Trazee In-Depth: Summer Travel Trends Worth Jumping On

Summer travel brings out the wanderlust we’ve been building all year. With prime vacation time already here, plane tickets are purchased and bags are packed — jump on the latest travel trends and make the most of your vacation time. Use this list as your quick-hit guide for travel inspiration.

Adventure Travel

While millennials seem to hit the great outdoors in record numbers seeking adventure, others find it while already away. Regardless of the destination, travelers of a certain age find themselves more inclined to try something new, do something outside their comfort zone and seek new experiences.

One trend you can (and should) jump on this summer is adventure tourism. If you have a specific destination in mind, look around for local adventure tours, water sports and rentals to get the most out of your vacation.

For those in need of some inspiration, look into one of these summer vacation destinations filled with adventure opportunities for all levels.

Costa Rica: Known for it’s lush forests and ziplining, travelers explore the rustic terrain with adventure tours by land, sea or air. Head out to the beaches, swimming and snorkeling, or book a tour for diving and explore a bit further off the coast.

Iceland: Ideal for hiking volcanoes and exploring caves, Iceland is a one-stop shop for adventure opportunities. Rock climb and cascade down ice caves and volcanoes, ride horses or head out on a rugged mountain bike expedition.

Peru: Peru, and specifically Machu Picchu, offer that quintessential trekking adventure. Travelers find ample adventure opportunity in Peru.

Chile: The Patagonia and Atacama deserts boast incredible views along horseback riding expeditions, hikes and salt lagoons. Some serious adventurers come from all over the world to backpack the rough, but beautiful landscape.

Arizona: Loaded with deserts and national parks, Arizona brims with hiking trails, white-water rafting tours and adventure-focused expeditions. Arizona is a go-to for any adventurer traveler looking for variety.

Hawai’i: Any island will do, but Kauai offers pristine shorelines for surfing and rugged coasts for hiking, cliff diving and off-roading. Parasail over the water or get out on the it while jet-skiing, paddle boarding or literally anything else you can think of — they have it.

Utah: Zion National Park’s otherworldly beauty comes with epic hiking trails and stargazing for overnight camping stays.

Foodie Travel

A big part of travel and exploring somewhere new is the food. With a culture increasingly interested in a location’s dining options, foodie travel is definitely a summer trend to look into. As most of us crave brunch on the weekends, follow food bloggers on social media and feel food envy over incredible-looking meals in far-off destinations, it’s an easy next step in the travel world.

Foodies already have a long list of bucket-list destinations they want to try, from anywhere Anthony Bourdain suggested on Parts Unknown to anything featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table and everything on Instagram, but those new to the foodie world, here are a few locales filled with must-visit dining options.

Europe: This one is so obvious it feels like cheating. Between the culinary wonders of Italy, famous cuisine in France, fresh everything in Portugal and incredible tradition in Spain, you can basically throw a dart at a map of Europe and find a foodie destination.

Chicago: The Windy City is an ideal summer destination in general, but add in the foodie angle and it’s a must visit. Known for its pizza, steaks and insane pastries, Chicago is a food town for all palettes. Travelers find a wide variety of food trucks, casual dining and upscale options with cutting-edge cuisine. With such short summers in Chicago, everyone is out to play.

New Orleans: Another obvious one, but a goodie, New Orleans crawls with Creole cuisine, perfect for foodies. Travelers can easily hop from place to place ,exploring by taste alone.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Once a Spanish colony and heavily influenced by local ingredients, Santa Fe is a hub for authentic Spanish cuisine. This is elevated Tex-Mex with a lively nightlife scene.

Montreal, Québec: Indulge in French-Canadian cuisine, including local favorite poutine and a Molson’s, or head somewhere upscale and treat yourself. This city has it all.

By delving into something new, whether it be food or adventure, millennials change the way the world travels. More often we see vacation opportunities pop up full of local culture, adventure and impressive dining options.

Travelers seem to seek more by way of experience and doing, rather than seeing. Summer travel season is already here and it’s time we jump on the trends.