The Adventure Gap: The Rise of the Boomerang Adventurer
The Adventure Gap: The Rise of the Boomerang Adventurer
The rise of golden years adventure has prompted new offerings within Post Office life insurance cover to ensure people have their future planned as well as their present
Over 50s are embracing travel
(Image: Getty Images )
The UK's over-50s are embracing adventure like never before, with new research revealing a quarter (25 per cent) consider themselves more adventurous in their 50s than they were in their 20s.
The rise of golden years adventure has prompted new offerings within Post Office life insurance cover to ensure people have their future planned as well as their present.
According to the new research from Post Office, 40 per cent regret not being more daring when they were younger. Now, they're making up for lost time. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of over-50s describe themselves as risk-takers, with men being 10 per cent more likely than women to hold this view (29 per cent v 19 per cent). Bristol tops the list with the highest proportion of over-50s risk-takers (30 per cent), followed by Southampton (28 per cent) and London (27 per cent).
The enthusiasm for new experiences is clear, one in five (17 per cent) of over 50s dream of travelling to North America, with Asia (14 per cent), Africa (9 per cent) and South America (9 per cent) next on the list. Seeing the Northern Lights (32 per cent) is first on the bucket list, followed by going on safari (16 per cent) and learning a new language (16 per cent).
However, the spirit of adventure hasn't always been easy to prioritise. Over half (56 per cent) of those polled have felt unable to be adventurous at certain points in their lives. The most common barriers stopping over-50s from pursuing adventure earlier in life included becoming a parent (27 per cent), suffering a health concern (20 per cent), and buying a house (17 per cent).
Article continues below
Women have been disproportionately affected, with almost a third (32 per cent) saying parenthood put adventure on hold, almost 10 per cent more than men (22 per cent). The caregiving burden was also heavier on women, with nearly one in five women (19 per cent) feeling that their adventure was delayed due to caring for a family member, compared to just over one in 10 men (11 per cent).
50 marks a major milestone when people reclaim adventure. More than one in five (21 per cent) felt turning 50 allowed them to prioritise adventure again if they felt unable to focus on this at a previous point in their life.
However, while many focus on their immediate desires, like adventure, they often overlook the importance of long-term planning. Nearly eight in ten (79 per cent) have invested in home insurance, but fewer take steps to safeguard their future through life insurance, with just 39 per cent having life insurance in place.
Article continues below
This lack of preparation may be linked to the tendency of many over-50s to avoid thinking about negative events in the future. Under half (49 percent) admit to steering clear of such thoughts, with a quarter of them (26 percent) taking it so far as to avoid the topic altogether with no financial plan in place for the future.
Post Office's Paul Paddock said: 'It's fantastic to see the over-50s embracing new experiences and re-seeking adventure. As with any new chapter preparation is key, and we urge everyone to research the different types of life insurance products that are available to them to ensure you have the right life and critical illness cover for you. Having the right life insurance in place means you can enjoy adventurous experiences, without unnecessary worry.'
For further guidance on the importance of life insurance, please visit Post Office life cover guides.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
23 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
The 4 Scottish spots named among the UK's best staycations
The country is home to hundreds of magical islands, gorgeous towns, and expansive regions that are full of things to do. Because of this, prestigious travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller has named four Scottish locations among the best for a staycation in the UK. The spots were listed alongside beloved destinations like Margate in Kent and Anglesey in Wales. Four Scottish locations named among the UK's best staycation spots by Conde Nast Traveller Here are the locations in Scotland named among the best staycation spots in the UK by Conde Nast Traveller. Isle of Arran Isle of Arran (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Discussing the Isle of Arran, Louisa Parker Bowles, global operations director at Vogue, said she and her family had a "magical" week gorge walking, fishing, lobster potting and spotting seals here.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Europe's ‘nowhere place' is a quiet Italian gem with flights from £17
The town sits on the tip of the Adriatic (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Aperitifs at sundown, quaint streets, and Italian sunshine. No, we're not talking about Florence or Tuscany. Hop across the Adriatic from Venice and you'll find Trieste, a unique border town that you've probably never heard of — but one you're going to want to add to your city break list. While Trieste was once forgotten, hidden away in northern Italy and even described as a 'nowhere place', times have changed. Almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste is a melting pot of cultures. The local dialect, according to Lonely Planet is a 'strange melange of Italian, Austrian-German, Croatian and Greek.' Ever since Slovenia's star began to rise, tourism in Trieste has also picked up. There's a thriving food and arts scene, and trendy hotel chain, 25hours, is set to open in the city this year. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. As our favourite review on TripAdvisor says, it's a 'beautiful place both during the day and at night, but it never feels crowded or overrun'. Recently, the FT heaped praise on the city, describing it as 'the comeback kid'. So, if you want to get ahead of the curve, here's everything you need to know about Italy's next big holiday spot. Trieste is influenced by its culturally rich neighbours (Picture: Metro) How to get to Trieste Easily accessible from the UK, Trieste has an airport about 40 minutes outside the city centre. Direct flights run from London Stansted, with one-way Ryanair fares starting from £17 in July (that's based on taking the 7:35am flight on Tuesday, July 8). Best of all, the journey time is two hours. The only downside is that at the moment, direct routes are only operated out of Stansted. You can also fly from Gatwick, but that generally involves stopping in Rome or Krakow. What's the weather like in Trieste? As you'd expect from an Italian city, Trieste has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and colder winters. The best time to visit is during the summer, from June to September. The mercury reaches highs of 30°C in July. Trieste deserves some attention (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61) It's worth keeping in mind that the area often feels the effects of the Bora, a wind that blows from the mountains into the Gulf of Trieste, which on occasion, can get pretty gusty. It's said that locals like the wind because of the intense emotion it sparks; when it's a calm day, they long for it to return. Italians, eh. Where to stay in Trieste Travelling in the shoulder season, in May or October, is a good idea if you want to nab a bargain hotel stay and run into fewer tourists. prices for a 3* hotel, rated 'very good' or above, from £73 per night in September. Things to do in Trieste Any trip to Trieste should start with a wander through the historic centre, which has interesting shops and quaint cafes. This area is also home to the city's top cultural attractions, including the cathedral and the waterfront Piazza Unità d'Italia, which is said to be modelled on Venice's St Mark's. In a way, it might be even more beautiful, and is the largest square overlooking the sea in Europe. Stazione Rogers is an abandoned petrol station that swapped unleaded for aperitifs, and is now a thriving cultural centre. As well as being the perfect place for sundowners overlooking the water (with DJs and live music until 2am) there's also a space for art exhibitions and gigs. The Piazza Unità d'Italia at dusk (Picture: Getty Images) Trieste is proud of its literary heritage; he legendary Irish author James Joyce lived here while writing Ulysses, and you'll spot the plaques signaling his various homes (he was often evicted for refusing to pay rent) across the city. There's a Joyce museum, and the Literature Trieste Museum is also set to open this year. Or, head to a book shop and while away a few hours reading with a coffee. San Marco is a popular spot. For views that stretch across the sea, visit the Faro della Vittoria, a lighthouse which is open to the public (for free). Every October, the Barcolana regatta sees the waters fill up with sailing boats. Tourists should also take a trip to the must-visit fairytale castle, Miramare Castle, which sits atop a rocky cliff. From panoramic views to subterranean marvels, the Grotta Gigante is a vast underground cave about 20 minutes outside of Trieste. One of the chambers, the Grande Caverna, is 98.5m high, and 76.3 m wide. Visitors can take tours all year round. If you have enough time, you can also take a day trip over to Slovenia, and visit Lake Bled, which is less than an hour's drive away. Food and drink in Trieste Don't book a flight to Trieste expecting only to eat pizza and pasta. We know, this is Italy (and of course, you can order it here) but the influences of its surrounding nations have had a big impact on how the Trestines eat. Buffets are a big thing here, a tradition which harks back to when the city was under Austrian rule. Think cured meats, smoked sausages and cheese. It's said you haven't really been to Trieste unless you've indulged at a buffet. Jota is also a popular local dish, essentially a Slovenian soup made with sauerkraut, potatoes, and beans – often with added pancetta. Seafood is also a favourite. You're likely to spot sardine dishes on the menu, but it's always worth asking about the catch of the day. And of course, you can wash your meal down with a grappa – the notorious liqueur which hails from the north of Italy. If alcohol isn't your thing, Trieste is Italy's biggest consumer of coffee (and gets the crown of Italy's 'capital of coffee') with the famous brand, Illy, hailing from the city. But, make sure you know what you're ordering. In Trieste, an espresso is a 'nero' and a cappuccino is a 'cafelatte'. And make sure you ask for it in a glass – locals say it tastes better that way. How expensive is Trieste? According to Budget My Trip, you can expect to spend about £88 per day in Trieste, covering food, drink and activities. Trattoria alla Sorgente, a seafood restaurant popular with locals, lists its price range as around £22 – £44 per person. For the all important buffet, Buffet Da Pepi has been serving hungry customers since 1897. For one person, a mixed charcuterie platter is just €8 (£6.85). Attractions are affordable too. Many are free, and entry to the Miramare Castle, for example, is €12 (£10.30). This article was first published on 22 April 2024 and has been updated. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: Major US fast food chain to open in London Heathrow airport – a European first Arrow MORE: TUI relaunches UK flights to forgotten year-round sunshine destination after 3 years Arrow MORE: I tried to do Cannes on £30 a day – a champagne town on a Fanta budget
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Passenger rebellion brewing? Toddler-style tantrum on BA flight may be just the start
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The man in 12c was angry. The bottle of water and packet of biscuits offered on the journey from London was not hitting the spot. Instead he wanted a sandwich or something hot to eat but this was the last flight of the day and nothing else was available. The tantrum that followed would have embarrassed a two-year-old. I heard it all because I was sitting across the aisle, taking in the whole meltdown which included all the greatest hits – how much he'd paid for his ticket, how better things used to be and how British Airways had gone to the dogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At one point, I thought the woman next to me with a toddler was going to reach across and offer the hangry man a packet of raisins and a rusk to calm him down but she clearly realised he was beyond reason. In the tense atmosphere of a late-running, last flight, everyone else stared at their phone screens or shut their eyes. Packed inside a metal tube for an hour, it would have been a brave traveller indeed who would have voiced what we were all really thinking. 'It's a 60-minute flight and you are about 18 stone – you'll survive.' Flying doesn't appear to be as good as it was in the good old days, according to some (Picture: Tim Graham) | Getty Images Lost largesse I suspect what pushed him to tipping point was not malnutrition but nostalgia. He looked old enough to remember the days when British Airways and British Midland competed on the Scotland route on the basis of largesse. No one thought about the poor staff who had to deliver a full drinks and meal service in about 30 minutes or the vast amount of waste generated by all those unused little sachets of salt and pepper, plus the napkins, plastic knives and forks, and assorted packaging detritus. And all this for a flight shorter than the time it gets from Newhaven to Edinburgh Airport on a tram. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In these leaner, tighter times, the generosity of the catering on short-haul routes is a distant memory but that's really no bad thing. Dishing up 120 trays of chicken chasseur may have worked in the past but today you'd need an extra-wide-bodied jet just to deal with all the dietary requirements and intolerances. On a long-haul flight, that is one thing, but on shorter journeys, what's the point? Chicken chasseur – for some Plus every airport is now packed with catering options where you can pick up enough food for a couple of hours. And if you don't want to spend the GDP of a South American country on a sandwich and crisps from Pret, you can always choose to bring your own. Getting rid of the meal service reduces waste, cuts stress for the staff and also contributes to our national fight against obesity but it does come with a risk, and that is fanning the fires of revolution. At take-off, we are all travellers together. Then the little curtain is pulled across row 10 and it begins. While those of us in economy chew on a biscuit and swig a Lilliputian-sized bottle of water, we can hear the chink of glasses and the warm buzz of alcohol-fuelled conversation. And what's that delicious smell? Could it be chicken chasseur?
