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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