Lock Up and Leave: Top Retirement Travel Ideas

A recent study by the Office for National Statistics revealed that those aged over 65 are now taking the most holidays in the UK, with an average of 2.7 weeks a year and why not? Retirement gives you the option of heading out and exploring destinations that you may have been longing to visit for years.

Being able to ‘lock up and leave’ your property at Inspired is something we pride ourselves on and the ability to do so is one of the many great reasons to ‘right-size’ your property – no more worrying about home when you’re relaxing on a sun lounger!

As we approach summer and many of us are feeling the holiday bug, so we’ve investigated some of the top destinations that you could visit this year, taking a look at some of the latest trends in breaks with a difference that you may not have come across before.

Learn Something New

Although the traditional view of getting away is to jet out and spend a week reading a book on the beach, many of us want to get the most out of our holidays and there are now plenty of opportunities to do just that. Learning a new skill while soaking up the sun is growing in popularity and there are plenty to choose from. GoLearnTo is just one provider that offers holidays with the chance to educate yourself – our personal favourites being those focussed on cooking. Just imagine heading out to the beautiful Toulouse countryside and learning how to make fine wines and charcuterie – sign us up today!

A New Destination

Each year travel operators start servicing new locations that have previously not been accessible for tourists. With plenty of us already having bucket lists full of destinations to explore, the addition of new ones is just adding to the desire of getting away to a new corner of the world. One such place is St Helena, a far-flung remote island over 3,000 miles west of Africa. This British Overseas Territory offers stunning natural landscapes that have been dubbed the "Galapagos of The Atlantic” and with the recent launch of weekly flights from Johannesburg, it is now accessible to those wanting to explore its beautiful features – including one of the worlds most remote distilleries!

A Touring Holiday

Growing in popularity year on year, the touring holiday offers the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the culture of a new destination. With a guide who is native to the country and knows all the tips and tricks to reveal the delights and delicacies often not found on the standard tourist trail. Japan is a great example where touring holidays are the perfect way to get around, many of which focus less on the thriving metropolises we know of Japan, but more on the rich cultural heritage of the country, including many of its fine temples and tranquil lakes.

Stay in the UK

With the rise of alternatives to the standard hotel, such as Airbnb, many of us are choosing to stay in our own wonderful country and visit many of the rich cities and vast national parks that we have to offer. For those who love to don a pair of boots and head out into the countryside, our green and pleasant land provides a setting like no other. Just take the Peak District in Derbyshire for example; it has one of the UK's oldest walking trails, the Pennine Way, where you can visit the stunning Chatsworth House which was used as a setting for the Pride & Prejudice film and as our most central national park, it is more than accessible from wherever you call home in the UK.

A Cruise with a Difference

While many of us may think of the Caribbean and Mediterranean when we hear the word cruise, this is just the tip of the iceberg to what is available. Over the past few years, the variety has been growing at a rapid pace and you are now spoilt for choice. One of the most popular is the European River cruise which offers the chance to travel picturesque waterways across the continent with the added benefit of regular stop-offs along the way, rather than the days at sea which normal cruises offer. The shorter flight means that prices are much more reasonable, meaning that you have more spending money as you explore the beautiful towns and islands, which is always a bonus! Destinations include the islands of Croatia or sailing through the fjords of Norway in the setting of a elegant ship.

To discover the benefits of downsizing to an Inspired property and living with the peace of mind of being able to lock up and leave whenever you want, request your brochure pack today.