What makes a vacation truly memorable? There may be a reliable formula, at least for younger people.
A poll of 2,000 travelers between 18 and 34 identified some of their favorite ingredients.
Traveling with a group of at least four people, enjoying a minimum of four new experiences, and doing something “unexpected” were among the most essential.
36% felt stepping out of your comfort zone was necessary for an unforgettable trip, wanting to push their boundaries at least four times during any given adventure.
32% believe making new friends is desirable, with a memorable vacation defined as meeting three new people.
At least three new dishes should also be tried.
Conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Contiki, a social travel company, the survey recipients pointed to a successful vacation as including 45 photos and 15 videos to capture the “perfect moments” they want to remember.
Respondents have been on an average of seven memorable trips. Almost 30% of those who’ve traveled solo feel that those vacations created more memories than any other.
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“Exploring a new destination and culture is opening yourself up to the unknown with the potential to create memories that can last a lifetime,” said Rachel Storey, Brand Director of Contiki.
The research also found that 34% feel they need to make every moment count when traveling due to increased work pressure. Nearly half (47%) feel so strongly about this that they would quit a job that didn’t allow them to take time off needed for a meaningful trip.
36% have a vacation bucket list that they want to tick off.
But 53% prefer a perfect moment to happen naturally or organically, rather than be something that is engineered—and 81% believe it’s the imperfect or unexpected moments that can make a vacation the most memorable.
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“When you reflect on trips from the past, it’s often the moments you couldn’t have imagined, that leave the deepest impact,” continued Rachel. “Whether it’s a moving encounter with a local, making a new friend, ordering an unusual item in a restaurant, or taking a leap of faith on a new activity – the ultimate souvenir is the memories you make along the way.”
TOP PERFECT MOMENTS TO EXPERIENCE ON VACATION
Watching a sunrise or sunset with friends or familySome kind of joke or funny event that becomes a running jokeSomething that becomes a story to tell for years to comeDoing something that takes you out of your comfort zoneDrinks or food with a viewMaking a connection with a local or group of localsTrying the local delicacy which is considered unusual at homeTaking a detour or getting lost and finding an empty beach or amazing viewSeeing a famous landmarkSwimming in the seaDoing something adrenaline-spiking, such as bungee jumping or parachutingTicking something off your bucket listGetting a full tour of a beautiful citySeeing animals in their natural habitatFinding the ideal souvenir or giftsGetting a tour around a local town or villageMarriage proposed or witnessing a proposalA romantic kissClimbing a mountain