Forget hashtags and bucket lists; the past few years have seen a shift in the way we look at travel. More and more of us are seeking out authenticity and smaller travel providers who are in a position to offer something unique. It comes on the back of the rise of the artisanal movement: local coffee shops, DIY make-and-repair, independent retail, craft beers and the rest of it. Just as many of us now prefer a slow hour in a farmers’ market to a dash around a mega-supermarket. And when we go abroad, we seek out experiences that are tailor-made and memorable – and totally our own. Here’s what to keep in mind when crafting your ultimate break ...
Talk to a real person
Many of the greatest things in life begin with a conversation, not with a solitary online search. We can all have a wander around the web and take a look at maps and choose a destination, but savvy companies still encourage us to ring up and talk to an expert – someone who has been there, many times, and knows it intimately. Client and agent can then compare and contrast, explain and explore, to fit the right person to the right holiday. No online agent can do this, no matter how many reviews they get. Only seasoned travellers, whether former expats or those with incorrigible wanderlusts, can provide the expertise and knowhow that the modern escapist demands. When you pick up the phone for an initial chat, you need to be sure you’re in the company of someone like-minded.
Outsource the research
Yes, researching your next holiday can be fun, but it can also be a drag – not to mention very time-consuming. Holiday firms can save you time and money through their knowhow. They have done the research and will have worked with the same trusted suppliers – be they airlines, local transport companies or property owners – for years, so they know exactly how they treat their clients and can support and work with them to upgrade their accommodation. The dining scene is also something well-connected local representatives keep a close eye on. Quality and ownership can change from one season to the next, so it makes sense to use their expertise.
Avoid ‘hotspots’
The best operators will strive to take people away from the most obvious locations. In Spain, for example, why go to bustling Barcelona or tourist-thronged Marbella when you could be exploring the little-known Extremadura, where cities such as Cáceres and towns such as Trujillo are spectacularly beautiful, and historically fascinating. There are many Greek islands that are a little harder to get to but, as a result, are still pristine. Peru has many more Inca ruins beyond Machu Picchu.
Don’t cram
“Experiential” travel is one of this year’s buzzwords. But experience is not all about being busy, ticking off sites, dining at every fancy restaurant or trying every single craft and activity on offer. A holiday needn’t be a frantic bid for self-improvement. Travel companies ensure a holiday destination offers plenty to do, but also allows for clients to lie back and think of nothing if they so desire. Relaxation is at a premium nowadays, and leisure is often best at its most leisurely.
Go outside
For those heading to a rural area, tour firms offer a range of hikes, bike and horse rides, rafting excursions and other outdoor experiences that allow travellers to explore things at their pace. Often, this is simply a matter of making suggestions – but travel operators know where to find the secret slopes, invigorating walks and most breathtaking views.
Slow down
Time to drift, relax and people watch is often sacrificed by modern travel. The no-frills airline, non-stop express, fast-food outlet and chain cafe are all designed to get things done and get us to move on. But a specialist in slow tourism will set about curating a holiday that allows plenty of time to dream and reflect – a priceless commodity that is central to the emerging vision of intelligent travel. This could be staying at a relaxed resort or making the journey part of the holiday, whether enjoying a leisurely train trip or taking a ferry.
Think green
Tour firms are facing the challenges of global warming and some destinations require especially mindful approaches. In the Azores, for instance, eco-minded operators work with local geologists, marine biologists and cetologists to educate visitors and protect their beautiful island’s environment. Sensitively built, low-carbon accommodation is also a draw for eco-friendly travellers.
Be part of the community
This is the only way to make tourism sustainable. Travellers and travel firms are uniting to rescue ghost villages in Europe’s uplands – encouraging the use of services and produce provided in the vicinity – by connecting visitors with residents. A good holiday feels like you’re visiting an old friend. Sensitive tourism leads to well-preserved villages, lively bars and restaurants, and motivated inhabitants.
Consider a digital detox
What do you really want from a holiday? To be in touch with everyone back home constantly? To keep an eye on the news? To worry about bills and work? No, you want to get away: from routine, place, habit and everyday stresses. Whether it’s on tiny, remote Kastellorizo in the south Aegean, or the Azorean island of Sao Jorge in the mid-Atlantic, a true holiday takes people outside the webbed-up world … at least for some of the time.
How Sunvil can help
Without making a banner out of it, Sunvil has discreetly been honing the art of the ideal holiday for almost 50 years. Committed to talking to clients, meticulous in its research of destinations, and admired across the industry for opening up new ones, the company is a bastion against overtourism and a champion of slow, sensitive, community-minded travel. “The idea of ‘experiential tourism’ is much hyped and nobody really knows what it means,” says Sunvil’s founder and chairman Noel Josephides. “We do our best to get our clients away from the obvious tourist spots, and they appreciate that more than anything else. Our staff are all well-travelled and we want customers to enjoy the kind of holidays we like to take.” From the Azores islands to Extremadura, from Greece and the eastern Mediterranean to Scandinavia and Latin America, Sunvil promises its customers a detox from the ordinary and the routine.
For personal, expert travel advice to all of these destinations and more, call Sunvil on 020 8232 9788 or visit sunvil.co.uk/guardian
