Seniors-please tell about your "best vacation ever" and why
 

So many places, so little time left to see them all. Please post your one absolutely most favorite place to help me decide.
Note: Please gear response for the age 50 and up traveler

Since when was 50 "senior"? (How old are you?)

Why should age be a good basis for deciding where to go? It depends much more on your tastes than your age.

I just chose 50 as I am not interested in responses geared toward families with small children or "adventure" vacations.
(and never ask a lady her age)

We were in our 70s when we went to Jordan and Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel. Absolutely flawless arrangements, including the optional side trip to Wadi Rum in southern Jordan (remember the opening scenes from "Lawrence of Arabia"?). Fine trip up the Nile -- marvelous guide, clean riverboat, no problems whatever.

"never ask a lady her age" - how am I supposed to know you're female? And aren't you asking the same question of posters? And again, 50 isn't "senior", and what makes you think people 50+ don't take adventure vacations?

Look, if you don't relate to the thread why are you posting? Just ignore it if it doesn't speak to you.

USNR-what time of year did you go to Egypt and Jordan? How much time did you spend there? What was the weather like? What was most memorable for you?

My absolutely favorite trip was an OAT trip to Bhutan and India. It was a trip of contrasts and extremely interesting. I fell in love with India, but it's not for the intrepid. I have a trip report for this trip on the forum if you would like to read it.

I've never gone anywhere particularly exotic but I love to travel and go often.

I have lots of favorite places that I return to again and again. I am over 50 and travel solo but I'm very fit and healthy so my travel style has not changed at all since my 20's. Still love beaches, budget hotels, tropical places. My current favorites in that category are Honolulu/Waikiki, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Returning to Negril Jamaica later this year.

My favorite place in Europe is the Lac Leman region of Switzerland outside Geneva. Venice, Amsterdam, and Paris were all pretty darn cool too and I'd love to return to any of them for a longer stay.

My favorite place mainland U.S. besides my home in Seattle is the great state of Vermont... actually most of New England, and San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Oh sorry I should have prefaced my comment, I certainly do not yet consider myself a "senior". I've still got a couple decades before that kicks in, to my point of view.

I am over 50 and DH is over 60, but like "Suze", don't consider us Seniors yet, our parents are.

Our best trip was 3 weeks in Italy. Been there 2x and still want to go back.

Exactly :-) my parents are "seniors" (and proud of it). Unless you have unfortunate health issues I don't see why 50-year olds can't go anywhere and do anything as far as traveling as any other aged person.

Another great place to go is Tahiti and the Island of Moorea. I went there about 15 yr ago with a girlfriend and it is one the most beautiful places I've seen. (maybe I am a senior)

As long as we've still got the get up and go, we're still lining off places we want to see before we've lost the urge to travel and just enjoy staying home more than dealing with airfares and all the aggravations of air travel these days, or a long road trip.

You really do need to figure out places most appealing to YOU that are worth the effort and expense and also satisfy your reasons for traveling.

Just realized there is a category within this Fodors site called Empty Nesters which probably will give me the kinds of suggestions I am looking for.
PS I was astonished that the word Senior raised the ire of so many people. Methinks he doth protest too much.

I'm turning 50 next month, and in no way, shape or form, do I consider myself a senior. You'd be better off asking for advice for people who don't have any energy, or are risk-averse, or have lots of dietary restrictions, or have mobility issues - all things that spring to mind when the word "senior" is used.

Actually, this would make a good new topic!

And to answer your question, New Zealand, hands down, the best place on earth. It has everything (natural) - sun, sand, beach, mountains, glaciers, fjords, plains, ancient forests, beautiful farms, whale-watching, horseback riding, swimming with dolphins (for real, not in a tank). It's unpopulated, clean, green, safe, easy to navigate, with delicious food and wine. And the friendliest people on the planet, who are also very well-traveled! The ONLY thing it lacks is great collections of Western art (if you are a museum junkie). Oh, and if all that weren't enough, it's usually a bargain too (depending on the exchange rate). It is the closest thing I have found to Eden on earth.

No "ire" from me. I just don't think a healthy active person in their 50's is a "senior" by most people's definition.

When I retired the second time, knowing I was a train and wilderness freak, my company bought me rail tour that was the best I've ever taken.

From Los Angeles, I took the Coast Starlight to Seattle. After a few days there, I took the AMTRAK train across the border to Vancouver and then the Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper.

After time in the Jasper area, I took ViaRail's Skeena train to the Pacific coast at Prince Rupert. Retracing my steps to Jasper, I spent more time there then took ViaRails Canadian back to Vancouver and then AMTRAK back to LA. The entire trip took about 3 1/2 weeks and I enjoyed every second of it.

The bonus was a lot of good wilderness and wildlife photography along with some wonderful train shots.

USNR did you do a travel report on this trip? It sounds like you hit the nail on the head for the sort of thing I am looking for. Thanks.

suze, I will try to read up on the Lac Leman region, it sounds interesting.

spcfa, my son was in New Zealand a couple of weeks ago and I am waiting to hear his "trip report" as I have often heard people say it is the greatest place (for scenery) on earth.

dwoodden I LOVE trains and this sounds like a fabulous trip. The mountain scenery of the Pacific northwest is my kind of heaven.

Probably a little younger than the 50+ demographic, but when I was 48 I cycled around Australia (or a fair amount of Aus, about 8000 km). It was quite an adventure, having me completely outside my comfort zone for three months. The business of travelling with about 35 pounds of possessions is interesting.

There’s an incomplete trip report on Fodors which you’d find if you click on my name.

Now, 15 years later, we do these extended stays in Venice. Nine weeks over Christmas, attempting – and failing totally – to be Venetians.