Since Cabu by the Lakes opened in 2020, general manager Shane Kelly has observed a “senior movement” – a rise in interest from travellers over 60 wanting to combine slow travel with activities.
“I find older people enjoy trying new things,” he says. “They’re eager to seize the moment and are always up for the craic.”
Surrounded by Killykeen Forest Park and extending to the shores of Lough Oughter, this unique Cavan hideaway allows guests to do as much or as little as they wish. They can indulge in the on-site amenities, such as hot tubs and massage treatments, walk a woodland trail or fish on the lake – one of the county’s incredible 365 lakes. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including badgers and pine martens too.
“The moment guests arrive at Cabu, their shoulders drop,” says Kelly. He feels the region’s potential as a tourist destination is finally being recognised, and news is spreading about the unspoilt beauty of Ireland’s Lakelands District. Away from towns and cities, there’s no noise or light pollution at Cabu, so guests are treated to birdsong and, on occasion, the northern lights.
READ MORE
The 28 cabin-style properties, ranging from one to three bedrooms, combine old-world rustic charm with high-quality finishes, each featuring a fully equipped kitchen and separate livingroom. Accessible options are available, not only for guests but also for their four-legged friends.
Without the stress of airports, the destination is becoming particularly popular with multigenerational families, allowing grandparents, children and grandchildren to reconnect and disconnect. In Britain, Cabu by the Sea at St Mary’s Bay, Kent, is also in high demand, while plans are under way for a new location in the Cotswolds.
Due to the size of the facilities, Kelly says it never feels full, although guests can make friends in the shared social space, The Sitooterie, while enjoying a pint or melting marshmallows on the open fire.
All aboard
A stay at Cabu is one way to create lifelong memories. As many of their repeat guests will attest, being near water immediately promotes relaxation, which partly explains the enduring appeal of international cruise holidays.
However, now more than ever, discerning travellers are seeking sailing experiences that are unique and eco-friendly, such as those offered by Sea Cloud, the luxury fleet with worldwide routes, including the Irish Sea (seacloud.com).
Built in Germany in 1931, the first vessel was owned by the family of Marjorie Merriweather Post, once America’s wealthiest woman. Unlike some counterparts in the cruise-line industry, these three ships follow a traditional, sustainable approach – in addition to using the wind whenever possible, all sails are set by hand.
Cruises aren’t only found on seas and oceans; many of Europe’s waterways offer routes that are simultaneously peaceful and dramatic. In July 2026, Riverside Luxury Cruises will launch an eight-day trip from Basle to Amsterdam, celebrating western Europe’s brewing heritage and the people protecting it (riverside-cruises.com).
Food and wine
Travellers who enjoy beer-tasting along the Rhine will also undoubtedly savour a glass of Pinot Noir at one of Oregon’s many vineyards. In terms of production, this northwest US state trails its neighbour, California, but claims more than half of the country’s biodynamic farms, most of which are family run. Without the pressure to mass produce, winemakers here are relaxed and inventive, allowing them to be more in harmony with nature.
One example is Idiot’s Grace Winery, a 50-acre vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge, which the owners describe as an unsung experiment at the forefront of innovative, small-scale agriculture (idiotsgrace.com).
The region is also famous for its truffles. Through companies such as Black-Tie Tours, visitors can join dogs and hunt these rugged delicacies in some of the state’s beautiful forests and woods (blacktietours.com). Oregon, reachable via an Aer Lingus flight to nearby Seattle, can also be explored as part of a road trip along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway route to San Diego.
Hole in one
On the opposite side of the US is Florida, a destination beloved of Irish travellers due to its array of theme parks. However, the Sunshine State offers more than just rollercoasters.
A two-hour drive southeast of Orlando is Palm Beach (thepalmbeaches.com). Blending Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, the town’s avenues, hotels, restaurants and boutiques radiate elegance. But it’s not just the famous who frequent Palm Beach, but manatees, sea turtles, dolphins and sea horses too, making the area a haven for snorkellers and divers.
Golf enthusiasts will definitely want to visit the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course, redesigned by Hall of Fame star Raymond Floyd – thanks to the ocean views, it’s considered one of America’s most beautiful. Although it has hosted Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, it remains a municipal course, meaning the rates are affordable.
The right note
Who says music festivals are only for the young? Starting as a humble fishing village, Cascais has since become one of Europe’s most affluent beach resorts, and each July, the biggest names in music take part in the Ageas Cooljazz.
The month-long outdoor event prioritises attendees’ comfort, with plenty of chairs and space. As the sun sets over the Portuguese Riviera, expect to be serenaded by artists such as Santana, Sting, Tom Jones, John Legend and Norah Jones (ageascooljazz.pt).
Switzerland’s Montreux also has a slew of musical connections. Along with being a sanctuary for the late Freddie Mercury, the chic lakeside town was home to Mountain Studios, where artists from The Rolling Stones to David Bowie have recorded.
Unsurprisingly, its annual jazz festival has become one of the largest in the world. Mention any international musician and they’re likely to have performed at the July event. Ireland’s finest, Van Morrison, has graced the stage on several occasions, although Herbie Hancock holds the record for the most appearances – an incredible 27 times (montreuxjazzfestival.com).
Bucket-list destinations
For those looking for an adrenaline rush, few experiences surpass a safari holiday. A three-hour drive north of Johannesburg, South Africa, leads to the intimate and eco-friendly Makweti Safari Lodge, located within the 40,000-hectare Unesco-recognised Waterberg Biosphere Reserve (makweti.com).
Guests are regularly treated to sightings of the Big Five: elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions and leopards. As Makweti has no fences, the wild “owners of the terrain” wander freely through the lodge’s surroundings or refresh in the stream-fed waterhole just 80 yards from the open lounge.
Another bucket-list destination for many is the Caribbean, thanks to its golden beaches, endless palm trees and crystal-clear waters. The predominantly sunny conditions offer a welcome reprieve from Irish weather, especially during the depths of winter.
In Saint Lucia, which ping-ponged between the British and French over the centuries and is currently part of the Commonwealth, relax under straw umbrellas and enjoy locally produced rum cocktails. Have a massage or practise yoga on the beach at one of the luxury resorts, like the Windjammer – a favourite of the late Whitney Houston and recent recipient of an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment.
For those feeling more energetic, try snorkelling and kayaking, or hop aboard a speedboat to explore the film locations of blockbusters including Pirates of the Caribbean and Doctor Dolittle, along with St Lucia’s famous landmarks, the Piton Volcanoes. Nearby, visitors can detox in a mud bath in Sulphur Springs (stlucia.org).
Spiritual pursuits
There is a growing trend among senior travellers to select itineraries that promote reflection, self-discovery and spiritual connection, with pilgrimages becoming more popular than ever. Alongside the world-famous Camino de Santiago – which concludes at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, believed to be the burial site of the apostle James – there are many options here in Ireland.
Routes such as Croagh Patrick in Mayo, Mount Brandon in Kerry, Kevin’s Way in Wicklow, The Boyne Camino or the Pilgrim’s Path in Donegal form the foundation of an enriching holiday (discoverireland.ie).
Further afield, the captivating kingdom of Jordan is home to some of the world’s most significant Christian sites. Public transport is limited across the country, so many tourists rent cars to explore Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have been buried after being shown the promised land from its summit. The reputed site of Jesus’s Baptism on the River Jordan, which three modern popes have visited, is a short drive north of the Dead Sea (visitjordan.com).
