Travel Talk: Around the World in Four Days

I recently returned from a week in Las Vegas. Only this time there were no shows, gambling, or lounging in the poolside cabanas. This trip involved sitting in a conference room for 5 days. A crime not to revel in all Vegas has to offer? Absolutely. But boring? Not in the least.

Virtuoso Travel Week is the place where Travel Advisors and Suppliers meet to share information and talk about what’s new in travel. Over 1,300 hotels, tour operators, cruise lines and destination experts from over 80 countries met with Travel Advisors to provide updated and new ideas for our clients.

We “speed-date” throughout the day (purely platonic) to ensure face-to-face meetings with as many suppliers as possible. Western Europe came down our track on day 1. Day 2 started with Australia and ended with Russia. Day 3 was mostly Southeast Asia and South America. And we concluded with the Caribbean and Mexico on the final day. Throw in some trips to the Arctic and an update on space travel, and we were around the world in four days.

While there are too many unique and amazing experiences to list, there was a definite “buzz” about these new trends and destinations in travel:

1. Bhutan -- The Kingdom of Bhutan, a tiny country reaching into the heights of the Himalayas, has one of the most unique ways of assessing the health of the country. Gross National Happiness (GNH) pegs economic success with measures of well-being. Cocooned for years from foreign influences, Bhutan has preserved its traditional Buddhist way of life. It’s doors have recently opened to a limited number of visitors each year making it a sought-after destination for those seeking amazing cultural experiences as well as an abundance of natural wonders.

Cultural addicts will experience Buddhist religious traditions as well as art and monuments. Nature lovers take note that 60% of Bhutan is covered by forest. And active travelers seeking hiking, rafting, mountain biking and fishing won’t be disappointed. There are also several wellness retreats where yoga is the daily dish.

2. Amazon River Cruising -- River cruising in Europe is taking off at warp speed. But cruising down the largest and most exotic river in the world is gaining in popularity. Those seeking this adventure travel to Peru to depart from the birthplace of the Amazon. Wipe away that image of mosquito nets, hot tents and freeze-dried food. Intimate, luxury vessels take passengers along the Amazon in swanky, air-conditioned ships complete with a bar, spa, and floor-to-ceiling cabin windows. Venture out in smaller boats to catch a glimpse of pink dolphins and red howler monkeys. Then after an award-winning dinner, head out again for a night adventure in search of caimans. 

I love the idea of pairing a 3 or 4 night Amazon River cruise with a trip to Macchu Piccu. You don’t need a visa to visit Peru, an upcoming destination with a wide-variety of activities for those seeking a bit of an adventure.

3. Complete customized travel -- Attending Travel Week confirmed that indeed, anything is possible in travel. Through a world-wide network, “on-sites” on the ground in a particular destination, collaborate with a Travel Advisor and clients to create a unique and memorable experience. 

Interested in learning about Russia’s space training program? Not a problem. A former Russian cosmonaut will take you on a private tour of the Space Museum in Moscow and then show you where all Russian cosmonauts were trained (which is off-limits to the public). Always wanted to visit a traditional Indian bazaar but don’t like crowds? The bazaar will be brought to your palace-like hotel in India and all items available for purchase will of course, be exactly your size. 

Unique and customized travel takes an ordinary trip and turns it into something much more interesting to the individual, not to mention highly memorable.

I never expected “speed-dating” to be so interesting. But this trip confirmed the endless possibilities of travel and what experiences exist. Next time you think about a vacation, think outside the box and how that trip can be even more special and targeted to you and your family. Either through the destination itself or experiences you have while there.

Who knew that a trip to Las Vegas would open my eyes even further to the possibilities of travel? Maybe next year in Vegas I’ll pull the handle of at least one slot machine in the hopes of a jackpot. And to the disappointment of my kids, my winnings won’t purchase a new ipad. Unless they agree to the Rosetta Stone app.