Many women imagine retirement as a time for more freedom, flexibility, and adventure. Maybe you've always dreamed of wandering through Italy, taking a river cruise through Europe, exploring national parks, or spending a month in a coastal town you've never visited before.
And for some women…those plans include traveling solo.
Solo travel can be incredibly rewarding. It offers independence, spontaneity, and the chance to experience the world entirely on your own terms.
But if your retirement vision depends heavily on traveling alone, it's worth testing that idea now instead of assuming you'll love it later.
Try a Retirement-Style Trip Before Retirement Arrives
One of the easiest ways to test your ideas is to create a smaller version of your future plans. Instead of your usual vacation, try planning a trip that more closely reflects how you imagine traveling in retirement. Go on your own, stay a little longer than you normally would, and take full responsibility for the planning. Spend your days the way you picture doing later on and give yourself the space to experience both the excitement and the challenges that come with it.
As you go, pay attention to what feels good and what doesn’t. You might find that you love the freedom and flexibility, or you may realize you miss having someone to share moments with. Notice how you feel dining alone, navigating new places, and filling your time without a set schedule. You may also discover that a mix of independence and structure, like adding a group tour or guided activity, feels like the right balance.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your test trip:
- Choose a destination that feels slightly outside your comfort zone, but still manageable
- Plan a mix of structured activities and open time to see what you prefer
- Keep a simple journal or notes on what you enjoy and what you’d change
- Set a realistic budget to better understand future travel costs
- Stay flexible and give yourself permission to adjust plans as you go
These kinds of experiences can teach you far more than any article or travel guide ever could.
Test the Budget Too
There’s another big benefit to trying this now: you get a clearer picture of the financial side.
It’s easy to estimate travel costs in theory, but real-life experience tells a much more accurate story.
- What does a month of solo travel actually cost?
- How do flights, accommodations, meals, transportation, excursions, and insurance add up?
- What level of comfort feels worth it to you?
- Where would you happily spend more, and where would you rather save?
Trying this now can help you build a much more realistic retirement plan later. You might find your travel goals are more affordable than you expected or you may decide you’d like a little more flexibility in your budget.
Either way, it gives you really helpful insight you can actually use as you plan for retirement. When you have a better sense of what your ideal travel lifestyle might cost, it’s a lot easier to make smart decisions, like how much you want to save, when you might be able to retire, and how you’ll structure your income along the way.
Solo Doesn’t Have to Mean Alone
It’s easy to think of retirement travel as either completely solo or entirely with a partner, but in reality, there’s a lot of middle ground…and that’s where many women find what works best for them.
You might enjoy traveling independently, but still appreciate the structure and social aspect of joining a group tour for part of your trip. Or maybe you’d rather plan a getaway with a friend, sibling, or even an adult child so you can share the experience without giving up all your independence. Some women find a nice rhythm by mixing solo time with shared activities, giving them both flexibility and connection.
If you’re not sure what your ideal balance looks like, try experimenting with different approaches now.
- Plan a short solo trip and add a guided excursion or invite a friend along for part of your trip and spend the rest on your own.
- Pay attention to how you feel: do you enjoy having built-in companionship, or do you crave more alone time?
There’s no right answer, and your preferences may even change over time. The beauty of retirement is that you get to design travel around what feels most enjoyable and energizing for you, not anyone else’s schedule.
Your Retirement Vision Deserves a Test Drive
Retirement planning often focuses on numbers, and while finances are important, how you actually want to spend your time matters just as much. The clearer you are about your lifestyle goals, the easier it becomes to build a financial plan that truly supports them.
It’s also okay to prioritize what you want, even if it looks different from what others expect or choose. Taking time to explore your own interests, including solo travel, isn’t selfish; it’s a meaningful way to honor this next chapter of your life. If solo travel is part of your vision, consider giving it a try now. You might discover that you absolutely love it, or you might find small ways to adjust your plans so they feel even better. Either way, you’ll head into retirement with something far more valuable than assumptions: confidence in choices that truly reflect you.
Wondering about your travel budget now and later? That’s where we can help. If you’re starting to think about what retirement could look like for you, we’d love to help you move forward with clarity.
Schedule a conversation today to get started!