By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate

Now is the time to plan your summer holiday. Here are some tips to help you streamline the process.

Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in shaping travel experiences. Travelers are utilizing AI-powered tools for personalized trip planning, enhancing convenience, and customizing their journeys. Expedia, Travelocity, and others provide flight, lodging, and car rental information, but there are new AI tools to make your travel planning easier and more efficient.

Roam Around helps you find places that are not on everyone’s hit list. If you are going to a major city you can select up to five things that you would most enjoy. In minutes this tool will provide you with a detailed list of venues directly related to your short list. I plugged in “Portland” and indicated I like gardens and a relaxed pace. In moments I had a wonderful five-day itinerary detailed for me.

Atlas Obscura is another wonderful AI tool. Enter your destination in the SEARCH feature and it will provide all sorts of niche options to choose from. One of the most frustrating trends in tourism today is that the internet has made it easy for swarms of people to easily find and show up at all the most popular spots. This app is designed to help you find fascinating stops that are off the beaten tourist track.

The most popular travel destinations are responding to overwhelming crowds that are making life difficult for locals.

• Venice has doubled their tourist tax for those who don’t book and pay four days in advance. This measure aims to manage peak season crowding.
• Kyoto has restricted access to certain alleys to protect local culture and resident privacy.
• Amsterdam has implemented a daily tourist tax and eliminated official tours of the Red Light District.

You are encouraged to explore alternatives to travel hotspots. Destinations like Reims in France, Brescia in Italy and Cozumel in Mexico are suggestions. I visited Costa Rica in May of 2024 and found the ticos (natives) to be warm and welcoming. Sixty-five percent of the country is preserved wilderness and tourism is the mainstay of the country’s economy.

Solo travel is becoming more mainstream, with a significant increase in individuals embarking on solo adventures. Travel companies are responding by offering tailored experiences and accommodations that cater specifically to solo travelers, ensuring safety and fostering community connections. Overseas Adventure Travel is a wonderful company that caters to seniors and does not charge a solo supplement. Journey Woman caters to solo female travelers and offers many educational programs as well as trips.

Environmental consciousness is influencing travel choices, especially among younger generations. Travelers are prioritizing sustainable practices such as choosing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local communities, and minimizing their carbon footprint during their journeys. I enjoyed the remote Sacha Lodge nestled on the banks of the Napo River in Ecuador. It is owned and operated by Indigenous peoples.

Wellness tourism is on the rise, with travelers seeking destinations that offer relaxation, spa treatments, and opportunities to unplug from daily life. I found the Ojo Resort and Spa in a serene setting outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico to be a source of rejuvenation and spiritual calm.

Travelers tired of battling for space in overhead bins on packed flights have come up with a solution. They call it Flying Naked. They ship their luggage to their destination using a third party like Ship and Play. I prefer to just travel light, carrying essentials in a small backpack. I am prepared to support local economies by purchasing items as needed along the way. This works for a beach holiday, but for colder climes I wear my warm jacket and fold it into a seat cushion. Of course, if you can afford to upgrade to economy plus, or first class you can fly fully clothed.

I always suggest you obtain Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance when you travel. In the past I was able to purchase a stand-alone policy for this for about $75. Now, according to my Automobile Club travel agent, that is no longer available. Some companies offer a minimum bundle of coverage that includes Medical Evacuation coverage. Allianz and Travel Guard offer favorable rates.

Travel can be challenging, but don’t let that stop you. Take a few steps before you leave home to make your journey less about stress and more about exploring our beautiful planet.

Linda Ballou Freelance Writer

Linda's mission is to experience as many beautiful places on our planet as she can before they are no more. Travel tales relating her experiences while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe have appeared in numerous national magazines. She had great fun collecting travel stories, and profiles of people she met in “naturally high places” for her book, Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales. Her latest book Lost Angel Unleashed is the third book in her Lost Angel Trilogy

Go to LostAngelAdventures.com for more adventures.

For more about Linda’s novels and media offerings go to. www.LindaBallouAuthor.com