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April 22, 2026

What Is a Golden Gap Year? And Why Retirees Are Taking Them

A golden gap year is an extended trip of 3-12 months taken in retirement. Here's what it actually involves, who's doing it, and why it's become so popular.

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The Bridge over the River Kwai rebuilt in steel near Kanchanaburi, Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, The Halfway Point: 2 Nights in Bangkok

The trip's halfway mark - the Bridge over the River Kwai, a back-street cycling tour, the plural of Buddha, and three craft beer bars (so far).

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Deserted beach on the unspoilt northern island of Koh Lanta, Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 6: Koh Lanta

Scooter stats that should worry anyone, deserted beaches, playful macaques, Prawn Pad Thai school, and four people on a 110cc tuk tuk.

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Bamboo bridge and sunset views near Pai in northern Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 5: Pai, Hot Springs & a Go at Tie Dye

Pai's hippy roots, a hot spring bath, bamboo rafting through enormous caves, a tie dye session, and a creaky bamboo bridge before heading south.

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Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 4: Monks, Meditation & a Beer in Pai

A Buddhist monastery retreat, some uncomfortable questions about the Taking of Alms, a digital detox, and a well-earned beer in Pai.

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Slow boat on the Mekong river between Luang Prabang and the Thai border

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 3: The Slow Boat & Chiang Mai

A two-day slow boat up the Mekong, a border crossing that tested everyone's patience, and a Chiang Mai week filled with sticky waterfalls, scooter adventures, and a top-ten dinner.

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July 7, 2026

May | Giving Back Doesn't Need a Fixed Address

Phil reflects on how retirement blurs the line between travel and giving back — and why the two don't have to be a choice.

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July 7, 2026

April | Retirement Wasn't What I Expected

This month, Phil challenges the common assumptions about retirement - from boredom to identity to how travel changes.

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Smartphone showing offline travel maps and a passport on a wooden table

April 28, 2026

March | The Travel Tech That's Actually Worth It

On the road and online - Phil asks cyber resilience expert Paul which travel tech is genuinely worth the bother, and which you can happily ignore.

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April 28, 2026

February | Is There a Right Way to ‘Do’ Retirement?

Phil interviews two retired friends from across the pond to find out.

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Campervan parked in front of a lake and mountains

April 28, 2026

January | Retirement Travel Planning: Revolution or Evolution?

Find out how asking "what do I want from travel?" can transform your retirement adventures.

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The Bridge over the River Kwai rebuilt in steel near Kanchanaburi, Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, The Halfway Point: 2 Nights in Bangkok

The trip's halfway mark - the Bridge over the River Kwai, a back-street cycling tour, the plural of Buddha, and three craft beer bars (so far).

Read full post
Deserted beach on the unspoilt northern island of Koh Lanta, Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 6: Koh Lanta

Scooter stats that should worry anyone, deserted beaches, playful macaques, Prawn Pad Thai school, and four people on a 110cc tuk tuk.

Read full post
Bamboo bridge and sunset views near Pai in northern Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 5: Pai, Hot Springs & a Go at Tie Dye

Pai's hippy roots, a hot spring bath, bamboo rafting through enormous caves, a tie dye session, and a creaky bamboo bridge before heading south.

Read full post
Buddhist monastery in the mountains of northern Thailand

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 4: Monks, Meditation & a Beer in Pai

A Buddhist monastery retreat, some uncomfortable questions about the Taking of Alms, a digital detox, and a well-earned beer in Pai.

Read full post
Slow boat on the Mekong river between Luang Prabang and the Thai border

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 3: The Slow Boat & Chiang Mai

A two-day slow boat up the Mekong, a border crossing that tested everyone's patience, and a Chiang Mai week filled with sticky waterfalls, scooter adventures, and a top-ten dinner.

Read full post
The Mekong and Khan rivers meeting at Luang Prabang, Laos

April 28, 2026

Arthur's Diary, Week 2: Luang Prabang

Arthur swaps adventure sports for rice farms, primary school volunteering, stuffed frogs he didn't eat, and a cookery class in Laos' former capital.

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July 16, 2026

How to Start Planning a 3-Month Trip (12-Month Timeline)

A complete 12-month countdown for planning a 3-month trip — what to book, arrange and decide at every stage, from the first big decisions to departure day.

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July 15, 2026

Visa and Logistics Guide for a Retirement Gap Year

Everything UK passport holders need to know about visas, flights, accommodation, banking, and logistics for a three-month retirement gap year — by destination.

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July 8, 2026

Gap Year for Retirees: Complete Packing and Preparation Checklist

The complete packing and preparation checklist for a three-month retirement gap year — covering documents, medication, clothing, technology, and everything you need to sort at home before you leave.

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May 20, 2026

Gap Year for Over 50s: The Ultimate Getting Started Guide

New to the idea of a gap year over 50? Here’s everything you need to know to get started - costs, planning, options, and common concerns addressed.

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May 13, 2026

How Much Does a Golden Gap Year Cost? A Complete Budget Guide

A realistic budget breakdown for a golden gap year - by destination, travel style, and the hidden costs most people miss. Real numbers, not vague estimates.

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May 6, 2026

How to Take a Gap Year at 60: A Step-by-Step Planning Guide

A 12-month planning timeline for taking a gap year at 60 - what to do, when to do it, and the decisions that matter most.

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June 17, 2026

Solo vs Organised Group: Which Is Right for Your Retirement Gap Year?

Solo or organised group? A practical comparison for retirement gap year travellers - covering cost, freedom, social connection, and who each format actually suits.

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May 27, 2026

Best Gap Year Destinations for Retirees in 2026

The best gap year destinations for retirees in 2026, evaluated on what actually matters: cost, healthcare, visas, safety, and the quality of the long-stay experience.

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Find out why staying longer - not travelling further - is the secret to more meaningful travel in your 50s and 60s.

April 28, 2026

Extended Travel Ideas for Your 50s and 60s — From South America to Southeast Asia

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View of an inner city park with lake

March 10, 2026

The Safest and Most Liveable South American Cities for a 1–3 Month Stay

Find out which South American cities are best suited for longer stays of one to three months...

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two retirees wearing raincoats

March 10, 2026

How Much Does It Cost to Travel in South East Asia for 3 Months? A Monthly Budget Guide

How to Budget for 3 Months in South East Asia...

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Laura Cannon, founder of DECADES Gap Years for Retirees

June 17, 2026

How to Prepare for a Long Trip: Why the Holiday Mindset Is the Wrong Starting Point

Multi-month travel isn't a holiday. Pioneers who prepared for what it actually is had a better time. Here's a practical framework to do it properly before you leave.

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July 1, 2026

What Happens After a Gap Year? Returning Home and What Comes Next

What actually happens when you come home from a retirement gap year — the adjustment, the identity shift, and what most people change afterwards.

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June 24, 2026

The Grey Gap Year: Why Your 60s Are the Perfect Time to Travel

Your 60s are the ideal decade for a golden gap year — here’s why the combination of health, finances, freedom, and psychological readiness won’t be better later.

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June 10, 2026

How to Tell Your Family You’re Taking a Retirement Gap Year

How to have the conversation with your family about taking a retirement gap year - what they’re really worried about, and how to navigate it well.

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June 3, 2026

Overcoming the Fear of Taking a Gap Year in Retirement

The real fears that stop retirees from taking a gap year - health, money, loneliness, family, age - and what actually helps you work through them.

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April 22, 2026

10 Signs a Retirement Gap Year Is Right for You

Not everyone should take a retirement gap year. Here are 10 honest signs it’s right for you - and what to do if it isn’t.

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