The Empty Nest Travel Bucket List: 10 Trips You've Earned
The kids are gone. The house is quiet. Your passport is gathering dust. Let's fix that.
Target Keywords: best vacations for empty nesters, bucket list trips for 60 year olds, travel for empty nesters, retirement bucket list trips
Word Count: ~2,300
Category: Aspirational (Destination Dreams)
Cluster: Cluster 6 — Retirement Travel Planning + Cluster 7 — Destination Guides
Schema: Article, FAQ
There's a moment — and if you've experienced it, you know exactly what I'm talking about — when the last child leaves, the door closes behind them, and the house goes impossibly still.
You might cry. You might open a bottle of wine at 3 p.m. You might stand in their empty bedroom and wonder what you're supposed to do now.
Here's one answer: go somewhere extraordinary.
Because here's the truth nobody tells you about the empty nest: it's not the end of something. It's the beginning of the most unencumbered chapter of your adult life. No school schedules. No soccer carpools. No negotiating restaurant choices with a fourteen-year-old who only wants chicken tenders.
For the first time in decades, you can travel on your terms. Your timeline. Your pace. Your dreams.
And if you've been earning credit card points on groceries, gas, and electric bills for the last ten years — which you probably have — you might be sitting on enough travel currency to fund several of these trips without paying full price.
Here are ten trips worthy of this chapter. Each one is possible with points, achievable on a reasonable timeline, and, most importantly, something you've genuinely earned.
1. The Amalfi Coast, Italy — The Trip You've Seen in Movies
There's a reason every travel magazine on Earth puts the Amalfi Coast on its cover. The cliffside villages, the impossibly blue water, the lemon groves, the pasta that ruins you for every other pasta you'll ever eat — it's all real, and it's even better in person.
Why now: Without kids in tow, you can take the scenic coastal buses at your own pace, linger over four-hour dinners, and stay in smaller boutique hotels perched above the sea. This trip rewards patience and presence — two things empty nesters have in abundance.
The points play: Fly business class to Rome on 60,000–70,000 points through Chase Ultimate Rewards or a transfer to United. Take the train south to Sorrento or Positano. Marriott Bonvoy has several properties along the coast bookable at 40,000–60,000 points per night.
Best time to go: Late May or September — before the summer crowds but after the rain.
2. Portugal's Douro Valley — Wine Country Without the Crowds
If Napa Valley is your happy place, the Douro Valley is its quieter, more beautiful European cousin. Terraced vineyards cascade down to the Douro River. Small family estates pour wines you've never heard of but will never forget. And the entire region moves at a pace that makes you wonder why you ever rushed through anything.
Why now: This trip is made for couples who love great food, great wine, and unhurried days. A river cruise through the Douro is one of the most popular trips in our community — and one of the most points-friendly.
The points play: Fly to Lisbon on points (a direct flight from many US cities), spend a few days exploring the capital, then head north. River cruises can be partially or fully booked using credit card points through travel portals. Several of our members have done this trip for under $500 out of pocket per person.
Best time to go: September through October — harvest season, mild weather, golden light.
3. The Scottish Highlands — Rugged, Romantic, and Timeless
Castles on windswept cliffs. Whisky distilleries older than our country. Lochs so still they look painted. Scotland doesn't try to impress you — it just quietly takes your breath away.
Why now: The Highlands reward travelers who want to explore, not check boxes. Rent a car, drive at your own pace, stop at a village pub for lunch, and pull over whenever the view demands it. This is the antidote to a structured, over-scheduled life.
The points play: Fly into Edinburgh using points — saver awards are frequently available through United or British Airways partners. Hyatt's portfolio includes some excellent Scottish properties, and Marriott has castles (yes, actual castles) bookable on points.
Best time to go: June through August for the longest days, or September for autumn colors and fewer tourists.
4. Kyoto, Japan — The Quiet Side of the World
While Tokyo buzzes, Kyoto whispers. Ancient temples draped in moss. Bamboo forests that make you feel like you've walked into a painting. Tea ceremonies where every movement has meaning. Kyoto is a masterclass in intentional beauty — and after decades of raising children, you've earned a little intentionality.
Why now: Japan is extraordinarily safe, clean, and respectful of older travelers. The country's culture genuinely honors age and experience, and you'll find the country remarkably easy to navigate despite the language difference.
The points play: Business class to Japan through Virgin Atlantic using Chase points is one of the best award redemptions in the world — ANA's business class is legendary. Hyatt has stunning properties in Kyoto, including the Park Hyatt (50,000 points/night for a room that costs $600+).
Best time to go: Late March to mid-April for cherry blossoms. November for autumn foliage.
5. New Zealand — The Adventure That's Gentler Than You Think
Yes, New Zealand is famous for bungee jumping and Lord of the Rings. But it's also a country of extraordinary natural beauty, excellent wine, and a culture that feels like the warmest hug. A road trip through the South Island is one of the most beautiful drives on Earth — and you can do it entirely at your own speed.
Why now: New Zealand caters beautifully to travelers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. The roads are well-maintained, the towns are welcoming, and the pace outside of Auckland is refreshingly slow. Plus, the US-to-NZ flight is long — this is a trip that rewards having the time to recover on the other end.
The points play: Use flexible points through your credit card's travel portal, or transfer to partners like Singapore Airlines or Air New Zealand for the outbound flight. Hotels throughout NZ are bookable through all major loyalty programs.
Best time to go: December through March (New Zealand's summer).
6. Croatia's Dalmatian Coast — The Mediterranean's Best-Kept Secret
Dubrovnik gets all the headlines, but the entire Croatian coast is stunning — ancient walled cities, crystal-clear water, fresh seafood, and prices that make the French Riviera look absurd. Island-hopping by ferry along the Dalmatian Coast is romantic, adventurous, and far more affordable than you'd expect.
Why now: Croatia is becoming more popular every year, but it's still a fraction of the cost of Western Europe. Go before it becomes the next Barcelona.
The points play: Fly into Dubrovnik or Split using United partner awards (often available at saver rates). Hotels are plentiful through Marriott and Hilton programs. Because Croatia is generally affordable, mixing points for flights with cash for hotels can be the smartest strategy.
Best time to go: May, June, or September — warm without the July/August peak crowds.
7. Alaska by Rail and Sea — America's Last Frontier
There's something about Alaska that makes the rest of the world feel small. Glaciers calving into the sea, grizzly bears fishing in rivers, the northern lights dancing above your head — this is nature operating at maximum volume.
Why now: Alaska pairs beautifully with a cruise (which means someone else does the driving and the cooking), and the land-tour-plus-cruise combo lets you see the interior and the coastline. It's a trip that works perfectly for two.
The points play: Alaska cruises can be booked through credit card travel portals using points. Some river and ocean cruise lines are accessible through Capital One or Chase travel portals. Flights to Anchorage or Juneau on Alaska Airlines can be booked through partner award programs.
Best time to go: June through mid-September. Late June and July for the longest days.
8. The Camino de Santiago — Walk Your Way Into What's Next
You don't have to be religious to walk the Camino — and you certainly don't have to walk all 500 miles. Many travelers walk the final 100 kilometers (about a week of gentle walking), which is enough to earn the official certificate and, more importantly, enough to feel like you've accomplished something profound.
Why now: The Camino is, at its core, a journey of transition. People walk it after divorces, retirements, career changes, and — yes — after the kids leave home. Walking 10–15 miles a day with nothing to do but think, talk, and eat is surprisingly restorative.
The points play: Fly into Madrid, take a short domestic flight or train to your starting point, and fly home from Santiago de Compostela. Round-trip flights to Spain are frequently available for 45,000–60,000 points.
Best time to go: May, June, or September — warm but not hot, and the trail isn't overcrowded.
9. South Africa — Safari, Wine, and the Trip of a Lifetime
There is no trip on Earth quite like an African safari. Watching a lion yawn from twenty feet away, seeing a herd of elephants cross a river at sunset, sitting around a fire under the southern stars while someone tells you stories about the bush — it rewires your sense of what's possible.
And South Africa bundles the safari with Cape Town (one of the world's great cities), the Winelands (South Africa's answer to Napa), and the Garden Route (a stunning coastal drive).
Why now: This is the trip people put off for "someday." The nest is empty. Someday is here.
The points play: Business class to Johannesburg is available through partner awards, typically 75,000–90,000 points each way. Hyatt has the gorgeous Park Hyatt Johannesburg and several South African properties. Safari lodges are often best booked with cash or through travel portals.
Best time to go: May through September (South Africa's dry winter — best for wildlife viewing).
10. A Month in Paris — Because You Can
Not a week. Not ten days. A month.
Rent an apartment in the Marais. Go to the same bakery every morning until they recognize you. Learn the rhythm of a neighborhood — the market days, the quiet hours, the café where the espresso is best. Read a book in the Luxembourg Gardens. Take a cooking class. Take another one.
This is the trip that only makes sense when you have time. And for the first time, you do.
Why now: There is a profound difference between visiting Paris and living in Paris, even for a month. The second version is only available to people without school schedules and work deadlines. That's you now.
The points play: Fly business class on points (see our complete guide to flying business class to Europe). For a month-long stay, an apartment rental is usually more cost-effective than hotels — but you can use points for the first few nights while you settle in, then move to a rental. Some members use the Chase Sapphire Reserve's excellent travel protections for long stays.
Best time to go: April through June, or September through October.
The Permission You Didn't Know You Needed
Here's the thing about a bucket list: most people treat it as fiction. Wouldn't it be nice, they think, and then they go back to mowing the lawn.
But you've spent decades putting other people first. You've driven the carpools, paid the tuitions, shown up to every recital and every game. You've earned these trips — not just financially, but cosmically.
And the points sitting in your credit card accounts? They're not Monopoly money. They're real travel currency, earned on groceries and gas and electric bills, quietly accumulating while you were busy raising a family.
It's time to spend them.
If you're not sure what your points are worth — or which of these trips you could realistically take — our free Travel Score quiz will tell you in sixty seconds. You might be surprised how close you already are.
The nest is empty. The world is full. Go see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do I need for a bucket list trip?
It varies by destination and travel style, but most international round-trip flights in economy cost 30,000–60,000 points per person, and business class runs 60,000–120,000 points. Hotels range from 15,000 to 60,000 points per night. A couple could do a 10-day European trip for 150,000–250,000 combined points — which is achievable within 6–12 months of strategic credit card use.
What's the best trip for someone who's never used points before?
Start with something domestic and straightforward — a long weekend at a nice hotel in a city you love, or a short flight to a national park. The logistics are simpler, and you'll build confidence before tackling international bookings. Once you've done it once, the bigger trips feel much less intimidating.
Can I use points for both flights AND hotels on the same trip?
Absolutely. You can use credit card points for flights (through the portal or partner transfers) and hotel loyalty points for accommodations. Many travelers split their points strategically — using flexible points for flights and hotel loyalty points for stays. Our Beginner's Guide explains how to balance the two.
What if my spouse and I have points in different programs?
This is more common than you'd think. You can often combine points within the same program by transferring between household members (Chase allows this between Ultimate Rewards accounts). For programs that don't allow combining, each person can book different parts of the trip — one books the flights, the other books the hotels.
Is it worth getting a new credit card just for a bucket list trip?
Often, yes. A single sign-up bonus from a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred (80,000 points) can cover round-trip flights for one person. If you and your spouse each open one card, that's potentially enough for two round-trip flights to Europe. Our guide to the best travel credit cards for adults 55+ breaks down which cards offer the best return for your specific spending patterns.