Good Deals on Travel for Retired Federal Employees

Traveling is a pleasure that many retired federal employees look to indulge in as they transition out of their working years. There are lots of hot spots for travel, such as Florida and other island destinations, but for the adventurous retiree, there are plenty of good deals on travel to other destinations.

Take a Cruise on a River in Europe

Taking a river cruise might seem like an expensive treat, but they are typically all-inclusive, so additional expenditures are not always applicable, sometimes even including the cost of flying. You go to Amsterdam and Budapest and other stops on the Danube or visit other smaller European cities that line rivers like the Rhine. And then other places are slightly off the beaten path, like cruises that go around Belgium, Holland, and even Russia.

Look into planning your trip in the off-season (early Spring and late Fall), and you can save some money, as well as not have your trip be as crowded with other tourists. And if you’re open to a last-minute deal, prices can drop as they try to fill up all the rooms in the boats before they cast off for the next week or so.

You Don’t Need a Passport to Visit Hawaii

Hawaii, while a part of the United States, isn’t the most accessible place in the world, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And when people do tend to visit Hawaii, they normally stick to the big island, where the capital is. But in order to take advantage of this beautiful tropical place, you should look into cruises which stop by different locations across all the islands of the state. This could save you money in the long run, as once again, most cruises are all-inclusive, and Hawaii itself is known for its high prices on dining and lodging.

Head North to Alaska

For nature-loving retirees, you can’t do much better than Alaska. The summer season in Alaska is short, being so far up north, but if you can get in on the early part of the season, you can save a few bucks. It might be cooler than it is later in the year, but that will only help cut down on the other tourists.

And, of course, an all-expenses-paid cruise around Alaska is also one of the best and most cost-effective ways of seeing the sights. You could depart from Seattle, head up to Anchorage, and take in the city for a few days, before returning home. There are lots of national parks and other things to see, as well as plenty of whale-watching when you’re on the water.

Cruises are inexpensive in Alaska compared to some more tropical locales. And if you have a flexible schedule, some cruises go from Alaska to Los Angeles or even Hawaii. These are longer than your typical cruises and offer you an excellent chance to socialize with your fellow passengers.

Visit the Wondrous Machu Picchu

Located in Peru, Machu Picchu is one of the oldest cities in the world.

There are plenty of ways to visit this city, from the more active walking tours to the ones that come by bus or by train. There are two seasons in Machu Picchu, the dry season and the rainy season. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, you could certainly save a few bucks booking your trip between December through March.

And make sure you visit a few other places in Peru while you’re there. For most people, this is a once in a lifetime trip, and you want to maximize that. Some tours go through the nearby valleys and cities before hitting up Machu Picchu and then rounding out with a visit to the capital city of Lima. Couple that with a winter trip, and you’ll undoubtedly be getting the most bang for your buck with your Peruvian vacation.

Have a Glass of Wine

While Napa Valley might be the most well known, there is a myriad of excellent vineyards and wining communities located all across the United States, and beyond. If your a big wine drinker, retirement is a great time to indulge in this boozy hobby.

Wine can be costly, and so can the areas to cater to wine enthusiasts, not to mention a lot of the small town hotels tend to sell out in some of the more rural wine communities. To save money and aggravation, again focus on the off season, when they’ll be fewer people there.

Or consider again an all-inclusive cruise, which is offered in a lot of places all over the world. That way, all your food, drink, and lodging is already paid for, and you can focus on what vacations are about: relaxing!

All Over Italy

Venice and Rome have always been popular tourist destinations, but Italy has much more to offer than just those two cities. There’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Mt. Etna, and the Amalfi Coast. The weather is nice most of the year, but there is an off-season too that could be more friendly to your budget.

The best way to see most of Italy is with a cruise, of course, and those are cheapest in November through the end of March. You can even find a cruise that sets sail around the Mediterranean Sea and visits a few other countries along with Italy within the same trip.

See The World

Or, if you can’t decide, a cruise around the entire world might be the way to go. There are some out there that last for over 100 days and travel all over the planet, visiting many countries and ports in one long trip.

These kinds of trips are ideal for retired people who don’t have to take off work to spend several months globetrotting. And while they are more expensive than a few days cruise around Alaska or Hawaii, they are not always as expensive as you might assume. If you don’t have a residency somewhere else, like an adult community, this cruise would cost you about the same price.

While the entire 100-day cruise might run you over $15k, there are many that allow you to only come aboard for certain segments of the trip, allowing you to see your most desired ports. These can last from 20 days up to almost two months but are a fraction of the price. These long cruises are ideal for people looking to bond with their fellow passengers, as you’ll probably be spending a lot of time together at sea, taking in the events and activities the cruise ship offers.