New year, new travel trends! Not unlike the fashion industry, travel also has its trends. We’ve rounded up the 6 hottest travel trends of 2018 so you can cut through the research and start planning straight away! Whether you’re thinking snow, beach, a city break or something exotic, there will be something for you on this list!
South Korea
It’s no secret that the 2018 Winter Olympics are being held in Pyeongchang, South Korea from February 9th through the 25th. This is the PERFECT excuse for a trip to Asia! Fly into Seoul, which now enjoys a high-speed train line connecting it with Pyeongchang in just shy of 60 minutes. Spend some time navigating Seoul’s neon streets in search of kimchi, Korean BBQ, K-beauty boutiques and maybe even catch a K-pop concert! You can also head to the southeast coast to Busan, with its big-city vibes, oodles of charming temples on its outskirts and even beaches!
Find language courses in South Korea
Malta
Malta is big on our radar this year, as its capital city, Valletta, has been declared the 2018 European capital of culture. This little island nation has been in the news for the past couple of years due to its Game of Thrones fame, which filmed many scenes in Malta. Valletta is a great mix of the old and the new, and its seaside views definitely don’t hurt, either. You can spend sunny days wandering through the Upper Barakka Gardens and evenings on a candlelit terrace on the city’s romantic cobbled streets. As an added bonus, the country’s small size means that it’s a breeze to visit cities around the whole island, so you can make your trip as relaxed or as jam-packed as you like!
Russia
The Olympics aren’t the only major sporting event of 2018, as the football fans get ready to cheer on their home countries in the 2018 World Cup! The competition will take place from June 14th through July 15th with matches in 11 cities, including St Petersburg and of course Moscow, where the final will take place. Even if you’re not a football fan, summer is the perfect time to visit Russia because of the pleasant summer weather and the festive atmosphere the World Cup brings.
Canada
Last year, tourism in Canada saw a huge uptick, and this is one of the travel trends of 2018 that we’re sure will continue! From its friendly locals to its lovely cities and stunning natural landscapes, Canada makes for an incredible holiday. Whether you’re drawn to bilingual Montreal whose old town is truly enchanting, vibrant, modern Toronto or the coastal, laidback vibes in Vancouver, there are a bevy of options when planning a trip to Canada. Skiers and snowboarders will fall in love with the winter wonderland of Canada in the colder months, while there are music, food and comedy festivals galore in the summer time. This is one country where you really can’t go wrong!
English and French courses in Canada
Argentina
The country of tango is the place to be in South America this year. With the 2018 Youth Olympic Games set to be held in Buenos Aires from October 6th through 18th, Argentina is a great destination for travellers looking to learn Spanish and see these amazing young athletes compete! Book a longer trip and make sure not to miss some of the world’s most mesmerising natural wonders, from Iguazu Falls to Patagonia and Glaciers Natural Park.
The UK
Some trends never go out of style. Classic London is an eternally popular holiday hotspot. Whether it’s your first or your twenty-first time in London, it’s the city that keeps on giving. There’s always a new exhibition or show to see, a hip new restaurant to try or a new band passing through on tour. If, on the other hand, you’re craving a seaside holiday, Brighton never disappoints. It’s impossible not to love the vintage vibes of Brighton Palace Pier and wide, pebbly Brighton Beach. If you’re looking for a smaller city than London, Liverpool is experiencing a hipster renaissance right about now and has got coffee shops, live music venues and awesome art museums in spades. There’s a reason the UK is one of the travel trends of 2018 that’s here to stay!
What do you think?