Extended Weekend Getaways By Robin O’Neal Smith
Associate Editor
https://RobinOnealSmith.com
A New Landscape of Travel in 2025
The travel landscape has significantly shifted in recent years, influenced by global events, technological advancements, and a growing focus on sustainability. In 2025, this transformation will reach new heights, promising a more personalized, conscious, and innovative travel experience. Whether you dream of serene retreats or cutting-edge adventures, these trends are designed to cater to your unique travel preferences.
Let’s delve into the emerging trends that are set to redefine our travel experiences in 2025, reflecting our evolving preferences and offering exciting new ways to explore the world.
Culinary Tourism
Food and drink remain central to memorable travel. Michelin-starred restaurants, street food markets, food trails, and immersive cooking experiences are top picks for culinary enthusiasts.
Hilton forecasts this to be another big food trend in the upcoming year. Food is already taking over travel budgets, with 50% of travelers making reservations before flights. Brandon Shaw, co-founder and COO at The Tour Guy, recommends taking a food tour in every city you visit so you can learn about the local cuisine and apply it to the rest of your trip.
Go Getaways
Ready to enjoy a helicoptor tour of Niagara Falls – by Robin O’Neal Smith
In 2025, more travelers will trek toward thrilling, unique adventures—driving their desire to take one‑of‑a‑kind vacations. Hilton reports that 69% of global travelers enjoy being active when they travel, and one in four travelers plans to seek unique experiences.
Spontaneous weekend “go” trips are trending as travelers seek quick and memorable escapes. These trips usually involve adventure or event-focused activities such as sporting events or concerts. Brandon Shaw, co-founder and COO at The Tour Guy, says, “This past year we saw more and more people planning trips around big events and concerts, and this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. According to global search trends data, “shows/concerts/events” falls just under “sightseeing” on the list of travel experiences tourists are searching for.
Time Travel
Childhood memories soar when riding through Disney’s nostalgic ride “It’s A Small World”
Reliving childhood memories is driving the Time Travel Trend. Whether it is a family reunion or a road trip you took as a child, travelers embrace the chance to travel back in time.
According to Hilton, who coined this trend, “Next year, Americans in particular, are expected to lead the world in the act of taking vacations and booking travel experiences inspired by nostalgic memories.” Recreating memories was the third most-cited reason for leisure travel in the U.S
SKI Trips (Spending Kids’ Inheritance)
This does not refer to ski slopes! Parents and grandparents flip priorities by Spending Kids’ Inheritance (SKI) instead of squirreling their savings.
Who wants a restful retirement? Older generations are taking trips of a lifetime, satisfying bucket lists. Baby boomers show other generations what ‘living their best life’ is all about. I fall into this category myself, and I’m loving it.
Many also include their kids and grandkids as they shell out the bucks for travel, and multigenerational trips are becoming more popular.
Peak Travel
The Great Smoky Mountains – by Robin O’Neal Smith
Instead of heading to the cities, many go to the mountains to enjoy “Peak Travel.” The Gen Z and Gen X crowd are leading the charge in making “Elevacations” to mountain destinations popular. I have enjoyed some “Peak Travel” this year, with trips to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountain range in West Virginia.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Travel
Sustainability is no longer a niche preference—it’s a necessity. Travelers in 2025 are seeking eco-friendly destinations, accommodations, and practices. Supporting local communities, reducing carbon footprints, and opting for experiences that respect the environment are at the forefront.
Eco-conscious travel also means choosing accommodations with renewable energy sources, zero-waste policies, and responsible wildlife tourism. Whether staying in eco-lodges or opting for train travel over short-haul flights, this green travel movement is reshaping the industry’s priorities.
Sustainable practices help protect our planet for future generations while allowing travelers to make a positive impact. It’s travel you can feel good about.
Health and Wellness Tourism
Wellness travel is booming as people prioritize physical and mental well-being on their journeys. Beyond yoga retreats, 2025 will continue to see holistic wellness programs integrating mental health, nutrition, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities like forest bathing or hiking.
Some new trends in the Health and Wellness area include:
Sleep Tourism
Wayback Hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN is pure nostalgia – by Robin O’Neal Smith
Hotels are tailoring their amenities to focus on sleep, offering soundproof rooms, luxury mattresses, and guided relaxation sessions for better rest.
Amanda Al-Masri, Vice President of Wellness at Hilton Hotels, emphasizes the importance of sleep tourism: “Sleep tourism soared in 2024, and next year we anticipate more travelers than ever will prioritize getting much-needed rest while on vacation. Hilton research shows that 80% of wellness-focused consumers prioritize a hotel’s commitment to good sleep!”
Whether staying at luxury sleep-focused resorts or exploring nature-based wellness activities, travelers book experiences that recharge them physically and mentally.
Digital Detox
More travelers are unplugging during trips, opting for destinations with zero WiFi to reconnect with nature and themselves.
They want to power down and opt out of social media during vacation time. According to Hilton’s survey, a fourth of respondents say they avoid answering calls, texts, or emails from work when on vacation.
Author Robin O’Neal Smith is enjoying a hands-on pottery experience in Gatlinburg, TN
Soft Travel
Unlike Go Getaways, this buzzword refers to low-impact, slow-paced trips focusing on more profound connections with local cultures and quality experiences instead of whirlwind tours.
As life accelerates, immersing oneself in a destination for an extended time as a local to fully experience the culture is gaining popularity. Soft Travel encourages simplicity, sustainable, mindful, and meaningful travel experiences. Soft travelers want to relax, escape the everyday stresses and schedules, and just go with the flow.
Passport to Longevity
Travel experiences that help people live longer, healthier lives are predicted to be in higher demand.
According to Booking.com, “A vacation is no longer just time to unwind. Driven by the desire to cultivate better lifestyle choices, almost half (49%) of American travelers are interested in a longevity retreat – a super-charged flex on traditional well-being itineraries where temporary fixes are replaced in pursuit of a longer, healthier life.”
Tempo Drinking
Last year’s trend of Dry Tripping is transitioning into the rise of curated “tempo drinking.” Tempo drinking is a mindful practice of pacing yourself while drinking.
Experiential Travel
Gone are the days of cookie-cutter vacations. An increasing number of travelers now seek unique, tailor-made experiences. Fully customized itineraries allow adventurers to explore niche activities, such as foraging in the forest, private vineyard tours, or learning traditional crafts with local artisans.
Travelers value authenticity and cherish opportunities to connect with local culture. These highly personalized experiences leave lasting impressions that generic trips do not.
Luxury Travel
We all like a little luxury, and more and more people are seeking luxury vacations, including glamping experiences. Travelers want both luxury perks and the outdoors.
Pitchup.com recently added the renowned Dawn Ranch in Sonoma County, California, to its glamping portfolio. This luxe boutique hotel offers expansive glamping accommodations where travelers can indulge in the resort’s high-end amenities while experiencing the peacefulness of nature. With a 209 percent increase in searches using the ‘luxury’ filter on Pitchup.com this September compared to last year, this surge in interest reflects how travelers prioritize well-being across all budget levels.
Technology Integration in Travel
Technology continues to revolutionize the way we travel. From contactless check-ins and AI-powered travel planners to virtual reality tours, the future is tech-savvy. Hotels and airlines offer app-based convenience, like luggage tracking, contactless check-ins, managing bookings, mapping out itineraries, and even selecting custom amenities with a click.
Booking.com predicts travelers will begin using tech to source travel experiences to meet their needs.
MeMooners
Last year, we referred to this trend as solo traversing. In 2025, Hilton has labeled them MeMooners. Seven percent of global respondents to Hilton’s survey said they often travel by themselves. MeMooners will challenge the travel industry to change from a world built for pairs and recognize their influence.
Digital Nomadism and Remote Work
The remote work revolution has arrived—and it’s traveling with us. Digital nomadism has grown exponentially in the last few years, allowing professionals to work from anywhere worldwide.Co-working spaces at tropical resorts, extended-stay eco-villas, and fast internet connections in remote havens mean the “office” continues to evolve. This trend redefines work-life balance and encourages long-term stays in destinations far from home.
Say goodbye to the traditional 9-to-5. Digital nomadism is a lifestyle change where work and travel harmoniously blend.
Are you ready to adapt your bucket list to 2025’s innovative trends? Whether planning an extended weekend getaway or a long-term adventure, familiarizing yourself with the latest travel trends can make all the difference. Understanding these trends enhances your travel experience and helps you make informed decisions. Whether it’s a wellness retreat, sustainable staycation, or culinary escape, a perfect destination awaits you in 2025.
