When I ask most of my clients what they’re going to do with more time once they sell their businesses or retire from their main occupation, they tell me the same thing…

“Chris, I want to travel a lot more”

If that’s you, you’re definitely not alone!

But here’s the thing. With travel way easier than ever before, how do you actually decide on where to travel to when there is so much choice.

Where you decide to venture to is clearly up for you, but this blog is all about inspiration.

So, without further ado, and based on places I’ve been fortunate enough to go, conversations with clients about their favourite places, and independent research, the 15 places I believe you need to add on your retirement travel bucket list today…

I’ve been fortunate enough to live a life which includes a decent amount of travel. A life where I’ve seen and experienced things I wouldn’t have believed would have been part of my future when I was a kid.

However, and here’s the exciting thing for me… As I get older, I intend to travel a lot more as I reach the ‘what happens next’ chapter of my life.

So, what about you? I’d love to know, and feel free to tell me in the comments, what part does travel play in your future? And where is at the top of your list?

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve got a list of places you’d like to go… but there’s always a bit more to be inspired.

So, in today’s blog I’m going to talk about the 15 places I reckon should go on your ‘must see’ retirement travel list… and I reckon number 9 and 10 you’re probably going to disagree with but I’m going to try to persuade you ,and number 11 I’ve never done but have now added to my list!

However, let’s start with…

Marrakech

Marrakech is an amazing combination of vibrant markets, beautiful scenery and some of the strangest sights you’ll ever see. I loved it!

When you’re in Marrakech try the Tagine (my favourite is lamb) and a mint tea… both Moroccan delicacies. If you’re anything like Cassie and I you’ll end up buying a Tagine pot ready to use at home.

Full disclosure, I wasn’t too keen on the souks but if you like both haggling and wandering around mazes it might be your bag!

However, I did love our trip up to the Atlas Mountains and would definitely recommend you visit the Berger Villages and waterfalls!

Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan

I was fortunate enough to visit Tokyo and Kyoto in 2019 with my daughter, Charlotte, and I can say it was one of the best travel experiences of my life.

I shared th experience with my daughter and the combination between the super modern and the ancient, the great food, the bullet train, walking across Shibuya crossing, and singing karaoke made Tokyo great fun.

In Kyoto I loved the golden palace, the Bamboo Forest, the Tori Gates and loads more!

Charlotte and I also got to stay in a traditonal Japanese Inn (A Ryokan) and experience being woken up way too early in the morning but then to get served a 5 course fish based breakfast!

Because of my experience I talk to clients and friends a lot about my experience in Japan and I’ve not met anyone yet who didn’t love it!

So, if you haven’t been yet, it’s definitely one to add to the list.

Antarctic Cruise

Now this one I haven’t done, but one of our guests we’ve interviews on What Happens Next, Ian Price, recently came back from.

I’ve been told by a client that seeing the awesome power of nature so close and in a place where very few people get to go.

Typically, the accommodation on these trips is pretty pleasant but you also get to learn a lot about the Antarctic wildlife with plenty of opportunities to potentially kayak, and go ‘ashore’ in a place which is virtually untouched.

This is probably one of the pricest trips on this list but is one which you’re likely to come back from with memories you’ll never forget.

Cycling Scotland or the Napa Valley on an E Bike

I haven’t graduated to an e-bike yet. I’ve still got my mountain bike and road bike. The only paces I’ve used e-bikes is the Lime bikes you can use in places like London, Paris and Bucharest.

However, I had a conversation with a friend of mine recently who loves an e-bike, and it really expanded what’s possible on an e-bike tour.

You can take an e-bike anywhere, but I can’t think of two places better than the Napa valley in California and maybe tasting some of the lovely wines along the way… or enjoying the picturesque views of the Scottish Highlands replacing the wine tasting with some whiskey sampling.

However, regardless of where you choose to go on your e-bike, it provides a way to be in the open air, visit lovely places and get some exercise (helped when you want it by the power of electricity!) along the way!

Camino Trail

One of our other brilliant guests, Damian Stancombe, completed the Camino Trail when he retired and this recommendation is based on his recommendation as well as many others.

The Camino Trail is a walking travel experience which typically ends at the Cathedral of Santiago in Northwest, Spain.

You can start the trail in France, Spain or Portugal with most of the tours ending in the same place and the people I’ve spoken to about the Camino Trail talk about the communal experience of the walk, the beautiful scenery you pass, the history along the way and the perfect opportunity to spend some time in nature walking, thinking and reflecting.

Petra, Jordan

My dad got the opportunity to visit Petra in Jordan about 10 years ago and he’s not stopped talking about it since!

You start by walking through a dramatic canyon before you approach the majestic ‘rose city’ with its sandstone carved buildings on display.

There are hidden tombs, amphitheatres and amazing engineering considering the age of the site!

My dad told me that he was shocked about how fantastically preserved the buildings were, mainly apparently because of the robustness of the rock, low rainfall and shelter from the canyon.

One I’ve added to my list!

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

I’ve recently come back from Iceland where I was amazed by the beautiful scenery and the brilliant people. However, one (minor) disappointment was the fact we didn’t get to see the northern lights!

That’s why I’ve added Kakslauttanen onto my ‘must visit’ list. This resort is nestled just about the arctic circle in Finland where you get the opportunity to stay in a glass igloo in the wilderness and whilst you’re never guaranteed to see the nortern lights, having the change to potentially see them in such an amazing environment means you’ll have a great time whether you see them or not!

New Zealand

This is another place I’ve never been but everyone I’ve spoken to has loved it.

Everyone I speak to about New Zealand tells me how friendly it is, how breathtaking the landscapes are and how you can travel from the snowcapped Southern Alps through to Golden Beachers all the way to Lush forests within a few hours.

I’ve also never heard New Zealanders are the friendliest people in the world with a rich heritage.

South Africa – Shark Diving in Cape Town

Now, you may consider shark diving in cape Town as something right up your street. Alternatively, you might think it’s way out of your comfort zone.

However, the reason I mention it is purely because I remember a client telling me once that this was firmly on his bucket list.

He didn’t end up going in the end, and recently as I was writing the What Happens Next book, I decided to share his story to reflect the fact that we often need to always focus on getting the balance right between work and life.

The stories, tips and techniques I’m going to share in the What Happens Next book are all designed to help you live the best next chapter of your life.

The book won’t be out until early 2026… However, you can sign up for the book waiting list here.

Visit the Amazonian Rainforest

I was fortunate enough last year to fly into Ecuador and then, from a place called Puyo, fly deep into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest.

It was a trip which shifted my persepctive on so much including my life, my work and everthing else in between.

Spending some time with an Amazonian community, being so close to nature (as well as diverse wildlife) without technology and having adventures with new friends was definitely worth it.

The fact that I got to share this adventure with my brother made it even more special.

We swam down the river, saw creepy crawlies and bathed in Amazonian waterfalls. We learned a lot from the Amazonian community, and I believe that travel is as its best when you get to learn a new way of life, go on an adventure as well as get the chance to relax in nature.

Going to the Amazonian is certainly an adventure and one with plenty of activity but when it comes to creativity memories it’ll be a place you never forget.

Ashford Castle, Ireland

For a travel experience that’s a bit more relaxing you should consider Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.

You can eat and drink well, relax in the spa but also try horseback riding, falconry, kayaking on the lake and archery all without leaving the grounds.

Ashford Castle has some outstanding trip adviser reviews too which mention the impeccable warm service and the ability for the team at Ashford Castle to make you ‘feel like royalty’.

A place I’d suggest definitely worth a visit!

San Sebastian, Spain

One of my current favourite TV shows is ‘somebody feed Phil’ on Netflix, a show which is part travelog, part food program.

In the latest series they showcase the food of San Sebastian including the amazing seafood and lovely deserts.

In fact, San Sebastian has got more Michelin starred dining establishment per capita than anywhere else in the world than Kyoto. So, you know that a lot of the food is going to be pretty decent!

San Sebastian is full of lovely streets you can easily walk around and if you time it right there’s a decent chance you’ll be there when there’s a festival going on too!

or, for a bonus (half a) tip, you should try a cruise!

I first tried a cruise (a couple of year ago) and was massively pleasantly surprised. Whilst one of the downsides is you get less space ‘on land’ than I probably would have liked, I loved the fact that the food, drink and entertainment on board was amazing and the opportunity to visit so many placed was decent.

I did a Norwegian Cruise with P&O so also got the opportunity to hike to Pulpit Rock which has amazing views over the Norwegian Fjords!

So, clearly any blog (or video) showing the ‘top 12’ of everything will be a taster. That’s why I’m curious…

What place (or experience) do you reckon I’ve left off the list that we need to add to the next one?

Feel free to comment below…

So, there’s my top retirement (or ‘what happens next’) travel ideas but I’m curious…

What should be on the list that isn’t?

And

What ones of these would you definitely do but more definitely avoid?

I’d love to know…

But there’s a couple of things we probably should factor in or consider when we’re talking about travel plans. So…

In this video, we will talk about working out your version of financial freedom in three easy steps.

And

In this video, Jon Dunkley talks about why happiness comes in many forms and how Hedonic, Eudaimonic and Chaironic wellbeing all fit together.