For some people, traveling is synonymous with going through the main tourist spots in a different place, sharing properly edited photos on Facebook or Instagram and visiting the big chains of famous stores.

In this model of itinerary, there is no time to walk aimlessly through the streets, get to know the culture of the destination or have contact with local people, for example.

But that reality has started to change significantly in recent years. Thanks to technologies, a new type of travel has fallen in the taste of those who prefer to make the most of what each place has to offer. These are called “experience trips”.

WHAT ARE THE EXPERIENCE TRIPS

Experience trips are those where tourists have the opportunity to connect in an authentic way with the history, customs, cultures and people of the destinations where they travel.

Have you ever imagined taking a trip where you can experience and immerse yourself in the traditions and habits of a region? This is called experience tourism, which arose through the changing of the habits of travelers, who are increasingly looking for different experiences and personalization of the trip.

Created from the change in consumer behavior, experience tourism provides tourists with a new perception of the reality of the place they will visit, through the experience of peculiarities of destinations and real knowledge about the culture and customs of the regions.

The whole trip has its experience, however, this new trend seeks to provide tourists with an experience that has a significant meaning, whether for the group or just for the person who is making the trip.

A survey by the American Express Travel recommendations portal released some data that helps to understand why this new way of traveling is gaining more and more fans:

• 72% of respondents said that, between buying things and having experiences, they prefer experiences;
• 88% stated that travelling is their number one priority in life, even before forming a family and building assets;
•  81% of people with an annual family income of more than US $ 100 thousand value personalized experiences when they travel;
•  73% of these people would not mind exceeding travel budgets to make programs that are considered out of the ordinary.

Experienced travel enthusiasts believe that discovering a place can be a way of affirming personal values, having different perspectives on mundane things or learning something completely new.

Based on this, the market started offering solutions that bring people and destinations closer together. It is no accident that home rental sites, collective purchases and places reviews are so successful!

This transformation of tourists also forces traditional companies to reinvent themselves. Currently, it is easy to find travel agencies that sell personalized travel packages, as is the case of Living Tours on personalized trips to the destination of Portugal and Spain.

Programs that are created according to the tastes and budget of each tourist, always focused in a unique and fantastic experience for the tourist.

EXPERIENCES ARE UNIQUE MOMENTS THAT GET RECORDED

In order to take experimence trips without the risk of falling into superficiality, it is important to realize that all places have qualities and defects. There are no deep experiences without good and bad aspects!

It is also necessary to understand that exploring a new culture is not like taking a class, in which it is possible to arrive, attend and leave. You need time to understand the dynamics and, whenever possible, participate.

Having a chance to get to know a completely different destination better, it is incredible. And this can happen in the most unexpected moments of a trip: when using public transport, going to the local market or even, and simply, knowing where we want to go.

But an excellent way is to opt for a guided tour in private or shared, with a local guide, this is certainly the best way, because in a short time we can access the greatest possible knowledge, get to know the culture and go straight to the best and most important places, as well as knowing all the curiosities, all the nooks and crannies, all the local stories, customs, legends and curiosities, by the hand of a local who is our perfect host of the destination.

Many tourists are stuck with travel guides and, when visiting the most incredible cities in the world, they do not even understand why they are so admirable.

A well thought out trip will certainly mark your life forever. No one can take that away from you, think about it!

HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE TRIP

Look for a travel agent who dominates the destination, preferably an operator or local agent you intend to travel to, only then will you receive tips and have a plan set up according to your needs and budget. With that, the chance of having a successful experience increases absurdly.

An excellent option and thanks to the online access nowadays, it is to obtain the air ticket with an air operator, the hotel you can also take advantage of one to your measure and desired location, but the secret is in choosing the most important part, your experiences in the destination, opting for a local tour with a local guide, which guarantees an experience of that destination, which includes the forms and experiences of the local culture and of the country.

How about planning your next trip in an exclusive and personalized way? We at Living Tours are specialized in experience trips: shared with other travelers getting more economical, or private and customized in your destination in Portugal and Spain.

Contact us and check it out!