With 2014 quickly approaching, we are scrambling to brainstorm the perfect new years resolution, make awesome New Years Eve plans and finish anything we wanted to accomplish in 2013. Every collegiate can agree that the new year of trends in clothes to nail polish to electronics excites them, but there is a trend that we tend to look over: trends in travel!
The travel industry is always changing, improving and becoming more unique for US! There is luxury travel, volunteer travel, study abroad, backpacking, couch surfing — the list goes on. So if traveling abroad, road-tripping or traveling to a festival is on your new years agenda, read up, because travel trends are revolutionary.
Authentic Accommodations
The days of buying an overpriced hotel room are almost over! Websites like HouseTrip.com are offering those who want a more authentic travel experience to enjoy travel accommodations that are just that: authentic. Plus, they offer an incredible bang for your buck. On sites like these, travelers share accommodations with locals, such as their apartments, their cars, and sometimes even their whole house.
Now, I know what your thinking. But contrary to your beliefs, this process is far from sketchy. All homes and apartments on this website are clean, reliable, extremely secure and offer you a better experience than sleeping in a generic hotel bed. Plus, this process goes both ways! You are more than welcome to register your home on HouseTrip.com to make some extra cash on weekends you know you may be out of town. Both the homeowners and the travelers must approve of the guests before any transaction is approved. It’s worth a try if you’re looking to gain an authentic experience, spend your money wisely and meet new friends!
Wellness Travel
Skip the long lines at Disney and the stressful streets of NYC. The year 2014 brings a new trend in wellness travel: a way to use travel to improve health, happiness and productivity in your personal life. This kind of travel is seen as a personal investment, and I can see why! Wellness travel can include the obvious spa outings, but the new trend includes new ways to pamper ones self like yoga vacations, in which one focus’s on the mind, body and the spirit.
Wellness travel also emphasizes la local vita, also known as “the local life,” which is a shifted mindset and focus onto the exploration of the local community. This is where volunteer tourism shines. Many use travel volunteering as a way to increase altruism, self-esteem, personal growth and personal discovery. Why throw our money at five-star hotels when we can spend it working with local non-for-profits and philanthropic organizations? There is no better way to get hands-on experience while becoming friends with local people, experiencing the local culture and really getting your hands dirty to make a difference.
Train Travel
Train travel is estimated to grow within the next few years worldwide. In the United States, President Obama plans on spending $8 billion on high-speed travel to make it more convenient for Americans opposed to planes and boats. In Europe, old school train cars are beginning to become popular among cross-nation traveling crowds. The Rheighgold, a Trans Europ Express Train, resembles those of the 1960’s with deluxe dining cars, a glass-domed observation car and fancy sleeping quarters. I don’t think Europe could feel any more like Hogwartz than that.
So girls, whatever your New Years resolutions for 2014 may be, I suggest making a promise to yourself to see at least one new place within the new year. Embrace the beauty around you, meet new people and continue to succeed in 2014. It’s going to be a great year!Â