One of the best things about the start to a new year is all the planning, plotting, and daydreaming that comes along with it. With a fresh start comes a blank calendar and endless opportunities to fill your months with trips—from weekends at the lake to longer stays in more distant destinations. There’s no time like the present to explore something—or someplace—new, and the coming year is bursting with opportunities to experience everything our big, beautiful world has to offer. While your vacation can (and should!) be exactly what you want it to be, whether a fast-paced tour of a foreign country or a leisurely staycation at a local bed and breakfast, these 2024 travel trends may be worth considering if you need of a little inspiration to get your wheels turning. Once you find something that suits your fancy, the only thing left to do is pack your bags, set that “out of office” reply, and get going!

1. Rest and Relaxation Retreats

2023 went by in a whirlwind, so loads of travelers are still catching their breath after a hectic, jam-packed year. As a result, relaxation retreats, or trips taken for the purpose of resting and resetting, will be big in 2024. A study done by Hilton found that the number one reason people across all generations want to travel in 2024 is to rest and recharge. This year, it’s not about packing as many international cities into one two-week span as you can. Instead, slow down, take your time, and invest in your physical and mental health with a trip that brings rest to the top of the to-do list.

2. “In Your Backyard” Travel

The pandemic effectively shut down international travel, creating a balloon effect over the last couple of years when it seemed like everyone and their mother was jetting off for a European vacation. With rising travel costs and inflation to consider, 2024 will be a year of scaling back. Travelers are keen on exploring the wonders found in their own backyards, so to speak. Destinations within easy driving distance, and easy one- or two-day trips, will be big for travelers looking to maximize their time and money, but still have an unforgettable experience.

3. Destination Dupes

Travelers are taking a page from TikTok with the introduction of destination dupes. If it’s not in the cards to visit your dream destination this year, you can always substitute the aspirational adventure for a trip that’s more attainable but still offers many of the same characteristics and experiences as your dream destination. The South is full of great destination dupes. For example, if you’re fantasizing about a trip to the Greek isles, try Tarpon Springs, Florida instead. Itching to spend time in a quaint German town, consider Helen, Georgia.

4. Music Tourism

Call it the Taylor Swift Effect or something different but there’s no denying that music tourism has exploded over the past year. If you didn’t snag tickets to one of Swift’s U.S. performances, the 48 shows scheduled for Europe in 2024 will certainly draw a significant number of overseas travelers. Seeing your favorite artist is a great excuse to plan a trip. And a vacation budget is a great excuse to splurge to see your favorite artists. How’s that for a two-in-one?

5. Experience Stays

Traditional hotels will never go completely out of style (sometimes you just can’t beat their convenience and comfort), but travelers are increasingly interested in accommodations that offer something beyond a cozy bed and lobby bar. Whether you want to sleep in a renovated train caboose or a magical treehouse in the woods, there’s an experiential stay for you. Want to get away from it all? A luxury farm resort may be just the ticket.

6. Astronomical Adventures

Mark this date in your calendar: April 8, 2024. On this day, you’ll want to head outside to experience the total solar eclipse, an astronomical event that last happened in 2017 and won’t happen again for another 20 years after 2024. Those set on seeing the spectacular phenomenon in all its glory will be heading to San Antonio, Texas or Albuquerque, New Mexico, two places where chances are highest to see the sun’s corona during the eclipse.

7. Small Group Travel

2023 was a big year for multigenerational travel with extended families reuniting after a period of separation due to the pandemic. That trend will continue into 2024 but expand to include more types of small groups, from young families traveling together to friend groups planning large gatherings. You might see groups renting out a large vacation home or private villa, and they may even take over a floor of a hotel. I jumped on this trend at the end of 2023 with a New Year’s Eve gathering in St. Augustine, and am planning another at an tropical all-inclusive resort this summer.

To reduce tourism’s negative effects on people, the environment, and ourselves, we must shift our focus to more ethical travel

The way we travel has changed over the years and especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. While more people are travelling now than ever before, there is a need to be responsible while travelling and it is never too late to start.

Tourism is on the rise because the world is full of undiscovered destinations, breathtaking scenery, and wildlife that everyone should see at least once in their lives. In certain cases, growing tourism has a negative impact on neighbouring towns and resources. Furthermore, major movements to protect the planet’s health are ongoing, as the repercussions of our continued mistreatment are grave.

Things that were formerly normal while travelling are now unacceptable. It’s not necessarily a bad thing! To reduce tourism’s negative effects on people, the environment, and ourselves, we must shift our focus to more ethical travel. People are travelling more frequently, farther away, and for longer periods of time. To demonstrate respect for the places they visit, travellers should observe local customs and contribute back to the community.

Sanjay Wadhawan, founder and CEO of Earthaa Escapes, shares with IANSlife his top recommended ways to travel responsibly:

Be careful when engaging in animal activities: Many individuals dream of riding elephants, swimming with dolphins or getting their picture taken with tigers while making trip arrangements, but these careless activities frequently cause more harm than good, as these gorgeous creatures are brought out of their native habitat for entertainment. It is better to avoid such activities as they injure the animals and are unethical. Hence, one must do their homework and refuse.

Watch your waste: Plastic waste has spread like wildfire in this century. Packing reusable cloth bags, which individuals may use for local shopping, is one of the simplest ways to travel sustainably and prevent adding plastic garbage to the place they visit. It is advised to bring some disposable cutlery and straws while travelling, and use them as needed. Or, individuals can even ask for it at the hotel where they are staying. Moreover, the majority of hotels are currently attempting to eliminate plastic.

Visit lesser-known locations: With travelling becoming a quick escape from reality for the majority of individuals, it has become essential to travel responsibly and choose your location wisely. In order to avoid overcrowding a tourist spot, one should concentrate on visiting less well-known sites and places. In fact, a prudent travel recommendation is to avoid crowded regions, especially in the post-Covid-19 world.

Be aware of your carbon footprints: There is no denying the fact that flying is easy and comes with its own set of perks but it also increases carbon emissions. If nothing else, flying a direct flight will cut carbon emissions. In addition, research suggests that taking off and landings are the worst. Therefore, taking the overland route rather than flying is another wise piece of travel advice one should definitely take into account.

Learn about other cultures: One of the most significant benefits of travelling is learning about other cultures and religions. Meeting various people, learning about their customs and traditions, trying their local food, and getting to know about their lifestyle seem fascinating.

Tourism is on the rise, especially in the post Covid era. This increased tourism has led to situations that have harmful effects on the environment. It is always suggested to gather some kind of information about the place they are planning to visit. In fact, most tourism boards have informative websites that are packed with valuable data. There is no denying the fact that travellers are becoming more socially conscious day by day. Thus, by following the simple ways mentioned above, individuals can ensure that their actions are not causing any harm to the environment.

What’s worse than arriving on holiday with a suitcase full of creased clothes? Not having a steamer or iron on hand to repair the damage! No one enjoys trotting about on vacation in clothes that look as if they’ve climbed out of the dirty laundry basket. That’s why we’re sharing 7 tips on how to keep your clothes neat & uncreased when traveling!

Roll, don’t fold

This packing hack not only saves you space in your luggage (especially accompanied with packing cubes), but rolling instead of folding can also reduce creases and wrinkles in your clothes. Start packing with the sturdier fabrics first, like denim or cotton, rolling them tightly to minimise wrinkles.

Layer up with paper or dry cleaning bags

Slip tissue paper or plastic dry-cleaning bags between layers of clothes to prevent friction and creasing. Doing so acts as a buffer – the smooth surface of the plastic or tissue helps clothes retain their shape and stay wrinkle-free.

It’s all about strategy

By arranging your luggage strategically and placing heavier items, such as shoes or toiletry bags, at the bottom of your bag, you prevent those heavier items from pressing down on lighter items, which causes ugly creases.

Get a garment bag, or two

For delicate or formal wear, garment bags offer an extra layer of protection. They shield clothes from getting crushed and maintain their shape. Hanging these garments immediately upon arrival helps preserve their pristine condition.

Get yourself a travel-sized steamer

Investing in a travel-sized steamer or a wrinkle release spray is a lifesaver. A quick spritz or steam can help relax minor wrinkles, especially on fabrics prone to creasing, restoring a crisp appearance to your clothes.

Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics

Opting for fabrics known for their wrinkle-resistant properties, like polyester blends, linen or certain blends of cotton. These materials have a natural ability to resist creasing and hold their shape well, making them excellent choices for holiday travel.

Unpacking fast is a priority

As soon as you arrive at your destination, unpack and hang your clothes to allow any wrinkles to naturally fall out. Promptly hanging garments allows gravity to work its magic, minimising the need for ironing or steaming.

Good luck and safe travels!

Everything about travelling is great but when it comes to managing our eating habits we all often fail. While travelling we tend to eat things which are not good for our gut which leads to health issues. Read on to learn the ways you can manage healthy eating while travelling.

Travelling often takes a toll on our gut health because we engage in unhealthy eating habits. We are not at home where we can get healthy food. But these unhealthy eating habits can be managed by following the tips we have mentioned below.

Keep Healthy Snacks Handy

While travelling you can’t expect to get healthy food items and thus it is evident to eat junk food. Most people vouch for chips, biscuits and cakes which are crazy junk and lead to health issues. You can avoid this by carrying healthy snacks with you such as assorted nuts, protein bars, flavoured makhanas, and popcorn. These are healthy and wholesome replacements for the packet food items.

Avoid Sugary Drinks

Travelling leads to dehydration and thus we tend to consume beverages like cold drinks which contain high quantities of sugar. These lead to weight gain and health issues. You can replace these sugary drinks with lemonade, coconut water, and fresh fruit juices. These will keep you fresh and healthy.

Consume Whole Grain Over Rice

Rice contains carbohydrates which lower the metabolism rate and induce sleep. Moreover, it also tends to cause weight gain. Thus it is recommended to consume whole grain while travelling as it contains fibre. Fibre will keep you energised throughout the trip.

Choose The Right Meal

Just because you are travelling doesn’t mean you should compromise on your health and indulge in eating oily and fried food items. You should opt for less oil and low-carb meals which are easy to digest and keep you energetic. Salads and soups are wholesome food options which you can go for while you’re travelling.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

Excess caffeine is not good for health. People often consume coffee and tea while travelling to feel relaxed and rejuvenated but it is not the right thing to do. Rather you can opt for green tea, mint tea or lavender tea, which are not just a better alternative but will keep you fresh throughout.

Unless you are healthy you won’t be able to enjoy your travelling. So, follow the above-mentioned tips to ensure a healthy gut and happy travels.