National Geographic Traveler - USA (2019-12 & 2020-01)

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TRIP PLANNER

TRENDY TOURS

O

n the heels of a year that saw a record 1.4 billion travelers criss-

cross the globe, a flight shaming movement crystallized by Greta

Thunberg’s sailboat journey from Europe to New York, and prom-

ising steps in the effort to reduce plastics and embrace sustainability, it’s

time to ask: What will define travel in 2020? For insights, we turned to adven-

ture travel operators, nimble outfitters that help people see and explore the

world differently. What’s trending? “Look for trips that partially solve, or at

least acknowledge, the larger issues we face globally,” says Casey Hanisko,

president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. “That could mean

tours that address social disconnection in the face of digital connection,

personal well-being, global economic inequality, and—certainly—climate

change.” In other words, the future of travel is not just a vacation. What

hasn’t changed is the essence of travel: discoveries, adventures, surprises.

Here are trends and tours we love for the year ahead.

Boldly Into

the Future

Want to see where the
world is headed? These
tours will take you there

By Norie Quintos

Illustrations by
Elena Xausa

Food Tours Go

Hyperlocal

Today’s food tours reflect

culinary trends, from one-

dish deep dives to pop-up

dining in people’s homes.

There’s also a new wave

of giving back, “where

travelers consciously

consume sustainable food

and products, actively

choose to visit unique

destinations to offset the

impacts of overtourism,

and tread lightly through

the places they visit by

supporting local initiatives

and organizations,” says

Prachi Jain of the Indian

outfitter Escape To.

VEGGING OUT

Between fried pakoras

and spicy biryani, carni-

vores will find themselves

converted in Escape To’s

10-day “Vegan Adventure

to India.” Street food,

vegan chai workshops,

and almond milk smooth-

ies are just the tip of

the iceberg lettuce. The

southern India (Bangalore

and Hampi) itinerary also

covers fair-trade fashion

and visits to rehab centers

for bears and other

wildlife. escapeto.in

THE SPICE OF LIFE

The ultimate pilgrimage

for spice devotees is

Zicasso’s “The Sriracha

Tour: A Culinary Journey

to Thailand and Vietnam.”

Visit the coveted sauce’s

namesake, Si Racha, Thai-

land, and get your hands

on a replicable recipe in a

blending workshop before

diving into a zesty tasting.

You’ll have opportunities

to cleanse your palate

between microbreweries

and a Michelin-starred

restaurant over 15 days in

Chiang Mai, Hanoi, and

Bangkok. zicasso.com

FAMILY FEASTS

When the one thing

missing from traveling

is a home-cooked meal,