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TRAVEL & DESTINATIONS
Trends in Travel
BY ERIC CREED
Spread throughout the Caribbean, Sandals Resorts are a couples-only, all-inclusive vacation experience that caters to every need. From fine dining and unlimited premium-brand drinks to scuba diving and water sports, from championship golf to coverage of those pesky taxes and airport transfers, everything is included. Claiming some of “the world’s most breathtakingly romantic beachfront settings,” Sandals is the perfect choice for those couples looking to keep their budget in check. Priding themselves on first-class dining and amenities, Sandals has properties in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, and Antigua. And for those couples planning summer nuptials, Sandals offers a basic wedding with all its packages. Now more than ever couples are looking to save on the costs of a wedding and honeymoon or want to share their wedding day with family and friends. By combining the two, in what both Sandals and Beaches refer to as “Weddingmoons™” couples and their guests are well cared for while costs are kept at a minimum. “With airfares on the rise, resort packages are actually going down, sometimes as much as 50%,” says Rick Etherson of local travel agency Etherson Travel. Among the more interesting things to do while in Jamaica, according to Etherson, is to take a canopy tour. Harnessed to an 800’ wire that spans the treetops of a rainforest, those brave enough to do it say there is no better way to see
the rainforest. Swimming with dolphins is also becoming a more popular activity at island resorts.
A sister to Sandals is Beaches Resorts, the all-inclusive resort chain that caters to families. Like Sandals, everything from food and drink to water sports is included, but Beaches goes a step further. Nestled on the gorgeous beaches of Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Beaches Resorts have water parks complete with gigantic waterslides and family-friendly pools. In what could be considered utopia for the kids, Beaches offers unlimited XBOX play, Pirates Island, Kids Kamp, Elmo and friends, a swim-up soda bar, and a fully-staffed nursery to give mom and dad that needed break. Whether you’re looking for a family getaway or something more romantic and intimate, all-inclusive resorts allow you to cap your expenses and leave your wallet in the in-room safe.
One of the fastest-growing trends in travel is adventure vacations. While an African safari or a glacier climb would fall into this category, the most popular adventures may come as a surprise. Baby boomers taking their children and grandchildren on vacation are taking center stage, and the five most popular adventure vacations are an example of this demographic phenomenon.
The online industry leader in booking these kinds of trips is Gordon’s Guide (www.gordonsguide.com). With 10,000 trips to 3,000 destinations in 126 countries, Gordon’s 1,200 tour operators are making adventure trips a reality for many vacationers. Gordon’s Guide had over 10 million unique hits last year alone. Hilda Martinez, Gordon’s Guide Public Relations Director, says that first on their list of the most popular adventure trips are those to resorts that offer more than your typical hike along a trial. “More families want to engage in activities that help them grow closer,” Martinez reports. Among the favorite activities for many families is hiking and biking in interesting locales, as well as whitewater rafting. Seaside resorts that offer a wide variety of water sports are also a popular choice.
Next on Gordon’s long list of adventure vacations that are seeing strong growth are dude and guest ranches. Dotting the landscape of the great American West and Southwest, these vacations offer an experience unlike any other. Few parts of the country are as beautiful as the Rockies, and nowhere is this more obvious than in Big Sky, Montana. Tucked in between Gallatin Canyon and Lone Mountain Peak, Big Sky is only a short drive from Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky Resort offers a full range of winter and summer activities, from unparalleled skiing in over 400 inches of powder (an annual figure) to hiking and mountain biking. Also, some of the best fly fishing in the country can be found along the many rivers in Montana. The state’s premier guest ranch, the 320 Guest Ranch (www.320ranch.com), also in Big Sky. offers families a seemingly endless list of activities, from horseback riding, hayrides, and swimming to hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, outdoor BBQ’s and nightly bonfires. Recognizing growing trends, many dude and guest ranches offer all-girl and all-senior weeks. “Many women love the idea of not having to put on make-up or get dressed up for a week. The all-girl vacations are very popular,”
says Martinez.
Third on Gordon’s list is whitewater rafting. While whitewater rafting has long been a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts, now families are getting into the thrill and excitement. With children as young as seven being able to tackle all but the roughest rapids, whitewater rafting is quickly becoming the activity of choice that the whole family can enjoy. Requiring everyone in the boat to work as a team helps families grow closer and experience the vacation together. One of the best rivers for rafting is right here in Tennessee: the Ocoee River in Cherokee National Park. Known the world over, the Ocoee River offers over 20 continuous rapids and many play spots along the way to stop and rest. Ocoee Rafting, the oldest rafting company on the river, has been helping people tame the Class III and IV rapids for over 32 years.
Believe it or not, fourth on Gordon’s Guide’s list of the most popular adventure vacations is horse packing. Following the pattern of family-friendly vacations, horse packing allows families to spend time together without the distractions of cell phones, computers, and televisions. Yellowstone again tops the list for places to experience the great outdoors. Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters is a licensed Yellowstone outfitter offering trips into the park for people of all ages. Children as young as eight can ride, and beginners are always welcome. There is no better way to see one of America’s most scenic national parks than from horseback. Curious about spending vacation time on a horse? Watch a video at www.yellowstone.ws/movie. Whether travelers decide to take a recommended trip or design their own, they’re sure to see wildlife and vistas that can’t be experienced driving through the park.
Rounding out the top five on Gordon’s Guide’s list of hottest trends in adventure travel is houseboat renting. This is gaining in popularity for the same reasons the other adventure vacations are: it is family-friendly and it allows everyone to share in the experience. A Knoxvillian only has to go as far as Norris Lake to rent a fantastic houseboat this summer. Norris Lake Houseboats has a 78-foot houseboat that sleeps up to 14 people with waterslide, hot tub, and wet bar included. Experts such as Fiona Lake Waslander, Director of Yahoo! Travel, and ABC News’ Beth J. Harpaz are predicting that in 2008 Americans will take shorter trips or vacation closer to home. What better way to get away from it all in Knoxville than to pack up for a week of sun and fun on a houseboat on Norris Lake? (And for those of you who can’t live without checking your email, wireless Internet service is available in the harbor.)
For those really looking for an adventure on the next trip, they would do well to consider Ultimate 5 Lifetime Adventures (www.ultimate5adventures.com). Give these folks seven days and nearly $9,000, and they will give you five of the world’s greatest adventures. Day one is spent on a U.S. Special Forces Ropes Course that is considered one of the best in the country. Day two is 60 seconds of freefall skydiving. Days three and four are spent hiking and rappelling with two of the best Sherpas (guides) to ever conquer Mt. Everest. (These Sherpas hold the record for the fastest ascent of Mt. Everest and the most ascents on Mt. Everest). Day five is spent racing your own Indy Car at speeds up to 165mph at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. And to top off an incredible week of adventure, days six and seven are spent in air-to-air combat in a Soviet Union Blowfin Fighter.
Planning a trip to Hawaii and want to do something unforgettable?
Consider shark diving. From Oahu’s North Shore, it’s a mere three miles out to sea to dive in a shark cage. North Shore Shark Adventures (www.sharktourshawaii.com) was the first company to offer shark dives in Hawaii. Traveling out to the dive location, adventurers are likely to see dolphins, green sea turtles, and, in the winter months, humpback whales. After a safety briefing, passengers are placed in the steel shark cage and lowered into the water. Owner Joe Pavsek says, “Watching a shark rise from the depths is an unforgettable experience, a primal adventure.”
Women-only weeks aren’t limited to dude ranches and resorts although Beaches recently ran a special for women only that was very popular. Kelly Hardy, manager of The Travel Authority in Knoxville, said the trip sold out in a matter of weeks. NBC has reported that women-only travel companies increased 230% between 2000 and 2006. And a survey by Royal Caribbean International showed that “48% of respondents had taken a girlfriends-only trip in the last three years.” Martha Axford, of East Tennessee AAA, recognized this trend a decade ago when she formed Laaady Tripsters. With more than 600 members on her mailing list, her annual ladies-only trips have been smashingly successful. Europe seems to be the preferred destination. Martha and her group (46 strong this year) just returned from northern Italy and Tuscany. Next year, they travel to Greece and will spend four nights cruising the Greek Isles while there. (Male readers, take note: Every few years they let men tag along, as they did in 2007. Men will be getting another invitation in 2010.) Axford says that the Greece trips are always popular and will likely sell out soon. She recommends that ladies interested in learning more about the Laaady Tripsters email her at maxford@aaaet.com. Looking for more options in women-only travel? Gutsy Women Travel (www.gutsywomentravel.com) is but one of a host of fantastic online resources.
A large number of travel agencies, cruise lines, bus tours, and Internet-based guides have a special section devoted to women’s travel. Females who are interested either in getting a group of friends together or going solo and meeting new ladies should check out the category of travel that most interests them. Chick travel options abound!
As cruising only continues to grow in popularity, luxury cruising is becoming more mainstream. Seeking to avoid congested ports, there will be more ships in Europe than ever before. Some of the more exotic ports of call include Croatia and excursions around the Black Sea. Cruise lines are even following Cunard’s lead in the promotion of a class system and creating a kind of ship-within-a-ship. One such example is Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest vessel, the Norwegian Gem. Those booking one of the courtyard villas will have, in addition to butler and concierge services, a private dining room and dedicated pool and sundeck areas. Another reason European cruises are gaining in popularity is because the trip is priced in U.S. dollars, and that allows travelers to avoid getting hit with the reduced purchasing power of the dollar against the euro. Even though cruises are “all-inclusive,” expect more a-la-carte options and amenities to be offered, such as alternative restaurants. With the increase in the price of fuel, cruise lines are seeking to maximize their per passenger revenue with these options. And remember the classic Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days? (Not to mention the campy 1959 film adaptation of the same name that garnered five Oscars.) World-curious adventurers are taking the theme seriously: around-the-world cruises are a growing sub-segment of the luxury cruising trend. Cunard offers world cruises that range from 84 to 105 days and visit the world’s most beautiful and exotic ports of call. For those who can afford the extended time away, the least expensive world cruise on the 84-day voyage starts at just under $20,000. If money is no object, the nicest suite on the 105-day voyage is north of $230,000. Bon voyage!
Vacation “experiences” are certainly a hot trend. A new American hobby is connoisseur travel, as evidenced by the explosion in wine tourism over the past decade. More travelers are choosing to spend their vacations indulging in their passions; wine trips are only one of hundreds of options. Lonely Planet is a great online resource for those who know what they like (wine, cooking, art, photography, history, music…the list is oh-so-long and bound only by the imagination). Lonely Planet truly has trips to fit most any fancy. If history is your thing, for instance, consider a trip to Sterling Castle in Scotland, to Versailles in France, or to Jerusalem’s Old City. (Prefer local history travel? Bypass the online research and read our profile of Rugby, Tennessee in this issue.) Theme travel ranges from the expensive and exotic to the economical and quaint, from the planned travel-agency variety to the creative traveler’s self-designed trip.
Whether you’re more comfortable sitting in a deckchair on a cruise ship in the Black Sea or flying above the treetops of a Jamaican rainforest on a zip line, one thing is evident: there are more trips and activities available today than ever before. All-inclusive. Adventure. Women. Luxury cruise. Theme. We’ve come a long way from the days when “travel” was synonymous with (and pretty much limited to) the tow-behind, aluminum-can-looking Airstream campers. Oh, and for those who prefer to “trend” to the nostalgic? Yes, even retro campers from the 40’s through the 70’s are cool again. Check out www.VintageCampers.com for more options than you’d think possible for buying, renting, or restoring those Airstreams, Yellowstones, and other vintage travel “homes away from home.” Creative traveling, CityView readers! |
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