You’d think that planning a vacation would be the fun part – choosing outfits, gathering travel-size toiletries, imagining yourself doing important things like strolling, lounging, and ordering dessert without guilt. But no. For some of us, vacation prep is a multi-day logistical triathlon. The day before my trip, I was in full command-center mode. Plants … Read more
When I wrote about checking off my travel bucket list, I got some push-back from Sixty and Me readers who thought I must be rich if I could visit places as far flung as Kenya and the Galapagos. They said it made them sad because they could only dream about what they can see outside … Read more
Setting out on a trip in the comfort of a recreational vehicle (RV) is an exhilarating experience, and for you, as a senior, it presents a unique opportunity to explore the world at your own pace. RV travel offers a blend of adventure, flexibility, and the comfort of a home on wheels. As you hit … Read more
I may have bloomed, but I am not yet withered, I may have passed my peak, but I am still on the mountain. Just because I am over 60 doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot of life ahead of me; in fact, I can be braver, perhaps even a little riskier, as I am … Read more
Live in a northern US location that dips below freezing and gets regular winter snowfalls? Then, trust me. At some point in your retirement life, you’ll consider a seasonal snowbird migration. My husband and I are contemplating it now after arguing against it for years, because we thought: We were too young. Winter’s not that … Read more
Traveling alone over 60 is not for the faint of heart. It’s a mix of stubborn independence, quiet courage, mild delusion, and the firm belief that if you just get through these 45 hours, paradise awaits. Every year, I fly from Ottawa, Canada, to my home on Koh Lanta, Thailand. It’s an epic journey with … Read more
On my return from New Orleans, friends asked, “Did you stay in the French Quarter and party on Bourbon Street?” These days, Netflix thrillers fill my nights, with a bowl of popcorn and a glass of Merlot. On a pre-Katrina trip, I heard jazz at Preservation Hall, shopped in Jackson Square, and took a cemetery … Read more
I’m a sucker for a good comeback story. Although I’m not a fan of the Patriots, their 31-point rally against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI was epic. And I cheer hard for Martha Stewart who managed to not only resurrect, but balloon, her domestic goddess reputation AFTER her release from prison. Make 2026 … Read more
One of the 10 commandments of retirement must surely be “Travel as much as you can!” Budget limitations not-withstanding, many early retirees view their retirement as a limitless vacation, and vacation implies travel. As a rookie retiree, I even wrote an essay about the subject, Dissecting the Travel Bug, and my PC password is still … Read more
When The Da Vinci Code exploded across bookshops two decades ago, I read it in one breathless weekend. I wasn’t chasing conspiracies; I was chasing the feeling that life itself hides clues – that symbols and geometry are the universe’s handwriting. Now in my 60s, I travel not to collect sights but to collect sensations. … Read more