In a study commissioned by Iberostar, researchers have delved into the top 10 factors that make a holiday ‘memorable’. Need inspiration for your next unforgettable holiday? Read on to find out!
10) Meeting new people
The OnePoll study found that meeting new people on holiday can be a big booster for making a holiday more memorable. Carnival season is a great way to immerse yourself in local culture. The party spirit is running high and it makes for a great opportunity to mix with locals and other tourists! Alternatively, why not book up a surfing holiday on The Island of Love? New relationships are sure to blossom…
Tahiti offers fantastic surfing options, and the ‘Island of Love’ is a place where new friendships are sure to blossom!
9) Clear blue skies
Make sure to check the weather of your location before you travel otherwise you could be left disappointed! Why not ask a local about the best time to travel? For example, few people associate Portugal with rain, however April is known by the locals as “the month of a thousand showers”!
As rain approaches, Pedro, Flickr Creative Commons
8) Doing activities you wouldn’t normally do at home
Unless you live in Turkey, I doubt you experience the wonderfully relaxing and cleansing ritual of a Hammam Turkish Bath on a daily basis. The lengthy process of a Turkish Bath helps to refresh your body and soul, and can be a relatively inexpensive way of pampering oneself. Self-care is something we all neglect when in the throws of daily life, so it’s extra important to treat yourself while you’re away to help you immerse yourself into your holiday.
Cagaloglu Hammam, courtesy of Cagaloglu Hamami
7) Spending time with family
The poll found that we love to spend time with our family on a holiday. Take a leaf out of our presenter Megan McCormick’s book and round up the troops and bring them along. Megan spent a lot of time travelling with her two children for work whilst they were younger, and still enjoys taking them away every summer while they’re off school
Megan McCormick on the Greek Islands
6) Being able to switch off and have no worries
There are so many places that you can go to ‘switch off’, however if you;re looking for full on isolation from the outside world and exploring the unexplored wilderness to clear your mind is there anywhere more appropriate than The Amazon?
Watch: Eils Nevitt trekking through the Amazon Rainforest.
5) Good food
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
We all have our favourite foods, but if you’re keen to try a new cuisine then we recommend travelling to Tbilisi in Georgia to experience the delights of Georgian food. A mixture of Caucasian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European flavours, Georgian cuisine is a byproduct of the ancient travellers and merchants of the trade route The Silk Road, and so is often very hearty and mixed in influence. Don’t forget to try some of the nations famed orange wine!
The sublime orange wine from the Alaverdi Monastery in Kakheti, Republic of Georgia, Courtesy of tastegeorgia.co
4) Seeing something you’ve never seen before
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 95% of the worlds oceans are unexplored. You are sure to see something you’ve never seen before in the sea, and what beats an unspoiled diving location? In Madagascar you can slip beneath the waves to see Grey Reef sharks in the pristine coral reefs of the Mozambique channel. If you’re not so keen on being beneath the waves, take a short boat trip to see the Humpback whales.
Madagascar offers some of the finest unspoiled diving in the world today!
3) Fantastic views
What are the views that you dream of? Maybe it’s the open ocean, or maybe its a range of snow capped mountains. All that matters is that you get some killer views lined up for your next holiday! The study found that awesome views are the third most important factor in making your holiday one to remember! We love the hiking trails that Hawaii has to offer, for panoramic views of the Pacific and its stunning coast lines – and don’t forget the whale spotting!
Hawaii Hikes, image courtesy of Go Hawaii
2) Lots of laughter
What makes you laugh? Is it your funny brother-in-law or is it a good comedy show? Consider adding laughter-inducing activities into your trip, and travelling with people who make you giggle. We love Baltimore for 2019, and the year is jam-packed full of things to keep you on your toes. In July, the city will become host to Artscape, America’s largest free outdoor arts festival featuring 150+ fine artists, craftspeople and fashion designers. With live concerts, sculptures and performance pieces including dance, street theatre, jazz, opera and stand-up comedy, Artscape embodies the city’s homegrown arts boom.
Many talented entertainers and artists will come together in Baltimore this year © Visit Baltimore
1) Good weather
In the poll of 2000 participants, the number one factor for making a holiday the most memorable was, of course, the weather. When looking for a holiday destination, consider the time of year you are travelling and the climate you prefer. If you are looking to travel in summer for example but prefer a fresh breeze, why not investigate what Austria has to offer. If you prefer hot weather and are travelling in the winter, why not investigate options in Southern Mexico!
Southern Mexico offers sunseekers a lovely winter getaway!
Whatever your dream holiday entails, we think these pointers are sure to help you on your way to making it one of the most unforgettable experiences you have ever had! To join us at some of our favourite destinations, check out our webstore full of our award winning travel, food, history and lifestyle shows, available to download now and order on DVD!
By Sofi Pickering
