I TRAVEL WITH MY BEST FRIENDS AT 50+ YEARS OLD—HERE’S WHAT IT DID FOR MY HEALTH

These are some of the best trips I’ve taken with friends—good food, new experiences, and lots of laughs included.

If laughter is the best medicine, traveling with friends is a close second. And actually, that combination often turns out to be inevitable if your travel companions are anything like mine. For each of the past five or so years, I’ve taken several trips with my sister, Jean, and my high school best friend, Linda, heading to both near and far destinations. We laugh a lot, shed some inhibitions (all legal), and firmly believe each trip is rejuvenating in itself—although a spa day along the way doesn’t hurt either. 

Our main objective is simply being together, but our trips also come with other benefits, like walking more than 10,000 steps without even realizing we’ve put in a good day of exercise while exploring a city in Italy. Or spending a day bouncing in the waves on a Caribbean island or on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Cooking classes, yoga lessons, meditation experiences, and live entertainment are also vacation activities that enhance the body and the spirit. 

The benefits of travel for older adults are well documented. According to research from the Transamerica Institute and Global Coalition on Aging, travel supports “brain health, cardiovascular well-being, and overall vitality.” The study notes, “For older adults, travel is a gateway to physical, cognitive, and social enrichment.”

My own experiences confirm this. As the planner for most of our trips, I find the challenge of coordinating schedules, flights, and activities stimulating, and navigating airports is often a physical workout. 

Last year, Linda, my sister, and I splurged on a trip to Sicily—one of our favorite places—staying at Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel on the island’s southern coast. We discovered fields of ripe produce and had a great time harvesting tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and more for nutritious meals. The Irene Forte Spa was a major draw, and we spent time there each day during our stay. Visitors with more time can also experience the six- or 10-day Longevity Programme, which includes medical consultations, treatments, and fitness activities. 

Longevity, along with being able to enjoy those extra years, is the goal for many travelers. At Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, guests can fill their days with activities like hikes, aquatic recovery, and meditation. On my first visit to the property, I started with a variety of physical tests—balance, flexibility, and blood pressure—before a personalized program was arranged for me. A few years later, I joined a group of women at Sensei Lanai for an Unbridled Retreat, a therapeutic experience centered on interactions with horses, led by equine coach Devon Combs. Through this retreat, I learned how mental and spiritual well-being are just as important as physical health.

For travelers focused on wellness, longevity, or recovery, many resorts now offer more than traditional spa services. Their menus include advanced therapies such as vitamin shots, protein and stem cell treatments, and IV infusions designed to support goals like weight loss, stress relief, and gut health. At the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, I enjoyed the spa’s steam room, sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge before touring the Next Health facility, where several women relaxed in plush lounge chairs hooked up to IVs. 

While they’re not exclusively for older travelers, wellness retreats dedicated to longevity, recovery, and overall well-being can be found around the world. Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards recognized several standout properties, with Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, earning the top spot among international wellness retreats for more than a decade. There, guests set personal wellness goals—physical, mental, or spiritual—and many return year after year. 

You don’t have to go far to enjoy the benefits of travel. A recent meetup in Scottsdale with Linda and my sister was filled with shopping, laughs, long walks, and a concert from a great Eagles cover band, transporting us back in time. Traveling with old friends naturally invites reminiscing, and according to Psychology Today, this can be especially beneficial as we age. Our future travel plans for Arizona include a trip to Castle Hot Springs, where I soaked in the warm, mineral-rich waters just a few years ago. Visitors have been coming to the restorative springs for more than a hundred years—a reminder that travel for better health is hardly a new idea.

While my focus is on female travelers, men over 50 can benefit just as much from travel. Spending time with friends and enjoying activities like golf, fishing, or attending sporting events encourages connection and supports an active lifestyle. My husband, for example, takes an annual golf trip with his friends. Over the years, they’ve played at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, as well as Brasada Ranch and Juniper Preserve in Central Oregon.

Fly fishing, while not one of my husband’s hobbies, is a favorite for some of his friends. We tried it once in Montana and had a great time. It requires skill, concentration, and physical activity—and because the fish are released, it’s a sustainable sport. Resorts like Bishop’s Lodge in New Mexico and The Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah offer lessons and guided excursions. 

An AARP study found that travel is a top priority for adults ages 50 and older. While cost is a concern for some, nearly 90 percent say they shop for bargains, and there are ways to travel on a budget. When it comes to maintaining your health as a senior, travel is an investment well worth making.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure

2026-08-05T02:32:50Z