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TRAVEL TIPS: How to get the best experience on your next holiday

It’s that time of year when excitement for the journey of discovery during the 2019 summer season is underway. But as I meet travellers, their thoughts are also turning to their 2020 travel plans.

It’s that time of year when excitement for the journey of discovery during the 2019 summer season is underway. But as I meet travellers, their thoughts are also turning to their 2020 travel plans.

I love the fact that the annual traveller already knows that the time is now to start making next year’s dream holiday a reality and get a jump on next year’s travel season.

So, with travel deals on 2020 trips already there for the taking, I took a moment to stop and look at the five top travel tips that I believe will dominate in the year to come and further enthuse those already considering next year’s travel:

 

1. MAKE YOUR TRAVELS MATTER

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Sustainability in the travel industry has become more than just a passing fad, it is now an industry must, especially as more travellers actively choose companies that incorporate sustainable practices. Sadly, the rise of “sustainability” and “eco-tourism” as trending buzz words has led to a wave of green-washing.

It’s important to opt for a company that is incorporating sustainability into its core business model, not just as an afterthought. Choose those who are making a measurable impact across the three pillars of sustainability – Economic, Socio-Cultural and Environmental.

Each trip you take has an impact on the places you visit in some way; what we need to reflect on is the fact that how you travel will decide if that impact is positive or negative. That’s why it is so important to select companies taking direct action regarding sustainability.

At Trafalgar, and through our JoinTrafalgar programme powered by the TreadRight Foundation, we aim to do our part to make travel matter by making a difference to the people, places, wildlife and planet on our trips across the globe.

Click here for helpful tips to make your travel more meaningful.

 

2. LET YOUR TASTE BUDS BE YOUR GUIDE

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We’re seeing a move away from Michelin-starred, ‘social media worthy’ haute cuisine, to a craving for more authentic, local cuisine as travellers look at food as a way to connect to the cultures they visit.

We are realising that the way to understand a region’s unique cultural nuances is through the universal language of food; with each local delicacy having its own story to tell.

In 2009, Trafalgar realised that the best way to interact with the local community is in their homes, and at their dinner tables. Thus, our Be My Guest was born. We had no idea that a decade later, it would be one of our most popular trip highlights.

 

3. GET INVOLVED IN THE ACTION

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Seeing the world isn’t enough for travellers anymore, they want to get amongst it and really experience it. They’re swapping stilettos for sneakers and taking themselves, literally, off the beaten path to get out and explore the world.

The trend is moving towards inclusion rather than exclusion, with hikes and excursions aimed at those with even a moderate level of fitness popping up in a way that we haven’t previously experienced in the wider travel community.

The motivation behind this growing trend isn’t pushing your physical limits but pushing the boundaries of a typical vacation to explore the cultural and natural wonders that lie further afield, on foot.

We unveiled two activities that let our guests hike across indigenous lands (in the American Southwest and Tasmania) to learn about these ancient cultures with indigenous guides.

 

4. FAMILY-BONDING THROUGH TRAVEL

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Where traditional all-inclusive packages including separate activities for adults and children used to be the go-to option, we’re seeing a much-welcomed shift to holidays that let families experience a destination together.

Our busy lives mean that we have less time to spend together as a family, in response, people are using their holidays as a chance to spend real quality time together, and they’re even including the grandparents.

From castles to gladiators, we’ve created a selection of family holidays that bring a child’s imagination to life as they explore the world.

 

5. MAKE TRAVEL ABOUT CONNECTIONS

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When planning a holiday, we tend to focus on what we need to tick off our bucket lists, and while major attractions are a definite must on any trip, it’s when we shift our focus from seeing to experiencing that the true magic of a destination is revealed.

It’s impossible to understand the culture or a destination’s history without getting to know the people who shape its legacy. It’s in these hidden gems that we find the essence of a destination.

The question then is, how do you find these gems if they’re hidden? Even if you can find the locations that lie off the tourist trail, how do you get there?

Trafalgar itineraries are built around taking our guests into the local communities where they can meet the people, learn the culture and traditions, hear the music, taste the homemade dishes, and participate in daily rituals.

If you want to hop on upcoming travel trends, travel with Trafalgar in 2020. The team has done an extraordinary job ensuring that we connect you to the essence of each place you choose to visit. And if its anywhere in Europe, the time is now to book your 2020 European holiday, at 2019 prices.

 

So, let your travel spirit rise and Bon Voyage.