The ending year always sees us a little bit different than when it started, we don’t come out the same way we went in. It’s time to move on and lay the groundwork for this year. The brand New Year is here, and so are some brand new ways to sail through it. Going on a holiday - right from excuses to planning, to the way we travel has all evolved and changed a lot. You can expect some surprising ways and trends around travel in 2015. Read on, to know a few trends that are already making a mark:

1. Babymoons will be in vogue

We know you would jump at the drop of a hat at the very idea of travelling. But, when it comes with a good excuse, your happiness would know no bounds. Taking a vacation in a serene destination, has lately enticed many-a-couple to dive into such opportunities. Hotels have also designed special packages for couples in the family way. Since it does much good to cool the nerves of an expectant mother-to-be and a stressed father-to-be, this will be seen as the number one excuse for couples to take a trip, and rather plan a baby in 2015.

2. See more lovers on wanderlust before wedlock

Will keep waiting the whole year for a holiday with your loved one, even if marriage is not on the cards in 2015? That sounds barbaric! More and more people are travelling with their partners for many reasons – to test compatibility, strengthen the bond against all odds, knowing each other better. Plus, there’s no dearth of destinations you would love to explore hand in hand. Need we give say more, or you are already packed and done?

3. Homestays and hostels check in

Staying in hostels and homestays is going to be huge this year. Tourists would prefer to be travellers, experience places and culture first hand, and hostels and homestays will provide them with just that opportunity. Many Indians are letting out their facilities as homestays, setting up hostels in popular destinations and minting big money out of it. A posh life in hotels is passé now. Stay where the action is.

4. Trekking your way through the New Year

A well-thought-out holiday in a luxe-destination is ancient. People want to pep the travel quotient of their holidays by adding some difficulty and adventure to it, and what better way than to go for treks in groups. Trekking to winter destinations, hiking down a difficult trail, camping in the wilderness and savouring a hard-earned sunset is what it is all going to be about in 2015.

5. Girls huddle together for great holidays

Women only travel groups have entered the travel space and they are taking it by storm. Women are now keener on exploring the locales on their whims and fancies, leaving behind Mr.Right’s suggestions and directions!

6. Kids will tag along with parents for vacations

Right from new-borns to choosy teenagers, people are now ready to take the hassle but choose not to leave their curious-minded and star-in-making-kids home, keeping them from discovering the world. Everyone now understands how enriching a travel experience can be and that is the reason why more parents are signing up with their kids for awesome holidays.

7. Plan a holiday in advance if retiring this year

Life-after-retirement is not anymore about relaxing in a rocking chair. People in their 50s are using their time for a well-earned holiday, by travelling to far-off international places, since time is not a constraint to them now. You will see more relaxed, retired couples travelling together in groups this year.

8. Make way for city breaks and heritage walks

Ditch the surfs and head for city breaks, the relaxed beach holidays are done to death! Now, people want to experience cities know culture and appreciate architecture. Nouveau travel agencies are now coming up with heritage walks and you can already see this picking up pace.

9. Food at the fore

Extreme eating is not limited to food shows - it’s for real and so is travelling for the love of food. This year will see people travelling across the globe to discover new tastes. Travellers now can take food walks that spotlight the cuisine of the city, destination cooking classes and celebrity chef tours to add spice to their travel experience in 2015.

10. A holiday on the farm will be a rage

How about jumping into your Farmville game? Yes, you read it right! The trend to stay in a farm, and live the life of a farmer, is catching up pretty fast. Various farms are offering their facilities to travelers who want to experience the farm life, learn pottery, plough, sow, harvest, cook and herd the animals.

11. Destination weddings are here to stay, rather flourish

They made it big last year, and it is bound to get even bigger this year. Why will it not, when travelling to an exotic destination comes as a perk to attending a wedding. Be ready to get dressed in the local attire, soak in some local culture and try some authentic local cuisine and experience all this through wedding festivities. Attending weddings can’t get better!

12. An year for road trips

Was it a thing of the past when a dozen from your family would get loaded in an ambassador for a long trip to the mountains? Well, this method to explore the world didn’t ever go out of fashion. The craze is in fact catching up again, since the roads to the remotest destinations are paved and there’s this zeal to see everything on your own terms. You will see more travellers hitting the roads this year.

13. Head for nature trails, keep an eye out for birding

Not that there would be some change in the ecosystem, boosting the number of birds you will get to spot, but it’s the change in the mindset of the travellers. There’s an increasing trend of people interested in sustainable tourism. Travellers now want to experience nature in its full glory and they want to do without harming the environs. Various travelling agencies are offering nature hikes, bird watching and ecosystem-based recreation opportunities to travellers along with the regular tour packages.

14. Pocket drone - the latest and the hottest

Still stuck to monopods to get that perfect selfie? Move on. 2014, the year of the monopod has passed and so has the way you click your pictures. In 2015, you will see pocket drones with cameras, hovering in the skies much closer to the operator, taking 360 degree shots of the monument and a picture-perfect you.

15. Mobile phone will be the centre of all the action

2014 has seen much action around the development of apps that make travelling a breeze. Applications like Tripigator, Skype, viber, aroundme, Googlemaps, and many more still in making, have been around and will continue to make a mark in the coming year. Right from planning to payment, all you would need, while travelling to far-off lands, is your smart phone.

16. Social media would continue to influence your holiday destination decision

The frenzy around sharing social media content and influencing has only grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and this year it’s going to get even bigger. The readers have grown smarter, they now know how to filter information. More and more people would be dependent on online recommendations while planning their holidays in 2015.

Whatever surprises 2015 is holding for you, one thing is for sure that you will travel and have a memorable holiday this year. If you come across a trend that seems to be in vogue, do let us know through your comments here. We would love to hear from you.

Deepti Ahuja Balani

People professionally know me as a copy editor, correspondent and a writer, but writing is something I do even when I am not professionally engaged. I like to visit new places, explore, experience different cultures and share my perspective through words. Writing for food, travel and books is something that comes naturally, and is close to my heart.

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