Discover Central Europe or ride the Trans-Siberian Railway – the hottest travel destinations millennials miss but baby boomers are on to
Baby boomers are steering travel trends toward off-the-beaten-path places such as Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Mongolia via Moscow
If you’re looking for a trip less ordinary, a travel adventure or a luxury holiday without the crowds, it’s not the cool kids who are leading the pack. Rather, the over-65s are steering the trends thanks to their financial stability, strong physique and devil-may-care attitude when it comes to exploring the world.
“This is certainly a trend we’ve noticed,” says Nico Heath, director and co-founder of Lightfoot Travel. “Many of our guests over the age of 65 are looking for new destinations and discovery, and are eager to venture to more off-the-beaten-track places. These destinations may not have the latest great restaurant or the world's most Instagramable spots, but they do offer unique cultures and a chance to encounter somewhere fresh and exciting.”
Indeed, as today’s baby boomers are not so interested in getting their travels on the ’gram or taking endless selfies, the local highlights are much less crowded, and visitors can enjoy a more authentic and deeper travel experience. What’s not to like? Here are the places boomers are heading.
Uzbekistan
Nestled in between the other landlocked ’stans (including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan), Uzbekistan in Central Asia has been sitting pretty, quietly minding its own business for a while. However, its beautiful mosques, mausoleums and madrasas in every shade of blue are growing in popularity, particularly with baby boomers. Samarkand’s Registan Square, a grand plaza which was once the heart of the medieval city, is nothing short of spectacular – go at sunset when the colours really pop. Bukhara also offers incredible architecture including more than 100 protected buildings, and lovely little Khiva never fails to impress with its chaotic old-town streets – head to the labyrinth of narrow alleyways for a real slice of local life.
Moscow to Mongolia
Always wanted to go to Uyarspasopreobrazhenskoye? Get yourself on the famous Trans-Siberian railway. Baby boomers were early adopters of the slow travel moment and taking this network of railways – that connect Moscow to Vladivostok, near the border of China – is the ultimate way to travel at a more sedate speed. With various routes and jumping off points, you can tick off amazing bucket-list moments in one trip. March across the cobbles of Moscow's Red Square, ride horseback with nomads in Mongolia or take a morning dip in the crystal-clear waters of Siberia’s Lake Baikal. Travel in style with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains. Kick back in a sumptuous en suite cabin with a personal attendant, enjoy fine dining in the restaurant car and (hopefully) meet fascinating fellow passengers.
Armenia