For someone who may not travel very often, dedicating precious vacation time and money to an unfamiliar or atypical destination can fill you with anxiety, which is definitely not how you want to feel planning for or during your vacation. When this happens, it can be easy to fall back on “old standby” destinations – those places you go year after year, because they are comfortable and less risky – after all, you know what you’re getting, right?
Why not make this year different? Make this the year to break out of your travel comfort zone and go somewhere unusual, or at the very least, new. And while you’re at it, planning for new destinations also means planning for new experiences – ones that not only reflect your interests but also leave you feeling inspired to take the road less traveled, year after year.
Need a little inspiration on where to go next? Check out these prominent travel trends for a little motivation:
- Musical Mini-breaks – Concert destinations have become pilgrimage sites, attracting music enthusiasts globally. Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or crazy about Morgan Wallen, traveling to see our favorite musical artists has never seemed more popular. And combining the event with a quick vacay makes it even more memorable. Just be prepared for inflated costs and crowds!
- Wellness Weekends – Now more than ever, vacationers are putting an emphasis on slow vacations, where the focus is not only on relaxation but also on self-care, promoting the highest physical and mental well-being. Destinations that offer retreat-like packages, with full culinary and spa services, plus amenities like onsite yoga and meditation that pamper the senses, can energize your spirit while calming your mind.
- Experiential Getaways – Vacations that focus on a specific experience can help you learn a new skill or allow you to dive deeper into a hobby that you’ve always loved but never seem to have enough time for. Whether you’re taking a pasta-making class in Rome, glamping in Montana, scuba diving in Australia, or white water rafting in Colorado – experiential travel is an immersive way to embrace a lifelong passion or develop a new one.
- Multi-family vacations – Thanks to the pandemic – a time when getting together with others was seen as risky – more and more families are now traveling together to make up for lost time. Multi-family vacations can be tricky, from deciding on a location, to renting a place to stay that’s large enough for all of you, to dealing with competing schedules and interests. But if and when it works (and believe me, it can work!), these experiences and memories are priceless for all involved. Pro tip – spring for the extra bathroom, you will not regret it!
- Sports Breaks – Sports fans unite! Traveling to participate in or simply watch sporting events will no doubt be a popular pastime this year – just like baseball itself. From destination racing for marathon runners, to annual golf outings, to a long overdue pilgrimage to Chicago’s Wrigley Field….or even Paris for the Olympics – sport-related vacations can deepen your connection to your favorite team or your signature sport.
Time to start planning. Travel well, travel often, my friends!
Jennifer
