As children leave home and routines shift, many empty nesters begin to reconsider how they spend their time. Travel becomes a practical option, not as a retreat but as an opportunity to engage in new environments. Active vacations that include motion, nature, and culture may also provide a physical and mental structure to a period often marked by lifestyle change. Unlike the more passive experience of traditional tourism, these options allow the traveler to be more engaged in the environment.
Kayaking Tours in Coastal Regions
There are regulated kayaking routes along coastal areas throughout North America. Kayakers in the San Juan Islands in Washington State or in the mangrove forests of the Gulf Coast of Florida will find safe waters and opportunities to see wildlife. In general, these kayak trips are one-day affairs and include overnight options with local outfitters. As such, they require some level of physical exertion as well as some basic navigational skills, although these are usually covered as part of the on-site orientation.
Long-Distance Hiking Trails
Long-distance hiking trails or walking holidays are essentially multi-day treks along a path that connects a series of hotels or lodges. The most famous walking holiday route is the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and another popular route is the Cotswold Way in England. Both of these walking holidays combine long periods of walking with the opportunity to experience local history and architecture. Many of these holidays now provide luggage transfer service, so you don’t need to carry your bags each day. Walking days typically average about 10 kilometers per day and require a fair amount of physical conditioning as well as good-quality shoes.
Cycling Trips Along Local Paths
You can take either self-guided or group bicycle tours along the many bike paths that connect cities and towns across Europe and North America. Some of the best paths for these types of tours are found along the Danube River in Europe and along Route Verte in Quebec. These bike paths are developed specifically for leisure cyclists and provide the cyclist with all the amenities they may need for a comfortable tour, including bike rentals, GPS-guided maps, and optional electric bikes. These paths are designed to encourage cyclists to stop frequently and enjoy the local culture. Most cyclists on these paths are recreational cyclists who ride regularly and want to explore new parts of the country while staying active.
Lakeside Retreats and Boating Access
For many empty nesters, nearby lakes are familiar places from earlier family holidays, but can now be used in a different way. Midweek or shoulder-season trips often mean quieter water, easier restaurant bookings, and more time to pay attention to how you actually like to spend a day outdoors. In established lake regions, marinas and boat dealers are usually close to rental cabins, small resorts, and campgrounds, so it is straightforward to combine walking, fishing, and short sightseeing cruises with visits to showrooms. Pontoons are a common choice because they offer flat decks, steady handling, and enough space. If you are considering buying rather than renting, reviewing current pontoon boat specials before or during a trip can provide a concrete sense of pricing, layouts, and engine packages, and make conversations with local dealers more focused and efficient.
All of these active vacation options are based upon a set itinerary or theme. They allow empty nesters to organize their time, focus their attention, and engage with physical environments that stimulate both their bodies and their curiosity.
