Want a positive spin on something with a mostly negative connotation? Turning 40 can be such a gift in that it’s right around the time that many of us seem to pick up a healthy dose of perspective.
We begin to finally understand who we are deep down, what we truly value, and (maybe best of all) say goodbye to many of the trivialities we don’t actually care about anymore. If we pay attention, we have an opportunity to change course and chart a territory that’s more in line with our true essence with each decision we make.
Say hello to the era of life-affirming travel. (Photo Credit: Lucija Ros)
Travel in these decades of life can turbo-charge that sense of enlightenment. In fact, your 40s and 50s are a great time to prioritize taking trips that are catalysts for self-discovery. Think about it: You’re feeling good physically, open spiritually, and motivated to get things right for yourself.
So, tackling some big thinking and listening to your inner voice in a place that underscores the vast beauty of this life should definitely be on your bingo card. Here are some of the most perfect destinations for life-affirming travel in your 40s and 50s.
Roatán, Honduras
Get out of your comfort zone and into the lush jungle of Honduras, where the greetings of howler monkeys and Amazon parrots bring you right to your senses… and to the present. It’s hard not to be fully grounded when you’re surrounded by the lush landscapes, white sand beaches, and colorful corals characteristic of this diving and surfing town.
Welcome to Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort. (Photo Credit: @grandroatanresortandspa)
This jungle escape will transport you out of the every day — in the best possible way. (Photo Credit: @seasaltyspirits)
Roatán is becoming more well-known, yet it still has an attractive under-the-radar quality that makes it easy to meet kind, adventurous, and interesting people there (locals and visitors alike) in more relaxed settings than your average Caribbean tourist hub.
Mixing sense-awakening thrills like exploring the jungle canopy on a zip line with meditative activities like yoga and spa time will prime your brain for big-picture takeaways.
Where to stay: Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa
Bangkok, Thailand
We’re not suggesting a full spiritual overhaul, but a healthy, in-person dose of Buddhist principles like karma, impermanence, and mindfulness sure won’t hurt you. The people of Thailand are kind and welcoming, and you’ll be inspired by seeing the ways in which they’ve paid tribute to these righteous principles at temples, monuments, and shrines.
Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo Credit: @KimptonMaalaiBangkok)
You can rest easy at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. (Photo Credit: @KimptonMaalaiBangkok)
Start by marveling at the graceful majesty of Wat Pho, which features several superlatives including the largest reclining Buddha in the entire city and the biggest collection of Buddha images. You could continue temple hopping to Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun to absorb more zen, but be sure to make your way to the Chao Phraya River for a long tail boat ride before dark.
Low to the water (you can actually touch it) and weaving through narrow canals, you’ll enjoy a glimpse at local life — from people hanging clothes to dry to floating produce markets to children reveling in imaginative play.
Where to stay: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Seattle, Washington
It’s called Emerald City for a reason. Endless views of evergreen forests and water stretch for miles, and serve as the backdrop to your awakening adventure. Things to do there are also endless, with appeal for every type of personality.
Balance outdoor exploration with relaxing mornings. (Photo Credit: Christiann Koepke)
The greenery of Seattle is calling. (Photo Credit: Hunter Reilly)
Get outdoors for an epic hike at Rattlesnake Ledge or join the local coffee fanatics and tuck away inside an indie coffee shop (we love Analog and Root) with a self-work book. Other things to include on the itinerary are the Chihuly Garden & Glass Museum, Mount Rainer National Park, and Kerry Park for a postcard view of this iconic city.
Hot Tip: Yes, Seattle gets a lot of rain, but there are plenty of months when it’s mostly dry and sunny. Plan your trip for May — September, and don’t miss the wildflower meadows at Mount Rainer National Park in July.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle, or Kimpton Palladian Hotel
Bozeman, Montana
A Rocky Mountain high is what you’ll be riding during and after a trip to beautiful Bozeman. In addition to a charming and rustic downtown that feels a bit like you’re living in the show Yellowstone, you’ll find the beautiful Bridger Range of mountains to the north and the Spanish Peaks to the south, both sporting cool trails for hiking, biking, and skiing.
Or stay right in town and hike the iconic M Trail — a day hike that forms a loop, snaking through meadows, valley views, and serene woods.
In Bozeman, hot springs are a must. (Photo Credit: Ezra Jeffrey Comeau)
As you drive around Montana and Wyoming, you’ll see signs by runoff roads that lead you to local hot springs in roadside towns. There are two hot springs to visit in Bozeman itself, and a long soak in a natural hot spring is a really great place for an existential epiphany, if you think about it. The Bozeman Hot Springs, in Bozeman proper, are our pick — it’s like a relaxation retreat, but all natural. It has a restaurant, fitness center, and sometimes even live music.
Lastly, every Old West town needs a quirky Main Street, and Bozeman’s got one that’s thoroughly fun to explore — expect some taxidermy, a record store called the Wax Museum, antique stores, and even cool custom clothing stores like Intrigue Ink.
Where to stay: Kimpton Armory Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s beauty is almost arresting; you’ll be wowed as soon as you arrive. Neoclassical grandeur, striking Gothic architecture, cobbled alleyways, and stunning hills pull your attention in every direction and leave you exploding with a need to explore.
A few clear-your-head, savor-the-present, and remember-forever opportunities include peering out onto the blue sea atop Calton Hill, strolling down colorful, curved Victoria Street (said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter), and ascending Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano 251 meters above sea level, offering 360-degree views of this legendary city.
For life-affirming grandeur, a trip to Scotland should be in the cards. (Photo Credit: Ross Findlay)
Edinburgh will have you appreciating all that historical Europe has to offer. (Photo Credit: Fabio Traina)
The coolness factor in Edinburgh is through the roof, too. Iconic Edinburgh University has attracted diverse and interesting local businesses from restaurants featuring global cuisine to weird gift shops (literally, there’s a great one called the Wyrd Shop).
The annual Fringe Festival, the world’s largest performance arts festival that takes place every August, serves up a hearty dose of cultural inspiration and perspective. People have been creating, mastering, and performing iconic works of art there every year since 1947, which is pretty darn cool.
Where to stay: Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
We’d love to hear which destination you’d like to visit most in your 40s and 50s. While choosing one could be a difficult decision with so many good options, deciding to actually go on a life-affirming trip in these decades of life should be easy — you deserve it.
