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Sam McLoughlin October 24, 2025

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ExploreMany of us have grand travel plans for retirement. For some, it’s a culture-filled journey around the Mediterranean, while others dream of trekking through Patagonia’s otherworldly landscapes.

But you don’t need to wait until the end of your career to satisfy your big-trip aspirations.

More people are embracing ‘micro-retirements’ to fulfil their travel dreams now, instead of deferring them until later in life. Whether it’s a three-month escape or a midlife gap year, the idea is simple: why wait when you can go today?

To help you reimagine your travel timeline, we’ve teamed up with small group tour specialists Explore to bring you five reasons to pack your bags sooner and tips on where to go.

Right now, Explore is offering 5% off each trip when you book two or more small group tours that depart within a month of each other with promo code EXTEND5. It’s a great choice for micro-retirees who are keen to make the most of their long-haul flight, join up two neighbouring countries, or extend their escape for a longer, more immersive adventure.

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What is micro-retirement?

What is micro-retirement

Micro-retirement is an emerging lifestyle trend that challenges the conventional career arc. Rather than saving all your freedom for traditional retirement, it involves taking intentional, extended breaks throughout your working life – whether that’s three months, six months, or years at a time.

Unlike company-sponsored sabbaticals or other types of paid leave, micro-retirements are typically self-funded, meaning they might not be possible for everyone and should be considered carefully. But they can be very rewarding if you’re in the position to take one.

People use these breaks differently. Some prioritise rest and reconnection with loved ones, while others pursue passion projects, learn new skills, or explore creative goals. But new research from Explore suggests that travel is the biggest motivator for nearly half (48%) of Brits considering extended time off work.

It’s easy to see why having months (instead of days or weeks) is so appealing to travellers. You can really take your time, immersing yourself in exciting cultures and new experiences – whether strolling through a Sicilian village, taking that slow train through Cambodia, or really understanding what daily life feels like in Tokyo.

5 reasons to take that dream trip sooner with a micro-retirement

5 reasons to take that dream trip sooner with a micro-retirement

If you dream of exploring the world but are unsure whether to wait for retirement, here are five reasons to set off sooner.

1. Make and foster lifelong connections

One of the best things about travel is that it connects us with people we wouldn’t otherwise meet – from welcoming locals to fellow travellers. Experts even say we tend to be more open-minded and willing to form deep connections when we’re travelling because we’re typically in high spirits.

Take Francesca Williams, a Senior Lifestyle writer at Rest Less, for example. She regularly sets off as a solo traveller on small group tours, and counts the friendships she’s made along the way as one of the most rewarding aspects of travel.

“During my trips to South America, Vietnam, and the Philippines, I made four wonderful friends who I am confident will be friends for life,” Francesca says. “I’ve always noticed a profound sense of togetherness when meeting people travelling. The fact that you’re all there for the same reason, wanting to discover more of the world, bonds you together in a really unique way.”

Even if meeting new people isn’t a priority, sharing new experiences with friends or partners while travelling can bring us closer together. For example, 61% of couples surveyed by Talker Research in 2024 said that a specific trip ‘reignited’ their romance.

The connections we make while travelling can continue to enrich our lives long after we arrive home – and exploring the world with loved ones means making memories we can share for years to come. So why put off travelling until retirement?

2. Avoid or prevent burnout

Attitudes towards work are changing. More people are realising that careers don’t need to come at the expense of health and happiness, and are looking for ways to create a better work-life balance. As a result, micro-retirements have emerged as a unique and effective way to prevent and recover from workplace burnout.

Unlike short stints of annual leave, which often aren’t enough to truly disconnect, micro-retirements offer us the time and space to fully recharge, psychologist and careers expert Dr George Sik tells the Metro. And while some choose to spend micro-retirements at home, travelling can be especially restorative.

When I spent three months travelling Australia and New Zealand back in 2023, I found that being somewhere totally removed from my daily life helped me switch off like never before. At home, our minds might be more tempted to check job boards, scroll through LinkedIn, or tinker with our CVs. But it’s easy to cast these things from your mind when you’re bobbing on a catamaran in the Whitsunday Islands or hiking through snow-capped peaks in the Southern Alps.

And despite filling my time away with exciting experiences, I returned to work feeling rested and restored, with renewed enthusiasm and motivation.

Avoid or prevent burnout

3. Experience personal growth

Exploring the world can expand our minds and help us grow in many ways. If you’ve travelled much before, you’ll probably know this inherently, but it’s also backed up by research.

Whether tasting exotic dishes or trying new activities, travelling can take us out of our comfort zones, making us more confident and adaptable. Experiencing different cultures and ways of thinking can build creativity. And dealing with new situations – from navigating unfamiliar city streets to learning languages – can keep our brains sharp.

The growth we gain from travelling can continue serving us long after our micro-retirement is over, both personally and professionally. With that said, it makes sense to seek out these benefits sooner rather than later.

4. Access fresh perspectives

“One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

– Henry Miller

Distance has a way of making things clearer. When we’re caught up in daily routines, reflecting on our lives can be challenging. But travel can give us time and space to properly consider what we want.

However, it’s not all about distance. When we travel, we encounter new ways of living and thinking, which can offer us fresh perspectives on home. Maybe you’ll find a renewed appreciation for the life you have or discover a fresh sense of purpose that leads to a career change.

Who knows, you might even decide not to return to a conventional nine-to-five at all. Take Izzy and Phil Kelly, who took career breaks just before their 50th birthdays to travel around Europe in a motorhome. After falling in love with life on the road, Izzy retrained and launched the blog The Gap Decaders, earning income to continue their travels indefinitely.

So, if you’re feeling a little lost or stuck, micro-retirement travel could be just what you need to shake loose from your funk and decide what you want from your next life chapter.

Access fresh perspectives

5. Do it while you can

In many cases, people can enjoy travelling well into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Famously, Australian Keith Wright (also known as ‘the world’s oldest backpacker’) began exploring the world at 85 after his wife passed away, and he continued adventuring well into his 90s.

But unfortunately, we can’t know what the future holds – and the older we get, the more likely we’ll experience illness and mobility issues that could prevent us from fulfilling our travel aspirations.

Even if health issues don’t stop us from setting off, they could make things more challenging or expensive – for example, later in life, we may need to pay for things like accessible accommodation or extra transportation.

But it’s not all about health. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we don’t know what’s around the corner and life can change in an instant. With this in mind, you might want to consider taking your dream trip now, instead of postponing it to an uncertain future.

6 enriching destinations for micro-retirement travel

6 enriching destinations for micro-retirement travel

Some of us have one or two places we’ve been dreaming of visiting for years, which can make choosing a micro-retirement destination easier.

But if you need some inspiration, why not take Explore’s quiz to match you up with your perfect destination? One lucky participant will also win a £5,000 Explore voucher to help turn that dream trip into a reality.

Take the quiz

Or check out some popular destinations below…

Japan

From spring cherry blossoms and ornate Buddhist temples to bullet trains and neon-lit skyscrapers, Japan has something for every traveller. It’s especially suited to anyone seeking rich cultural immersion, whether that’s through the fabulous cuisine, unique heritage, impressive art scene, or all of the above.

Botswana

For those seeking wildlife encounters, we can think of few better destinations than Botswana. In lush habitats like Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, you can spot some of the world’s most astonishing animals (including Africa’s ‘Big Five’). Incredible natural wonders like Victoria Falls and the Makgadikgadi salt pan also beckon.

Albania

Albania

It’s easy to see why Albania is one of the world’s most up-and-coming travel destinations. From glorious white-sand beaches and pretty coastal towns to mouthwatering food and fascinating history, this hidden gem offers everything we love about the Mediterranean – only with a reduced price tag.

Sri Lanka

Though barely half the size of England, this tropical oasis is dazzlingly diverse. Fertile valleys, jungle-clad mountains, and palm-fringed beaches form a landscape of ever-changing beauty. Highlights include leopard and elephant spotting at Yala National Park, exploring heritage sites like the soaring Sigiriya rock fortress, and savouring tea as the sun sets over rolling plantations.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Home to pristine beaches, bubbling hot springs, misty cloud forests, and brooding volcanoes, Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes are what first draw travellers in. Add to that the remarkable wildlife – from slinking jaguars to iridescent birdlife – and it’s easy to see the allure.

But what truly keeps visitors enchanted is the nation’s “pura vida” (“pure life”) philosophy: an infectious outlook of positivity, wellbeing, and community. It helps make Costa Rica the perfect setting for a restorative micro-retirement.

Vietnam

Often associated with student gap years, Vietnam is also a great micro-retirement destination. Exploring this long, curving country, you’ll discover mesmerising rice terraces shrouded in mist, towering limestone islands rising from glittering emerald bays, ancient Hindu temples half reclaimed by jungle – and much more.

Vietnam is also home to one of the world’s best (and cheapest) culinary scenes. So, whether you’re in the mood for a warming pho or crunchy bánh mì, fantastic flavours are never far away.

Final thoughts…

The more we think about it, the more sense micro-retirement travel makes. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to put life on hold until traditional retirement – and that our next big adventure could be just around the corner.

Micro-retirement isn’t about escaping life, but enriching it. Whether it’s six weeks in Albania or six months in Southeast Asia, taking an extended travel break can spark fresh perspectives, deep connections, rekindled creativity – and even help prevent burnout.

To help you set off on your micro-retirement adventure, Explore is offering 5% off each trip when you book two or more small group tours that depart within a month of each other with promo code EXTEND5. It’s a great choice for micro-retirees wanting to make the most of their long-haul flight, join up two neighbouring countries, or extend their escape for a longer, more immersive experience.

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Sam McLoughlin

Sam McLoughlin is a Senior Lifestyle Writer at Rest Less. He joined the editorial team in 2021 after completing his Master’s degree in English Literature, Culture, and Theory at The University of Sussex. He enjoys writing about careers, books, sports, travel, and pretty much anything that his editor will let him have a crack at, but his favourite part of the job is interviewing inspiring people – from activists and CEOs to later life career changers. In his spare time, Sam enjoys climbing, snowsports, and going to see live music.

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