot on all seven continents (yes, even the frozen one),  what I've learned is that you need to start your Bucket list travel before you retire.  If you are planning on retiring at 40, good for you, and can I have the name of your financial advisor?
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For the rest of us - planning to retire in our 50s and 60s - some of the big, bold, life-changing trips might be harder when your knees pop like popcorn and your back screams every time you sit on a plane longer than 6 hours.

My Moment of Truth

What I wanted to do, but my knees vetoed!

Sigirlya a.k.a Lion's Rock - Sri Lanka The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides). A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site.

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I planned to visit Sri Lanka after retirement to see its two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sigiriya and the Dambulla Caves.  
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Having arrived at Sigirya at 7 am to beat the heat.  The temperature was already in the mid-70s, and the extreme humidity; I found myself staring up at the 1200 steps I'd have to climb.  

That's when it hit me that I had waited too long!

After my defeat at Sigirlya, I still had the Dambulla Caves to visit.  There were only 356 steps to the top. Compared to 1200 steps, this seemed doable.  So I struggled through the high temperatures, humidity, and altitude with a few breaks, and I was so glad I did.  It was breathtaking, and pictures don't do it justice.  I also had the opportunity to visit a few more temples during my trip, which were equally impressive​​.

  

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Looking back, I am glad that I started traveling mid-career.  I was able to visit a significant portion of those 70 countries during my last 15 years of my career.
 I made travel a priority, giving it the same attention I gave to my monthly grocery list.  I took at least two to three international trips each year.  I managed this by searching for travel deals, and if it was on sale, it was added to my list.  I would plan at least a year and sometimes 2 years out (had to pay for them!). Just like clipping coupons, the trip was added to the list.  
If I could manage two countries on one airfare, that was a bonus!   
I get it—not everyone can take extended vacations due to work commitments, family obligations, or budget constraints.
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If traveling is something you want to do, you have to treat it as a priority, or else it will end up on the forever "to-do" list.   I'm immensely grateful for that choice.

Early Post Retirement Trips, I'm glad I did early!

Antartica Landing

Frigid temperatures, uneven surfaces, and ice-covered surfaces are not ideal for everyone over 60. These photos represent some of my travels during my first two years of retirement.  It was almost non-stop travel.

Easter Island, Chile

I've been retired now for 4 years , and I still have wanderlust.  But the early retirement travel while extremely gratifying were some of the most challenging and has taken a toll on my shoes and body!

Camped entrances to the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.

Walrus in Svalbard, Norway

Red Footed Booby in Galapagos

Machu Pichu

Sunrise Balloon Ride over the Serengeti

Exploring the Marble Caves in Chile

I accept that I am 4 years older than I was when I retired.  Sprinting through airports to catch multiple connections, losing luggage, getting lost myself, missing connections, enduring 15-hour plane rides, and adjusting to countless time changes have caused me to slow down my travel a bit.  I foresee more small ship cruises, where I unpack once and wake up in a new destination every day!

Tips to help you travel now!

If you're blessed with robust health and an adventurous spirit in your later years, by all means, conquer those heights, tread steadily on icy paths, and dance until dawn. But for many, delaying those bucket list trips might lead to missed opportunities and regrets.

Consider this: a 2024 AARP survey found that 75% of travelers in their 50s have a travel bucket list. However, health issues were cited as the primary barrier by 21% of respondents, followed by concerns about travel costs and global unrest.
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So, why wait? Embrace the present, prioritize your passions, and start ticking off those dream destinations now. Your future self will thank you—and you'll have a treasure trove of memories to cherish, no matter where life's journey takes you.

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​🌍✈️ Don't Wait for the Gold Watch: Plan That Bucket List Now! ✈️🌍

I understand that not everyone can disappear for three or four weeks, like a retired billionaire with no responsibilities. You’ve got jobs, kids, pets, bills, and a mysterious drawer full of coupons you never use.

​But just because you’re not retired yet doesn’t mean your passport has to collect dust. SO UNTIL THEN .......

✨ Open a Retirement Travel Fund — aka your “Get Me the Heck Outta Here” Account. Start saving some travel cash now. Even if it’s just the cost of a fancy coffee each week,( future you will thank you, as you climb Machu Picchu.)	🧳 Plan for Mid-to-Late Career Travel Freedom. Once the kids are older, the boss is less annoying (or maybe that boss is you), and you’ve saved a bit more, you’ll finally be able to say, “Yes, I do want the two-week Nile River cruise with the hot-air balloon ride at sunrise.”
🕰️ Travel Now, Before Things Change. The world is evolving — climate change, tourism restrictions, preservation efforts. Right now, you can touch the stones in Egyptian temples and walk the icy shores of Antarctica. In 10 years? That might be a velvet rope and a “do not enter” sign. Go now while it’s still accessible	🏔️ Tackle the “High-Energy” Trips First. Some bucket list adventures require a little extra pep in your step — Machu Picchu, the Galápagos, and Antarctica. Think about doing those sooner rather than later, while your knees and your Fitbit are still on speaking terms.
🍂 Embrace the Shoulder Season. You’re savvy — skip the crowds and the crazy prices. Travel during the shoulder seasons (a.k.a. “not peak, but still gorgeous”). It’s less chaotic, more affordable, and bonus: you won’t be photo-bombed by a tour bus full of selfie sticks.	🕰️ Travel Now, Before Things Change. The world is evolving — climate change, tourism restrictions, preservation efforts. Right now, you can touch the stones in Egyptian temples and walk the icy shores of Antarctica. In 10 years? That might be a velvet rope and a “do not enter” sign. Go now while it’s still accessible.

💪 Stay Healthy — Your Bucket List Needs You!
Remember, your dream trips are directly linked to your health. If you don’t feel good enough to enjoy them, they won't happen. So, invest in your body and mind now. Whether it's meditation, hydration, yoga, Zumba, or any other activity that makes you feel your best, make it a priority. In the future, you want to be nimble, not napping on your adventures.