Guest post by Katja Presnal.
Our first issue of Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine launched this week, and the magazine takes you around the world to find the best cup of tea in Asia, the most popular coffee shop in Dublin, and gives you insight how even such a small thing as a cup of coffee can define luxury in hotel rooms.
Our editorial team has discussed a lot the past year what defines luxury, what is adventurous and what are some of the emerging trends how people travel today. Here is my quick recap of the top travel trends we have seen lately. To stay on the top of the global lifestyle and travel trends, I wish you will also read our new magazine.
1. Combination travel
People want it all, and you no longer need to choose between different kind of vacations. The trips where you can enjoy the silence of nature and the buzzing city scenes on the same trip are gaining in popularity. Countryside trips are not as trendy anymore, but combine a little quiet time with a busy city trip, and you are quite trendy. Also combination of traveling by train and plane, or boats and car on the same trip reflect on the same combination travel trend. In family travel more and more couples opt in taking the kids with, and just utilizing more the kids clubs in resorts and hotels.
2. Medical travel
The medical costs in the USA are outrageous, and by no means consistent. Medical travel where you can get a minor medical procedure done in a different state or country are in the rise. I saved over $5,000 by getting my dental work done in Sweden last year compared to what it would have cost me in New York.
3. Paris is out, Dubrovnik is in
City travel is trendy, that’s for sure, but just not to the top 10 cities in the world. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paris, and recommend it for everyone, but “everyone” has already been to Paris (and London, New York and Barcelona), and now lesser known cities in Europe are trending. One of them is Dubrovnik in Croatia, gorgeous coastal town with plenty of luxuries, but with a helluva smaller price tag than in Monte Carlo or Nice. Also countries like Iceland, Slovakia, Serbia and Latvia are some of the emerging trendy places to visit and they’ve seen a large growth in their visitor numbers.
4. River cruises
Instead of large cruise ships, the biggest trend in cruising is small river and canal cruises. They are much more intimate, you can see the scenery in a completely different way, and above all, you get into locations where large cruise ships would never make it. Let’s say like Burgundy in central France. I cruised with European Waterways river barge in France last year, and it was like being on a small floating bed and breakfast, just with a private chef cooking 7-course dinners.
5. Learning experiences
Traveling isn’t anymore just about seeing the sights, and one of the trends is hands on learning and being more active part of the experience, whether it’s herding sheep in Ireland, or picking olives in Italy. More and more tour operators are offering these experiences where you learn about the local culture in much more meaningful way – by doing it yourself. One of my favorite memories this winter was to learn to make pasta in Tuscany with Walks of Italy.
6. Multi-generational travel
Now, this is a trend that I am starting to see more and more, and I wish to promote and see even more. Multi-generational travel is where three generations of a family travels together, and the location caters something for everyone. I think this works the best with cultural experiences, like the ones mentioned above, however, for example Disney Cruise line is an excellent example of programming for children, but also for adults of any age.
7. Bizcation
The urban dictionary defines bizcation as something where you are going for a business conference but go shopping and partying instead. That is not the type of bizcation I am talking about. Work first, party afterwards, and on your own dime. Bizcation is a business and vacation combined together. Maybe you are going for a two day business trip, and can take a day or two off and make it a long weekend in the destination? Many hotel chains and Avis car rental company offer discounts for bizcationers who want to extend their business stay with a weekend vacation. I have traveled like this with my husband for good 16 years on his business trips, but now it is recognized as a trend and travel industry has started catering to this kind of traveling.
Guest post by Katja Presnal, editor-in-chief of Skimbaco Lifestyle, global lifestyle magazine inspiring you to live life to the fullest. You can follow Katja’s travel photos on Instagram as Skimbaco
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