Travel’s New Year: A Roller‑Coaster Return to Adventure
When the world hit pause with COVID‑19, the globe’s travel map was reshuffled like an oversized deck of cards. Now that the pandemic lull is easing—fingers crossed, anyway—the big question is: what’s on the horizon for wanderers in 2023?
The “Catch‑Up” Surge
After a season of missed flights and canceled itineraries, travelers are ready to smash the “It Said, It’s Gone, It’s Back!” test and book trips to make up for all the lost time. This rush won’t just be about ticking off the usual hotspots; it’s about exploring fresh, out‑of‑the‑box destinations.
The Rise of Alternative Wellness Escapes
- Think less spa, more mindful wellness retreats that blend meditation, yoga, and local healing traditions.
- Delta‑drift itineraries that let you reconnect with nature without a diamond‑sized hotel staying on the side.
- Envision trekking through remote villages where the scenery is less Instagram and more soul‑feeding.
Revival of “Revenge Travel”
“I’d been stuck in the office for months, so now I’m booking that Bali escape I’ve dreamed about for nearly two years.” That’s the spirit behind the revenge tour—seeking out the adventure that the world’s lockdown made dream‑indeed, and now turn it into reality.
Nomads That Work & Roam
Work from anywhere (WFY) has turned into work but‑travel combo. Digital nomads are scouting bandwidth‑heavy cafés, axial co‑working spaces, and portable Wi‑Fi solutions that let them keep the paycheck rolling while they spin the globe.
Key Takeaway
2023 isn’t just a return to the old way—travel is evolving. From wellness deep dives to revenge trips and roaming gig‑jobs, the vacation landscape is getting a brand‑new tilt that promises a less predictable, more personal type of wandering.
Go big or go home
Revenge Travel: When the World Tries to Steal Your Vacation Time
When “revenge procrastination” and “revenge spending” hit the headlines, you’d think the world was done with our unfinished business. But the latest guilty pleasure? Revenge travel. After a pandemic that robbed us of years of sun‑and‑sand, birthdays, anniversaries, and even honeymoons, the planet is rolling out the red carpet just so we can reclaim our lost adventures.
Why the Post‑Pandemic Streak Is So Fierce
According to industry insiders, it’s not just the flight or the hotel that folks wish to rocket to next year—it’s the entire dude‑dude package. People are clamoring for upgrades that feel like a win. Think:
- Room up‑grades that make you feel like a hotel royalty
- Luxury bundles that have you sipping champagne from a private balcony
- Dining experiences that taste like a chef’s secret recipe, not your average buffet
Expedia’s “Greatest of All Trips” Mindset
Expedia’s 2022 Travel Trends survey calls this the “Greatest of All Trips” (GOAT) mindset—yes, the GOAT battle is real. The numbers are staggering: nearly 75 % of Singaporeans declared they’re ready to splurge big on their next getaway. This isn’t just about earning vouchers; it’s about showing the world that you’re THAT person who will go-big when it matters.
Takeaway
So, if you’ve been low‑key like “maybe one vacation” to “no vacations at all,” the pandemic’s not a death sentence for your wanderlust. It’s an ultimate call to action. Pack your bags, set your budget, and make that memorable trip a reality. Because, in the grand finale of all rewards, nothing says “payback” better than re‑re‑vacation.
Not in my backyard, please
Why the Great Getaway Shake Up Is All About the Long Haul
Forget those “bite‑size” breaks just outside your backyard. The travel game is shifting and the winner is the big‑ticket, sunset‑to‑sunrise adventure. With the constant buzz around PCR tests, form submissions, and all that paperwork, a quick weekend escapade is leveling up into a headache rather than a recharge.
People are finding that ticking off the long‑leave bucket list is the best cure for those travel woes. The backlog of vac‑time that has piled up over the last few years is finally going to get cleared with a spectacular, all‑in‑one excursion.
Jet‑setting Overcomes Home‑Ground Re‑ration
After staying glued to the ground for so long, there’s one thing that’s unmistakably thrilling: flying to a brand‑new, far‑away spot. The Tripadvisor Seasonal Travel Index for the end of 2021 shows that Singapore’s passport‑ready fam’s ultimate wishlist is split between the dazzling cities London, Paris, and Munich.
What Keeps Us Set to Fly?
- It’s the adventure factor – every trans‑continental layover feels like a mini‑thrill ride.
- Fresh air at the end of a pandemic – fresh breezes in new locales beat staying in a familiar, crowded space.
- Epic souvenirs – nothing beats the joy of bringing back a reindeer’s antlers from Munich or an Eiffel‑shaped caramel from Paris.
Make the Most of Your Extended Break
When you finally book that long journey, remember to pack a mix of “drop‑in” essentials plus that extra downtime to explore, unwind, and maybe even learn a new language or two. Pack your suitcase for the adventure, and trust that the world will welcome you ahead of that fancy PCR test set!
Taking a psychedelic trip
Beyond the Spa: Turning to Psychedelic Retreats for True Wellness
When most people picture a wellness getaway, they think of chilled yoga mats and aromatic steam rooms. But a growing wave of travelers is swapping cucumber face masks for Ayahuasca and magic mushroom ceremonies. These retreats promise a deeper voyage into self‑discovery— and therapy, all wrapped up in a plant‑based psychedelic hug.
Why It’s Gaining Momentum
After the pandemic the world’s nerves ran raw. Now, a dose of spiritual healing could be the most coveted pulse in the wellness market. Emerging research is nudging the public perception of psychedelics from folklore to treatable medicine, and the traffic to these retreats has gone boom‑boom‑boom— literally.
Data That’s Truly “Rooted” in Numbers
- From a modest USD 2 billion (S$ 2.7 billion) in 2019…
- …to a projected USD 6.9 billion by 2027.
Data Bridge Market Research paints a picture of a psychedelic market spiraling higher—think of it like a giant mushroom charting a new growth trajectory.
Prime Plant‑Based Destinations
- Peru: Home of the legendary Ayahuasca jungle ceremonies.
- Costa Rica: Lush forests meet guided meditation for the modern seeker.
- The Netherlands: From beardy herbalists to contemporary wellness studios.
In these spots, participants can mix meditation, yoga, and other mindful sessions all while basking in natural splendor.
A Little “Mushroom” Humor
“We’re all about letting the brain relax, literally,” one retreat head quipped. “The only part of the journey that’s a bit bristly is the butterscotch‑like taste of a good herb.”
So if you’re craving a wellness escape that’s a bit more psychedelic than practice‑light, there’s a new generation of retreats waiting for your curiosity (and maybe a spare scarf).
Mixing business and pleasure
From Office Gloom to Beachside Groove
Remember when the only way to work on a beach was to dream about it? Those days are over. The pandemic turned the concept of “digital nomads” from a niche hobby into a mainstream craze, proving that your desk can be wherever the Wi‑Fi is.
Why Everybody’s Saying Goodbye to Cubicles
- Months of lockdown taught us that most tasks only need a screen, not a conference call.
- Employees thrive on fresh scenery, and bosses are learning they can keep teams productive with less “in‑office” time.
- The world feels like a playground for remote work—corners of the globe become the new office.
Enter Blueground’s “World‑Blessed” Pass
Blueground, the startup with a fleet of fully furnished apartments in 15 cities, just rolled out a new Blueground Pass.
- It lets you hop between 4,000+ properties on a single master lease—no paperwork maze, no lemon‑yellow office walls.
- Think “freedom equals vacation cuffed to a desk.”
- Nomads can trade a serendipitous beach sunrise for a calm coworking space in Kyoto.
It’s like having a frequent‑flyer card for the apartment industry—except the “miles” are tenacity and the reward is a different sunrise every day.
Hilton’s “Workcation” Breakout
Meanwhile, Hilton is stepping up with work‑from‑hotel packages that let you blend business with pleasure.
- Hotel rooms now come with tailored business support—think coffee, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, and a desk that won’t get stuck under a garden setup.
- Imagine pitching to investors from a balcony overlooking the Pacific.
The trend isn’t just about killing boredom; it’s about redefining where productivity happens, and who says you can’t enjoy a sunrise while crunching numbers?
Travelling green is in
Eco‑Travel: The New Trend That Won’t Fade
*For the past ten years, eco‑awareness has been quietly taking root, and post‑COVID, green travel is now the real deal. A recent poll from travel tech juggernaut Amadeus has confirmed it: two‑thirds of globetrotting souls around the world consider sustainable travel a top priority.
Why Bypass the Big Cities?
*- Wilderness over Wall‑Street – travelers are ditching crowded metros for uncrowded forests, remote villages, and untouched coastlines.
- Safaris & Nature Resorts – the call of untamed wildlife is louder than the city sirens.
- Farm‑to‑Table Tastes – who doesn’t want a plate seasoned with fresh, local produce? It’s the foodie version of “no plastic, please.”
Case in Point: The Galápagos Explosion
*Picture this: a surge of backpackers flocking to the pristine Galápagos Islands just to swim with sea lions. It’s a “snorkeling with star‑fish, dolphin tapping, sea‑lion high‑fives” frat house for all the eco‑intensive.
Hotels Getting Green
*- Bye‑Bye Single‑Use Plastics – hotels are phasing out disposable bottles and bamboo.
- Organic Bath & Bedding – think shampoo made from thyme, organic bed sheets that won’t leave fibers behind, and a smudge‑free planet.
- Composting Clubs – dining leftovers now meet compost piles rather than landfills, turning your waste into future growth.
So, the message is crystal clear: if you want a cleaner, greener, and far less ordinary adventure, hit those off‑beat spots, wag your eco‑tail, and keep the planet happy while you’re at it — it’s the only journey that matters.
Travel insurance is now indispensable
Travel’s New Reality: Why Covid‑19 Coverage Is a Must
Remember the days when the biggest travel scare was a lost suitcase or a delayed flight? Those were the only things that kept us up at night. Today, the world has turned the spotlight on a whole new set of worries that pop up wherever you go.
Send‑Cin‑Again Agony
- Medical bills that stretch even the most generous travel budget.
- Quarantine blues – the lonely months (or days) you spend stuck in an airport lounge or hotel room.
- Trip cancellations that leave you with an empty calendar and a debt‑free life.
Each of these scenarios can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare financial report. The silver lining? Travel insurance is stepping up to save the day.
Covid‑19 Is No More a “Nice‑to‑Have” Trait
New strains are popping up like surprise party guests, and nobody really wants them on the agenda. The good news? With robust Covid‑19 coverage, you can treat these twists and turns like a minor bump in the road instead of a full‑blown detour.
- Medical emergencies are covered with the safety net you need.
- Unexpected cancellations don’t erase your travel dreams.
- Quarantine assistance helps you manage that time home, hassle‑free.
In short, travel insurance with Covid‑19 coverage is no longer optional. It’s the safety blanket that keeps you strapped in and ready for whatever the journey throws your way.
Stay Safe, Stay Smart, and Keep Smiling
So next time you book that escape, make sure you have the proper safety net. Your future self will thank you – and so will your wallet.
— Article originally published by City Nomads
