Original article posted by ultimateadventure.com
During the pandemic, armchair travel has been the only safe way to explore the globe. However, most of us continue to fantasize about the future when the “new normal” will result in a host of exciting travel trends. We spoke to several leading travel experts who predict doorstep travel, social distancing escapes, secluded hotels, sustainable travel, river cruises, and bucket list adventures will be the major travel trends in 2021. Here are some of our favorite vacation ideas that fall within these trends.
River Cruises instead of Ocean – As cruising returns, smaller ships are expected to be favored over large ocean liners. Riviera River Cruises’ modern, spacious ships carry between just 121 and 169 passengers on itineraries throughout Europe. And there are no days at sea, with ships stopping at a destination each day, often just steps from the main sights.
Doorstep Travel – As international borders are slow to open, U.S. travel will likely boom in 2021. That could mean renting an RV from a company like Blacksford and exploring America’s national parks, or heading to Devil’s Thumb Resort in Colorado for the best cross-country skiing in the West.
Multi-Generational Escapes – Multi-generational travel has been a consistent theme for years now, but with many families unable to see their relatives during COVID, expect a surge in 2021. Grandma and Grandpa might decide to take the grandkids on a multi-day bicycle tour down the Oregon Coast or The Grand Canyon with Escape Adventures. Or maybe they’ll invite the extended family to The Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, for an action-packed mountain getaway with hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing and the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park.
Big Bucket List Trips – Most of us have spent the past nine months reassessing our bucket list and prioritizing what is most important. This might be taking an epic bicycle tour from Maine to North Carolina with Ride & Seek or maybe joining the 10 year anniversary of the 20-day Hannibal Expedition across the Alps.
Social Distancing Holidays – Lodging options like Fireside Resort, located minutes from Jackson Hole’s ski slopes, will remain hot in 2021. Fireside capitalizes on the tiny house craze and the classic appeal of rustic cottages by offering 25 pint-size, luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus.
Remote Island Escapes – With limited access, an island vacation can offer a secluded alternative to the typical trip to the beach – and it does not necessarily mean just unrolling a towel to lie on. In 2021, Adventure Cycling Association will offer active tours to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the San Juan Islands, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Secluded Hotels – Even when most of us are vaccinated, the desire to avoid large crowds will likely remain. Remote getaways like the 28,000-acre luxury resort, Red Reflet Ranch, in Wyoming will be more popular than ever. After all, the nearest town of Ten Sleep, WY is home to roughly 200 people.
Sustainable Travel – A pedal-powered tour can often be a sustainable travel option. To make it even more so, leave the support van and tour group behind and plan your own trip with routes and other resources from Adventure Cycling Association. Options include bikepacking the Great Divide in the Rocky Mountains or cruising the length of the Pacific Coast.
