Missing the Northern Lights and pyramids among older Brits’ travel regrets

26 April 2023 , 09:04

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The Northern Lights are top of the list of travel experiences people regretted missing out on (Image: Getty Images)

Not having witnessed the night's sky bursting into an undulating canopy of light is the biggest regret for over 70s.

When it comes to our older years, no one wants to live with the feeling that they've missed out on life's big potential adventures or experiences.

If you are still young and able to travel, then it may well be worth heeding the words of a group of 502 over-70s who shared their biggest travel regrets.

If you are over 70 years old, then it is by no means too late to make up for lost time.

At the top of the list of regrets is 'not having seen the Northern Lights', with 46% of people pining after a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

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A fifth of over-70s pined after seeing the Great Pyramids (AFP via Getty Images)

Recently parts of the Midlands were treated to a rare display of the celestial phenomenon as solar flares whipped up the night time display unusually far south.

Normally your best chance of witnessing the light show is via trip up north to Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland or Canada, where the dark winter nights are regularly interrupted by bursts of green and purple.

The second biggest regret was not visiting the Maldives, something 35% of those asked wish they had done.

The Indian Ocean island chain is a byword for luxury and holiday excess, due to its bright blue waters, white sands and palm lined shores.

One particularly fancy place you could stay where there is the Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, an utterly luxurious resort.

Prices for a stay at one of its residences starting from £2,900 a night. Alternatively, you can hire the entire resort for £38,000 a night.

The resort sleeps up to 34 people - so if you fill the property and split the costs, it's approximately £1117pp a night.

Many wish they'd been to Niagara Falls (Getty Images)

There are 15 overwater villas which sleep two people. Guests in each villa will have a dedicated butler, a super king size bed, and a private swimming pool.

You can also dive straight into those breath-taking turquoise waters the Maldives are famous for.

In third place on the regret list is 'lying on a beach in the Mediterranean'.

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Happily for those who have so far missed out on this pleasure, kicking back on the sands of southern Italy, Spain, Greece and a host of other countries surrounding the Med is much more doable than heading to the Maldives.

Flights are around two hours from part of the UK and can be bagged for less than £100 return for much of the year.

If you find yourself in this rueful category, then perhaps 2023 is the year you regret no more?

A trip to the Great Wall of China was also high up on the wish list (VCG via Getty Images)

Other experiences the over 70s said they regretted not doing in the Explore Worldwide poll included:

1. Seeing the Northern Lights 46%
2. Visiting the Maldives 35%
3. Lying on a beach in the Mediterranean 33%
4. Seeing Niagara Falls 30%
5. Going to Disney Land/Disney World 29%
6. A Californian road trip 26%
7. Doing a European cruise 24%
8. Partying in Las Vegas 23%
9. An African safari 21%
10. Great Pyramids of Giza 20%
11. Taj Mahal 16%
12. Gondola Ride in Venice 16%
13. Walking the Great Wall of China 16%
14. Visiting Machu Picchu 15%
15. Trekking the Inca Trail 9%

What's one travel experience you definitely want to tick off the bucket list? Let us know in the comments below.

Milo Boyd