TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2011

Travel Trends for 2011

“RIVER cruises, trips with grandparents and culinary expeditions are just some of the anticipated travel trends for this year.

Getting off the beaten track and visiting Europe's smaller villages by river boat is predicted to be immensely popular in 2011, especially during spring.

River cruising allows people to see Europe's countryside at their own pace, with the added benefit of not having to pack and unpack bags every time you visit a new country.

Not surprisingly, educational travel is expected to continue booming. It's unlikely holidayers will ever stop seeking out fun things to do during their trips, from cooking classes to archaeological digs or sports adventures.

Slightly more offbeat is the idea of "multigenerational" travel, a trend expected to take off this year. Grandma's got cash and two sturdy legs? Then bring her along on your trip! Depending on grandma's age, I'm not sure how this would work on many trips, like say to Thailand's party islands or the Himalayas, but it's an idea all the same. A family stay at a luxury villa or cruise is a great option.

The latest Twilight and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo films are expected to draw diehard fans to Louisiana and Stockholm respectively, with the natural landscape featuring heavily in both blockbusters.

Following the success of the World Cup in Johannesburg, travellers are expected to return in droves to Africa for a safari adventure in either Kenya, South Africa or Tanzania and New Zealand is expecting a boom in visitors this year as it plays host to the Rugby World Cup.

Other hotspots for 2011 include Machu Picchu in Peru, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary since rediscovery, and China, which will mark a century since the fall of its last emperor.

Berlin is also set for a surge in visitors this year as the hip city marks 50 years since the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the beginning of the Cold War.

The only remaining trend for 2011 is an anticipated jump in the number of people using travel agents to book their holidays.

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Plan Your 2011 Golf Vacation

A golf vacation is the perfect getaway for a links fanatic.  Resorts cater to the specific needs of golfers of all experience levels. When seeking out a vacation, it’s important to look at the courses available but also to think about the other options, as there are only so many hours you can devote to improving your swing. Also consider those in your family or group where golf may not be their forte and seek a resort that offers other relaxing options. Consider these two luxury resorts for your 2011 golf vacation:

  Secluded on 300 tropical acres, this stunning Mediterranean-style resort begins a new era in luxury travel following a $100 million transformation. Retreat to this gorgeous oasis where you’ll find the essence of elegance and indulgence with 392 stunning guest rooms and suites, two 18-hole Raymond Floyd-designed championship golf courses, the exclusive award winning Willow Stream Spa and fitness center, a tennis facility with four clay HydroCourts, three pools including a new lagoon-style pool featuring a waterslide, lazy river, private cabanas and poolside dining, a private Ocean Club right on the Atlantic. The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club is a member of ‘Leading Hotels of the World.’

  With tea and tee times, our British colonial island offers the ideal setting for golf and relaxation. Stay at our newly refurbished intimate luxury resort and enjoy all the unique amenities we have to offer. The 98 guestrooms and suites are situated in secluded cottages dotted throughout 50 acres of lush gardens. The cuisine comes with a real sense of heritage. Within the gardens there is a pool and tennis courts; from the private beach they arrange diving and watersports. A concierge will also be pleased to book your preferred diversion, from tours of the colonial past to horseback riding on the beach. As befits the first hotel to open on the island's South Shore almost a century ago, they have been leading the way in fine dining ever since. With tee times at the picturesque Port Royal Golf Course, home of the 2010 PGA Grand Slam, and Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club’s exclusive course, Elbow Beach offers the perfect escape for the golf and luxury lover.