The hottest destinations in Europe for 2019 are going to be alternative ones thanks to changing customer demands and the threat of ‘over-tourism’, Trafalgar research reveals.
As travellers increasingly seek out destinations that allow them to learn, appreciate and experience something new, destinations like Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Slovenia are becoming the hot-ticket trending destinations for 2019.
“This is due to these being easier to access than ever before, but also because of increased demand from guests to expand into other parts of Europe,” says Teresa Richardson, Managing Director of The Travel Corporation in South Africa.
Scandinavian lifestyle trends like lagom (balance) and hygge (cosy comfort) adds Richardson are also informing a new way of travel – a return to old values and a desire for real connections. “This is fueling increasing demand for alternative travel experiences and destinations where guests can connect meaningfully and authentically with the world.”
As with all Trafalgar trips, this is achieved through exclusive experiences for guests, ensuring real ease, real joy and real connections to people and places. Be My Guest experiences, Dive Into Culture, and Stays With Stories experiences are all included, as well as the must-see sights, empowering Trafalgar’s travel partners to deliver on the changing demands of their customers for authentic, rich travel experiences.
“Croatia is an example of one such alternative hotspot. Our Best of Croatia and Slovenia trip spends two nights on Lake Bled, visits Ljubljana, heads down to Opatija, and spends time in Rovinj with truffle tasting en route.
The highlight of this trip from a scenic standpoint is of course Plitvice Lakes, but we also visit Split and stop in Ston to see the historic saltpans where salt has been harvested from the sea pre-dating Roman times using the same methods today,” says Richardson.
Trafalgar has also tweaked its popular Best of Norway itinerary in 2019, providing a subtle, yet significant tweak for guests’ enjoyment.
“By reducing one night in Oslo, we’ve added an overnight stop in Sognjefjord, which is considered the second-best destination in Norway and is the longest and deepest of all the fjords. Guests also love our wonderful Be My Guest experience with a local at a local farm outside Bergen, once the stomping ground of a former king,” she says.
Receiving more focus for 2019 is the Iberian Peninsula, with the brand continuing to innovate with a new 14-day itinerary, the Treasures of Spain and Portugal.
“This two-week trip, which begins in Madrid and ends in Barcelona, sees guests meet Vera and Tiago at their 17th-century stud farm in Portugal’s Alentejo for a traditional Be My Guest lunch, as well as savour the sherry tradition of Jerez, which has been making wine since the 7th century.
It’s a big round-trip which also includes visits to the Hanging Houses of Cuenca, the Synagogue in Toledo and the Cave Houses of Guadix, among other highlights in the Iberian Peninsula, but it’s split up in a way to make the trip manageable.”
Book your next adventure to one of Europe's "alternative" destinations with Sure Travel's friendly agents: visit our website to find the agency nearest you, or call +27 (0)861 47 48 49 for a quote.