Retirement offers a great opportunity to tour the world. You’ll check out tourist attractions that you haven’t yet visited, and return to old favourites, too.

To get the ball rolling, there’s nothing better than marking the end of your working life with an extra-special holiday.

What better way could there be to celebrate this significant milestone?

Of course, having decided to go on a holiday, you still need to choose a destination and an activity. Let’s provide some inspiration by running through five of the most popular varieties of retirement break.

Remote beach getaway

If you’re the sort of person that likes to spend downtime lounging around on a white sandy beach, then why not mark your retirement with a trip to a tropical paradise?

Hawaii, the Maldives, Bali, and the Caribbean all offer pristine seaside experiences – for a price.

If you want to make your holiday truly unforgettable, then you could also look at private jet rates and fly to your destination in style.

By chartering a small plane, you’ll also gain access to those remote islands or places that ordinary commercial airlines can’t reach. Amangiri Resort in Utah is a prime example.

This luxury resort is one of the most exclusive properties in the world, with 600 acres of land dedicated to rejuvenating holidays.

However, Amangiri Resort is only serviced by one small airline, and most people decide to reach the resort by private jet.

Cultural exploration

For those with an appreciation of history and culture, certain parts of the world stand out. These are the places with lots of historical interest to offer, like Rome, Paris, Kyoto and Istanbul.

Pack your itinerary with trips to major museums and unforgettable landmarks – but don’t forget to sample some of the contemporary culture, too.

Cultural explorations can be quite draining, though, as they usually require a lot of walking and exploring.

If you’ve made up your mind and you’ve chosen a destination already, the best thing you can do to enjoy your holiday completely is plan it thoroughly.

Planning what you want to visit and researching museums and other cultural sites will allow you to break down your holiday and not overdo it during the first few days.

Adventure travel

Retirement offers an excellent chance to embark on an adventure. You might hike all the way through the Peruvian Andes on your way to Machu Picchu, go on a Safari through a remote corner of an African wilderness, or trek through the Himalayas.

You’re only going to get so many chances to put your body through these gruelling, but rewarding, experiences – so why delay?

Equipment and preparation are essential to this kind of holiday.

You will need to pack all your hiking equipment, from trekking poles to water bottles, and make sure that your hiking boots are ready for your adventure – if you just bought a new pair you really want to break them in before your holiday!

It would also be a good idea to start training a couple of months before your journey, especially if you haven’t had many chances to exercise recently.

Finally, when you’ve selected the place you want to visit, you also want to check what types of vaccinations are requested to enter the country.

In some cases vaccinations are mandatory, so you should check and book the ones you need in advance, so that they can start protecting your body before your holiday.

Cruise the world

Cruises are popular among retirees, since they offer an all-in-one experience that cuts out much of the stress that goes with holidaying.

Because of their popularity among seniors, cruise lines have created customized experiences dedicated to them.

Saga Cruises, for example, launched Spirit of Adventure where the minimum age to sail is 50 years old, to ensure that all passengers are of similar age and want to enjoy the same type of holiday.

For the most adventurous, there is the option of liners that will keep at sea for months on end, touring the world to show you sights and experiences that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Cruises come in many different shapes and sizes, so assess your options before booking.

Wellness retreat

If you’re concerned about the state of your body and mind, then a trip to a wellness retreat can provide just the required invigoration. Indulge in meditation, yoga, and spa treatments, and emerge from the experience feeling refreshed.

Wellness isn’t just a one-off thing, though; during your retreat, you might pick up the skills you need to keep your body and mind in good shape in the long term, too.

Some of the best wellness retreats in the world are closer than you might think, scattered all around the US. Civana Wellness Resort and Spa, Arizona, is one of the most immersive spas you’ll ever visit.

The wellness options available at this resort range from yoga to sound bathing to therapeutic spa treatments.