The Rise of Experiential Travel: Seeing the World Differently

These kinds of holidays are becoming increasingly popular amongst people who strive to slow down and want to explore cultures in more depth.

Travel That Tells a Story

People want to return from their travels with meaningful stories and connections, leading them to opt for experiences that allow them to engage with local communities and learn something new rather than luxury resorts.

For example, instead of dining at an Italian restaurant, you could step into an Italian family’s kitchen and learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch. Or you could join in the festivities at a local village festival and get to know the people behind the traditions. By participating in a culture rather than just observing it, you gain a deeper understanding of the country you’re visiting.

Holidays That Do Good

With sustainability now a key concern, many people are looking for ways to make their travels more eco-friendly and beneficial to the destinations they visit. More and more travellers are taking into consideration their environmental impact and choosing to support local businesses and communities rather than choosing mass-market holidays that contribute to over-tourism.

Another way to travel sustainably is by choosing eco-friendly accommodation. As there has been an increase in the importance of sustainability, hotels and other forms of accommodations have started to prioritise environmental practices like waste reduction.

Celebrate Seasonal Moments and Special Journeys

Planning holidays around specific, seasonal moments is also becoming a trend in experiential travel. This could mean booking a trip to Europe during their wine harvest season or specifically timing a trip to Japan to see the cherry blossom trees in bloom.

These seasonal moments are the perfect opportunity to celebrate personal milestones and create new lifelong memories. For example, Japan cruises offer the chance to experience seasonal highlights while exploring multiple destinations in one journey.

Flexibility and Freedom

Many are also moving away from rigid itineraries in favour of more flexible, relaxed travel. Whilst having some sort of structure can be helpful, especially when visiting popular tourist attractions, it’s just as important to leave time for spontaneous discovery.

Whether you choose to wander round a local market or quietly sit in a café for the afternoon, these unplanned moments often end up being the most rewarding and memorable. Giving yourself that little extra freedom allows you to explore a destination at your desired pace and reduces stress, which sometimes detracts from the joy of travelling.

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