Travel By Design
Design your own travel experience by exploring many travel niches on this Travel by Design page.
Whether you are an adventurer or arm-chair traveler you will find stories on this page that will pique your interest and curiosity. Nearly any hobby, interest or experience can be the very essence of a travel niche and you’ll find many of them below.
Perhaps you are looking for the best LGBTQ destinations or you’re interested in different experiences, volunteer travel (voluntourism) or health and wellness opportunities there are many travel niches to experience. We have several stories that showcase a traveler’s insights and there are other stories that illuminate the outdoors and beautiful landscapes. We have stories of varied experiences from far and wide. The experiences are unique and quite interesting and come from various places across the globe. Our stories will give you a wide coverage of places from around the world.
Whatever travel experience you’re interesting in learning about or designing for your future travels you can find something here. As new travel trends evolve we will continue to add new content that addresses new travel niches.
Go through the interesting stories listed below on this Travel by Design page.
With over 11,000 inhabited islands of the nearly 2 million islands throughout our oceans, lakes, and seas, finding your dream destination can seem daunting. But somewhere out there is an island perfectly tailored to your desires. Whether you're a luxury seeker, a nudist, a family-oriented traveler, or someone who loves celebrity spotting, there's an island waiting for you.
With the rise in sustainability awareness and a growing curiosity about food origins, agritourism has emerged as a captivating travel trend. From olive oil harvesting in Italy to rice planting in Japan, these experiences connect travelers with the land and traditions that sustain our diets.
The world is brimming with exciting destinations waiting to be explored by avid adventure travelers. Whether you seek cultural immersion, natural beauty, historical landmarks, extreme or soft adventures, these eight destinations should be at the top of your travel list.
Every year, visitors flock to Page, Arizona, near the Utah border to marvel at the mesmerizing beauty of the Arizona slot canyons on the Navajo Reservation. The Southwest is known for these naturally occurring winding canyons, and the ones in Arizona are particularly magnificent.
On July 4th, the nation sings Happy birthday to the United States of America. This summer day is Independence Day in the US and one of the busiest travel and tourism holidays in North America. Flights coming to America and from coast to coast are full. Hotels in the top July 4th destinations are packed and restaurants are busy preparing for the influx of guests. Every city in the 50 United States celebrate the July 4th holiday with fireworks because of the importance of this day to America's history.
Join World Footprints as we interview a friend and Knight Wallace Journalism Fellow about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ travelers and hear from a digital nomad about her life on the road. First, travel journalist, Michael Luongo, has researched and written about the role travel journalism plays in tourism development in conflict zones and urban areas under stress. Michael also has his pulse on travel issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community including the considerations that go into travelling around the world for Gay travelers. Then, if you’ve ever dreamed of a life full of travel but have never taken the plunge, you can vicariously experience the digital nomadic life through our interview with Kellie Paxian. Kellie joined us from South Africa where she’d been for the previous three months. At the time of our call she was planning to explore more of South Africa before moving on Bali. Hear how she does [...]
Every summer, the tall ship Manitou plies the clear waters of Grand Traverse Bay, docking at Traverse City, Michigan. Three or four times a day, the ship sets sail with up to 59 passengers for a two-hour cruise. It’s a traditional ship experience. Sails are hoisted through muscle and perseverance. Steering is done with a wheel on the quarter deck. And, the speed of the ride depends on the wind.
Modern travelers can’t imagine their lives without several things, and smartphones are certainly among them. Since you’ll undoubtedly be carrying your mobile device, no matter where you are headed, it’s good to use it to enhance your travel experience.
Buffeted by ferocious winds, I stared into the abyss of an open airplane door. The bright South Carolina June sky and cotton candy clouds seemed a cruel contrast to the darkness gripping me — an innate fear of falling that has haunted me for years. I could barely hear my Skydive Carolina instructor Cathy Abelleira's words in my ear as I clenched my jaw.
Some wonderful travel options are available to the LGBTQ+ community, where travel can be enjoyed without fear of discrimination or violence.
I, of course, was not the first to immortalize travel experiences in poetic form. According to The Cambridge History of Travel Writing, poetry is “inseparable from the experience and discursive fabric of travel.” Some of our most ancient texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and Homer’s Odyssey are, in effect, “travel poems”—though they may be of imagined journeys and quests.
America has many hidden gems waiting to be discovered by those who love traveling but want more than local tourist traps or busy attractions. Below are just a few hidden gems that I suggest for the new year.














