It’s true, some women will also crave a Harley and a fringy jacket, but for more women in mid-life crisis mode, while the desire for some drastic change is similar, the definition of that change is more akin to adventure often involving travel – a breaking out of the routine in the most enjoyable way.
Think spas and retreats, fulfilling dreams of walking around the Paris lights at night or slurping ramen in Tokyo alongside the locals, shopping in Rome and maxing out your credit card, or going on safari in Africa adorned by a new khaki outfit of course.
Need some inspiration?
These are some of the favorite travel activities and destinations of middle-aged women (and you don’t need to be middle aged or a woman to appreciate these suggestions) that span ideas falling into categories from wellness to luxury to adventure to culture. So depending on interests, budget, and lifestyle, here we go!
Pamper Me, Please
Women who enjoy high-end accommodations, spa treatments, fine dining, and stress-free travel will adore activities like spa retreats, luxury cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and maybe even private guided tours. For this kind of travel, consider the French Riviera, Tuscany, Santorini, Bali, and the Maldives.
Feeling Artsy
For women who love history, culture, and art, destinations such as Rome, Paris, Kyoto, and exotic Cairo and Istanbul offer fantastic opportunities to enjoy museum visits, local craft markets, historical tours, and of course an abundant partaking of food and wine experiences.
Have Fork, Will Travel
While we’re on the topic of food and wine, let’s make food a category all by itself, because it just deserves to be, doesn’t it? Whether a burger lover or fine dining afficionado, food is a natural for really any kind of travel, because we all have to eat anyway, right? From making it super simple and booking a food tour to getting right in the mix of things with cooking classes, foodie travel adventures can involve anything from farm to table alfresco dining to wine tasting in Napa Valley, to apple picking in Washington state. Think Bordeaux, Tuscany, Barcelona, and Mexico City for starters… or should we say – appetizers.
Feel the Wind (and Ocean) in Your Hair
For women who like to be active and love the outdoors, imagine a hot air balloon ride over the Grand Canyon, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, ziplining in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, glacier hiking in Iceland, and going on a photo safari to capture images of Uganda’s mountain gorillas.
Give Me Serenity Now
For those who are seeking a more calm and literally down to earth travel experience, consider a yoga retreat, meditation class, and oh-so-pampering spa therapies. These sorts of – do we dare call them activities? – can literally be found anywhere, but for women who want to partake in these quieter sojourns, the backdrop of spiritual Sedona in Arizona would do nicely, as would Bali, Thailand, and India, to give a few destination suggestions. One could be soaking in the stunning tiered hot springs of Pamukkale in Turkey with just a few clicks of travel reservations.
Cruising on a Sunday Afternoon and Beyond
How about a combination of slow travel – as in a cruise – that also provides adventurous stops along the way? This form of travel is super relaxed and stress free with most everything needed for a satisfying trip falling into that all-inclusive category. Combine scenic vistas at sea with cultural shore excursions, and this may just be the winning combination of luxury travel one can imagine. Popular cruise destinations include Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, the Mediterranean, and the Danube River – yes, expend your cruise ideas from oceans to include rivers as well.
Besties or Solo Travel
Some women want their besties along every step of the way, and some may yearn for a trip with just me, myself, and I. Either way, a road trip would be exciting, as would a guided group tour so you can venture out without any care of what to do. Solo travelers may enjoy a train trip just as much as a bunch of middle-aged women. May we suggest the blue and white Greek Islands, the tropical Caribbean, bustling Tokyo and Singapore, or even your own backyard neighborhood?
Do Like the Swish
Whatever the motivation of a middle-aged woman trip may be, be like the Nike slogan, and just do it. Life is short, travel is sweet. Go make some memories.