Adventure holidays specialist Exodus has revealed the top adventure travel trends for 2019 and we’re completely on board with number one on the list: walking wellness.
Combining one of our favourite activities, walking, with the already huge trend of wellness and mindfulness, means you can get active on holiday and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits when you get home.
As taking to your own two feet is one of the best ways to see the world, travellers are now looking to experience destinations in a new way: at a slower pace which promotes mindfulness while being out in the open and leaving a smaller carbon footprint on their adventures.
For instance, one of Exodus’ best-selling trips, Walking the Amalfi Coast, is perfect for taking in the heavenly coastal views and picturesque towns of the Mediterranean in a laid-back yet active way. This way of traveling leaves you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed as you tick off some of the world’s most picturesque walking routes off your bucket list, such as the Path of Gods, as you sample good food and wine.
Romania and the Carpathian Mountains is another incredible spot to experience walking wellness, where you can add nature to your trip with brown bear watching and the chance to experience one of Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas on a Carpathian Walking & Bears trip.
Meanwhile, the other trends adventure travellers should have on their radar this year include two-in-one travel, which allows you to combine an exciting sporting trip like the Rugby World Cup in Japan this September with an epic trip of rewarding hikes, zen gardens and cycling the land of the Samurai.
Inspired travel is another way to explore the world this year: think David Attenborough’s Dynasties-inspired holidays that take in amazing wildlife, like the South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari which will allow you to observe one of the most spectacular sights in the wild: inquisitive King penguins. The long-awaited final series of Game of Thrones is also due to hit our screens later this year and will put film locations like Iceland back into the travel spotlight.
For adventure travellers looking to follow their tastebuds, gastro travel will also be big in 2019 as food and drink-influenced trips provide a real flavour of a country. Exodus has seen a massive 416% hike in foodie trips, with authentic flavours, traditional techniques and recipes handed down through the generations inspiring gourmands. Mexico is an excellent place to get adventurous with food, from cookery classes to street food.
Finally, exploring the unexplored is the adventure travel trend that never loses appeal. The Silk Road continues to attract those who like to go off the beaten track and Kyrgyzstan, dotted with alpine meadows and wild pastures inhabited by Kyrgyz nomads, is the country to visit in 2019 if you want to beat the crowds.
‘Walking wellness’ is the adventure travel trend we are 100% on board with this year [Countryliving]