Travel for the Grown AF Crowd

In your 20s, travel was about hostels, hangovers, and hustling your luggage up five flights of stairs.

Now? You want a clean room, an aisle seat, and a reason to get excited about leaving the house.

Welcome to Travel for the Grown-AF Crowd—where the vibe is less “Eat, Pray, Party” and more “Eat, Rest, Repeat (and maybe sip something cold with a view).”

Whether you’re 45, 55, or well into your seasoned goddess era, this is your guide to traveling like someone who knows better—and wants more.

Travel tips for real grown-ups

What Makes Travel Different After 45?

Spoiler: It’s not your age. It’s your priorities.

When you’re grown-AF, you travel:

• For restoration, not recognition

• For quality, not clout

• For stories, not selfies (okay… maybe a few selfies)

• For the joy of doing exactly what you want, no apologies

You’re no longer trying to prove anything—you’re trying to experience everything **on your own terms.

Midlife Travel Is a Mindset Shift

Here’s how you know you’ve graduated into the Grown-AF travel tier:

• You’d rather pay extra to fly nonstop than save $100 with a layover in Atlanta.

• You care more about a firm mattress than a rooftop club.

• You no longer feel the need to “see everything.” One good café and a walk will do.

• You pack supplements, earplugs, and backup reading glasses—and that’s called wisdom.

• You know that the best view might be from your own quiet balcony with a glass of wine.

Grown-AF Travel Styles (and Which One Might Be Yours)

You’ve evolved—and so has the way you move through the world.

Here are some popular second-act travel styles to explore:

The Slow Traveler

You value: Depth over speed. You’d rather get to know one town than skim five cities in a week.

Ideal for: People who crave immersion, food, language, and a sense of belonging.

Try:

• Renting a home or apartment for 2+ weeks

• Cooking with local ingredients

• Walking tours, local markets, bookstore cafés

The Luxe-Lite Explorer

You value: Comfort with a side of adventure. You want the charm without the chaos.

Ideal for: Travelers who want something special but not flashy.

Try:

• Boutique hotels with local flair

• Private guides for small group tours

• Wellness resorts with yoga, hiking, or massage menus

  
  

The Off-Grid Soul Searcher

You value: Solitude, nature, and spontaneous magic.

Ideal for: Those seeking reconnection, healing, or just unplugged peace.

Try:

• Solo road trips

• Nature retreats, yurts, cabins

• Stargazing in quiet desert towns or forest enclaves

The Girlfriend Getaway Artist

You value: Connection, laughter, wine, and shared “remember when” moments.

Ideal for: Women’s groups, old friends, sisters, or solo moms needing a recharge.

Try:

• Spa weekends or beach houses

• Creative retreats (writing, painting, vision boarding)

• City adventures with good food and zero pressure

Budget Tips for the Smart, Seasoned Traveler

You’re wise. You’ve worked hard. But if you can save some coin without sacrificing joy? You’re in.

1. Travel midweek. Flights and accommodations are usually cheaper (and quieter).

2. Use credit card points or loyalty programs—you're old enough to game the system.

3. House-sit or pet-sit in exchange for free stays.

4. Pack light. Fewer checked bags = less stress and fewer fees.

5. Book experiences, not just stuff. A local cooking class or jazz club beats souvenirs any day.

What to Pack (and What to Leave Behind)

As the Grown-AF traveler, you don’t pack like an influencer—you pack like a damn genius.

Bring:

- Comfy walking shoes

- Wrinkle-free layers

- A portable charger

- Noise-canceling earbuds

- A travel-sized pharmacy (you already know…)

- Something that makes you feel like *you*—scarf, lipstick, playlist

Leave:

- The pressure to do everything

- High-maintenance shoes

- The guilt for resting

- The expectation that travel has to “change your life”

Sometimes, just breathing in a new place is enough.

Underrated Travel Destinations for the 45+ Crowd

Skip the tourist traps and try something a little more soulful:

Portugal – Affordable, walkable, friendly. Wine. Need we say more?

Charleston, SC – Food, history, and slow Southern charm.

Japan (outside Tokyo) – Tranquility, order, beauty, and clean everything.

Ireland’s West Coast – Storybook cliffs, music, and cozy pubs.

Costa Rica – Jungle meets beach, with wellness and adventure mixed in.

Santa Fe, NM – Art, food, healing energy, and badass desert vibes.

Why You Deserve This

If you're still waiting for a reason to take the trip… here's one:

You’re not behind. You’re becoming.

And travel helps you remember who you are—outside of your routines, your roles, and your zip code.

You don’t have to be young to explore.

You just have to be curious, open, and ready to breathe somewhere new.

Try This: The Grown-AF Travel Vision List

Grab a notebook and write down:

- 3 places you’ve always wanted to go

- 1 type of trip that scares (or deeply excites) you

- A travel experience that would feel like pure joy

- A friend you want to go with—or a solo trip you’d actually love

Now ask: What would it take to make one of these real in the next 12 months?