Gap Years for Retirees

Departing early February 2026

DECADES creates adventures for active retirees who want to explore the world with likeminded others - at their own pace.

No tour buses. No big groups. No rushed schedules. Just freedom, discovery, and the time of your life.

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Your flight leaves in Febuary 2026

  • Lush green rice paddy fields in Vietnam – part of DECADES' gap year for over 50s.

    1 month in Vietnam

    Month 1: Historic Cities & Coastal Charms.

    Hanoi – Wander the atmospheric Old Quarter, savour traditional pho at hidden street-side stalls, and explore Hoan Kiem Lake and its vibrant weekend markets. Jumping off point for Halong Bay & mountain hiking. Sleeper train connection!

    Hội An – Step back in time within the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, cycle through lush rice-paddy landscapes, and sample fresh seafood along the Thu Bồn River. Jumping off point for pristine beaches.

    Ho Chi Minh City – Discover French-colonial architecture in District 1, delve into history at the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels, and relish a buzzing rooftop café scene by night. Jumping off point for the Mekong Delta.

  • Angkor Wat temple at sunrise – part of the DECADES itinerary through South East Asia.

    1 month in Cambodia

    Month 2: Ancient Wonders, Human History & Island Life.

    Phnom Penh Experience vibrant riverside life, uncover Cambodia’s history at the Royal Palace and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and browse bustling night markets.

    Siem Reap – Greet dawn at Angkor Wat, explore serene temple complexes by bicycle, and savour authentic Khmer cuisine in atmospheric local eateries.

    Koh Rong Samloem – Escape to pristine white-sand beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and unwind in a laid-back fishing village with hammocks swinging under swaying palms.

  • Island beach with turquoise water and longtail boats in Thailand, ideal for retirees' travel gap year.

    1 month in Thailand

    Month 3: Temples, Monastery Stay & Countryside.

    Chiang Mai – Explore centuries-old temples in the Old City, learn authentic Thai cooking in a local kitchen, and browse the famous Sunday Walking Street market. Multi day motorcycle adventure!

    Monastery Stay – Midway up the winding route to Pai, immerse yourself in daily meditation sessions, receive morning alms alongside resident monks, and live simply in a serene forest retreat overlooking mist-shrouded hills.

    Pai – Wander laid-back backroads by scooter through rice terraces, bathe in natural hot springs, and watch live folk music at a riverside café as the sun dips behind limestone peaks.

What’s included

  • Beautifully designed, air conditioned, equipped with a dip pool at the least, a well-tooled kitchen with an inviting shared space to relax (and of course - private rooms for solo travellers).

    We choose based on location - you’ll be in each country for a month, with 2-3 stops per country, so it’s important you have access to things to do, from restaurants and places for a nice cocktail, through to all the interesting things you’d expect to find in a town or city (gardens, museums, trips on the water, you name it!) to somewhere you can get a gym membership - we want to help you live, not holiday.

    Everything is designed around that.

    Please note - during multiday adventures or specific cities, accommodation with pools isn’t available but this is the minority of our beautiful homes.

    Sneak peek the kind of accommodation here.

  • Your go-to person for booking excursions, answering questions, and ensuring smooth travel days—always just a call or message away.

  • You’ll get a personalised schedule in advance of each location outlining one organised trip a week. The rest of your time is free for your own adventures and relaxation.

  • Live, travel and explore with a small group of 8 handpicked individuals.

  • You sort your international flights, we do the rest.

    Simply turn up with your backpack and we’ll make sure you get from A to B while you’re with us.

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Here’s how DECADES stacks up

Tired of being herded and rushed in group trips with packed itineraries? Done with queueing to get on and off ships with the 5,000?

Here’s how DECADES is different.

Research conducted in April 2025 - see full report.

An average month with DECADES

Time to Relax 🧘🏽

I arrive, drop my bags, and let the pace shift. The sun warms my face, a book finds its way to my hands, and there's talk of a card game in the cool, quiet of the living area. No plans, no pressure — just space to unwind after the journey. Accommodation sneak peek is here.

Time to Adventure 🏞️

Each week brings something new — a guided hike through hidden trails, a visit to the local market with stories behind every stall, or maybe lending a hand at a community project. Some adventures take you to the postcard views, others off the beaten path.

Time to Immerse 🌞

I find my rhythm here — morning walks, a favourite café, the bartender who remembers my order. Whether it’s 10,000 steps a day or a new yoga class, this place starts to feel familiar. Not just a stay — a real sense of living.

Time to Explore 🥾

Sometimes, I want to go further — so I pack a light bag and head up the coast, or discover a village with stories tucked into every corner. With DECADES, I’m free to follow whatever catches my curiosity.

Time to Connect 🧡

Evenings bring new faces around the table — sharing stories, laughter, or a local bottle of wine. Some connections feel instant, others grow over weeks. Whether it’s a shared excursion or a slow-burn friendship, there’s something powerful about being here, together.

Scenic view of a tropical bay with turquoise water, surrounded by lush green cliffs, featuring long-tail boats and speedboats, with a cloudy sky overhead.

What it costs

Three months. Three countries. One unforgettable chapter — from £697 / week for solo travellers

Includes all of this, so you just need to pack your bags!

🛋️ 3 months of beautiful accommodation

🤸 A personal guide on the ground

🎒 Weekly group adventures, plus time to explore solo

😎 A small, handpicked group of likeminded adventurers

✈️ All of your transfers once abroad

  • Solo Traveller - Own Room

    You like your own space. No problem, we’ll accommodate that!

    -

    Full price = £23,525 pp

    For Founding Members? Better than half price…

    🔑 Founding Member’s Price* = £864 per week (£10,369 pp for all three months)

    *once-in-a-lifetime price

    -

    Apply today with £895 deposit (fully refundable if you don’t get a place).

  • Solo Traveller - Shared Room

    Come solo and share with a new room buddy, (or bring a pal / partner!)

    -

    Full price = £16,465 pp

    For Founding Members? It’s half price…

    🔑 Founding Member’s Price* = £697 per week (£8,364 total)

    *once-in-a-lifetime price

    -

    Apply today with £895 deposit (fully refundable if you don’t get a place).

Join in 3 simple steps

  • Secure your spot with a small deposit (refundable if you don’t get a place). Then check your inbox — you’ll receive a short survey to complete your application. We use this to understand your interests, goals, and travel style, so we can build a thoughtful, likeminded group. That’s why it’s not just a sign-up — it’s an application.

    Once we’ve curated a brilliant mix of people, we’ll let you know if you’ve been offered a place. If not, your deposit comes straight back to you, and we’ll keep your details on file for the next trip. If yes — it’s time to get planning.

  • We’ll send over everything you need: packing tips, visa and vaccination guidance, itinerary dates and locations, plus a peek at your new home. This is where the trip starts to feel real.

  • When the year winds down, it’s time to lay out your shorts and get ready for something new. We’ll let you know who you’re travelling with, where to meet, and what to expect — all before takeoff.

    By early February, it’ll be time to meet your new travel crew (probably at the airport), and get ready to swap grey skies for golden ones. It’s lift-off — your very own mini gap year begins.

Meet the guides

Our travel companions are calm, capable and full of local know-how. They’ll help you settle in, smooth out the logistics, and make each Chapter feel like home — while you focus on the adventure ahead.

 FAQs

  • It’s perfect for retirees or semi-retirees (anyone 50+) looking for a low-stress way to travel the world, challenge themselves and form new friendships. This is about enjoying travel at a slower pace with more meaningful experiences.

  • Activities are typically moderate. You choose which volunteer projects suit your comfort level. No foreign languages required—our guide and local co-ordinators will help navigate any language barriers.

  • Everything is flexible. We try to organise community-driven projects in each region. You can participate as much or as little as you like, typically once a week there’ll be something that we set up for you and occasionally that might be a volunteering opportunity. Find out what you’ll get up to here.

  • We choose villa-style accommodation and have a stringent checklist of: beautiful design, air conditioning, swimming pool, lovely shared space to hang out in and a well-tooled kitchen so you can cook for yourselves if you choose to. It also has to be within reach of a town or city that means you have loads to explore during your month there - from all the things you’d expect like museums, cafés and restaurants, beautiful gardens, as much as a gym for those inclined.

    Couples and friends can share rooms, solo travellers get their own (or can choose to opt for a shared room if they want to!) and our guide also has a private room (sometimes that’ll be with you, sometimes somewhere nearby depending on the accommodation we choose for you).

    Here’s some insight into the beautiful kinds of homes we’ll be looking for.

  • No. You’ll sort your international flights to our destination - that means you can travel how you like, with the airline you prefer and from an airport that works for you.

    Once you’re with us though, we’ll organise all of the internal transport within each region.

    Side trips beyond the set itinerary are at your own cost to give you the freedom to create the trip you want! You can find out more details here.

  • They’re there for you! It’ll be nice and flexible, but they definitely co-ordinate logistics, handle emergencies, and take you on your weekly organised activities. They’re “part-time” in schedule but fully available when you need them, and really just someone on the ground to be there for you every step of the way.

    I’m sure they’d love an invite to your dinner parties!

  • We select places with stable infrastructures, strong tourism track records, and trusted local partners for volunteering. We stay in safer neighbourhoods or towns for extra peace of mind.

  • Since insurance and healthcare are unique to each of us, it’s important that you organise this yourself. We’ll let you know the kind of comprehensive travel insurance you need, but broadly it will need to cover medical emergencies, disruptions, and belongings. We’ll also let you know the common vaccinations for each region.

    Read up on what’s included here.

  • Plenty!

    Generally, we schedule one outing per week. The rest of the time is yours—explore independently, rest, or socialise at your own pace.

    We heard that group tours were leaving you rushed and by half way through, too tired to enjoy it properly… but you’ve got all the time in the world! We designed DECADES to deliberately slow things down, let you immerse and explore at your very own pace.

  • Depending on your nationality, you may need tourist or temporary residence visas. We’ll guide you on what you need, but specifics, including fees, vary by passport.

  • No. We find most travellers prefer the freedom to dine out or cook for themselves. We’ll share the best spots and local markets, but meal costs are your responsibility.

  • Easy, just apply here. You’ll get an email with a link to the application form. Fill it out, be as detailed as you can so we can learn all about you. That helps us create the right group of amazing individuals which has a good balance. Once approved (usually within a few weeks), a first payment guarantees your place, with the remainder paid in instalments before departure.