I don’t know about you, but I’m going stir crazy! I’ve been in lock-down mode for about 2 months and am ready to resume life. Our worlds were turned upside down in a very short time and the uncertainty of what lies ahead is stressful.
We are in uncharted waters… afraid, uncertain, running through a gamut of emotions. One thing has never been truer. We are all in this together.
What does all of this mean for the future of travel, specifically as it pertains to you? The survey I recently distributed showed a strong interest in domestic travel. Don’t get me wrong… international travel is still strong, but domestic travel is nipping at its heals. So why don’t we dream domestically for a minute?
Open places, adventure, private islands, private planes, private yachts, private villas. Do you see the trend here? All these options are topping the lists for those antsy to get out there again and explore. Travelers are dreaming about places that are a little more remote both domestically and internationally. Think New Zealand and the South Pacific for internationally bound folks. Think national parks, beach escapes and self-drive vacations for domestic travelers.
When dreaming about that day when you can once again travel, if you’re inclined to stay closer to home, I’ve listed some options to start thinking about.
Domestic Dream Ideas
Ranches have wide open spaces and are chock full of activities for the whole family. Maybe Vermejo Park Ranch or JL Bar Ranch would fit the bill?
Destination Spas – Did you know that the US has more destination spas than anywhere in the world? And some of the best, believe me. How about Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona? Arizona has several world class destination spas to choose from. Or Cal-a-Vie in Vista, California or Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas? All offer quite different experiences. I am happy to help find the best fit to cater to your goals.
Alaska – For those of you who might be gun shy to get on a ship, there are some great land options in Alaska utilizing fabulous lodges. Within the Wild has two unique lodges. You can choose to spend the entire time at one or split your time between the two. Stillpoint Lodge is another great option. If you prefer to experience Alaska by ship, then I highly recommend going with an expedition cruise company like Lindblad, UnCruise or Ponant.
National Parks – From photographic safaris to hiking and biking adventures, our National Parks offer an array of options to choose from. Maybe a wolf and wildlife safari in Yellowstone or a perhaps an exploration of the canyons of the American Southwest? There are plenty of grizzly adventures to be found as well. National Parks are a wonderful option for the entire family. Great open spaces with fresh air, nature and wildlife!
Domestic River Cruises – The Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers all offer river cruise options.
Great Lakes Cruises – Yes, you heard me. The Eighth Sea is emerging as the rarest of unicorns and there are some fabulous itineraries out there!
There’s no limit to your options right here in your backyard, or close to it… self-drive itineraries, city escapes, biking/hiking/multi-sport trips, golf trips, ski vacations, beach escapes, food & wine focused trips, the list goes on.
Optimism for travel within the next 6 months has increased significantly in just this past week. The post-corona road will find an experience as changed as it was post-9/11. No surprise there. We live in a traveling world. That’s the long and the short of it. It’s in our DNA. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here!
NatHab’s mission is conservation through exploration. Their efforts to mitigate environmental impact are currently focused on carbon neutral travel, reducing waste, green office community, partnering with World Wildlife Fund as well as a wide variety of philanthropic initiatives in the destinations they visit.
