Middletown, Lincroft

Jun 04, 2018

Five Travel Trends to Inspire Your Next Vacation

If you’re like most people, you’re probably dreaming of your next vacation the moment you step off the plane from your last trip. With summer around the corner, now is the time to start planning your next escape, whether it be over the winter holidays or Spring Break 2019 – it’s never too early!

Just like in fashion, travel industry trends are always changing. Of course, there will always be those travel destinations that are seemingly popular for east-coasters, like Italy or the all-inclusive beach vacation, but travel this year is all about breaking away from tradition. Whether you are itching to get away or just daydreaming, the following travel trends should definitely be on your radar:

IMMERSIVE TRAVEL: Travelers these days are looking to get off the beaten path and seek out the true culture of the area they are visiting. True, immersive experiences are not found in a guidebook or on Expedia. This kind of exploration includes getting involved with local charities like Rhinos Without Borders in South Africa or authentic foodie tours such as Mezcal tasting and food truck tours in Mexico City.

GLAMPING: Glamping started with the idea of bringing comfort and luxury to the great outdoors for a unique travel experience. By 2018, this concept has exploded and now includes many styles and levels of sophistication. Off-the-beaten-path accommodations far from any downtown are in high demand, and other luxury-meets-outdoor retreats have become more widely available.  Montana’s luxurious The Ranch at Rock Creek and Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in British Columbia are among some of North America’s top glamping spots. Activities from fishing and horseback riding to clay-pigeon shooting make for an active vacation without sacrificing the luxury of fine dining and a big soaking tub.

WELLNESS RETREATS: As travel priorities shift toward experiential (as opposed to material), wellness retreats are becoming more popular. This type of travel is inspired by the desire to experience something that will have positive psychological impacts. Activities like morning hikes, beach yoga, daily spa treatments and meditation are working their way onto more itineraries, as are un-plugged “Digital Detox” retreats. (We love The Body Holiday in St. Lucia and Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts for this.)

MULTI-GEN TRAVEL: Gone are the days of booking an all-inclusive trip to get away from your extended family. These days, as quality time with your loved ones becomes harder and harder to come by, multigenerational travel is becoming increasingly popular. Whether taking over a villa in the Caribbean for a celebration with loved ones or going on an African safari, hotels are stepping up their game to accommodate families of all sizes and ages (kudos Singita Lebombo in South Africa with their family suites and over-the-top kids’ clubs like Andaz Mayakoba’s in the Riviera Maya). Looking to stay local? Look no further than The Asbury Hotel’s Octo Rooms, furnished with eight bunk beds.

PERSONALIZED SERVICES and highly SPECIALIZED TRIPS are the most important trends of all. We have precious time for vacations anyway, so make sure you get exactly what you want when thinking of booking your next trip. Whether it’s a boutique hotel or a special kind of restaurant, you need someone who will listen and cater to your needs. As we all know, 10 days of paid annual leave is not a lot, so make the most of it.

Kait Daily

Kait Daly is a former Middletown resident and co-owner of Roam Travel Company, a luxury travel agency based out of Asbury Park, NJ and Los Angeles, CA, who focuses on exclusive vacations, unique experiences and intelligent hotel design. Contact her at kait@roamtravelcompany.com or follow RTC on Instagram at @roamtravelcompany.