Endless Summer Travel Trends

Where digital meets travel + lifestyle … A collection of can’t-miss news from this week, including spring travel trends. Sign up to get the TURNER Weekly Download in your inbox every Friday.

Endless Summer Travel Trends

Planning a summer getaway? You’re not alone. But summer travel trends this year are leaning towards shorter weekend trips, as opposed to long vacations, according to a new Travel Channel survey. The result is more fun and less stress. “I think the cultural expectations around a big summer vacation are so heavy and can it be so difficult to meet those expectations,” says Jillian St. Charles, senior vice president of Digital Programming & Video for Home and Travel at Discovery Digital Studios. “I really love when people find a new way, that will work for their family, to keep it more low-key and not have all of the emotional weight of a big summer vacation.”

Slow Train Coming

The slow travel trend is still picking up steam. Literally. This summer, a new regular steam train service will launch between London and Windsor. It’s the first time in 50 years that travelers will be able to enjoy this scenic and oh-so-elegant mode of travel. And if they’re feeling like taking things to an even more luxurious level, the train serves a champagne brunch in the dining car. It’s not just a summer trip … it’s a summer trip back in time.

Wildflower FOMO

An even less high-tech travel trend than steam trains? Wildflowers. Your social media feeds have probably been inundated recently by the so-called “superbloom” in California. The eruption of blossoming flowers this spring has caught the imagination of travelers, proving that summer travel trends can be based around the simplest elements. Can’t make it to California for the superbloom? Don’t worry. According to experts, the eastern Sierras and Mammoth Lakes in the state will play host to a similar phenomenon. “Expect rare plants and wildflowers in sunset colors — yellow, orange, red, purple,” reports Travel + Leisure. Wildflower FOMO, begone!

Insect App

A perennial summer road trip feature: smooshed insects on your windshield. This was an annoyance in the past. However, in 2019, it’s an app. That Gunk on Your Car is a free IOS app that helps amateur entomologists identify the road kill on their windshields. It turns a road trip into an insect-themed extravaganza! The Washington Post reports: “The app contains several features, including an illustrated guide to identifying bug splats, a glossary and car games, such as My Side/Your Side (each player claims a section of windshield and accumulates “points”) and Insect Art (plastic wrap required).”

Weekly Moment of Zen

Here’s what it might be like to travel on a stand-up airplane seat. (Ummm, no thanks.)