Robert Reid's Top 11 Travel Trends and Must-Visit Destinations for 2011
Travel is poised for a strong rebound in 2011 after quieter years, marking the year's biggest trend. Here are 11 more specific trends to watch, curated by travel expert Robert Reid.
Civil War Reenactments. Far more engaging than stereotypes suggest, 2011 kicks off the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Civil War with four years of battle reenactments, period balls, and expert lectures. Check the U.S. National Park Service's dedicated microsite for events. Highlight: Civil War-era baseball at Manassas (Bull Run), Virginia, on July 23.
Tech-Free Travel. Amid gadgets simplifying trips—from e-tickets to smartphones—2011 calls for nostalgic breaks. Embrace a day with a 35mm camera, sketchpad, or queuing at a post office for postcards to reconnect authentically.
New York City. NYC shines brighter in 2011: Coney Island's revival completes by summer, pedestrian-friendly expansions like the High Line continue, and the World Trade Center site opens publicly for the first time since 9/11.
Communism Travel. Marking 20 years since the Soviet Union's fall, explore lingering Cold War relics. Visit our Best of Travel 2011 list of 10 sites, or rent a Soviet-era car like a 1970s Moskvich in Bulgaria ($500) for a road trip. Stay in era-defining hotels and end in Transdniestria.
Space Shuttle's Final Launch. Witness history post-February 3 with STS-133 from Kennedy Space Center (tickets sold out; check eBay or view from Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Titusville). Monitor NASA's launch-update page.
U.S. Gulf Coast. Recovering from the 2010 BP spill and Hurricane Katrina, the region welcomes back 'snowbirds' and summer visitors. Discover pristine white-sand beaches at Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola, Florida.
Mexico Revisited. Overcoming swine flu fears and drug reports, Mexico hosts a tourism renaissance. Beyond promoted spots like Cabo and Cancun, explore from Mexico City to silver mining towns like Guanajuato, with its colonial charm, mummies, and mountains.
Apartment Rentals. With rising hotel prices, opt for Airbnb, HomeAway, or Craigslist. Enjoy savings, space for families, and immersive local neighborhoods worldwide.
Rethinking the Bus. Ditch flight hassles for affordable, Wi-Fi-equipped buses like BoltBus and Megabus, connecting East Coast hubs (Boston, NYC, Philly, DC) to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, and Toronto.
Nicaragua. Central America's hidden gem offers $25 surf lessons in San Juan del Sur, colonial Granada and León (Lonely Planet's 2011 comeback cities), and Ometepe volcano treks—all for $20/day, with guesthouses at $25.
Canada's National Parks. Celebrate the centennial of the world's first national park service starting May. Spot wildlife like the massive 850m beaver dam in Wood Buffalo National Park (spotted via Google Earth). Get the Parks Canada Discovery Pass for 100+ sites, including iconic Banff.
The New Food: Music. Shift from culinary quests to music-inspired travel. Beyond SXSW, use albums and lyrics as unique guidebooks for authentic discoveries.
