How travelers want to book and when and where they want to go in 2021 is a hot topic right now, given the travel industry is still learning to cope with the changing face of the pandemic. As everyone approaches 2021 with hopeful anticipation and massive pent-up wanderlust, travel industry experts are looking into their crystal balls to predict what the new year will bring. Travelstride, a U.S. marketplace for all expert-planned travel adventures, shares its 2020 Travel Trend Report revealing the most interesting international travel behavior changes through the end of 2020 and predictions for 2021. ​

While our own views are somewhat limited, being homebound and safe while the coronavirus pandemic is addressed globally, there is no reason why we shouldn't still be mesmerized by the beauty of international destinations. Here is a selection of inspiring views from some of the world’s best hotels to see you through this time where you might feel restricted physically but you can still wander to your heart's content. And maybe note down some venues to visit once you can travel again!

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) highlights women-focused itineraries offered across the globe from Iceland to Ireland and Japan to Chile. Each program offers small group, immersive experiences that allow you to pursue a passion or check a box on your bucket list. The collection of small group, women-only trips in 2020 include some great options. 

Always wondered what you can do for sustainable travel experiences? The TreadRight Foundation has released a new video showcasing sustainable travel tips so you can do just that. The Foundation recognized that beyond the desire to be a sustainable traveler, many find it challenging to adopt the practices needed to travel responsibly. Based on TreadRight’s new 2020 Make Travel Matter Checklist, the video can be found on their YouTube channel. 

If you're looking for some amazing destinations for women’s retreats in 2019, this list has you covered. From health to fitness, and even a bit of adventure thrown in there, you can rest easy knowing that there is a great retreat out there just waiting to be explored. And it makes for a good reason to travel to a new spot on your checklist as well. Just take a peek at all the amazing options to find the one (or many) that suit you and your needs or fancies in the New Year. Spending time with like-minded women might just be the best way for you to discover your new happy place.

Getting ready for fall travels into winter and the holidays? Love sharing new travel products always and these offerings are fantastic additions to your list. From skincare and beverages to technology and travel aids, here are a few products that will make your travels a great experience. While samples were provided for review, none of these are affiliate links. Go ahead and connect to the respective websites at the bottom of the post so its easier for you to try these products if you’d like to add them to your travel must haves for the next few months. Here goes!

Today is Women’s Equality Day and commemorates the day that women in America were given the right to vote. The importance of ending discrimination toward women and providing equal opportunities for education and employment is significant in America and globally. In honor of Women’s Equality Day and how far women have come, here is a spotlight on some female-owned and female-run businesses in the travel and hospitality industry and the women behind them. Read on and support whenever you can!

Travel insurance is an effective and cost-efficient way to cope with the risk of travel during hurricane season and to help guard against potential financial losses. Hurricane season begins June 1st across the USA so this information should come handy if you plan to travel around that time or to destinations that are on the watch. When it comes to severe weather, here are some examples of how insurance may enable receiving reimbursement of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs for travelers if they must cancel a trip due to severe weather-related issues that are covered under the trip cancellation benefit…

Not entirely a hiking or mountaineering enthusiast here by any means but I do enjoy a good scenic hike that is averagely challenging and enjoyable for its sights and sounds with a group of similarly inclined folk. I have never planned a travel itinerary based on a hike but some of these suggestions here are definitely worth the consideration. I have visited Italy and climbed up to the top of the dome in Florence for hawk-eye views of the city’s red brick rooftops, and seen the top of Kilimanjaro from an airplane but nothing can compare to some of these options below!

If you're searching for a cruise that you can take this summer during the months of May, June or July, you're going to love these amazing options. I am a complete cruise virgin, never been on one and have been planning to for years now but never did experience it so I was researching a few options and looks like this year might just be the one I break out from that label! I’ve heard planning a cruise is not only simple but it's one of the best bang for buck travel deals so let’s see how I fare. Summer vacations are on everyone's mind and with the summer months are right around the corner so the time is now to start planning on finding a cruise that is perfect for your budget and your destination wants. Sharing with you a few that caught my attention…

Observing World Heritage Day on April 18 is one celebration that happens in the US and internationally. Also known as the International Day of Monuments and Sites, it is on this one day of the year that the world comes together to shine the light on our cultural heritage and its importance to the human experience as well as the need to protect and preserve the sites that are a part of our heritage. Every year has a theme and this year’s is rural landscapes.

This day is all about celebrating cultures, communities, heritage and the beauty of the human population globally. It's a brief reminder of the importance of respecting and remembering cultures and finding ways to celebrate them and preserve them for the future. Especially with the recent burning of the Notre Dame in Paris, this day holds true significance. Here are a few things you can do to participate in and promote this day as well as partake of activities where you live.

Finding ways to celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday doesn't have to be difficult. Millions of locations and venues around the world are planning festivities for the day. Growing up in India, this wasn’t an occasion I was very aware of or even knew what it was about. Moving to America, this was one of the first “holidays” I went out for with friends and found out it was just another reason to meet with friends and have a fun time here.

The World Boutique Hotel Awards is the first and only international awards organization exclusively dedicated to recognizing unique excellence among boutique hotels. The Awards, now in its 6th year, honored the people behind these outstanding properties. The 2016 World’s Best Category Winners are listed below.

WORLD’S BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL - Secret Bay Hotel, Dominica
World’s Best Beach or Coastal Hotel: El Nido, Pangulasian Island, Philippines
World’s Best City Hotel: 11 Mirrors, Kiev, Ukraine
World’s Best Classic Hotel Hotel: Heritage, Bruges, Belgium
World’s Best Culinary Hotel: Vila Joya, Algarve, Portugal
World’s Most Inspired Design Hotel: Kau Manor, Estonia
World's Best Honeymoon Hideaway: Punta Tragara, Capri, Italy
World’s Best New Hotel: Hotel Gotham, Manchester, United Kingdom
World's Best Relaxation Retreat: The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah, Bali, Indonesia
World's Most Romantic Hotel: Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece
World's Most Sustainable Hotel: Vigilius Mountain Resort, South Tyrol, Italy
World's Best Wellness Spa: Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, Italy
World's Best Private Villa: Over Yonder Cay, The Bahamas

I haven't visited any of these but they all sure are on my list! Have you stayed at these beautiful properties? Do share your experience in the comments.

​These are a few travel and lifestyle-related questions I almost always get from folks I meet so figured I’d make a blog post out of it, and maybe you’ll get to know me a tad bit better in the process as well! Here we go…