Travel Trends for Fall 2022
Fall may be the best time of year to travel! Who hasn't noticed that sunrise appears a bit later, sunset arrives earlier, and temperatures continuously begin to cool each day? Even with shorter days on the horizon, the appetite for travel is still more robust than ever as we approach summer's end. Consider the choices and priorities on how to spend an extended vacation or shorter getaway with more unique activities, fewer crowds to be overwhelmed with when exploring, and less expensive reservations.
1. Travel alone or with someone
Whether you enjoy being solo or spending time away with a friend, partner, or spouse, travelers continue to crave the experience a new destination can provide. Meet new people, make new friends, and learn about a new culture high on your wish list, especially if traveling alone. It's an ideal time to discover the world with or without someone else. Talk about making cherished lifetime memories! Remember the destination you spent time during winter? Consider going back there again now in the Fall season! With fewer crowds and significant savings on accommodations and flights, it's easier to find better travel deals. With the shortened days, discover more than chasing the sun.
2. Be budget conscious
To splurge or not to splurge, that is the question. Despite inflation, people have planned and will be traveling this Fall even if they spend more. Of course, when planning a trip, cost and affordability are consideration factors, especially after being home-bound the past few years. From booking a quaint bed and breakfast hideaway to a posh VRBO destination with luxe accommodations, it's easier to find discounted rates during the shoulder season, the period between the "peak" and "off-peak" seasons. Also, choosing your geographic location may have much to do with the activities you want to participate in also. Airfares are also coming down from the soaring summer pricing, making it more affordable to plan a getaway. You can find significant savings and perks on accommodations as well.
3. Opt for destinations in different hemispheres
If you're like me, I prefer not to travel at the height of a season or during vacation holidays that people worldwide are swarming over. Now is the time to enjoy comfortable days and crisp nights to create memories in the wide-open outdoors! I know a multi-generational family who just returned from an incredible bonding experience outdoors in Peru. What plans do you have to extend the last weeks of summer while welcoming Fall? A look at the calendar shows it is the opportune time to take full advantage of the changing seasons because soon enough, we'll have to retrieve cold-weather layering clothing from storage. #Brrrrrrrrr. If you choose to travel overseas now, there are favorable exchange rates which means you'll get more value for your money and can splurge on something special to remember your trip! Travelers will fly for extended periods to sail on a junk in the exotic Halong Bay of North Viet Nam, marvel at the ancient ruins of the Acropolis in Athens, nosh on buttery pain au chocolate in the outdoor cafes of Paris, or walk Mexico’s pristine beaches at sunset.
4. Enjoy wherever you choose.
Oh, the choices! Some destinations provide hiking, biking, and zip-lining trails for family fun experiences while being in the middle of nature's rotating colors. Or, choose bustling cities like New York and Paris! Focus on what is around you. This time of year, discover events such as local craft and outdoor art fairs. Fields are open to pick pumpkins, roadside stands offer apple cider donuts and maple syrup, and vineyards provide wine tastings. Maybe find a rollicking October Fest. Take advantage of reduced fares and entry fees to attractions likely to be found exclusively this time of year. Residents and out-of-state visitors should check out the value pricing offered during the shoulder season. Take time to look at great deals and trips on travel sites such as VRBO or EXPEDIA for many types of travelers. Use the online filters for exclusive activities!
5. Feel like a local
Here in the United States, we still want to get in a quick getaway before blustery snow flurries or even book a trip for an extended trip to a distant destination. I've been to many U.S. states during cold winter, from West Coast's Washington, Wyoming, and Colorado to Eastern Seaboard's New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Have you considered these same destinations for fall colors? I really get excited about booking a stay during the quieter colorful time of year in some of these popular destinations that fill up in frigid weather months, becoming overrun with skiers, snowboarders, and winter-break students with their families. I'll impatiently wait for the hot summer weather to change, then take road trips in search of areas whose trees show leaves turning into the most vibrant hues of oranges, yellows, and red colors. I grab a favorite weather-resistant Tumi backpack, slip into a fashionable cozy sweater, and put on my trusted hiking boots from REI, getting ready to take a long walk on wooded trails, hearing twigs snap under my feet. Finding creeks and ponds along the way is an added plus!
Travel! Explore! A luxurious splurge or not, I encourage you to make the most of Autumn. It’s more than just leaf peeping. One last note: consider also using this time as an opportunity to bring along the 'other family member' who will enjoy the trip as much as you! Happy Fall!
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