Family travel 5: Travel trends
The latest travel trends can provide inspiration for your next family getaway. Here are five to consider.
Sight-doing
If you’d prefer to “do” something rather than just “see” something, this trend may speak to you. It’s about diving a little deeper to learn about a place, rather than simply snapping photos of local landmarks. Learn roping skills or participate in a cattle roundup at a ranch. Take a tortilla making class in a Mexican village. Learn about the history of the European villages you visit during a hiking or biking tour. Take a local art class and return home with your own handmade memory of the experience.
For more: www.eurohike.at/en; www.rideandseek.com; www.trueranchcollection.com
Snackpacking
Those diving deeper into this trend, identified in a recent American Express travel survey, choose to explore destinations through visits to local markets, grocery stores, food trucks and street carts in search of interesting bites that are part of the local culture and lore. In Milwaukee, one might seek out cheese curds. In Kansas City, go for burnt-end barbecue and in Buffalo who wouldn’t want to linger over some wings? While in New York, sample the best bagels or black and white cookies, then head to New Orleans for a beignet or sweet pralines. And in Paris, you can’t leave without snacking on crepes or croissants. Rather than shop for traditional trinkets, you might search for snacks to take home that will make for great conversation in the school cafeteria or workplace lunchroom.
A skip-gengetaway
It’s easy to understand why the skip-gen vacation trend is popular with all parties. Parents get a break and grandparents and grandkids get to know each other without the filter of mom or dad on the scene. Grandparents, whether you share your stories on a cruise ship, in an all-inclusive resort or at a dude ranch, plan now to share your experiences and knowledge with the younger set. Are you a veteran? Did you grow up inspired by jazz or classical music? Did the ethnic or rural neighborhood of your youth greatly influence the person you are today? Consider a visit to a war memorial, take in a small concert or stop by the old stomping grounds. It will mean more to hear a bit of history from someone who has been there. And remember, you are part of their history.
For more: www.grandparentrips.com
Focus on a favorite sport
Batter up! Baseball fans will want to rally around The Rally Hotel in Denver. The hotel’s “Step Up to the Plate” package features a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies. The whole clan can peek into the dugouts, get the feel of crossing home plate and explore spaces that are typically reserved for the players, coaches and media. You’ll hear insider scoops from those in the know. Later, return to The Rally Hotel’s Legend Corner Suite, featuring a luxurious master bedroom and a separate kids’ nook with bunk beds. With Rocky Mountain views at the rooftop pool and a prime location next to Union Station, The Rally Hotel is a homerun for any baseball fan.
For more: www.therallyhotel.com; www.colorado.com
Slow travel
Leave the bucket list behind and focus on taking a more mindful approach, seeking cultural immersion and quality experiences. Many travelers seek to live like a local and adopt the rhythm of daily life. Consider a smaller beach town in Florida where the casual coastal vibe works for the whole family. Stay in easy-on-the-wallet inns and dine in just-off-the-beach spots where a little sand isn’t a problem. Or, in Wyoming, take your time to revel in the wide-open spaces while discovering what surprises can be uncovered along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. It’s layered with hot springs, roadside cafés and Wyoming’s bold food traditions, from bison and barbecue to craft distilleries, breweries and bakeries. You’ll also find fly-fishing streams, family-friendly hikes and a little cowboy culture.
For more: www.fishheadspensacolabeach.com
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