So how do we make room for these moments? Slowing down our journeys, being thoughtful about our destination, and creating more meaningful experiences can help us find a gentler, richer way to travel.

And even better, many of these choices that make holidays more enjoyable also happen to be the choices that are kinder to the places we visit. After all, we are not just collecting memories for ourselves, we are helping to keep the world’s special corners thriving for the people who live there, and for future visitors too.

So here are three areas to think about that will help do just that:

The Journey

Let’s begin at the beginning. How we actually get to our destination and how we move about when we’re there.

·         Make the journey part of the holiday. If you’re travelling in Europe, why not hop on a train or ferry and take the scenic route. You see so much more travelling through a place, and it reduces carbon emissions too.

·         • If you’re travelling long-haul, think about slowing down once you arrive. Instead of hopping between internal flights, could one leg become a train journey, road trip or ferry? One of my best ever trips was overland via bus, train, tuk tuk, speedboat and electric bike!

·         Use local transport where it makes sense. Buses, ferries and trains can make getting around feel like part of the adventure rather than simply logistics.

The Destination

Once we start thinking differently about how we travel, it naturally leads to the next question - where (and when) we choose to go.

·         Avoid crowds and reduce the pressure on hotspots by travelling off-season or choosing lesser-known destinations. Swap Bali for Lombok, Venice for Ljubljana or Paros for Santorini. (Psst it’s usually cheaper to do this as well!)

·         Choose places to stay that feel connected to where you are. Hotels that care about their surroundings and communities often create more memorable experiences for guests as well.

·         Travel respectfully. Pack a reusable water bottle, reuse towels where offered, be mindful of water usage and start small at the buffet (you can always go back for seconds, thirds or fourths).

The Experience(s)

And finally, all of this comes together in the experiences we choose once we’re there. Meeting local people, trying new experiences and learning about the destination is what makes a holiday feel special and immersive. How, and where, you choose to spend your money while you’re travelling really matters. Not just in terms of supporting local communities, but because it often leads to far richer and more meaningful experiences for you as a visitor.

·         Buy locally-made handicrafts and souvenirs, not the mass-produced imports. Though avoid buying souvenirs from threatened wildlife, such as shells, corals, tortoiseshell, sponges, ebony or ivory.

·         Choose locally-run experiences which take you off the main tourist trail. Take a cooking class, do a craft workshop, travel with a local guide, go to the weird museum (hello, Froggyland!).

·         Leave time for getting lost. Not literally, as we once did in the mountains of Cyprus. (Thank you Cypriot police for the rescue). But just don’t overschedule. Explore the side streets. Stop at the charming café. Sit and watch the sunset.

And if reading this has left you thinking, “that all sounds lovely but who has time to research all of this?”,  that’s exactly where I come in.

This is how I plan trips for my clients.

I find those small choices that make a holiday feel richer, smoother and more memorable, whether that’s building in a scenic journey, choosing hotels with real character, or suggesting experiences that help you connect with a place.

If that sounds like your kind of travel, get in touch. I’d love to help plan your next adventure.