6 Travel Ideas for Christian Couples in Their Retirement Years

Do you, as a couple, have a favorite television show? Perhaps you enjoy cuddling on the couch with an old television show from the '60s or '70s. To relieve that part of your youth, make plans to visit the locations where your favorite television shows or movies were filmed. Even if a more recent show has been filmed in a remote location that is hard to get to, plan to see the surroundings that allowed your favorite television show or movie to come to be.

You may be surprised to find that the place where it was filmed is much smaller or less exciting than you thought. There can be a whole new world to explore.

Plan to take a picture of the spot where your favorite characters first kissed or had a tragic accident that resulted in their demise. Whatever you decide, make it a time filled with creativity and fond memories of your favorite episodes or scenes from television shows and movies.

When you get home, make an album of your favorite pictures from your time away. Then, when you watch television or a movie, discuss what it was like to be there in real life. You can even rekindle your romance like the characters do on TV as you seek to learn more about the settings of your favorite pastime.

Most people choose to spend time with their families during family vacations. Now, with extra time on your hands, you can venture out to visit distant relatives for an extended period. If you have aunts and uncles living in a distant city, consider spending a few weeks or months with them. If you don't feel comfortable staying at their home for that long, consider renting an RV or other vehicle that you can park in their driveway or nearby.

This is a great way to keep your space and maintain some independence while spending quality time with loved ones. This is especially beneficial if you have distant relatives who are growing older, and you know they will not be around forever. It's a great way to spend time with those you love and create fun memories with family that you can cherish even after they're gone.

As Christian couples, one activity you can do together is to read your Bible. Wouldn't it be great to see some of the places the Bible speaks about? Wouldn't you love to walk the same path Jesus walked on the Road to Emmaus, or visit Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem?

Perhaps you would like to visit other places, such as Macedonia or Malta, to imitate Paul's journey, who was a missionary who experienced healing and other incredible miracles. Even if you don't witness personal miracles, you can be a part of history as you walk the same trail Jesus walked and see the places where Jesus once ministered. It will bring you closer to Jesus like never before and bring to life the same Bible passages you've read for many years.

Pretend you are one of the twelve disciples and put yourself in the same places where they were. Read the Bible passage while you're there and experience it in real time. Evangelize to the people, preach the gospel, and ask God to do miracles. You may be surprised to find he wants to do a miracle in and through you in the same place where Jesus invited his twelve disciples to do the same.

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As a couple, there's no better way to bond than to travel together on a mission to spread the gospel to others. If your church offers a mission trip, consider incorporating it into your travel plans. Commit to going as a couple to minister together. Third-world countries that need the Lord will transform your understanding of what life truly is and how to obtain happiness in a way that the United States and Canada never experience.

Imagine providing supplies to kids in need of a good education or even basic supplies like water and food. It can be an incredible moment for you as a couple to lay hands on leaders who have recently converted and are subject to immense persecution. You may also witness God do great miracles in those countries where people have risked their lives to follow Jesus.

Pray together and see if a mission trip is right for you. Even if your church is not involved in missions, consider partnering with another church or organization that regularly supports missions. Even if you feel, due to health challenges, that you cannot make a trip to a third-world country, consider one closer to home. Sometimes churches will sponsor trips within the United States to places that are particularly impoverished or in need of help with renovating a building that serves their community.

Assess what you can do as a couple and ask if there are any places for you to serve. Organizations are always looking for willing hands and hearts who can easily perform tasks like handing out food or water, or teaching children. Mission trips do not have to be labor-intensive, which can take a toll on your physical body. There are many ways you can serve on the mission trip that will not strain your body and cause health challenges to become an issue.

Whatever you do, don't dismiss a mission trip simply because it involves young people. Simply because you're not as youthful or agile as your younger counterparts does not mean you can't serve the Lord. The Lord honors all our work regardless of our abilities. Ask the Lord to send you to a place where you can do great things in his name. Be blessed as you see God at work.

As a part of your travel plans, assess your cultural background. You may know where some of your ancestors originated, but you may not know everything about them. Take a DNA test to discover your ancestry and where you come from. Then, plan a trip to visit the sites where your ancestors originated. For example, if you are of French and Italian descent, consider taking a trip to Europe to visit both Italy and France. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of your culture.

You can utilize an app like Duolingo or other foreign language teaching computer programs, such as Rosetta Stone. Learning the language will fully immerse you in your culture. As you read menus and speak to the local inhabitants, it will be a rich and rewarding experience as you learn more about your heritage and your spouse's cultural background.

If possible, bring other family members, especially young ones who are not familiar with their culture. This will be a truly immersive experience, as you will have the opportunity to share part of your heritage with your family. Make sure kids and grandkids have plenty to do and allow them to be a part of this exceptional family experience.

If you want to enjoy your vacation as you do your retirement and take advantage of the extra time you have left, consider spending some lazy days at the beach. Make time in your schedule to lounge by the pool, play games with each other or friends, and seek out opportunities to make new friends and get to know others. Retirement is a great time to slow down and enjoy the world a little more. During your working years, it is challenging to find time to experience the world honestly and appreciate it for the wonderful place it is.

However, in retirement, you can do so much more by simply making the time for it. Make the beach the place for you to relax and enjoy each other's company. Travel and explore the nearby areas near the coast to see some extra sights, but don't put too much emphasis on having a vacation that's rapidly paced.

Retirement is an excellent opportunity to see the world, learn more about your heritage, and spend some lazy days in a new place you have not yet explored. Whether you choose to hop around from place to place or spend some lazy days by the pool, retirement proves that the world can be your oyster. Take some time to plan accordingly, and you may have an excellent opportunity to explore the world, spend quality time with your family, and learn more about your heritage and the world.