The Ultimate Guide to Long-Stay Travel for Retirees
Are you a retiree looking to escape the cold winter months and explore new destinations at a leisurely pace? Long-stay travel might be the perfect solution for you. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about long-stay travel, from what it is to how to plan your trip, and why it's an excellent option for retirees.
What is Long-Stay Travel?
Long-stay travel involves spending an extended period, typically three weeks or more, in a single destination. Unlike traditional vacations, long-stay travel allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture, explore at your own pace, and enjoy a more relaxed and independent travel experience. Let’s not forget the luxury and convenience of unpacking just once!
"It's a nice way to travel without any worries."
- Jocelyne Plourde
Benefits of Long-Stay Group Travel for Retirees
- Slower Pace: Long-stay travel allows you to take your time and enjoy each moment without the rush of a typical vacation.
- Cultural Immersion: Spend more time getting to know the local culture, customs, and people.
- Flexibility: Plan your days as you wish, whether it's exploring new towns, relaxing by the pool, or enjoying local cuisine. Book tours or a car rental, or not. The choice is yours.
- Social Connections for Couples: Meet and connect with other travellers and locals, forming lasting friendships. Enjoy time with your significant other, but also enjoy time apart if you have different interests!
- Social Connections for solo travellers and inexperienced travellers: Have the comfort of being in a group of other like-minded travellers without a structured itinerary. Know there’s always someone to adventure with or have dinner with, but enjoy as much alone time as you want.
- Travel Support: Enjoy professional travel planning support and services. We are here to answer questions, assist with insurance, book your flights, tours or car rentals. Most importantly, we’re here for you if you have a travel emergency while you are in your destination.
Planning Your Long-Stay Trip
with Love the Way You Travel
Choosing the Right Destination
When selecting a destination for your long-stay trip, consider factors such as climate, activities, and accessibility. Popular destinations for group long stay programs for retirees include:
- Spain: Known for its temperate climate, beautiful beaches, and rich culture.
- Portugal: Offers stunning coastlines, historic towns, and delicious cuisine with a temperate climate.
- Mexico: Boasts beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities with a hot climate in our coldest months.
- Australia: World-class beaches, abundant wildlife, English-language and incredible scenery. Usually quite hot during our cold months.
- Malta: Interesting history and culture paired with stunning landscapes and beaches. Mediterranean climate, warm to hot, but not too hot! It is our destination of choice for 2026!
Photo Credit: Shari Tucker
Group Size and Dynamics
While you can do a long-stay on your own, joining a group long stay combines the pleasure of unpacking once, with the ability to enjoy other like-minded travellers’ company during your vacation.
Our long-stay vacations for seniors usually consist of 15-20 participants and not more than 30. We like to keep groups small enough so that you can get to know everyone. This allows for social interactions while maintaining a relaxed and independent travel experience.
We find that many new friendships are born while getting lost in the tiny streets of Spain or long walks on the beaches of Portugal, or maybe even over dinner, cocktails or a challenging daytime chess game! With 15 - 30 people travelling together, but independently, you’re sure to find others with a variety of interests similar to yours!
Photo Credit: 2025 Group in Spain
Accommodations
Long-stay travel often includes accommodation in self-catering apartments or suites called Aparthotels. This provides the comfort and convenience of a home away from home and a place for you to settle in without having to move every few days. Most Aparthotels include:
- Kitchenette: For preparing meals and snacks. However, it is important to note that kitchens in other countries are not automatically furnished the same as in Canada. You may have a cooktop but no oven, a kettle but no microwave, and you may be using propane instead of electric.
- Bedrooms: Studio, 1, or 2 bedroom apartments are often available at different price ranges, depending on whether you intend to travel alone, with friends or if you’d like family to be able to visit you during your time away, but for shorter periods of time.
- Comfortable Living Space: Unless you are in a studio apartment, there is usually a separate, small living room where you can relax and unwind
- Amenities: Often, there are hotel-style services such as pools, fitness centers, spas and a tour desk or staff to assist with tour planning if you don’t wish to book in advance.
Photo: Accommodations in Mellieha, Malta for 2026
"I found I enjoyed this more than a regular bus tour as it gave me time to do my own thing at my own speed. No hauling out suitcases at 7 am every single day. It was fun getting to know an area."
- Michael Smith
Solo Travelers
Solo travellers are most welcome to join our Group Long Stay Programs, such as Malta in 2026. You can enjoy the company of other travellers and choose if you’d like to have a double occupancy room all to yourself (additional cost), or we can connect you with others who may be interested in cost-sharing. We do not pair anyone up, but we will connect you to a new potential friend, and you can decide if you would like to room together.
Please email Louise to express interest and let her know you are looking for a roommate.
Group Activities and Social Events
Our long-stay programs include a variety of group activities and social events to help you connect with other travellers and enhance your travel experience. These may include:
- Group Transfers: Included from/to the nearest airport based on when the bulk of travellers are arriving.
- Optional Group Tours: Full-day tours to nearby attractions and cities.
- Meet & Greet: A welcome event hosted in Halifax, NS prior to departure, where you can meet your fellow travellers.
- Social Gatherings: Optional group dinners, outings, and other social events, usually self-organized amongst the group while in the destination.
Photo Credit: New friends made on the Spain 2025 Long Stay
Booking Process
To book your long-stay vacation, follow these steps:
- Express Interest: Become a member of our Long Stay Insider’s List to receive more information about upcoming group long stay programs in the coming years.
- Consultation: Contact Louise to discuss your travel preferences and any specific needs.
- Deposit: Pay a deposit to secure your spot in the program.
- Mark your calendar for your trip and start getting excited!
- Final Payment: Make the final payment according to the payment schedule provided.
- Pre-Trip Information: Receive detailed pre-trip information, including assistance with insurance coverage, travel advisories, tourist visas or ETAs and itinerary details.
Photo Credit: Shari Tucker
"DO IT! We had an amazing trip. The entire group clicked really well. We did not do everything together as everyone has different interests but sort of mixed and matched for things we wanted to do and see."
- Lynn Lantz
Additional Costs to Consider
While extended-stay travel can be cost-effective as you won’t be moving from one place to another every few days, there are some additional expenses to budget for:
- Insurance: Essential for covering any unexpected medical or travel issues. Louise can provide quotes and ensure you have coverage for Cancellation, trip interruption & delay, emergency medical & more.
- Meals & Tipping: Budget for groceries and dining out.
- Car Rental: Optional, but can provide flexibility for exploring.
- Tour Options: Book in advance for group tours and excursions if you like to have activities planned and paid for to avoid surprise costs.
- Transportation: Taxis, trains, and other local transportation.
- Local Taxes, Tourist Visas or ETAs: Many destinations require people from other countries to purchase a tourist visa or pay a fee, such as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which grants you access to visit a country. There are also sustainable tourism taxes in many destinations, which are paid to enter the country or paid per person, per accommodation night, collected by the accommodations.
- Vaccines or Medications: Check with a travel health clinic for any required vaccinations or medications. While most destinations don’t have any requirements, travel health is very important. From mosquito-borne illnesses to travelling at altitude, you’ll want to ensure you know what to expect. Don’t forget to have your childhood vaccines up to date! Many destinations have the flu or COVID-19 year-round. Measles is making a comeback with outbreaks around the world. You could step on a nail anywhere, so your tetanus should always be up to date. And, Hepatitis A & B shots protect you worldwide, so it just makes sense to have them!
- E-SIM Card: Consider purchasing an e-SIM card for your cell phone for convenient and affordable internet access during your trip. Ask Louise for recommendations and special discount codes.
Tips for a Sustainable Long-Stay Trip
- Pack Light: Try to pack for one week and do laundry a couple of times. It’s ok to wear the same outfit twice; in fact, we encourage it! By all means, pack a couple of pairs of shoes because you are likely going to do a lot of walking, but leave the heels at home. Especially in Europe, you’re apt to twist an ankle on those cobblestone streets, even if it’s just a short walk to dinner!
- Souvenirs: Shop smart. Don’t be afraid to go back two or three streets from the ‘main drag’. Find those small, hidden-gem stores owned by locals and supporting local artisans. Look for artist co-ops and sustainable or eco-friendly stores. Check where the items are made. If it says ‘Made in China or Sri Lanka,’ look elsewhere! You didn’t go to Malta to buy something made in China! The shops just off the main street are often less busy and more authentic as they don’t have prime tourist frontage! Don’t bring expensive jewelry with you. Need earrings? Buy a handmade pair from a local artist. Support local and take home a souvenir to remember!
- Support the Markets: Market culture in most European destinations is a way of life. Find the local markets. Get to know the farmers, producers and artisans. Try local, in-season foods and know who your money is supporting!
- Dine out: Make a rule that when you are dining out, it has to be somewhere that you don’t have at home and that isn’t a chain. Support local restaurants as they often have the most authentic and most delicious cuisine! You can get Starbucks at home. Take three weeks to enjoy the local brew!
- Don’t be wasteful: Many destinations are struggling with drought these days. Be mindful of your water usage. If you’re going to be out of your apartment all day, turn the air conditioning off. It’ll cool down quickly when you return. No need to waste electricity. And, don’t forget to pack your reusable water bottle and canvas shopping bag. Plastic is a no-no in many destinations, and even if it isn’t yet, no need to contribute to single-use plastic waste!
Photo Credit: Shari Tucker
Ready to Embark on Your Long-Stay Adventure?
Long-stay travel is an excellent option for retirees looking to escape the cold winter months, explore a new destination at a leisurely pace and join others if you don’t want to travel alone. With the flexibility to plan your days as you wish, immerse yourself in the local culture, and enjoy the comforts of a home away from home, extended-stay travel offers a unique and rewarding travel experience.
If you're interested in learning more about long-stay travel opportunities alone or in a group, join our long-stay insiders’ list or contact Louise at for more information. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the world at your own pace.
Happy travels!
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