Beat the January blues by booking a trip inspired by one of these travel trends …
New Heydays
Travel experts say that this nostalgia trend, for visiting places that are personally significant such as childhood holiday spots and road trips, appeals to people who are tired of political, economic and social uncertainties. It’s a yearning for simpler times also reflected in certain hotel décor, for instance, Marshall radios, retro telephones and room keys rather than cards, and old-fashioned comfort food on menus rather than flashier dishes.
Try: Page8 Hotel, Trafalgar Square, London which has embraced the nostalgia trend. Located opposite the National Portrait Gallery and close to Covent Garden, explore Trafalgar Square’s iconic landmarks, browse records at Sister Ray in Soho or wander Cecil Court’s antiquarian book sellers. Nearby, visit Gordon’s Wine Bar or enjoy live jazz at Ronnie Scott’s. End your day at the Page8’s new rooftop restaurant Kitty Hawk, offering panoramic views over London.
Trailblazer Hotels
Our appetite for interesting boutique hotels has increased exponentially to the point that they are now often the reason for planning trips, often to lesser-known destinations. Examples include the Reverb Hamburg, housed in a Second World War bunker, the Maris International’s Edition Lake Como in Italy and Ardbeg House. The latter in The Inner Hebrides, Scotland opened last summer, designed by Russell Sage Studio who were responsible for The Fife Arms in the Cairngorms.
Try: Brach Madrid – starchitect Philippe Starck’s hotel that opened this time last year on the Gran Via in Madrid – is in a prime position for enjoying the city’s cultural delights. Expect to find mismatched antiques, mood lighting and some of Starck’s signature humour in the design details.
Shoulder Season
A Virtuoso survey revealed that a massive 75 per cent of visitors prefer to travel off-season. As a result, many hotels in Greece and Spain are now staying open until winter to meet demand. We recommend spending shoulder season in Portugal.
Try: Anantara Vilamoura Algarve, which includes swim-up family rooms and suites, a wide range of family-friendly restaurants, kids and teen clubs, plus a resident golf guru.
Detour destinations
Last year was all about “destination dupes” – swapping overcrowded spots for lesser known alternatives, such as Venice for Genoa. Now, it’s about detour destinations such as Reims as a detour from Paris, Fukuoka as a detour from Tokyo and Abu Dhabi as a detour from Dubai.
Try: Château de Sacy, Reims – the picture perfect hotel among the rolling vineyards of Champagne is a great base for exploring the region.
The Asia Uplift
After years of restricted travel, China opened its doors to millions by expanding visa-free travel, while Thailand’s digital nomad visas and broader visa-free programme for 93 countries attracting a global audience. Pop culture is also driving interest, thanks to shows like The White Lotus in Thailand, Squid Game in South Korea and Shogun in Japan.
Try: For bespoke tours, try Dublin-based Oomi Travel for expert advice and tailor-made itineraries created according to enthusiasms from gardening to art.
SEE MORE: The Trends That Are In & Out This Year
