Looking to take your first post-retirement vacation? These five unique vacation ideas are just right for today’s newly retired. Check them out!

The joys of retirement include no more nine-to-five and way more time to do things that you love.

You should make the most of it by taking amazing trips. But, the same old retirement trips might not be your cup of tea.

These five unique vacation ideas are just right for today’s newly retired. Check them out:

1. Coast to Coast Road Trip

The first trip that should be on your list is a coast-to-coast road trip. You may have gone on road trips before you were retired, but now you can really slow down and take it all in.

It’s best to plan it out on the map but leave enough time for spontaneity. You’ll want to plan the route you will take and any big stops along the way.

You can choose to rent an RV or take your car. The vehicle you take will greatly affect the type of road trip you experience.

An RV trip means that you don’t have to worry about hotels, but you’ll pay more in gas. Car trips are usually faster, but you will have to make sure you stop in a town with good lodging.

Perhaps you can prioritize seeing family along the way. If your children or grandchildren are dispersed across the country, this road trip would be a perfect opportunity to catch some quality family time.

Route 66 is the obvious choice, but you can take detours along the way. In fact, this is such a popular road trip that they have an entire website dedicated to the best stops off this world-famous highway.

2. Island Time in the Galapagos

The Galapagos is a wonderfully diverse string of islands in the Pacific Ocean that holds some of the most incredible habitats in the world.

If you love animals, these islands are for you. There are plenty of sea animals to see here!

Hopping from one island to the other feels as if you’re having multiple vacations in one.

You don’t have to worry about getting bored. There is so much to do in the Galapagos!

Depending on which island you are currently visiting, you could see volcanoes (dormant ones, of course), check out old pirate caves and hangouts, or ride in glass-bottom boats.

Kayaking, cliff diving, bike riding, and hiking opportunities are everywhere.

A visit to the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal will help you better understand the delicate habitat of the Galapagos and appreciate all the wonderful nature that you have enjoyed.

3. Vancouver the Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountain range stretches across much of Canada and the U.S. The snowy peaks are a beautiful sight to behold.

If driving through the mountains sounds too nerve-wracking, you can enjoy a train ride instead. The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxurious rail route that allows you to sit back and relax as you take in breathtaking views while the train winds through the mountains.

This company offers several different routes, but if you take the round trip from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff, there are plenty of stops along the way. You can even end the trip with a cruise to Alaska!

4. Plan a “Skip-Generation” Trip

If retirement means more time with family for you, then a skip-generation trip is just what you need.

Let your kids have a break from their kids, and head out on a vacay with your grandkids!

You will have the perfect opportunity to spoil them and then send them home just before they begin to get irritating. Isn’t that the beauty of being a grandparent?

The best way to stay young is to spend time with young people. Live life through their eyes for a change!

One vacation idea is to take your grandkids to the most awesome theme park you can find. Of course, the most well-known theme parks are Disney-owned, but there are plenty of other theme park chains that are just as fun.

Busch Gardens and Six Flags are two of the best, but you can’t forget about Universal Studios.

Or, you can take them camping to enjoy nature.

If you don’t think your grandkids are interested in traditional camping (or you’re not an outdoorsy person yourself), glamping is a way to camp without all the hassle.

Glamping provides the grandbabies with enough entertainment and conveniences of a hotel while still subjecting them to enough of the great outdoors to help them expand their world.

5. View the Northern Lights

In Northern Iceland, there is the most amazing place called Hotel Ranga

This hotel is famous for being the most ideal spot to witness the northern lights or aurora borealis.

To make the experience even more memorable, they have an observatory where you can see even deeper into the night sky.

This hotel offers beautiful suites with access to geothermal hot tubs that you can soak in while enjoying nature’s light show in the sky.

To round out your stay in Iceland, you can fit in a whale-watching tour in the cold Icelandic waters. You’ll most likely catch sight of a few puffin and glaciers, as well.

Speaking of glaciers, you may want to hike a glacier or take a walk inside an ice cave. The blue-white surroundings are surreal and calming.

You may also enjoy a night out in Reykjavík, Iceland’s biggest party scene. Get out on the dance floor and show those young ones you can still dance better than they can!

Conclusion

Retirees look forward to experiences that they couldn’t take advantage of while they had a full-time job. Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you have to act old.

Travelling is one of the best ways to make the most of your post-retirement life. Create wonderful memories, make new friends, and see new places. These five trips are a great way to keep having adventures, even after retirement!

Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with NorthStar Georgetown to help them with their online marketing.