If you could go anywhere….

[Twodogsonthecouch]

I’m turning 60 next year. I love travelling but due to finances/work/kids have only travelled with in Europe, other than the USA.
I want to seriously broaden my horizons over the next few years. Will be travelling with my husband. Still working so 3 weeks max. Last few years and done quite a lot of walking/hiking. Camino Frances in total, Through hiking in German/Austrian/Italian alps. Camper van holidays though Portugal and Spain. Love these trips. Love nature, walking, exploring new places and cultures. No real interest in 5* hotels and pools.
Would love ideas. So where in the world would you go?

Has to be the Himalayas! 😊

Seriously though, it is an option given that you are a serious hiker (you don't have to go to the top of Everest). But the detritus that's left in these places, and the queues to take the trails would put me right off.

Now that I've got the grumbles out of the way, think first about what part of the world you are interested in. North is great with the Norwegian fjiords and plenty of unspoilt nature. South is also good around Tanzania and Botswana. East - climb Kilimanjaro and see Japan. West is any major park in the USA, all set up for campers. Although I personally wouldn't go to the US at the moment. Canadian rockies? There's a train that goes from Vancouver across to the East Coast, or vice versa, The Rocky Mountain train I think it's called, but not sure.

Those are just a few suggestions, and I hope others will come along with more detailed ones. I haven't been to them all either, but the armchair traveller in me is dreaming!

For my 60th I went to China and saw the Great Wall, the terracotta warriors, and Shanghai etc.. It was amazing. For my next big 'un I'm staying in Europe, can't do long hauls anymore, takes me too long to adjust! But I've more or less been to all the places I want to see by now. And I'm very lucky to have been able to do so.

Definitely not the US at the moment. I had planned a road trip through Montana over the rockies into Canada but that’s off the table for a few years now.
It’s not necessarily one big trip for my 60th I want… it’s more the bucket list places I should see while I’m fit, strong and still working so have relatively no financial constraints especially since fancy hotels and luxury are not my thing anyway

Forgot to say; not interested in tours. Have always done self guided and love the freedom

Italy. I've been to Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Pescara. The Amalfi coast and Sicily are on my wishlist.

Vietnam a one of my favourite countries: amazing food, good value and easy to diy.

Love Italy but looking to get out of Europe for the next few holidays to get the long haul adventure (tame adventure 😂😂, 60 year old version) type trips done

Thailand or New Zealand.

😂😂

I've just been to Italy! Toured Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii and Capri. Capri is incredible!!! 😍 I hope to go again and explore Almafi. 🙂

Isn't it a wonderful country? I love 🇮🇹 😍

Costa Rica (was my gateway drug to Latin America), very easy to travel, loads of nature and walking and a whole new culture. (Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador likely to follow… 😂 Nicaragua also amazing but not for a first time, at all).

Ecuador is amazing - can tag on Galapagos or not. I spent 2.5 weeks just on mainland and loved it. Lots of hiking.

Thailand/Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam. All fab.

Borneo - great wildlife. Mount Kinabalu if you want some extra hiking…!

Japan. It’s a wonderful country and there’s so much to see and do. Very safe, excellent public transport infrastructure and stunning scenery.

New Zealand, in January or February. The South Island is spectacular, especially.

Nepal? Guided trek through the Annapurna sanctuary and self guided exploration of Pokhara Chitwan and Khatmandu.

If you haven't been out of Europe much, start with Thailand. Tons to see, very easy to get around, no organised tours needed. Just avoid the party places and seedy bar areas.

I would recommend Uzbekistan - we went last year and I fell in love with Central Asia. Wonderful history, architecture, interesting markets and crafts, very friendly hospitable people and one of the safest places I've been to. Planning Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan next year

My bucket list items are Antarctica, Aus and French Polynesia. But they're all centred around seeing animals and nature.

Costa Rica, Kenya, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Botswana gosh there's so many incredible countries. Oooo also, bucket list for me would be the Galapagos Islands.

Japan

We are mid 60s. We went to Belize this year, stayed at 4 locations all very different. Lots of different activities and history. You do have to fly via the US though. Next year is Ecuador - cloud forest and Galapagos.
Iceland was great as well. We hired a campervan and spent 2 weeks going round the ring road.
I really want to go to Norway as well. Probably in an RV/camper again.
A couple of years ago we did a road trip from Victoria Falls to Windhoek in a 4x4 with a roof top tent.

Another one for Costa Rica.

Ticks every box, nature, beaches, adventure, trekking.

Fly into Liberia and work your way day then fly out of San Jose

Ooh PeachTriffle i am hoping to go this October, i am going to DIY it. Did you also go free or did you use a company? I”d love to hear any tips, it looks amazing and i can’t wait to see it.

Another vote for Japan!

Lots of interesting ideas here. I’m really excited about gathering information, deciding and planning the holiday. I think I will start ranking my preferences and will be able to plan a few trips then

Please come back and let us know where you end up going. I’d love to hear all about it.