Author: Maria Alfano
Winter is more than snow shoveling or bitterly cold weather and these top 6 unique winter retirement destinations will put the fun back into your winter. It is so pretty to watch a fresh snowfall blanket the ground with each flake glimmering like a diamond in the moonlight. Capture the essence of winter by experiencing these retirement travel locations.
Explore different places around the world and see how they celebrate winter.
Whether you are a winter sports fanatic or the only winter sport you would consider engaging in is shopping, there is a retirement travel destination for you. Don’t be miserable staring out the window at the mountain of snow in your front yard, wishing it would go away. Embrace it and imagine how much fun it could be to be making snow angels or having a snowball fight.
From a warm climate and can’t picture what snow is really like? This is your chance to live the dream and feel the white fluffy stuff for yourself. Remember to take a coat and gloves with you as you will definitely need them!
This post will take you on a trip around the world to 6 unique winter retirement travel destinations, show you what you can experience at these destinations, along with some other adventures offered there.
Top 6 Unique Winter Retirement Travel Destinations For Couples 50+ You Must See To Believe
Winter retirement travel is fast becoming a popular thing to do. Don’t be an old fuddy-duddy and stick to the beach. See what the world can offer under a blanket of snow. These cold-weather vacations are not for the faint of heart. But, you need to see them to fully grasp their magnificence.
Northern Lights
1 – The aurora borealis better known as the northern lights are a natural phenomenon that is a must-have on your bucket list. The crashing of the sun’s electrons and protons into the earth’s atmosphere creates the luminous beauty of the northern lights. Carried by the solar wind across the milky way these particles are 1+ million degrees Celcius. The earth’s atmosphere is at the freezing mark or below. The combination of these two extreme temperatures creates a marvelous display of colors. The most common colors are pink and green, with all red displays being the rarest.
Aurora borealis means the dawn of the north. Legend has it that the Roman mythology the goddess Aurora (goddess of the dawn) had her warriors light torches around their campfires at night. Hence, this is where the northern lights got their name. The Alaskan Inuit, on the other hand, believed the lights were the spirits of hunted animals.
These lights can be seen at the northern and southernmost points of the earth. Find the best views in North America from Alaska or Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut in Canada. See the spectacle between September and March each year.
Retirement vacation in Iceland
Board a night cruise of Iceland and Ireland in Reykjavik, Iceland. Sail along on one of the inlets to a peaceful and quiet location to see the amazing light show of the aurora borealis. Witness the dancing lights with an irregular oval shape swirl around you.
While in Iceland you can also enjoy:
Visiting any of the many “foss” (the Icelandic word for waterfalls). Gullfoss and Seljalandfoss are two of the most popular waterfalls.
Go whale watching in Akureyri. Humpback whales can be spotted in the island country’s longest fjord – Eyjafjord. Observe from a platform as you cruise along the ocean inlet.
Visit the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier made famous when it erupted in 2010 pushing a plume of smoke halfway across Europe. Jeep tours will take you to the glacier. This stratovolcano lies dormant with a thick layer of ice covering it.
Visit the Mount Helgafell volcano. This is considered sacred land by the locals. Elders believe that climbing to the top without looking back and staying completely silent will afford you 3 wishes granted to you for making this effort. Nothing should ever be killed on this holy land. All creatures who roam the sanctuary are protected.
Ice Hotel
2 – Retirement travel destination #2 is Kirkenes, Finland where you will find the most luxurious ice hotel. Built from frozen water, the ice hotel was born in 2006 in the wilderness of Findland’s arctic north. Be prepared to sleep fully clothed on platform ice beds under fur blankets. This is a fully functional winter resort with many amenities. Plan to travel between December and April to have the best experience. It is important to note there are very few daylight hours in the winter months because of the tilt of the earth’s axis away from the sun. February and March have the most daylight of the winter months.
Other Offerings
The hotel is home to a pack of 180 husky dogs and wild reindeer that graze on the land surrounding the hotel. Learn to mush like a pro on your husky tour. The dogs will take you on fjord trails – long narrow ocean inlets with steep sides, carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, and frozen by the coldest winter weather. Along the trail, you will stop for a picnic around the fire pit before heading back to the hotel.
If you love fishing then the King Crab Winter Safari tour is meant for you. Take a snowmobile ride along the fjord. Carve out a hole in the ice. And, fish for your dinner. Once the group has caught enough crab, you will be treated to a fabulous crab dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort.
Try some snow yoga. Breathe in the crisp air while practicing outside under the clear blue sky, standing in the snow. Inspired by the Sami (Finland’s indigenous people) beliefs that all things have souls including rocks, plants, and animals, snow yoga tells a story of the legend of the cosmic hunt. You can check out more on this amazing retirement vacation adventure by searching http://snowhotelkirkenes.comfor the Snow Hotel Kirkenes.
Glass Igloos
3 – You cannot trek all the way to Finland and not spend at least one night in a glass igloo. Your retirement vacation will not be complete without enjoying the hottest new trend in winter hotel stays. These private igloos are winter’s answer to the grass huts built over the Caribbean ocean at any luxury beach resort.
The rooms are kept below freezing between 20 and 27 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the glass from shattering. Be prepared to sleep with a hat and gloves on, not to mention some warm woolen socks. 😊 The view of the night sky is incredible while you watch for shooting stars or catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis.
This will be a restful vacation as there is little nightlife. But, you will have plenty of time for romance. The resort does have 2 restaurants on-site, along with 5 smoke saunas, and outdoor hot tubs. During the day you can enjoy some cross country skiing and snowmobiling.
Quebec Winter Carnival
4 – Winter Carnival is held in Canada’s oldest city. The Carnaval as the locals call it was established in 1894. It continues to be the largest winter carnival in Canada today. Historically the carnival was meant to give settlers a respite from the harsh winters and provide them with some joy and fun during this time.
Bonhomme is the carnivals mascott. He can be seen leading groups of tourists around town on fat bikes. Find him tubing down the longest and tallest slide at La Guinness. Or, spend the weekend with him in the oldest hotel in Canada – the Chateau Frontenac. Chateau Frontenac is perched high on a cliff overlooking the St Lawerence River.
Enjoy any of the carnival rides and events. You might even be tempted to join a team in the ice canoe races. Five people push a canoe across the frozen St Lawrence River for the coveted prize of being the carnival winner for that year.
Carnival Delicacies
You must take time to experience the flavors of Quebec City.
Make your own maple syrup taffy by pouring hot maple syrup over a bed of ice and snow and rolling it onto a popsicle stick. Simply delightful!
Have a beavertail. This dessert is made from deep-fried dough and smothered with Nutella and topped with bananas. It is to die for.
Caribou is the official drink of Carnaval. This unique blend of mulled wine is served heated in an ice shot glass. The sweet nectar will have you coming back again and again.
Try the poutine. French fries are covered in gravy and topped with cheese curds. In Quebec, they love to eat poutine with boiled hot dogs. Sounds gross, I know… Don’t knock it till you try it.
Ice Caves – Retirement Travel Must
5 – One of winter’s most incredible phenomenon is the ice cave formations on the northern shores of Lake Superior in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada. Created by the combination of high winds and waves, these formations can be outstanding. Some are so large that groups of people can walk through them at one time.
Go see them while they still exist. Sadly, global warming is changing the climate to the point where these formations may no longer happen.
Northern Ontario offers many other adventures. Take the time to cross country skiing or snowshoeing on any of the many trails. Observe wildlife in their natural habitats. See if you can spot a beaver who is still very active even in the dead of winter.
Did you know there are a variety of different snowflakes? Play snowflake bingo to see how many you can identify. All you need is a magnifying glass and your snowflake chart.
Christmas Markets In Germany
6 – Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you must take a trip to one of Germany’s many Christmas markets. You have not lived until you experience the charm, history, and magic of these markets. Most of the markets run from mid-November to just before Christmas (December 22 or 23)
Leipzig Market
Started in 1458, this is the most traditional, medieval market in Germany. Visit one of the more than 250 vendors located in the center square along with the town’s massive Christmas tree. Plan it right and you could be there for the tree lighting ceremony!. Take a ride on the giant ferris wheel also located on the grounds. Enjoy an open-air concert. And, shop till you drop for Christmas decorations, hand-made crafts, and the season’s delicacies.
Baden-Baden
Located in the green corridor along the Lichtentaler Allee, this market is home to more than 100 vendors. The romantic atmosphere makes this the prettiest Christmas market in Germany. Grab one of the many unique and handcrafted nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, or a special gift for a loved one. All this, while the open-air concert plays in the background.
Berlin
Charlottenburg Palace becomes the home of Berlin’s Christmas market each year. Traditional wooden huts surround the palace and fancy light installations adorn the grounds. Choose from an array of crafts from the various vendors. Or, enjoy fine dining in a heated tent. Feast on their famous crepes or munch on the street-side roasted chestnuts.
Tour the palace and walk the grounds once you are done shopping to top off your Berlin Christmas market experience. For younger children, Winterwald is a magical enchanted forest with many rides. During Advent (the 4 weeks prior to Christmas) Gerdarmenmarket in Berlin is host to an arts festival with live theatrical and musical performances as well as installations from local artists.
I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on this magical adventure of unique winter retirement travel destinations for 50+, savor the many experiences of each travel location, along with learning about other things you can do in those countries. Remember, it’s never too early to plan your next vacation!
Please, tell us how you liked these suggestions. Let us know about your own favorite retirement travel place.