Candyce H. Stapen

Mountainbiking was cited by 81 percent of New Adventure Traveler survey respondents as an activity in which they're interested when on an adventure-travel vacation.

Adventure travel and its enthusiasts have changed. While bungee jumping off a bridge, or rafting through churning whitewater still deliver thrills that draw adrenalin junkies, more and more adventure-seekers these days demand transformative experiences, according to research by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and East Carolina University. ATTA defines a transformative experience as one that promotes personal growth and change.

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Trips That Come With a Taste of Adventure

When research collaborator Dr. Paige Viren surveyed National Geographic Adventure magazine subscribers in 2008 she found “risk and competence” ranked high for these travelers. In describing why they chose certain trips, respondents used words such as “risk,” “hardcore,” “extreme,” “danger” and “power.”

In 2015, Dr. Viren and Dr. Alison K. Murray, 

, surveyed a similar sample of more than 1,000 

 subscribers and their vocabulary changed. The respondents rated “life-changing experience” and enjoying “personal growth and challenge” as top motivators for their selection of outings. For respondents “being in a natural environment,” “learning,” “meaningful experiences,” and “being in a new culture” superseded risk as an element of adventure.

ATTA’s results have interesting ramifications for the adventure travel industry. Future ATTA reports may provide information on how or if outfitters are changing their products to add meaningful experiences that allow an understanding of culture and take place in a natural environment.

It might be that the bungee jumper would choose bouncing off the 364-foot high 

 over the Zambezi River that separates Zambia and Zimbabwe, followed by a safari. Or, the safari could come first and the drop and dangle would be an add-on. The whitewater rafter might select a Costa Rica trip because it comes with the chance to experience another culture instead of a paddling outing in Utah.   

Top 10 Motivators for Adventure Travelers

1. Transformation, cited by 359 respondents

5. Mental health (escape and renewal), cited by 152

7. Connection (bonding/ meet new people), cited by 83

8. Meaningful stories (experiences to remember), cited by 55

9. Physical health (exercise/strength), cited by 54

Click to the next page to see which destinations are the most popular. 

ATTA’s List of Adventurer’s Top Destinations 

Activities Sought by the New Adventure Traveler

Articles

Adventure travel and its enthusiasts have changed. While bungee jumping off a bridge, or rafting through churning whitewater still deliver thrills that draw adrenaline junkies, more and more adventure followers these days seek transformative experiences, according to research by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and East Carolina University. ATTA defines a transformative experience as one that promotes personal growth and change.

What Adventure-Seeking Travelers Want in a Vacation

Exercising when traveling is either a must-do or an are-you-kidding part of a visitor’s agenda. To help those wanting to maintain their calorie-burning routines, 

, the online travel site, recently launched 

, custom itineraries crafted by “travel influencers” that combine sightseeing and calorie burning.  

The Hotel TripAdvisor Users Love the Most

A significant number of travelers exercise when traveling, according to 

Expedia.com’s 2017 Fitness Breaks Study

. The survey, in conjunction with Google Consumer Surveys, queried a total of 7,000 residents in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, asking how they incorporate exercise into their travels.

Australians came in as the most exercise conscious with 55 percent of respondents saying that it is “very or somewhat important” to exercise while traveling. Americans ranked second with 53 percent, and Canadians were third with 51 percent. The most exercise averse were the French with 23 percent of respondents stating they refused to work out when traveling. Only 10 percent of Americans said they don’t exercise when traveling.

Why and How to Exercise When Traveling   

Among exercisers globally, 22 percent of respondents cited the need to work out to balance their indulgence in food. Travel fitness activities also created authentic experiences when traveling. Some 16 percent of French respondents and 13 percent of Australians exercise because it allows them to “see new areas of the destination.”

Walking ranked as the most popular exercise, a finding shared by 47 percent of all respondents who incorporate exercise into their travels. Some 56 percent of Australians, nearly 56 percent of the British and 53 percent of Canadians go for exploratory walks on their own. About 34 percent of the French respondents who exercise take guided walks or long runs while 28 percent of Germans were most likely to go for a bike ride.

Expedia’s Fitness Breaks’ routes and routines may be obvious to city-wise travelers or informative to those new to a destination. Some suggestions enable travelers to get in exercise while being outdoors for a few hours; other itineraries occupy the entire day. Expedia’s Fitness Breaks’ website also features healthy places to eat in each destination. Here are some examples:

 Run a 5-mile loop of the National Mall that takes you past the Lincoln, Korean War, WWII and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials, and the Washington Monument.

 Go for a run along the waterfront, take a fitness class at Surfset Toronto, browse boutiques and end with yoga.

 Take a 5KM run through St. James Park, passing Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Trafalgar Square.  

: Run along Las Ramblas, meditate on the beach before doing stand-up yoga on a surfboard followed by a bicycle tour and late lunch.

Expedia, the online travel site, recently launched Fitness Breaks, custom itineraries crafted by travel influencers that combine sightseeing and calorie burning.

A New Way to Stick to Your Exercise Routine While Traveling

Azamara Club Cruises is targeting the wealthiest of travelers with its new "Stay Longer. Experience More," initiative.

, recently announced a “Stay Longer. Experience More,” initiative. The program enhances the line’s two signature elements: long stays in port and immersive experiences on land.

“When we looked at why people travel, they didn’t talk about bigger spaces or more opulence,” said Larry Pimentel, Azamara’s president and CEO. “They talked about connection.” 

Richard Twynam, the line’s United Kingdom director said “We’re predominantly a Boomer product.” As such, the line appeals to cash and time rich travelers, notes Twynam.

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Azamara is offering more than 250 overnight departures of 8 p.m. or later.

To enable passengers to experience a destination more fully, Azamara already offers more than 250 overnight and evening departures of 8 p.m. or later. These enable guests to linger at a café, meet locals at a pub, or attend the theater. On most every voyage, the line hosts a complimentary AzAmazing Evening, an after-dark excursion that highlights a city’s culture or allows guests to attend a special event.

In Amsterdam, passengers explore the Anne Frank House and cruise the city’s canals. In Hamburg, guests visit the medieval town of Luebeck. In St. Petersburg, passengers attend a performance of the symphony. (Several other lines also overnight in St. Petersburg.)

Under the new branding, such experiences become part of the line’s Cruise Global, Connect Local initiative, a program that divides shore excursions into 12 themes, including Bike Local, Taste Local, Golf Local, Night Local and Celebrate Local. Azamara adds Stay Local in the Middle East. One of the possibilities is for guests to stay overnight in a luxury Bedouin tent in the Arabian Desert.

As part of Cruise Global, Celebrate Local, Azamara has lined up what it calls “once-in-a lifetime” experiences for passengers. These include cheering on the Grand Prix race in Monaco; attending the Cannes Film Festival, Cannes; watching the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia; and celebrating New Year’s in Sydney. Expect many of these experiences to be pricey.  

Azamara also announced that it will increase its shore tour offerings from 500 to 1,200 throughout 2017 and 2018. By 2018, Azamara expects to be in more than 200 ports worldwide, 35 of which Azamara will visit for the first time. Both the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest, each carry 690-passengers. Currently, more than 50 percent of Azamara’s ports are ones that the mega-ships carrying thousands of people cannot access.  

Azamara Club Cruises is rolling out a new initiative to target Baby Boomers with deep pockets. The line sails to exclusive ports and provides passengers with extensive experiences on land.

Cruise Line Caters To Wealthy Travelers

The Aria Hotel Budapest won the top honor this year as the best hotel in the world, according to TripAdvisor users. Image Source: Aria Hotel Budapest

by Library Hotel Collection in Budapest, Hungary, was chosen as the best hotel in the world by TripAdvisor’s users. The travel planning and booking site’s 

 awards for hotels are based on millions of reviews.

“TripAdvisor relies on the experiences and opinions of our travel community to determine the winners,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.  “Travelers planning 2017 trips can find inspiration for some of the best places to book around the world from this diverse group of outstanding accommodations.”

The winning properties tended to be unique offerings that focus on service, value and quality.  The U.S. tops the world-wide list with 171 properties; Italy had 162 and France had 158.

The Aria Hotel's themed rooms were a hit with TripAdvisor's users. Image Source: Aria Hotel Budapest

2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Top Hotels in the World  

Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection

, Budapest, Hungary: Themed rooms use paintings and other décor elements to reflect Budapest’s rich musical heritage. Complimentary breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese, coffee, tea, water, and access to the indoor swimming pool and sauna add to the welcoming atmosphere.

Mandapa in Ubud, Indonesia has butler service and good food, TripAdvisor users said. Image Source: Mandapa

, Ubud, Indonesia: The clifftop location above the Ayung River, the butler service and the food delighted TripAdvisor’s users.

, Turin, Italy: The centrally located hotel offers good-sized rooms, a roof terrace and complimentary Wi-Fi.

TripAdvisor users enjoyed the friendly staff and good service at the boutique Hotel The Serras. Image Source: Hotel The Serras

, Barcelona, Spain: Users commented on the boutique hotel’s friendly staff and good service. The property is within an easy walk of Las Ramblas and Barcelona’s beaches.

, Prague, Czech Republic: Well-located near Prague’s Old Town Square, the hotel blends modern décor with a touch of Old World chic.

, Florence: Situated near the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio in the heart of Florence, Portrait Firenze, a Leading Hotels of the World property, combines classic and contemporary style.

, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia: TripAdvisor’s users liked the hotel’s attentive staff plus the property’s location in the French Quarter between the Royal Gardens and the Old Market area.

, Hanoi, Vietnam: The 50-room property’s attentive service won acclaim from TripAdvisor’s users.

, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica: The 33-acre, residential resort in Manual Antonio offers more than 50 bungalows and villas. Along with its own beach, the property has the Sloth Institute Costa Rica, a non-profit devoted to the conservation of sloths. Guides lead tours along trails to search for the laid-back creatures.

The Aria Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, won the top honor in this year's TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards.

The Nantucket Hotel & Resort in Nantucket, Mass. took the number one spot in TripAdvisor's ranking. Image source: Nantucket Hotel & Resort

 recently released its Travelers’ Choice Awards and crowned the Nantucket Hotel & Resort, in Nantucket, Mass., as the number one hotel in the U.S. The travel planning and booking site analyzed millions of reviews to come up with the “best hotels” in many categories. With 171 highly rated properties, the U.S. had the most award-winning hotels. For the U.S., the current Travelers’ Choice Awards seems focused on non-chain lodgings. 

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Like any list, the winners reflect the habits and preferences of the company’s users and readers. That’s why TripAdvisor’s picks may be different than those selected by the users/readers of 

 or other magazines and sites aimed more specifically at high-end travelers. It’s also wise to remember that smaller properties receive fewer reviews because they book fewer guests than larger properties, a fact that might give big hotels an edge.

While not gospel, TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards do provide travel inspiration. Consider these winners when planning your next trip.

The Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, Ore., took the number four spot in TripAdvisor's ranking. Image Source: Stephanie Inn

2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Top U.S. Hotels 

 Established in 1891 and renovated in 2012, the Nantucket Hotel & Resort is situated in downtown Nantucket, two blocks from Children’s Beach. The property offers hotel rooms, one- to four- bedroom suites plus one- and two-bedroom cottages. The resort offers spa and exercise facilities for adults as well as children’s programs.

 The Charmont Hotel offers 67-rooms in a renovated, 1898 candy factory that’s blocks from the Mississippi River. Guests especially like the rooftop terrace.

 Located in downtown, the 59-room, Oxford Hotel prides itself on being “an eco-chic boutique” with an AAA four-diamond rating.

 The oceanfront property, about 80-miles from Portland, has spa services and good food. The hotel offers beach picnics, bonfires and bubble baths with wine service.

 Situated in Telluride’s Mountain Village, the Inn provides slope-side convenience to ski season’s lifts and to summer’s hiking and biking trails.

The French Quarter Inn in Charleston, S.C. took the number six spot in TripAdvisor's ranking. Image source: French Quarter Inn

 Welcome champagne upon arrival and milk and cookies at turn down are just some of the special touches of this property in the heart of Charleston’s historic district.

 The Icona, located on one of New Jersey’s few private beaches, has beach attendants in season who serve cocktails and snacks. The resort, open-year round, is not far from Cape May.

 The 32-room hotel, an AAA Four-Diamond winner, combines upmarket, but casual lodging with a sense of Jackson Hole’s Old West heritage.

 The 55-room hotel is known for larger-than-average guest rooms and downtown location near the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and within one mile of the Brady Arts District.  

 Each guest is welcomed to the hotel, a former 19th century brewery, with a traditional La Babia margarita. The eclectic décor of the 146-room, riverside property combines old fans, brickworks, pipes and industrial beams of the former brewery with leather wing chairs, turn-of-the-century settees, and such western touches as wagon wheels and cow hide upholstered chairs.

Find out which hotels made the cut in TripAdvisor's annual ranking of the best places to stay in the U.S.

The 10 Best Hotels in the U.S.

A girl lights a candle at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Image Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

. The United Nations General Assembly chose January 27 for the annual commemoration because on that date in 1945 the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, a notorious German concentration camp.

The goals of Remembrance Day are to honor the more than six million Jews and millions of others — Poles, Roma, the disabled, homosexuals – slaughtered by the Nazis, and to promote Holocaust education. The hope is that by remembering the atrocities and the political path that led to them, and by educating the public about these events, the exclusion and genocide of any ethnic group in the future will be prevented. This year, 32 countries are hosting events.

Today is also a good day to pay homage to the “Righteous Among the Nations.” Israel gave this honorary title to those non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from death.

Many sites domestically and internationally provide information about the Holocaust, the Righteous, and the importance of resisting the oppression of any group. Among them are the 

, (Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism), Munich, Germany.

The permanent exhibition traces the rise of Germany’s Nazi party starting in 1933 and events that led to race laws, the creation of Jewish ghettos, and the “final solution,” the extermination of Jews. The exhibits are moving, difficult to watch, and powerful, especially, for me, the ones that enable viewers to see and hear the victims.

In the Tower of Faces: The Ejszyszki Shtetl Collection, hundreds of photographs of residents of this village line a red brick tower shaped like a smokestack. The inhabitants are sitting with friends, playing with children and going on picnics. The Nazis massacred all of these people. Survivors relate their concentration camp experience in videos and on tapes you can listen to. How crazed was Joseph Mengele? Look at the photographs of his “medical experiments.” 

The permanent exhibit also pays homage to the “Righteous,” describing the residents of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a French village, who worked together to hide Jews, as well as the Danes who hid Jews in fishing boats, bringing them to safety.

The National Socialist Party (Nazi party) began in Munich. The Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism uses photographs and copies of newspapers and other documents to prove that Munich’s citizens and other Germans knew about the ostracism, deportation and eventual death of its Jewish citizens, and other Jews during the Holocaust.

To alert visitors to the dangers of excluding minorities, one of the museum’s last exhibits pairs a touch screen and a news ticker that report current examples of persecution of minorities throughout the world. This exhibit and the museum serve to underscore the fact that unless the rights of all, including minorities, are upheld, atrocities such as the Holocaust can — and are – happening again.

The United Nations General Assembly chose January 27 for the annual commemoration because on that date in 1945 the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day: January 27

Cruising continues to be popular. In 2016, seven ocean-going ships sailed on their maiden voyages and more ships will float out in 2017. Two vessels designed for the burgeoning Asian market — Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy and Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess – will launch this spring. Here are factors and news to consider when pondering your next ocean voyage.

Most passengers select a cruise based on 10 factors, according to analysis by MMGY Global 2016 Portrait of American Travelers.

 90 percent of cruisers said this was important.

Although cruisers still want international itineraries, terrorism and uncertainties abroad have created new demand for voyages close to the U.S. Cruise Lines International Association reports that in 2016, interest in sailings to Alaska increased 73 percent; voyages to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico increased 48 percent; sailings to Hawaii increased 36 percent; voyages to the Panama Canal increased 33 percent, and sailings to Canada and New England increased 30 percent.

 Highlights of Holland America’s Koningsdam, launched April 2016, include Blend, a venue where passengers can mix their own wine; a Culinary Arts Center, designed for cooking classes and meals; and Music Walk, where Memphis sounds come alive at B.B. King’s Blues Club, rock hits play at Billboard. Lincoln Center Stage, in conjunction with New York City’s Lincoln Center, showcases classical music.

: NCL introduced Escape, 2015.  NCL also pioneered “Freestyle Dining,” an eat where and when you want program. With more than 25 dining venues, you won’t be bored when eating on the Escape, but you might spend more than you’d like to on specialty restaurants as those offer the best food. To reduce your cost, purchase a specialty restaurant dining package ahead of time.

To “refresh” the line, NCL has invested $400 million to renovate nine ships by 2018. The line also opened Harvest Caye, a beach destination in Belize, in November 2016. The 75-acre island comes with white sand, a zipline, and a lagoon for kayaking as well as 3,000 plus of your fellow passengers. Never mind the crowds; your kids will love the place.

: RCI’s vessels are known for onboard action. Many deliver rock climbing walls, zip lines, a surfing simulator (FlowRider), and an ice skating rink. For little kids, Harmony, launched June 2016, adds an enlarged Splashaway Bay water park. Bigger kids and adults can get some thrills by swirling down a 10-story, multi-deck waterslide. Food is abundant, but much of it is more average than outstanding unless you pay for specialty restaurants.

Factors and news to consider when pondering your next ocean voyage.

	The Pacific Dental Conference takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia from March 9-11, 2017.

Vancouver stands out for its spectacular natural beauty as well as its cosmopolitan charm. Pacific Ocean inlets surround Vancouver on three sides, the majestic Coast Mountains rise in the north and the farmlands of the Fraser Valley lie eastward. The city’s art, culture and food reflect its multiethnic character, one that incorporates the traditions of many peoples, including the city’s large populations of Chinese, Japanese and First Nation people.

Winter’s temperate weather — March’s average ranges around 50 degrees Fahrenheit — makes Vancouver a welcome stop when heading for the ski areas, the closest of which are within a 30-minute drive. Since the U.S. dollar is worth about 30 percent more than the Canadian dollar, you get more for your money and a good excuse to splurge.

Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Iconic Vancouver: Parks, Museums, First Nations

Every great city contains an impressive park. Vancouver’s gem, Stanley Park, is a 1,000-acre West Coast rainforest. Interior hiking trails wind through thickets of tall hemlock, fir, spruce and cedar trees. A nearly 6-mile seawall hugs the shore, providing a popular place for walking and biking, even in winter. The orderly Canadians follow a plan: walkers and joggers stay closest to the water while cyclists and inline skaters roll along the inside path.

Located in Stanley Park, the Stanley Park features marine life in various habitats. Learn about the creatures that live off Canada’s shores in the Wild Coast gallery, where you meet sea otters and harbor porpoises, and in the Pacific Canada Pavilion, whose nearly 69,000-gallon tank houses herring, halibut, crabs and other critters. At other exhibits, encounter penguins from Africa as well as sloths and frogs from the Amazon.     

Stanley Park is also known for its totem poles. Long before Europeans came to North America, indigenous people — First Nation, as they’re called in Canada — inhabited the land. The nine totem poles at Brockton Point rank among British Columbia’s most popular tourist attractions. Nearby, a gateway constructed of three carved, wooden planks creates a welcoming portal to the Brockton Point Visitor Centre that is representative of the traditional slant-roof architecture of the Coast Salish people. Another Stanley Park icon is the sculpture “Raven: Spirit of Transformation,” carved from a Douglas fir stump by Coast Salish artist Richard Krentz. 

The University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology houses a world-class collection of Northwest Coast First Nation art. The award-winning building with its tall glass walls showcases a collection of large totem poles, intricately carved with ravens, bears, killer whales and birds. “The Raven and the First Men,” an impressive sculpture by noted Haida artist Bill Reid, is in the rotunda. The work depicts a raven pecking at a clamshell, prying it open to coax the first men into the world. Outside, framed against a background of mountains and the sea, tall memorial poles guard a Haida long house. The arrangement gives viewers a chance to see just how majestic these totems look in the setting for which they were designed.

For browsing, shopping and strolling, head to Granville Island. If the roads look crowded, beat the traffic by taking a tugboat ferry to the rejuvenated industrial area, now home to craftspeople and the popular Public Market. In the studios, peruse hand-blown glass vases, pottery, stained glass, whimsical sculptures, wooden furniture, funky knit hats and more.

At the Public Market, scores of vendors sell fresh seafood, produce, pasta, and pastries as well as artisanal cheeses, real Canadian maple syrup and other local items. The market also sells salmon candy — hot, smoked salmon glazed with maple syrup — a local treat. Lee’s Donuts draws raves for its fresh donuts with delectable flavors and real raspberry jam.

For mainstream shopping, walk Robson Street. Stretching from BC Place Stadium to Stanley Park, the well-known promenade has chain stores and shops, some of which showcase Canadian products such as Roots, a sportswear store.

As a coastal city, Vancouver’s menus incorporate fresh seafood and as a multi-cultural destination, chefs add their own traditional ingredients and skills, creating innovative fusion cuisine. For tasty, cheap eats, try JapaDog, a food cart that serves Japanese-inspired hot dogs. Terimayo, their signature dog, comes topped with teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed. Tiffin Walla, a new food truck that operates on solar power, serves gluten-free Indian food such as a spicy channa masala (chickpea curry on rice) and a flavorful lamb biriyani.

Salmon n’ Bannock, Vancouver’s only First Nations restaurant, specializes in entrees prepared from wild fish and free range meat. Among the options are game sausages, salmon burgers on bannock bread and bison back ribs. British Columbia’s signature sushi rolls, B.C. rolls, feature grilled local salmon skin.

Ramen noodles pop up all over the city. At a new ramen noodle shop, Hapa Ramen, a signature dish is kimchi ramen made with spicy Korean fermented chili paste. Ramenman specializes in chicken broth ramen. Since Vancouver has one of North America’s largest Chinatowns, expect good Chinese fare. Join locals in the weekend tradition of dim sum brunch, myriad courses of small plates that may include barbeque pork buns, lotus leaf rice, egg tart and more. Among the many restaurants and dishes to try: pea shoots with garlic at Kirin City Square, taro and shrimp fritters at Bing Sheng, and the dumplings at Dynasty.

For a splurge, reserve a table at Blue Water Cafe or Tojo’s Restaurant for memorable seafood. In a converted warehouse in Yaletown, Chef Frank Pabst serves innovative dishes at Blue Water Café. At Tojo’s Restaurant, Chef Hidekazu Tojo combines traditional Japanese fare and techniques with the best of seasonal West Coast items. Tojo’s also offers the city’s most comprehensive sake bar. One of Canada’s first sushi chefs, Chef Tojo — credited with creating the California sushi roll in the early 1970s — rates as one of Vancouver’s celebrity chefs. Vikram Vij, another of the city’s culinary stars, serves exceptional Indian cuisine at Vij’s. His fare mixes local, seasonal ingredients with traditional spices.

Vancouver, the birthplace of Canada’s craft beer industry, has more than 100 craft beer breweries. At Steamworks Brewing Company, sample the beer brewed on site and savor the view of the North Shore Mountains. Big Rock Urban Brewery & Eatery offers, tours, tastings — locals especially like the Rhubarb Wit and the Rauschbier — food as well as live music on select nights.

Afterward, consider laughing off those calories at a show hosted by the Vancouver TheatreSports League, a professional group dedicated to improvisational work. Vancouver also features symphony, opera and theater. For half-price and full price tickets, check Tickets Tonight, located online and in the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre.

Enjoy Vancouver, a scenic city, whose fusion of cultures and tastes, results in sophisticated but trendy art, food and theatre that’s also fun. 

Temperate Vancouver offers a respite from winter for those attending the Pacific Dental Conference, March 9-11.

Vancouver: Northern Cultural Exposure

, a travel news, data and analysis site, recently issued its 

. “Travel is the global crucible for everything. It is where the largest consumer and tech trends first meet and are quickly tested. Everything converges in travel,” says Rafat Ali, Skift’s founder and CEO. Skift uses its insights like brushstrokes, painting the broad outlines of changes occurring in the industry and reporting on how these trends are likely to transform the travel experience for business and leisure travelers.

 4 Highlights of Skift’s Travel Megatrends for 2017

: Even frequent travelers who stay highly connected via their mobile devices, “want the humanity back in travel,” says Skift. That means that in addition to being high tech, companies need to be hi-touch. “All of the data in the world is much more powerful when placed in the hands of a well-trained, empathic person who can anticipate, be flexible, and help steward a cohesive experience," says Skift.

 Destinations can be victims of their own success. Venice, Barcelona and many other popular places can be overwhelmed by throngs of tourists, especially in summer. That makes getting a feel for the local culture — why you visited in the first place – difficult. Some destinations try to manage tourism by promoting lesser-known neighborhoods and by limiting new hotel construction. New York City, for example, publicizes Brooklyn and even Queens as authentic Big Apple experiences in order to spread out tourists and deliver their dollars to more than Manhattan. Other cities seek to restrict hotels and vacation rentals.

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Fifty-year-olds are a new target demographic:

 People in their fifties represent an important group for brands to target. While difficult to pigeonhole, travelers in their fifties have the tech savvy of the millennials but possess deeper pockets. According to Skift’s Jason Clampet, travelers in their fifties are likely to hail an Uber XL rather than rent a car, dislike packaged tours; and spend on travel but are also cautious. Fifty-something vacationers might book an Airbnb apartment or a hotel in Madrid. It all depends on the moment and their budget.

 Dining is an experience and restaurants continue to evolve to create Twitter moments and Instagram-worthy pics. Technology allows diners to research and reserve tables using mobile devices. As part of our “social culture,” chefs are creating menus that feature items meant to be sampled and shared.  

The travel news and analysis site, Skift, has released its explanation of the biggest trends that will affect travel this year.

Brightline's new train cars are equipped with Wi-Fi, bike racks and effecient restrooms, making the journey by rail this summer from Miami to West Palm beach a bit more comfortable.

Travel along Florida’s east coast is about to get easier with the debut this summer of the first 

 trains. Initially, the service will operate roundtrip from Miami to West Palm Beach with a stop in Fort Lauderdale. In the future, trains will operate roundtrip from Miami to Orlando. Annually, 50 million people drive or fly between Miami and Orlando, including stopping in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, according to 

Brightline is the only privately funded express passenger rail service in the U.S. Manufactured in Sacramento, Calif. by Siemens, the train’s components came from 40 U.S. suppliers in 20 states. Like Acela, the trains will operate between 79 and 125-mph. At those speeds, a train ride is estimated to take about three hours between Orlando and Miami, shaving about an hour from the typical drive time for the 235-mile trip. On the 65-mile route between Miami and West Palm Beach, the train ride will be an hour, or about 20 to 30-minutes less than driving, depending on traffic.

In addition to saving time, for many business people and vacationers, the train will be more relaxing than driving, especially since Brightline has constructed the trains to be passenger-friendly in new ways.

“Our trains are among the most innovative in the United States and the world, with every detail having been designed and built from the guest’s perspective, making it easy, convenient and comfortable to ride,” says Mike Reininger, president of Brightline. “We are looking forward to the launch of our new express, inter-city service this summer. South Florida is very close to experiencing the future of train travel, a new travel alternative as an option to private cars on crowded roads.”

Brightline Trains’ Passenger-Friendly Features

 Brightline, designed to be the first fully accessible train, uses automated, retractable platforms to create a flush service for passengers to cross from the platform to train. No more “mind the gap” worries or concerns about steps. This benefits not only people with mobility challenges but those pushing strollers or dragging luggage.

: At 32 inches wide, Brightline’s aisles, wider than on many other trains, provide ample space for wheelchairs and strollers.

 Each Brightline train has multiple antennae designed to provide wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi is free. Each seat provides power outlets and USB connections.

 Every train has a bicycle rack. Brightline allows small pets to ride in carriers that fit under the seat.

: Forget about wet floors from dripping hands and other bathroom messes. The bathroom’s Dyson faucet dispenses water and dries hands, making it easier for even the laziest of bathroom slugs to dry their hands. A hand wave above the toilet causes the touchless commode to flush and if a bathroom slob forgets, the toilet flushes automatically when the bathroom door opens. 

Brightline, the privately funded passenger rail service, will run between Miami and West Palm Beach this summer, eliminating the need to slog through car traffic.