6 minute read
Passions: Plan An Unforgettable Trip This Year
As winter wanes and we crawl out from our hibernation dens, it might be time to think about travel plans for the year. Everyone has a unique travel personality. Some people prefer cities, while others love to get out in nature. Some like to return to the same area year after year, while others think life is too short and the world too large to do the same vacation on repeat. There are so many options when it comes to travel that it can be difficult to narrow down a decision, but we hope to offer some inspiration for you for 2024 and beyond.
Initial Considerations
With social media and smartphones, inspiration is literally at our fingertips for choosing a location. But before we set our hearts on a place, we should make some initial choices. The first is financial: what is the budget? While a trip overseas can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on the number of people going, a road trip can be pretty reasonable.
Once the budget is determined, location is next, says Karen Thompson, a self-employed travel adviser with Keys to the World Travel. “They should think about how difficult the destination is to get to from where they live. How long is the travel time?” she says. Even if we have the money to afford a trip that includes airfare, car rental, train tickets, or cruises, we may not have the desire to spend so much time en route.
When Karen meets with a client, she likes it when they come with several ideas in mind, which can help her tailor her questions to narrow down where to go. “Do they want guided tours, independent travel, or a combination of both?” she says. “Are they looking for adventure or relaxation? Are they foodies or art lovers and do they want to learn about culture in the destination?”
Another consideration can be mobility issues either for ourselves or our travel companions. Karen is seeing more and more intergenerational travel with grandparents and suggests cruises as a good option. “You can choose from several different land experiences in port ranging from an active bike tour to a guided museum tour with accessible transportation,” she says.
To Seek Help or Not
There are all kinds of websites for planning travel, but sometimes it is advisable to contact a travel adviser. Since they plan vacations daily, they often have better insights on what to do and likely have suggestions from their own travel experiences or from their colleagues. Karen says travel planners also receive training from suppliers and can provide resources that you simply cannot find on a web-based booking engine.
Overseas Excursions
If funds and time allow, Karen has some suggestions for locations to consider outside the US. “Croatia is becoming a popular destination in Europe,” she says. Treat yourself and look up images of the walls of Dubrovnik or Plitvice Lakes National Park, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites — you’ll be packing your suitcase shortly afterward. Karen says Iceland and Antarctica have become increasingly popular places for individuals looking for adventure. If you’re wanting a warm, tropical locale, St. Vincent/ Grenadines and St. Kitts should be considered.
Staying In-Country
Carrie Voss, co-owner of Keys to Dream Travel in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and her colleague, independent travel agent Erin Wells, have all sorts of travel suggestions for folks who want to stay within the States for their 2024 vacation.
Erin says Boston, Massachusetts, is one of her favorite cities and offers history, culture, sports and everything in between. “A guest can purchase a Go City pass (I recommend the two-day pass) and do as much as they can accomplish off the list of options within those days,” she says. That list of options included in the pass is long but includes New England Aquarium, Paul Revere House, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Swan Boats of Boston, a Fenway Park tour and the USS Constitution Museum. An allinclusive Go City two-day pass for one adult is around $119, which is a bargain given everything it includes.
For those who aren’t limiting themselves to the contiguous United States, Erin suggests Disney’s Aulani in Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii. “It isn’t a theme park, but rather a resort. They boast spectacular beaches and serene lagoons, a championship golf course, shopping and dining venues, sports fishing, snorkeling, a beach house for kids, and so much more,” she says. Guests can book additional excursions or stay local.
If flying is not in the cards for you this year (or ever), fear not. Carrie suggests several locales in Georgia, an approximate six-hour drive from Louisville. The first is Blue Ridge, Georgia, where a family can rent a cabin with mountain views for under $700. “Activities in the area include 16 self-guided waterfall hikes, tubing down the Toccoa River, riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, visiting the Sasquatch Museum, trout fishing, and shopping in downtown Blue Ridge,” she says. From Blue Ridge, Carrie says you can drive one way to visit Babyland General Hospital, the birthplace of Cabbage Patch Kids, or drive an hour to Helene, Georgia, a unique Bavarianthemed town located on the Chattahoochee River.
For travelers who prefer to stay in state, Carrie says Grand Rivers, Kentucky, is around three hours from Louisville and lies between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. A four-night stay typically ranges from $600$800. “Nearby activities include the Badgett Playhouse, the Kentucky Opry, and Patti’s 1880 Settlement restaurant,” she says. But perhaps the best of all is that Grand Rivers is steps from Land Between the Lakes, where you can visit the Elk and Bison Prairie. If you want to get close to bison without traveling to Yellowstone National Park, Land Between the Lakes is your place. You can also go horseback riding, visit the 1850s Homeplace and rent a boat to explore the lakes.
Today's Transitions Spring 2024 | By Carrie Vittitoe
