Recently updated on April 23rd, 2024 at 02:56 pm
While COVID-19 has changed the world of travel forever, things are looking up for 2021. Countries are beginning to emerge from lockdowns, border restrictions are slowly easing, and many regions are forming ‘travel bubbles’. As more people look towards 2021 to start exploring the world again, we’ve analysed our data and have started to see some new travel trends begin to emerge in the way that our community are both searching for, and buying our experiences. From domestic tours and nature travel, to private family tours, here is what travel will look like in 2021 for Trafalgar…
Staying local
As one of the most popular 2021 travel trends, domestic travel will drive the recovery of the tourism industry. With ongoing border restrictions due to COVID-19, travellers are taking it as a golden opportunity to explore closer to home.
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More people are wanting to reconnect with the world, starting with their local culture and history. Plus it’s easier to stick to physical distancing policies in regional areas, rather than big cities.
Domestic tours also offer the chance to help revive the local economy, by visiting lesser-known destinations and supporting local businesses.
Domestic travel will be particularly big in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with our new Near Not Far tours offering incredible local adventures.
More regions are also creating ‘travel bubbles’, to help the tourism industry ease back into action. The UK recently opened up a ‘travel corridor’ to allow people from the UK to travel to a list of countries, without having to quarantine on either end.
Some of the approved countries currently include Italy, Greece, Ireland, Turkey, Portugal and Iceland. Other regions are in talks to create travel bubbles, including Australia and New Zealand.
Until then, there’s no better time to embrace domestic travel and start discovering your own backyard!
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Outdoor experiences
After spending so much time indoors due to lockdowns, more people are craving wide-open spaces and the great outdoors. Nature is calling, and nature travel will be one of the biggest 2021 travel trends.
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Our Trafalgar community is keen on outdoor adventures in the USA and Canada, with national park tours proving particularly popular.
Travellers will be able to escape the crowded cities and reconnect with the earth in some of the world’s most beautiful places. Choose from the icons like the brilliant blue lakes of the Canadian Rockies or the incredible US national parks like the Grand Canyon.
With studies showing that direct contact with nature greatly improves mental health and reduces stress, 2021 will be the year we turn to nature for peace and healing.
American philosopher Henry David Thoreau believed in the therapeutic effects of nature, saying:
“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.”
It’s a comforting thought as we begin to navigate the new world that COVID-19 has created.
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Tours to Britain
Our recent survey showed that 56% of the Trafalgar community were planning on travelling to Britain and Europe in 2021. With plenty of green open spaces and famously friendly culture, it’s no wonder that our trips to England, Ireland and Bonnie Scotland are more popular than ever.
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You’ll get the very best of nature with adventures like wandering the lush valleys and ancient castles of the spectacular Scottish Highlands.
Ramble through the Lake District, with gorgeous countryside landscapes that have inspired writers, poets and painters for centuries. Or take in Ireland’s beauty on one of the world’s most scenic drives around the stunning Ring of Kerry.
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Soak up the ancient history of the region, from Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon and the mysterious Stonehenge, to the historic Edinburgh Castle and the famous Blarney Stone.
You’ll even get to dive into the wonderful culture of the region, with Trafalgar experiences like a traditional Irish Ceilidh evening. Enjoy a Scottish show of bagpipes, Highland dancing and traditional food, or a Highland farm experience where you can try your hand at feeding the lambs.
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Tours to Italy
Bella Italia, our all-time most popular travel destination, continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of Trafalgar guests. With 56% of the Trafalgar community planning trips to Britain and Europe in 2021, Italy will be top of the bucket list.
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We love to see the icons, from ancient Rome to the dreamy canals of Venice and the rolling green hills of Tuscany. But Trafalgar also peels back the layers to discover the hidden gems of Italy – and you’re in for a treat!
Dive into unique experiences like sharing a traditional Italian meal with the Callistri family in the Hamlet of Limonaia. Or enjoy an olive oil and wine tasting in the 12th-century Castle of Trebbio in Tuscany.
You’ll get VIP access to the Vatican and the frescoed ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, and witness the stunning traditional craft of glassblowing in Venice. You can even visit Siena, the most beautiful medieval town in Tuscany, famed for its biannual ‘Palio delle Contrade’.
You can also stay in Hotel Cenacolo, a fully renovated old Franciscan convent near Santa Maria degli Angeli that was originally built to welcome the pilgrims visiting Assisi.
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Whether you want to relax on the glamourous Isle of Capri, shop in the fashion mecca of Milan, marvel at the Renaissance wonders of Florence, or eat your weight in divine pasta and gelato…Your 2021 Italy trip will be something truly special.
Private Tours
After spending months in lockdown away from friends and family, we’ve all missed weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and more. As family time becomes even more precious, we’re seeing a rise in popularity of private tours.
Many people are making up for lost time by taking a memorable trip together, and our Private Tours are the best way to travel exclusively with friends and family. You’ll get to form your own ‘travel bubble’, sharing your own private transport and accommodation with those in your circle, including your dedicated Travel Director and Driver. This helps to follow physical distancing measures and minimise contact with strangers.
It’s also a great way to handcraft your own itinerary. You’ll have the freedom to pick and choose your activities, based on your group’s interests and needs. So you can bring everyone from the little ones to the grandparents. It’s sure to be a family trip you’ll cherish forever.
Which 2021 travel trends will you be following next year? Let us know in the comments below!