Travel does not have an expiration date, and retirement can mark the beginning of a new season of exploration rather than the end of adventure. Deborah Parson shared her experiences as a retiree who has made global travel a meaningful part of her life.
Ms. Parson, a former educator and technology professional, retired at the end of 2019. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially delayed her plans, she said the period following restrictions became a time of intentional and expansive travel. Since then, she has visited 10 U.S. states and 14 countries across four continents, traveling both domestically and internationally through solo trips and organized group experiences.
Her interest in travel began long before retirement. Growing up, Ms. Parson’s experiences were largely limited to local outings, family gatherings and community-based cultural activities. However, she credits books and encyclopedias in her childhood home with exposing her to different cultures and igniting a curiosity that would later shape her lifestyle. That curiosity, she said, stayed with her well into adulthood and resurfaced fully once she was no longer bound by work schedules.
During the interview, Ms. Parson described travel not as a checklist of destinations but as a series of meaningful encounters. She reflected on experiences ranging from natural landmarks in the United States to historic and cultural sites abroad. Her travels have included locations such as Arizona, New York, Cuba, Italy, Spain, France, Dubai, West Africa, South Korea and Turkey. Rather than ranking destinations, Ms. Parson emphasized that each location held its own significance, shaped by history, culture and personal reflection.
“Each one has always been just as exciting as the previous one,” Ms. Parson said, noting that meaning in travel comes from engagement rather than luxury or distance.
A major focus of the discussion was Ms. Parson’s advocacy for solo travel, particularly among older adults. She addressed common concerns around safety and loneliness, explaining that traveling alone does not mean being isolated. Ms. Parson shared that many of the people she has met while traveling solo were married or retired individuals whose schedules or interests differed from those of their partners. For her, solo travel provided flexibility and independence while still allowing for connection with others along the way.
She outlined two types of solo travel she practices: traveling completely alone with a self-directed itinerary, and traveling with organized groups made up of people she had not previously met. Ms. Parson explained that both approaches offered valuable experiences, from total freedom in planning to the structure and social interaction of group travel.
Her first solo trip occurred unexpectedly when a planned trip with a friend was canceled. Choosing to move forward alone, Ms. Parson traveled domestically and found reassurance through repeated encounters with other solo travelers. That experience later gave her the confidence to pursue international solo travel, including an extended Mediterranean cruise where she stayed in a solo cabin and formed lasting relationships with fellow travelers.
Ms. Parson also discussed the importance of strategic planning and budgeting. She highlighted airline layover programs that allow travelers to explore additional cities at no extra cost, sharing how she incorporated Istanbul into a trip originally planned for South Korea. These strategies, she said, help travelers maximize both time and resources.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.