Australia continued its reign as the top dream destination and newcomers such as the Amalfi Coast, Rio de Janeiro and Saint Petersburg made their debut, while perennial favorites Paris and Rome stood firm at the top of survey categories. Cruising also continued to rank high, with European river sailings besting other itineraries and a round-the-world cruise topping the trips of a lifetime.
NEW YORK – The results of Virtuoso‘s eighth annual Travel Dreams Survey show that wish-lists of the world’s best travelers reach far beyond the norm, with responses like “taking a world cruise” and “calling on all seven continents” serving as potential next trips for these upscale globetrotters. Virtuoso, the international luxury network of travel advisors known for creating exceptional experiences, reveals the full survey results in the July/August issue of the network’s award-winning magazine, “VIRTUOSO LIFE”.
Australia continued its reign as the top dream destination and newcomers such as the Amalfi Coast, Rio de Janeiro and Saint Petersburg made their debut, while perennial favorites Paris and Rome stood firm at the top of survey categories. Cruising also continued to rank high, with European river sailings besting other itineraries and a round-the-world cruise topping the trips of a lifetime. This mirrors what Virtuoso sees in consumer demand, with 2015 world cruises nearly sold out already.
The survey also identifies five travel personalities:
The Go-Getter (24% of respondents)
- Go-Getters are active, adventurous and want to see and do it all on their vacations.
- Dream vacations: Traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway, cruising the Amazon, zip-lining with the kids in Costa Rica and biking with the family through Tuscany.
The Connoisseur (21%)
- The Connoisseur likes the best of everything, and indulges interests and passions while traveling.
- Dream vacations: Exploring Saint Petersburg, French wine-country cruises, taking the kids to the Swiss Alps in the summer, family pasta-making lessons in Italy and dinner dates in Paris’ five-star restaurants.
The Classic Traveler (20%)
- Classic Travelers are loyal to the places they love and will return multiple times to their favorite destinations.
- Dream vacations: Taking over a French villa with their family, going on a world cruise or riding the Orient-Express.
The Relaxationist (18%)
- The Relaxationist travels to get away from it all to restore and rejuvenate.
- Dream vacations: Lounging on a beach in Tahiti, staying in a Paris apartment and relaxing in the Maldives or the French Riviera.
The Trendsetter (17%)
- The Trendsetter is all about what’s new and next and is an early adopter of emerging destinations.
- Dream vacations: going on safari in Namibia, heading to space with Virgin Galactic, river cruising in Myanmar and wine tasting in Chile.
Whether they are renting private islands, tracking the “big five” on safari, or visiting the Holy Land, Virtuoso’s survey showed that upscale travelers of all types are looking to see as much of the world as they can.
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Virtuoso’s 2014 Travel Dreams Survey results: |
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| Top Trips of a Lifetime |
Top 10 Dream Destinations |
|
1. Taking a world cruise |
1. Australia |
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2. Visiting Italy’s Amalfi Coast |
2. Italy |
|
2. Calling on all seven continents |
3. New Zealand |
|
3. Renting a private island |
4. France |
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4. Renting a European Villa |
5. Fiji |
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5. Seeing the highlights of Australia |
6. Ireland |
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6. Photographing the “big five” on safari |
7. Greece |
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7. Exploring the Galapagos Islands |
8. Antarctica |
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9. Journeying to the Holy Land |
9. South Africa |
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10. Chartering a private jet |
10. The Caribbean |
| Dream Islands |
Gourmet Favorites |
|
1. Hawaii |
1. Paris |
|
2. Greek Islands |
2. Rome |
|
3. Fiji |
3. Florence |
|
4. New Zealand |
4. Barcelona |
|
5. Capri |
5. New Orleans |
| Cities To Explore |
Where to Set Sail |
|
1. Paris |
1. European river/canal |
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2. Rome |
2. The Mediterranean |
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3. Rio de Janeiro |
3. Australia/New Zealand |
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4. Sydney |
4. World cruise |
|
5. Saint Petersburg |
5. Alaska |
| Best Trips for Two |
Favorite Family Vacations |
|
1. Paris in April |
1. Hawaiian Islands |
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2. The Greek Isles |
2. South African Safari |
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3. Overwater bungalow in Tahiti |
3. Ireland’s castles and countryside |
|
4. Mediterranean cruise |
4. Alaskan Cruise |
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5. Caribbean resort stay |
5. Galapagos Getaway |
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
