All Things Travel Podcast
Listen in each week with Wonder and Beyond Travel Co-Owners and destination experts Ryan and Julie.
He is your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She is a Disney-loving, Maryland mom of 3 and a specialist in family travel.
Whether they're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories…it’s always All Things Travel.
All Things Travel Podcast
The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your "Retirement-Moon"
Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they explore "retirement moons" - celebratory trips marking life's next chapter. Learn essential planning tips and discover top destinations for your dream retirement adventure.
What is a Retirement Moon?
A celebratory trip taken at retirement time, growing in popularity as retirees are more active and healthy. It's a reward for decades of work and kickoff to a new lifestyle.
Timing: Plan for a few months after retirement to decompress and handle life transitions.
Budgeting: Decide between splurge vs. sustainable spending. Use retirement gifts, bonuses, and extra time for cost-effective options.
Trip Style: Choose solo, couple, or group travel. Consider adventure vs. relaxation focus.
Health & Insurance: Essential travel insurance and medical prep for international trips.
Length & Pacing: Take advantage of unlimited time off for slower, extended stays.
International
- Italy: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como - perfect for slow-paced cultural immersion
- New Zealand & Australia: Extended stays justify long travel times
- European River Cruises: Stress-free, all-inclusive travel
- Japan: Unique culture and culinary experiences
- South Africa: Multi-week safaris and wine country
Domestic US
- Alaska: Land tours and cruises with extended exploration
- National Parks: Multi-park road trip adventures
- Napa/Sonoma: Wine country relaxation and indulgence
- Florida Keys & Charleston/Savannah: Laid-back Southern charm
Expert Planning Tips
- Book Early: Start planning 1-2 years ahead for best options
- Use Travel Advisors: Professional planning for seamless, personalized trips
- Add Personal Touches: Special dinners, photography sessions, surprise upgrades
- Avoid Over-Planning: Balance structure with flexibility for spontaneous discoveries
Featured: Quincy, Massachusetts
Visit the United States Naval Ship Building Museum and explore the greater Boston area.
Contact Wonder and Beyond Travel
Website: WonderandBeyondTravel.com
Ready to plan your retirement moon? Contact Ryan and Julie for personalized travel planning services.
Keywords: retirement travel, retirement moon, senior travel, Alaska cruises, European river cruises, Italy travel, National Parks road trips, travel planning for retirees
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Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Today we're diving into a growing travel trend that's all about celebrating the next chapter in life, the Retirement Moon. You've heard of honeymoons, baby moons? Well now travelers are marking their retirement with unforgettable adventures, and we're totally here for it.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts, Ryan and Julie. He is your travel professor teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. And I am a Disney loving Maryland mom of three and a specialist in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:All right, Julie, so is this the show where I get to officially announce my retirement? Is that why we're talking about retirement moons? you're gonna gift me a retirement moon.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:This is a continue working moon.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Oh, okay. All right. All right. Sounds good. speaking of that, what are you working on? you are busy, busy, busy, and I love it.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Yeah. So this week, I've booked some universal trips. Epic has people super excited, and at the time of recording it opens tomorrow.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:yes, yes.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:by the time this comes out, it will have been open and Ryan will have been there.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:son and I will have been there. he chose Universal for his 16th birthday trip and it just so happens to line up with Epic opening. his birthday's in January, but I said, let's hold on. Let's not do it over Christmas break. Let's not do it over spring break. Let's wait for Epic to open. And man, I can't wait. I'm sure by the time you're listening to this we will have had an amazing time
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:I am so excited to hear about it because the reviews coming out of Epic, like the previews they've been
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:just been amazing. I haven't heard negative about the park,
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yes.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:hear what you think
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah. So in a co in a couple episodes, we're gonna do a recap of that. Maybe we can even get Caleb on, and just kind of talk about it. So,
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:can give us his point of view. That'd be great. So, lot of universal trips, lot of Disney trips. Halloween party
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep,
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:I've done a couple Europe trips this
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:I've got some Europe trips going on. I've got folks looking at Greece. I've got folks looking at Switzerland. I've got folks looking at Ireland, so I've got some things in the hopper that way. going off of last week's episode, I had somebody reach out. to do a land tour of Alaska. So we're gonna see what we can do there. timeline's a little tight, but we're gonna, we're gonna see if we can make it work,
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Do they wanna go next month?
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:kind of,
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Oh my gosh.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:but that's okay. We're gonna
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:was it the first time they listened to the podcast? Because we do always say to book early.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Alright, Julie, so this idea of Retirement Moon, before we started talking about this, is this something that you had heard of before?
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:I don't think I had heard that phrase. I had seen it, but I hadn't heard that phrase we've all heard of people, traveling a lot after they retire, and that's a big deal.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah. So basically when we're talking about this idea of retirement, moon, that's not a term that we came up with. That's a term that's starting to pop up in travel. it's a celebratory trip that takes place at the time, of retirement. Maybe it's a loan, maybe it's a spouse, maybe it's friends, multi-generational, however you want to do it. one of the reasons it's growing in popularity is when people are retiring, they tend to be more active and healthier, so they're able to extend that travel time. it's a reward for decades of work. There can be more flexibility to take that quote unquote bucket list trip. And we'll talk about several of those today once you have, more timeframe with a retirement. And really for some it's a reset or kind of a kickoff to a new lifestyle. to give you kind of a, for instance, this wasn't a retirement, but it was certainly a transition. When I ended my time at the university to go into travel full time, I was actually going to hike the Camino Trail in Spain with several friends, and that was gonna be my reset now, unfortunately, what was the year that I ended my time at the university?
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:2020.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:It was 2020, so we had plane tickets booked. We were getting all ready to go and that obviously had to change. I liked that idea of a reset.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Before we start talking about retirement moons, if you have not listened to last week's episode, we dive into Alaska. We talk cruising, we talk land tours, and We talk about where you should visit and why it's a lot of fun. we also talk about the top tourist destination or excursion in Alaska. All right, so as we talk about retirement moon considerations, Julie, what are some things we should keep in mind?
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Okay, so first and most important is the timing of when you want to travel. Do you wanna go right after you retire, or you stopped working on a Friday? Are you leaving on Saturday?
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Ooh. Wow.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:the old fashioned. Honeymoon idea
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:huh.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:you think you wanna plan it for a few months later? Most of the clients I work with that plan a trip like this are doing it a couple of months later. because when you retire, there's just a lot to take care of and you want a moment to decompress.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Absolutely take that breath, clean out that stuff, Get some of those projects done around the house and then after you've kind of slowed down a little bit, then take the trip.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:And the next big one is budgeting. do you think that you wanna splurge on this trip, or do you wanna be, a little more sustainable in your travel purchases? you could also consider using some retirement gifts towards the trip, any bonuses or. Savings that you have ready to go. if this is your retirement moon, chances are you've been thinking about it for a while, so you've got a pretty good idea. And I think one of the neat things that can play into the budgeting with this is that you've got more time to spend on the trip. sometimes that can help with your budget, if you can drive somewhere as opposed to having to
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah. Yeah. No, I really like that. The next thing to consider is trip style. Are you looking for an adventure? Do you want to chill and relax? Are you going by yourself? Are you going as a couple? is this a time for you to join like a tour or a group so you can meet people and be social? Or is this a time for your friends and family to go with you? I'm thinking back, episodes Earlier this year, talking about your in-laws and the retirement moon trip you created for them driving down the Pacific Coast. that was not only a time to celebrate retirement, but really a time to reconnect as a couple.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:And experience a lot of adventure. they're actually doing a really similar trip again next year in 2026. But instead of going south from Seattle, they're going north.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Love it.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:still driving.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:The next consideration is health and travel insurance. we recommend travel insurance for everybody, making sure that you're covered, making sure that you have, what you need to feel safe, especially for international trips. And most folks who are retiring, maybe they have some different, medical considerations or, or health considerations, making sure that's all taken care of with your travel insurance and trips to your doctor.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:you definitely have a lot more leeway when you think about the length of your trip. a lot of times these retirement moons are much more of a relaxed style of travel. it's a two bigger, more type. Trip, you're kind of like, oh, you know, I can, I can do what I want. And even if you are going somewhere that in the past you've only been there for a couple of days, this is the trip that you go and you spend a lot more time and have a lot more
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Well,'cause you don't, you don't have that structure of, I have this many days off, or I'm only allowed to take this many days off at a time. So that length of trip and that pacing and comfort can really be different. Julie, let's talk about some of the top destinations for this type of trip. And we're gonna begin with international, well I should say non-US ones'cause I know we certainly have listeners from all around the world. And this first international option, has Julie written all over it.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:It does, and it is Italy. I just really love this because like a lot of countries in Europe, Italy is featured on so many shows and books we see different versions of Italy, from south to north There's so many places to explore. It really lends itself to a retirement moon by, taking that slower pace through Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como. Those destinations aren't super close to each other. So to really be able to spend more time in each, you can have a more relaxed pace experience that food and wine culture over there, I, that just sounds amazing.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:The next one is New Zealand, and I put this on the list primarily because of the travel time that it takes to get to someplace like Australia and New Zealand. most people can't juggle that when it comes to a work schedule. So now's that time, You can take that long trip and when you get there, you can spend the time that you need to see the beautiful scenery. To have that balance of adventure and relaxation New Zealand is ideal for an extended trip and most people couple that with Australia as well.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Right, or even a cruise over in that area would be
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep. Yep. Absolutely.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:next up, I feel like this is the classic retirement moon trip, even though Ryan is already taking these trips because he thinks he's retired. this is a river cruise in Europe. this is such a stress-free way to travel, so much is taken care of for you on these river cruises you board and you just show up where they tell you to show up, right, Ryan?
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep. Absolutely. And it is a great way to see the destination, to travel, to have the pace that you want. And you know, I can go on and on about river cruising, so we will just leave it at that. Next is Japan. Japan is on a lot of people's, I'm gonna travel there someday. And it's because of the fascinating culture. people seeking something different, the food is different, the culture is different. it's a trip like no other.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:And last South Africa. this might be something that you think is Too far away to try to do. You know when you're working, there's so much to do over there. You really do need that length of time, right? Like it takes a
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:there. And then you really need time to do the safari portion of the trip to see the wine country portion. And you may not know this, but there's a lot of luxurious lodges
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yes,
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:that you
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:absolutely.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:on these trips, and it truly makes it that once in a lifetime wishlist trip.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah, I've got two safaris going later this year. groups of adults and one is three weeks and one is over two weeks. I think it's just the idea of needing that space, to make that work. let's talk about some places closer to home. The first, and we're not gonna talk too much about this'cause we did a whole episode about it last week, is. Alaska, either land or cruise. Next is the national parks. the reason I put this on here is because of a road trip. You know, just like you talked about with your in-laws, having the time to drive. To experience, to slow down at your own pace, the national parks and going out west or really going to any region of the United States that have multiple parks just really lends itself to this. And I think a lot of people feel, that urge to see those parks in their country.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Yeah, absolutely. I think this is a very popular retirement moon destination, especially for like a couple generations past. I know my grandparents did a big thing like this, and
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:friends used to do that too.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:next is Napa and Sonoma Wine Country. we've talked about this destination on the show before, relaxation. Maybe a little indulgence. I can actually relax and spend time the way that I want to, and absolutely gorgeous scenery if you're wanting a little more hotter weather. Heading down to the Keys or Charleston and Savannah. And I love these areas because it's just a laid back vibe. There's that nice southern charm the keys, is its own unique universe. And so I, I think it's, you love fishing. You want to see a, a unique part of the United States head down to the keys.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:I feel like that's a place you can go to and get lost for a little bit.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Absolutely. So Julie, before we go on with some tips for planning a retirement moon, I wanna talk about where in the world is all things travel. And when I looked at destinations this week, a new one for us was Quincy, Massachusetts. And as I looked at various things to doing Quincy, obviously it's Part of the greater Boston area. So you have all of that. But a unique place to see in Quincy is the United States Naval Ship Building Museum. And as I look at different exhibits, there's obviously various ships, there's a lot of different, displays and demonstrations I just thought that would be a unique place to see our listener in Quincy So, hey Quincy, we are glad you're listening. Reach out to us. You can do that on Wonder and beyond travel.com'cause we would love to send a little thank you to Quincy, Massachusetts for being featured on today's show. All right, Julie, we have several tips for folks that might want to be booking a retirement moon and to sound like a broken record. What's the very first one?
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:To plan early. This is, I feel like a broken record sometimes when we say this, but it's so true and I think especially for a trip like this because it's something you've probably been thinking about. when you retire you probably have a
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:I know
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yep.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:know has had one and I've got two years left. I've got one year left, six months. So you're also thinking about what you're gonna be doing when you retire. for those people that know that a big trip is coming, they are thinking like, okay, let me get that trip booked now that I've got a year left. that really gives you time to, sink your teeth into the planning and make it the trip that you want it to be.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:I love it What's the second tip?
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Consider your trip with a travel advisor like us because we make your trip seamless. It's personalized to you, and we are here as your support system.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:A couple other things to think about is what are some meaningful touches you could put specifically on this trip because of it being a retirement moon. Maybe it's a special dinner at a restaurant that you want to go to. Maybe it's a photography session or a surprise upgrade for that spouse. Who is retiring? I keep coming back to that trip that your in-laws took and all of the other teachers, putting money together as a gift to pay for that special meal at the resort in San Diego. That to me, that's just a quintessential, example of this. And then lastly, while we're saying plan, plan, plan, plan, don't over plan. This trip should be the antithesis of putting in your time at work, right? You should have freedom, not a checklist. So build that time into relax and really appreciate taking the trip that you have spent your time planning and thinking about.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:Right. I think it's nice to have an idea of things that you could do, but maybe not have them at a set day or time,
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:Yeah.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:trip.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:So as we wrap up here, I think, it's important to keep in mind that a retirement moon is more than just taking a trip later in life. It's a way to honor everything that came before and really kick off that next step, right? with intention adventure and curiosity. So if somebody you love is approaching retirement, let's make this milestone unforgettable. Reach out to your favorite travel advisors and I hope it's us.'cause we're here to help.
j_1_05-21-2025_194246:The world is full of wonder and your next great adventure is waiting at Wonder and Beyond Travel. We work with you to create a one of a kind journey, taking the stress off your plate so you can focus on the joy of exploring and the memories that will stay with you forever. If you're ready to start planning or just want to dream a little bigger, head over to Wonder and beyond travel.com. We'd love to help you get started. You can reach out to us at Wonder and beyond travel.com.
ryan_1_05-21-2025_194247:We look forward to talking to you next week on All Things Travel. When we discuss the summer activities at Walt Disney World.
