5 Unique Travel Experiences

Are you getting ready to plan your next travel adventure? Despite the global pandemic, many people are hopeful for a return to travel in 2021 with a coronavirus vaccine on the horizon. It can’t hurt to start thinking about traveling and what you’d like to do when getting on a plane seems normal again. When it comes to vacationing, there are numerous possibilities to explore, but it’s important to find the right vacation experience for you. In doing so, you will be able to make sure that you make the most of your precious weeks off.

Here are 5 unique travel experiences that might be the right vacation for you and your family:

Visiting the City

One vacation option would be to book a city getaway. A trip to the city is a fantastic option if you have no interest in breaking away from the pressures of urban life. If you love the urban lifestyle, there’s no reason to shrink away from it on your next vacation. For instance, take New York City – this city never sleeps and is filled with fantastic experiences from world-class museums to amazing shopping to the theaters of Broadway (when it re-opens. Make sure that you book tickets before you go to ensure that you don’t miss out!) A few top cities include London, San Francisco, Washington DC, Paris, Berlin, and Dubai. Cities offer amazing experiences that offer first-class cuisine, amazing arrays of art, historical places to explore, sporting events, luxurious spas, and plenty of memorable sightseeing. 

Camping In The Wilderness

If you’re more like me, you could skip a city vacation and go completely in the opposite direction, heading out into the wilderness.  This could include either a car-camping trip or a backpacking adventure. Car-camping is fun and great to do with small children, but to completely escape from the every day, I recommend backpacking. Backpacking is different from booking a campsite in a drive-up campground because you’re completely on your own, relying on your wits to stay safe and have a good time. If you’ve never done this before, it’s definitely worth it to read up on important survival tips you need to know. There are numerous tips online that are worth exploring, including what to pack and how to build a fire. Brush up on your survival skills and research how to handle encountering a live animal while you’re out in the wilderness. Unlike the city vacation, if you head out into the wild, you’ll need to do your research, pack appropriately, and have some basic outdoor knowledge.

Opting for the Thrill-Seeking Vacation 

Another unique travel experience you can consider is a thrill-seeking vacation. This is perfect for those who want to get their blood pumping and ensure that they get the thrills they’re craving. For instance, maybe you’ve always dreamed of an epic mountaineering adventure and visiting the beautiful Himalayas. Perhaps you’d like to cycle through Moab, raft the Grand Canyon, drive a racecar, bungee jump in New Zealand, or try surfing. There are plenty of vacation ideas online for those who seek thrills, from the most tame adventures to epic adrenaline-packed, bucket list experiences.

Giving Back

A vacation that involves giving back to other people or various charities is worth noting. You’ll find there are lots of organizations online that can help you volunteer your time and service for others. For instance, you could head to Africa and help build water wells or help the homeless in Paris. You can stay in the US and help Habitat for Humanity build homes, assist the Red Cross with recovery after natural disasters, or even help clean and clear trails for the National Park Service. Usually, on these charitable vacation experiences, you will get free housing and meals, and also get time off to enjoy the area. It’s important to choose a cause that means a great deal to you and your family. Unique travel experiences where you volunteer your time can provide much joy, a sense of pride and purpose, and altruistic social enrichment that benefits all of society.

A Spa Retreat

If you’d just like to spend your next vacation relaxing, then you can think about booking a spa vacation. Regardless of where you are traveling to, you’ll find that this option is almost always available. However, it can’t hurt to check the reviews and read up on spas in the area to ensure a relaxing, positive experience. Big cities and popular vacation hot spots are well-known for their luxurious spas and unique pampering experiences. Perhaps, you’re not interested in the traditional version of a spa retreat. There are plenty of options for other wellness vacations including yoga retreats, raw food/juicing/detox spas, fitness, meditation, gardening, and even therapies involving animals. Trips like these usually involve singles or couples, where focusing on relaxation, wellness, and bettering yourself is the highest priority.

Sure, anyone can take a vacation. However, trying one of these unique travel experiences may break up the monotony of the usual family trip. Be sure to do your research to find the trip that best fits you. Also, be aware when planning any vacation, there are numerous factors that you need to keep in mind, like your budget, amount of time you’re going to stay, and what you’d like to get out of the journey. 

If you have a favorite unique travel experience or destination, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Travels!

Julie

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