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Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Inside America's Short-Trip Summer – And How To Make The Most Of It
Summmer vacations are getting shorter, but Americans want more from them. Here's how they're getting it. getty If you're thinking of taking a summer vacation, you'd better think fast. A new survey by Generali Global Assistance (GGA) suggests travelers are planning trips averaging just 1 ½ weeks, significantly shorter than the typical 2-week summer vacation. They're also booking far in advance. Why is this happening? "American travelers are opting for shorter, closer-to-home trips shaped by economic realities, such as inflation and flight prices," says Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance. So what does this trend mean for your summer vacation? The findings, outlined in GGA's 2025 Holiday Barometer, suggest American travelers are more cautious than they've been at any time since the pandemic. "Economic pressures appear to be shaping American travel behavior in 2025," says Carnicelli. The shorter trips, plus more advance planning, add up to a greater emotional investment in the vacations — in other words, to ramped-up expectations. While GGA has seen a decrease in budgets, some travel suppliers say there's an explanation: Even as Americans shorten their vacations, they're sometimes spending more on a per-day basis. "Shorter stays are dominating," says Janice Wilson, who runs a new luxury glamping resort near Washington's Olympic National Park. "Most of our guests this season are booking two- to three-night stays. And it seems they make up for brevity with indulgence. They're downright spendy when purchasing our curated add-ons like our caviar hot dogs or couples massage on their private decks." Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance. ADP "Economic pressures appear to be shaping American travel behavior in 2025." What's with the abbreviated vacations? Alex Alioto, head of growth at Whimstay, a vacation rental site, blames the shaky economy. "The travel industry is witnessing a notable shift this summer as Americans increasingly adjust their travel plans in response to economic pressures," he says. "The trend toward shorter stays is a direct result of that." GGA's Carnicelli says there's also a deeper sense of uncertainty — not just economic — that's making Americans more cautious about their vacations. "Political developments in certain international destinations may be prompting travelers to stay closer to home," he says. Perhaps the most decisive factor is the hassle of traveling. "This isn't driven by fear, but by practicality," notes Anthony Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor. "With disruptions caused by extreme weather, labor strikes, and lingering confusion around REAL ID enforcement, people are adapting. They're planning shorter, simpler trips that minimize stress and maximize control.' "In spite of all the doom and gloom, summer is most certainly heating up — even if some travelers are still playing it cool when it comes to booking," Travel companies are catering to the faster vacationer this summer. You can find these travel opportunities almost anywhere. Gondwana Ecotours, a tour operator that specializes in small-group trips to places like Alaska, Patagonia, and Tanzania, has seen an uptick in interest from travelers. Its tours are packed with activities that align with the current travel trends. "For example, our eight-day Northern Lights Adventure in Alaska has been popular with travelers seeking a unique and manageable domestic trip with unforgettable moments such as seeing the aurora borealis, walking with reindeer, and soaking in natural hot springs," says Eric Segalstad, a vice president at Gondwana. At the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, the focus this summer is on events that bring in guests for just a few nights. Sin City is within driving distance of Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City, making it a desirable domestic destination. "This summer, we're seeing Americans lean into event-based travel," says Liza Costandino, a spokeswoman for the Four Seasons. Major acts like Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Shakira, The Weeknd, and Beyoncé will be in town, and visitors are coming for three to four days and building a summer vacation around the event, says Costandino. If you want to take a shorter summer vacation without overpaying, experts say there's still time. He says average prices for July are up 9 percent from the same time last year to $320 per night. For August, they're up 12 percent from last year, to $324. But good news: They will probably come down again when summer's over. America's summer seems to be trading sprawl for spark. Shorter stays, booked smarter and splurged harder, are blueprints for the latest vacations. Whether you're chasing auroras in Alaska or belting lyrics in Vegas, the message is clear: go small — and book soon.
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Travel + Leisure
13-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Rainforest Trail Was Named One of the Best Hikes on the Planet—and It's the Quietest Place in the Continental U.S.
Hiking through the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington's Olympic National Park is a walk like no other. Moss-covered trees tower overhead and sunlight filters through the dense canopy, landing on the soft, fern-laden floor. So, it's not surprising that a hike within this lush landscape was named one of AllTrails' 25 Trails to Explore in 2025 list. The rainforest's primary hiking trail, Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls, leads you through the trees and ferns to the 60-foot Mineral Creek falls. From the falls, most hikers turn around and return to the trailhead. In total, the Hoh River Trail hike is 5.5 miles and is rated as 'easy' on AllTrails, taking most hikers less than two hours to complete. Although the Hoh River Trail is a popular route, AllTrails notes that the rainforest it's in is considered to be the 'quietest place in the continental U.S.' It's one of the few rainforests in the country and sees an average of 140 inches of precipitation a year. As a result of all that rain, most of which falls in the winter, hikers can trek under a green canopy of coniferous and deciduous trees and walk among moss-covered rocks and fern-laden forest floors. Along with the other routes on AllTrails' list, the Hoh Rain Forest hike was selected from more than 450,000 trails around the globe, including routes in the Italian Alps, Norway, and Japan. "25 Trails to Explore in 2025 is the first list of its kind from the team here at AllTrails,' Ron Schneidermann, former chief executive officer at AllTrails, said in a press release obtained by Travel + Leisure . 'We looked beyond popularity to share places and occasions that are truly special this year. The magic of discovery is what fuels my love of the outdoors, and I hope this list inspires people to find their own sense of wonder on the trail." The Hoh Rain Forest lies on the west side of Olympic National Park. You can access it via the Upper Hoh Road, off of Highway 101. It's around two hours by car from Port Angeles, Washington, and under an hour from Forks, Washington. Other hikes that made the list include the Fedaia Pass in Italy; the Four Lakes Trail in British Columbia, Canada; and Boston's Freedom Trail in Massachusetts. You can see the full list at
