Already, thoughts are turning to next year and what holiday opportunities 2022 may bring. What does the trip you choose to book reveal about your personality?
Some people see it as fun with a capital F: shopping, dancing until dawn, and sharing the experience on social media so that friends can also enjoy it.
Travel is a way to connect with others. AlwaysIt’s a great learning opportunity, and a way to explore other cultures. Then there are those who choose to not travel far from their homes and stay in budget hotels when they do.
It is possible to tell whether someone chooses holidays that reflect your style or care more about the opinions of others by what they think.
FEMAIL asked Rob Debenham (travel expert) to give a tongue in cheek guide on what exactly the “vacays” you select might reveal about you.
GLAMPING: The ‘way of the wealthy to avoid actual camping’
Luxury bathroom products, double bed and wood-burning stove Rob Debenham, a Travel Expert, says that Glamping allows you to pretend that camping is your favorite thing, but without having to actually go there. (stock photo)
Glamping may be the equivalent to the humble brag. Glamping can be as expensive as luxury hotels in peak seasons, but it shows that you are down to earth and enjoy connecting with the natural world (so long as there is a wood burner, comfortable bed, and roll-top bathtub).
According to our waspish expert, if you are looking for a glamping vacation, then you probably have more than 15 bags and prefer vegan shoes.
“Think of people who were children to Enid Bleyton and have a chateau in Provence. The way a wealthy person avoids a real camping holiday.
DUBAI: “Vacuous” is most likely the right word
Dubai is a great holiday destination. What do you think? You probably don’t want history and culture to be on your holiday wish list. Stock image
Abrim with five-star hotels in Middle Eastern, the enclave has been popular with Premiership footballers as well as TV stars for a long time.
Is this what it appeals to you? You’ll find them everywhere you go if megamalls filled with luxury stores, gorgeous beaches, and five-star hotels.
Rob believes that “Vacuous” is the most accurate description of it.
He said that Dubai is primarily for those who are friends with many people they wish to impress.
‘Book a holiday here and you’re essentially saying “I don’t care about culture, history or supporting the indigenous people of the destinations I’m visiting.’
BIRDER-WATCHING TRIP: “For couples wearing matching pyjamas.”
Birdwatching is a great idea. Our holiday expert says that being at one with nature is the same as being a crashing bore (stock image).
Is it possible to escape the mass and spend some time on an idyllic rural island with Scotland’s feathered friends?
You are probably quite boring, which is likely.
Rob says that when people descend to faraway islands, they may’revel at wearing camouflage clothing’ and’reminisce about their first encounter with a Great Tit.
He was unflinching and said: “This is the type of trip that couple who are wearing matching pyjamas may lust after.”
CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Intrepid is the opposite. You can pinball on a Caribbean cruise without even having to think about where you are going (stock photo)
It’s easy to take a cruise and you have a list of beautiful destinations right at your fingertips. But does that mean you are a safe-guy holidaymaker?
Yes. And a little lazy, too, according to our expert.
Rob explained that “This type of holiday is great for anyone who wants to go to the Caribbean, but doesn’t want all the work of actually organizing it.”
‘It’s great for those who want to boast about all the Caribbean islands they’ve visited, although not many Caribbean cruisers could actually tell you much about any of the places they’ve been too.
He said, “Essentially, it is a beautiful destination for people that want to go on an adult school trip, but with sunshine.”
LAS VEGASMade for men in middle age who are experiencing midlife crises
Sin City sounds exciting, but are middle-aged men just trying to make up lost time in Sin City? (stock image)
Vegas is Vegas. But it’s not because everything that happens there will be recorded on social media.
Rob suggests that if your friends are picking Vegas, it’s possible you may be in the middle of a midlife crisis.
‘This city is famously the domain of middle-aged men who’ve had the destination on their holiday hit list for ages – because when they got married 20 years ago, it was too expensive for the stag do they wanted,’ he explained.
‘Now, they’ll stay in hotels like The Bellagio or Wyn because of their ‘swanky’ reputation, overlooking Vegas gems which are actually much better placed for The Strip – including The Flamingo Hilton, Treasure Island and The Mirage.’
Rob says that often people who make bookings too early don’t do enough research. ‘At least one of the party will decide they can walk somewhere that doesn’t look far on the map and then give-up after two hours of striding down a freeway and get a cab for the rest of the journey.’
CORNISH BUTIQUE HOTEL: A ‘Reassuringly Mid-Class’
While a trip to Cornwall can be a great way to build your middle-class credentials, it is not a real adventure (stock photo).
Michelin-starred dining options, California-inspired beaches, and picturesque coastal high streets lined by surf shops make Cornwall a great choice for an international beach vacation.
Rob believes this area of England’s southern-west is a winner over middle class with salubrious phrases like ‘farm, fork and ocean to plate’. Visitors won’t have to book accommodation as they already own a Padstow or St Ives second home.
He explained that it was all so reassuringly average and perfect for people who really desire a home away from home without any real adventure.
“Many friends will be telling their friends that the entire breakfast they had was made from ingredients sourced locally within a 10 mile radius of the messy kitchen in which they were sitting.
MINI BREAK TO NATIONAL TRUST: More of a midterm revision module More than just a quick break
Stock image: The National Trust’s portfolio includes hundreds of miles of coastline, historical houses, and landmarks (stock photo)
Earnest, moi? Young families and retired people are the only ones who can use the National Trust as an education center. They also offer a fascinating history lesson and a great cup of cream tea.
What does your National Trust Annual Membership say about you?
Rob explained, “Not a quick break. It’s more like a mid-term rev module for others.
‘A National Trust membership is also for those people who continually say “that place is only 15 miles away, we’ve lived here for 20 years and we’ve never even been there”.
‘There’s a 50/50 chance of them never going back in the next 20 years either..
MARBELLA GLAMOUR : ‘A journey all about showboating using social media’
Glitzy Puerto Banus may be the centre of “Marbs”, but it’s not as big as you think. It’s also easy to lose yourself in this little Spanish paradise (stock photo)
This is the holiday that you have waited for, months and months to see on TOWIE. Although it is close to Dubai and Vegas, this Spanish paradise is made from the exact same holiday fabric.
Puerto Banús is much smaller than it looks on reality TV but if showboating is your thing, then the super cars and super yachts make it the place for you, says Rob.
There will likely be a few other people who are trying to recreate their Ibiza youth.
Marbella is also very popular among friends who remember the old times when they would party late, wake up early, swim for 3 hours and catch the sun.
Crazy Dave was the only one to make it down the stairs to the pool on the second morning. Day 3 is also the last day that Crazy Dave has been able to get down to the pool.
BUDGET HOTELBREAK: “Thrifty to the extent of sucking out the joy of a holiday.”
Budget hotels are a great option to save money. But if your entire two-week holiday is spent here, you might want to consider changing your travel plans. Stock image
Right? It doesn’t matter how far you are from your destination, as long as you feel comfortable in the bed. And you’re only paying £29 a night. You can have four people.
Our expert says that those who stay in budget hotels are often very thrifty and compromise their enjoyment.
“While a good bargain can be uplifting, if it lasts more than one night it becomes too penny-pinching. You might even need another vacation to recuperate.
TREKKING IN PERU – A holiday that screams, “I’m serious!”
This is the photo everyone wants, and it’s something you will have to struggle for. Peruvian visitors to Machu Picchu are adventurous and determined, but they secretly love the bragging rights (stock picture).
The fact that you made it to Peru’s Inca citadel is a big deal will give you serious bragging rights. It’s possible to see this tourist hot spot from your smartphone, but it can be noisy at sunrise with many other phones.
A Machu Picchu trekking trip suggests that you would like to be regarded as “A Very Serious Traveller” – with your positive attributes such as being committed to giving back and being sustainable, and also being carbon neutral.
The willingness to invest in Lima may allow some to offset their huge carbon footprint from the 12 and a half-hour flight.
‘Inca Trail Permits are rarer than hen’s teeth these days and so you’re likely to be a determined sort. It’s likely that you won’t like the idea of walking alongside 400 people taking identical photos.
TOURING IN A VW CAMER VAN: Are you a daydreamer in your 30s? You thought so.
You can holiday like your grandparents. A VW campervan tour with friends sounds perfect. But, it’s important to remember that you need a good friend in order for the van to survive (stock photo)
You can live life on the open road while still enjoying retro-inspired vibes. The original VW camper vans may be less comfortable than the modern ones, but you’ll love them.
Book a VW holiday if you are an adventure-hungry millennial dreaming of epic adventures along with your friends.
Rob speculated: “Who goes on such trips?” Dreamers! Many people in their 30s with close friends.
They are independent of their spirit and desire after an era of effortless travel.
“The harsh reality is that either they will be more close than ever to their friends by the end the trip, or they won’t ever see one another again after a fractious row.”