How to Plan a Bucket List Vacation

Expert tips to help make your dream trip a reality

couple looking at a laptop with a map on a table

Planning a bucket list trip? Consult the people you’ll travel with to help you narrow down where to go and what to do.

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Kimberley Lovato,

AARP

En español

Published July 22, 2024

An AARP survey found that travelers in their 50s (75 percent) are more likely to have a travel bucket list, compared with older respondents. Health issues (21 percent), travel costs (15 percent) and global unrest (13 percent) are reasons many of these trips don’t get taken.

Though some people don’t mind the heavy lifting of a big trip, the myriad moving parts, unknowns and high expectations can get in the way when planning a trip.

To keep your checklist on track, here are tips from travel experts to help turn your bucket list dreams into reality.

Write it down

Lucy McClelland, associate vice president of participant experience at Road Scholar, a nonprofit tour company that caters to travelers over 50, says a poll conducted on their Facebook page found more than a quarter of respondents have a physical wish list, and more than 130,000 travelers have created Wishlists (a bucket list-type itinerary) on the company’s website.

woman sitting on a couch writing in a notebook

When planning a bucket list trip, start by writing down the destinations and activities that interest you the most.

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“It can get really overwhelming to think about all the places there are in the world that we’d like to see,” McClelland says. “Having a physical wish list can help you narrow in on your highest-priority destinations, which can make completing that list more achievable.”

Karla Graves, 56, says her wish list is divided into North America and international destinations. She’s booked for 2024 and moving forward with plans for next year.

“I love to travel and can be easily swayed into going just about anywhere,” Graves says. “The list helps me focus on the trips that are the most important or meaningful for me.”

Understand the why

Though most people have a destination in mind, understanding a traveler’s deeper motives is helpful, says Amie O’Shaughnessy, CEO of Ciao Bambino!, a travel agency that specializes in multigenerational trips.

“We want to know the why,” she says. “What’s at the heart of a decision? Is it to see famous sites? Friendship or family bonding? Rest and rejuvenation? When a client can identify their emotional motivators, it makes it easier to meet and exceed expectations.”

McClelland notes a group of veterans who took a trip to Normandy with Road Scholar last year. “It was a really special experience — a lifelong dream for many of them, particularly those who had relatives who had fought there.”

Think ahead

Travel is busier than ever, and big trips require at least a year to arrange if you’re planning experiences and hotels in popular places, O’Shaughnessy says. Destinations with more limited flight inventory should also be planned well ahead of time.

McClelland says tour participants typically enroll in domestic programs about seven months out and international ones even further. If traveling solo on a group tour (about 25 to 30 percent of Road Scholar travelers do), McClelland says to book early to secure a spot.

What about spontaneity? “Sometimes last-minute planning means deals and can provide some benefits,” O’Shaughnessy says. “This is where a great travel adviser is helpful as they have their eyes on the market and can provide intel that you won’t have access to.”

Talk about your vacation wishes

Opinions on what makes a good vacation are as varied as destinations to choose from. To avoid disappointment and conflict, O’Shaughnessy recommends sitting down with your travel companions and identifying trip desires and goals. She says river cruising and large resorts are particularly good formats for multigenerational and diverse groups because they tend to offer something for all ages and stages.

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“Travelers can divide and conquer during the day, finding activities and excursions that suit their specific interests and abilities,” she says, “then meet up in one place to enjoy dinner and share stories each night.”

Consider accessibility

McClelland encourages travelers with accessibility needs to do their research on destinations regarding elevation, whether a city has a lot of hills or cobblestones and if a hotel has elevator access.

“Over the years, we’ve seen lots of people pick a destination or program that’s beyond their physical limitations, which can make the trip not very enjoyable for them and for those they’re traveling with,” she says.

Bring a budget and flexibility to the planning table

Though inflation may be starting to cool, travel prices are still higher than they were before the pandemic. The latest AARP travel survey found about half of respondents said they will spend more on travel this year.

“The important thing is to pick a budget you’re comfortable with and set expectations accordingly,” O’Shaughnessy says.

left: couple looking at a river in Slovenia; right: mountains in Switzerland

On a budget? Slovenia (left) is a less expensive option than Switzerland (right) for travelers who want to see mountains.

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If you’re looking to save money on your dream trip, consider a destination dupe. For example, if an Alpine vacation is on the list, O’Shaughnessy says she might suggest Slovenia, a country with mesmerizing mountain scenery and outdoor recreation but without Switzerland’s price tag. Traveling outside the high season usually translates to lower hotel prices, cheaper flights and fewer crowds.

“If you’re open-minded and flexible, you could be pleasantly surprised,” O’Shaughnessy says.

Manage the minutia

Even when the tickets are booked, important decisions trail in the wake, from buying travel insurance to researching vaccines to up-to-date passport and visa eligibility. In 2025, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require passport holders from more than 60 visa-exempt countries to apply for approval to enter 30 European countries.

Having an adviser help corral the small details while offering expert guidance on bigger choices can leave you more time for the fun stuff, such as shopping for the vacation wardrobe.

“I’m a seasoned traveler, so I know the ropes, but I like using a travel planner simply because that piece takes time,” Graves says. “I’d rather spend mine doing something else.”

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A Sausalito, California–based freelance travel writer, Kimberley Lovato has contributed to numerous publications, including Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler and Virtuoso Life.