Over 50? Time to Travel!

Seniors Travelling

Welcome to the 50s Club! Now is the time to do something you have always thought of but couldn’t find the time.

Being busy in family and work, raising kids, and saving for that rainy day, you may have neglected your dream of travelling around the world. Now that the nest may be empty, you have more time to think and act on your dreams of travel.

At this phase of life, do not pause or rest, give a new turn to your life and travel to the iconic places of the world. Out of so many popular destinations of the world, we have picked those which have stood the test of time and haven’t lost their charm a bit. Words like amazing, magnificent, or splendid are not sufficient to explain the beautiful experience you will have at these places.

Acropolis of Athens, Greece

Recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Acropolis of Athens is the icon of ancient Greek civilization. The monument is comprised of four important buildings – the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the temple of Athena Nike. It was constructed in the 5th century B.C by Pericles. This magnificent structure was dedicated to the Goddess Athena and was constructed atop the Sacred Rock of Athens. Amid the beautiful natural setting, this classic architectural site continues to mystify visitors with its splendour as well as historical significance.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

A world-renowned architectural landmark, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is the symbol of France. The steel structure, constructed in 1889 by the company of Gustav Eiffel, still serves a significant role in radio and television broadcasts. The structure can be seen from anywhere in Paris and attracts nearly seven million tourists every year– which is more than any other paid monument in the world.

Once on the top of this tower, the beauty of the whole “city of lights” is visible, especially Parc du Champs-de-Mars and the Avenues des Champs Elysees. The beauty of the place reaches its zenith when the golden lighting illuminates the tower and the majestic steelwork becomes more prominent.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

The Grand Canyon is indeed a natural wonder, in the state of Arizona in USA. Created by the river Colorado, it is a huge gorge though not the longest or steepest one in the world. However, with the beautiful landscape, and the enormity of the canyon this natural formation offers several breathtaking views in different colours and from diverse locations.

Varied scenic transformations can be seen during the day due to the impact of moving sun rays. Some of the best views of the canyon can be had while walking along the South Rim. For the best experiences of this iconic destination, visit during summer months which helps in greater access opportunities for visitors. In addition, take in some of the adventure trips like river rafting, hiking, camping and helicopter tours.

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

What would it be like watching the most powerful and widest waterfall in the world? With sourced from the Niagara River, the waterfall has an average of four million cubic feet of water per minute. The waterfall is situated on twin cities of Ontario, on the Canadian and Buffalo, on the USA side.

The Ontario side comprises of the most powerful falls called Horseshoe Falls which actually looks like a horseshoe. It is 2,600 feet wide and 90% of the total water traverses over it. The remaining two falls are on the US side but are comparatively less wide with less water flow.

This massive beauty of nature can be viewed around the year, though summertime is the best. To experience the power and beauty of the falls, take the Maid of the Mist tour, and journey behind the Falls and White Water Walk programme. You will never forget the trip.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For more than 3,800 years, the structure was the tallest man-made structure in the world. Interestingly, these were made of huge casing stones weighing anywhere between 10 to 30 tons each.

These were built by the Pharaohs, as their burial tombs. Adjacent to the main building, there are two queen pyramids, temples, and construction ruins. The amazing aspect of the landmark is the accurate alignment of the structure towards the North Pole. Besides, there are several baffling aspects attached to the monument which continues to intrigue historians, astronomers, and scientists.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

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Figured as one of the World Heritage sites by UNESCO, the Taj Mahal is actually beauty personified. The mausoleum was constructed in white marble along with semi-precious stones by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The building is an example of the impeccable architectural accomplishment of the Mughals in India.

The tomb is the central attraction, surrounded by symmetrical gardens and fountains and other significant buildings. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, the marble tomb is surmounted with a white dome, which is decorated with a lotus design. Both the exterior and interior portions of the building have magnificent decorative elements, motifs, calligraphy, and exquisitely detailed work which cannot be described in words.

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

Considered as the icon of South Africa, Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain. It boasts a rich floral kingdom and is home to several rare as well as endangered species. The Cape Floral Region of the mountain comes under World Heritage protection as some plant species available here are found nowhere else.

The distinctive feature of the mountain is the plateau levels at the peaks with remarkable cliffs. Clouds often cover the tabletop of the mountain giving a feel of ‘tablecloth’ made of cloud. This landmark is a huge tourist attraction as the backdrop to Cape Town. The famous broad heights in the mountains such as Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill create a natural amphitheatre. Tourists can enjoy several activities such as hiking, biking, caving and rock climbing the Table Mountain.

Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest independent state of the world, in the city of Rome, both in terms of population as well as area. It is a sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Pope – the Bishop of Rome. The city-state serves as the global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Regarded as one of the most sacred places for Christendom, Vatican City is home to several artistic-architectural accomplishments such as St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St Peter’s Square.

These historically and culturally significant buildings embrace the best works of some of the greatest artists of all time like Michelangelo, Bernini, Giacomo Della Porta, Raphael, Botticelli, and Maderno, to name a few. Owing to the remarkable frescos on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Renaissance Architecture within St. Peter’s Basilica, the Last Judgement by Michelangelo and other artistically significant works, UNESCO has added Vatican City to the list of World Heritage Sites. It is the only entire state in the world to be included in the UNESCO list.

With so many places in the world waiting for you, it’s time to get set for a new voyage in your life that will lead you to these iconic wonders of the world – it will lead to marvel and adventure.

O50s
Australian Over 50s Living & Lifestyle Guide

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