![\"\"](\"http:\/\/suitcasejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Arthur-Frommer-Travel-Conference.jpg\" "\\"Arthur")
<\/a>\u00a0Travel Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n- \n
- Substitution of apartments and homes for hotel rooms.<\/em> \u00a0Not only can you save some money, but often apartments and homes will be more spacious (with extra\u00a0amenities\u00a0such as kitchens) and you might be able to score a great location. \u00a0Some sites to check out include vrbo<\/a>, airbnb<\/a>, and Endless Vacation Rentals<\/a>. \u00a0While we have yet to use one of those sites, we did choose to rent an apartment in Paris, and loved the experience!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Nickel-and-diming of airline passengers.<\/em>\u00a0 While this isn’t necessarily new information, it does serve as a reminder to check for hidden fees when booking flights. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Rise in operation of cheap intercity buses.<\/em> \u00a0BoltBus<\/a> (operates in the northeastern US) and Megabus<\/a> (operates in US and Canada, as well the UK<\/a>) offer an alternative to driving, taking the train and flying between big cities. \u00a0The best part – prices are very competitive and as low as $1 for a trip!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Rise in popularity of European river cruises.<\/em> \u00a0They stop right in the heart of each city, but can be a bit pricey. \u00a0Frommer has been on several and noted that the majority of travelers were older (and those that were young appeared to be bored). \u00a0I’ve always wanted to try out a river cruise, so I’ll keep this in mind before booking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Walking tours.<\/em> \u00a0But not just any walking tour – book a tour by specialists or someone in academics to ensure accurate information. \u00a0Some of the recommended sites: Vayable<\/a>, Urban Adventures<\/a>, and Context Travel<\/a>. \u00a0Many of the walking tours guarantee small groups, which usually means a much more enjoyable experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Rise in popularity of “learning vacations.”<\/em> \u00a0For a different type of vacation, check out summer programs at top universities that are open to more than just the students. \u00a0Not only can you take classes with interesting subject matter, but the packages include accommodations and dining – both at the college. \u00a0Frommer mentioned courses at the following universities: \u00a0Oxford<\/a>, Cambridge<\/a>, and St. John’s College<\/a>. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Increase in free accommodations.<\/em> \u00a0Stay for free on someone’s couch! \u00a0Couchsurfing<\/a>, \u00a0 Global Freeloaders<\/a>, and US Servas<\/a>\u00a0offer similar services – connect online through the site and find a host in the desired city. \u00a0This isn’t for everyone, and not something I would try on my own, but for some people in certain situations, this is a great way to cut down on travel costs.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hottest Destinations:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- China.<\/em> \u00a0Frommer revealed the unbelievably low prices for week-long tours of China through China Spree<\/a> – as low as $899, all inclusive (flights, too!), during the winter months – and we were shocked! \u00a0Asia, and specifically China, has officially been added to our list of places to visit in the near future. \u00a0(We looked through the China Spree site, and while we couldn’t find any of the rock-bottom pricing mentioned by Frommer, there were several different tour options with very attractive pricing.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Ireland.<\/em> \u00a0Cheap airfares and even vouchers for transportation and accommodations through Aer Lingus make Ireland a hot destination this year.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- India.<\/em> \u00a0The currency conversion between the US dollar and the rupee is advantageous at this time. \u00a0While the flight there may be expensive, staying in India will be cheap!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Dubai.<\/em> \u00a0This is the perfect location for luxury, but possibly not much else. \u00a0Frommer brought up the lack of culture, so this may not be the top destination for all travelers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Miami and Miami Beach.<\/em> \u00a0Always a hot destination, with plenty of authentic South American restaurants without leaving the country!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Colorado and Washington.<\/em> \u00a0In all honesty, I’m not sure if these two actually made the list, or if Frommer was making a joke. \u00a0The reason they made the list is the recent legalization of marijuana in the two states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
So there is it – the list of trends and hot destinations straight from Arthur Frommer. \u00a0My favorite bits of information from the talk include the learning vacations and China as a cheap destination. \u00a0Frommer was very lively and clearly enjoys travel – it gives me hope for when we are older and still want to travel the world!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As I mentioned in my last post, Arthur Frommer gave one of the talks at the LA Travel Conference last weekend. The topic was travel trends and hot destinations, which are two topics that often change year after year, so … Continue reading
- Colorado and Washington.<\/em> \u00a0In all honesty, I’m not sure if these two actually made the list, or if Frommer was making a joke. \u00a0The reason they made the list is the recent legalization of marijuana in the two states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Miami and Miami Beach.<\/em> \u00a0Always a hot destination, with plenty of authentic South American restaurants without leaving the country!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Dubai.<\/em> \u00a0This is the perfect location for luxury, but possibly not much else. \u00a0Frommer brought up the lack of culture, so this may not be the top destination for all travelers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- India.<\/em> \u00a0The currency conversion between the US dollar and the rupee is advantageous at this time. \u00a0While the flight there may be expensive, staying in India will be cheap!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Ireland.<\/em> \u00a0Cheap airfares and even vouchers for transportation and accommodations through Aer Lingus make Ireland a hot destination this year.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- China.<\/em> \u00a0Frommer revealed the unbelievably low prices for week-long tours of China through China Spree<\/a> – as low as $899, all inclusive (flights, too!), during the winter months – and we were shocked! \u00a0Asia, and specifically China, has officially been added to our list of places to visit in the near future. \u00a0(We looked through the China Spree site, and while we couldn’t find any of the rock-bottom pricing mentioned by Frommer, there were several different tour options with very attractive pricing.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Increase in free accommodations.<\/em> \u00a0Stay for free on someone’s couch! \u00a0Couchsurfing<\/a>, \u00a0 Global Freeloaders<\/a>, and US Servas<\/a>\u00a0offer similar services – connect online through the site and find a host in the desired city. \u00a0This isn’t for everyone, and not something I would try on my own, but for some people in certain situations, this is a great way to cut down on travel costs.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Rise in popularity of “learning vacations.”<\/em> \u00a0For a different type of vacation, check out summer programs at top universities that are open to more than just the students. \u00a0Not only can you take classes with interesting subject matter, but the packages include accommodations and dining – both at the college. \u00a0Frommer mentioned courses at the following universities: \u00a0Oxford<\/a>, Cambridge<\/a>, and St. John’s College<\/a>. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Walking tours.<\/em> \u00a0But not just any walking tour – book a tour by specialists or someone in academics to ensure accurate information. \u00a0Some of the recommended sites: Vayable<\/a>, Urban Adventures<\/a>, and Context Travel<\/a>. \u00a0Many of the walking tours guarantee small groups, which usually means a much more enjoyable experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Rise in popularity of European river cruises.<\/em> \u00a0They stop right in the heart of each city, but can be a bit pricey. \u00a0Frommer has been on several and noted that the majority of travelers were older (and those that were young appeared to be bored). \u00a0I’ve always wanted to try out a river cruise, so I’ll keep this in mind before booking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Rise in operation of cheap intercity buses.<\/em> \u00a0BoltBus<\/a> (operates in the northeastern US) and Megabus<\/a> (operates in US and Canada, as well the UK<\/a>) offer an alternative to driving, taking the train and flying between big cities. \u00a0The best part – prices are very competitive and as low as $1 for a trip!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Nickel-and-diming of airline passengers.<\/em>\u00a0 While this isn’t necessarily new information, it does serve as a reminder to check for hidden fees when booking flights. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n