Traveling in 2021: Tips and Trends

Travel in 2021 will evolve to be more creative as several restrictions will continue to be lifted. The new year will bring with itself newfound possibilities of exploring local attractions, travelling the off-beat paths in our own country, embracing the outdoors like never before and so many other things. Travellers now have a refreshed awareness of sustainability and ethical travelling. So, in case, you were wondering what the future holds for us in the new year, we are listing down few travel trends that will become popular in 2021.

1. What’s your bucket list?

Have you seen the movie starring Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman? It’s time to say what you need to say and be where you need to be. As many plans were destroyed by Covid-19, and we have acknowledged the value of life and freedom, a bucket list is going to be the biggest trend of 2021. These are the things you want to do before you leave this earth forever. With the restrictions around the virus changing every day, you have a lot more time in your hands to do in-depth planning and saving for that dream trip you’ve always talked about. The travel industry has become more than flexible with cancellation policies, so this is the time for you. Time is fleeting, is your list ready yet?

2. Be safe, Travel Domestic!

To deal with the unpredictability of foreign borders policies, travellers are turning inward and are choosing to explore their own country more. There are a lot of breathtaking places in India. This is the time to visit remote locations, go on hikes, trek till your feet ache and find sceneries that make your heart full. 2021 is about going inward, finding yourself, going back to basics, and exploring domestically.

3. Traveling is an investment

With the pandemic scare, we gained a lot of perspective about what we value the most, and what’s important to us. People are likely to see travel as an investment for self-wellbeing, more than a luxury. They have acknowledged the restorative power that spending time outdoors can have. Ancient Japanese practices like Shinrin-Yoku, also known as forest bathing, which is an immersive forest experience to heal your soul, is now available in your favourite eco-resort near Mumbai and Pune.

Travel will now become an investment to broaden the perspective, meet new people, experience cultures and uncover culinary gems. So spend a longer period in your favourite destination, to explore and experience the place completely.

4. Travelling sustainably

2021 will see people rethinking the way they see tourism and opt for sustainable travel. Each traveller is bound by a moral code to reduce their carbon footprint, and not litter and harm the environment. We at the machan, have been following the principles of sustainability from our inception.

The biggest trend of 2021 is going to be people embracing off-grid travelling. Find your favourite cabin in the woods, and cut off from the world. This, in turn, will promote slow and remote travel plans. In 2021, people will choose to stay at one place for a longer period to experience the culture, travel more deeply, stimulate local businesses, and be responsible guests, and much more.

5. Sanitized travel spaces

The travel industry and tourists have become more careful about safety and cleanliness ever since the pandemic began. 2021 will see more PCR tests on arrival, mandatory masks, sanitization being the top-most priority, and cleaner surroundings. Even tourists will be more aware of the places that they are staying at, what they are eating, and reviewing places that they are choosing. At the machan, we take various precautions to keep our guests safe, and our treehouses well sanitized. This is why we are considered one of the best resorts in Lonavala in the current scenario.

SOLO TRAVEL: The solo travel trend is likely to gain even greater momentum. Since travel was steamrolled by the pandemic this year, the coming year will likely nudge travellers to wander on their own. After all, solo travelling is possibly the most socially distant way of travelling right now. If people do decide to travel in groups, it is highly likely that now people will travel in smaller groups and with people they closely know.

Travel Bubble: Travel Bubble is an agreement between two or more countries that open their borders to each other only. This helps enable travel between countries while keeping in mind all the health restrictions and safety of local and international citizens. This is a trend that will continue to evolve in 2021 also, possibly on a smaller scale. Right now, India has travel bubble arrangements with several nations.

Road trips: Socially distant by design

With aviation services not being considered as a safe mode of travel due to the pandemic, it gave a push to road travel as travelling in personal vehicles and rented cars emerged as a much safer option. Lately, we have found that most of our guests are locals, who live close to our luxurious treehouses in Lonavala.

This trend is most likely to continue in 2021, as a traveller will continue to choose road trips rather than flights. It is excellent for couples, families, and is socially distant by design. At The Machan, most of our guests plan a road trip to Lonavala from Mumbai or Pune. Most resorts near Mumbai are currently not operational due to Covid-19.

In this issue of the travel bug, we would like to help plan your perfect road trip, with our ultimate tips and trends, it would certainly be a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are our promising tips to plan your perfect road trip.

Budget: The initial thing to define is the budget for the road trip. This analysis affects the choice you make, and it has to be revised once you’ve chosen your destination, and have started to make your bookings. Hence, planning out your overall budget, and your daily expenses can help you make better options.

Choose a destination: Every road trip should have an objective. It shouldn’t be wherever the road takes you! That’s just wandering around. Have a place in mind that you want your road trip to end in. We urge you to choose the machan!

Build your itinerary: This means picking out interests that you want to see during your road trip. You must spend time looking at the maps, reading, and trying to understand what is possible and what is not. Download offline maps, or have paper maps with you. At the machan, we will provide you with a map of the entire property.

The Machan Map

Stock up on water and fuel: Driving in remote locations can have its cons, hence carrying sufficient water and fuel is always important. Don’t rely on buying water bottles. 5-6 plastic water bottles a day don’t help the environment.

First aid kit: Never leave for a long road trip without a first aid kit. Some of the key things to pack include compression bandages, Band-Aids, antibiotics, eye drops, moisturizing cream, hand sanitiser, sunglasses/safety glasses, and mosquito repellent.

Take a break: Driving tired is one of the most dangerous things anybody can do. It is highly advised to stay well-rested, hence taking a break from driving is important.

Interview: Sustainable travel

We anonymously asked around travellers and influencers what they think about sustainability through two simple questions.

Q: What changes will you make to your travel plans for 2021?

A: Travelling always makes me delighted, hence I have started planning more solo trips, or only a few friends. We usually go trekking, and camping in remote areas, which keeps us socially distant from the rest.

A: Travelling has always been a hobby of mine, it soothes me, and calms me down. The 2020 restraints have now made me more conscious, and I take many socially distant measures while travelling.

A: We would love to visit The Machan again, especially during these times. It is the only resort near Mumbai, that is socially distant by design.

Q: As a traveller how do you show your responsibility towards the environment?

A: We carry our water bottles and refill them whenever we can, using mineral water bottles is something we should stop completely. They are single-use and are often littered all over the mountains.

A: The pandemic should be taken as a lesson by everyone to be more apprehensive and concerned about the environment.

A: As a traveller after the Covid-19 situation, I travel with all the safety precautions, and try not to cause any harm to the destination.

A: Travelling reignites the fire in a drowsy soul, and every traveller should fulfil their obligation and support eco-friendly resorts. The hospitality industry takes up a lot of resources and rarely gives anything back to the environment. It is time for a change in this industry. Eco-resorts are the future of travel!

Workation: Finding the best office view.

The Travel Bug

The lockdown and the social distancing norms have disrupted livelihoods and changed behaviour. Many industries are currently facing existential challenges. However, the silver lining is that it has allowed many people to aim for a better work-life balance. As office blocks remain partially open for the foreseeable future, many have embraced the opportunity to combine work and travel. What is a workation, and how do you take one? What are the things you should carry, and what are the best destinations for a workation? This issue of the travel bug will guide you through your workation planning.

Workcation at the starlight machan
Workcation at the starlight machan

What is a workation?

‘Workation’ as the word spells, means to combine work and vacation. It is a trip to a location of your choice combined with working remotely. Have your virtual business meetings under palm trees, and inspire your colleagues to explore. It is an opportunity to clear your head and enjoy a change of scenery without falling behind on your work. Utilize the time to relax, and explore. Workations can help you find a healthier work-life balance and has numerous other benefits.

What to carry for a workation?

There are a few additional requirements that you need to pack while going on a workation as compared to a regular holiday.

You need to think about the clothes and accessories you need for your leisure time, but also the requirements for your working setup. A basic workation setup is:

  • A good lightweight laptop.
  • Headphones with mic.
  • Wi-Fi dongle.
  • Personal planner.
  • Travel lock.

5 reasons why Workations are a great idea

  • You save your office vacation days.
  • Your workflow proceeds seamlessly
  • You are more productive
  • You find time to think of the bigger picture
  • You are excited to return to work

How to have fun and be productive?

The first rule of having fun in a workation is balance, hence make it clear to yourself and your friends. It is very easy to create a trap for yourself by either working too many hours to prove that you are still being productive or not working enough and just having an amazing time.

Hence, it must be clear that you are still working, and be firm about when you will stop working. Take periodic breaks to enjoy yourself, and try finishing a big chunk of your daily work in the first half, by getting up early. Be sure to change locations frequently. Nothing feels worse than sitting inside your hotel room in front of your computer. Hence, switch it up! Work by the pool or in the balcony, or by inside a treehouse in Lonavala amidst the wilderness. Find a new favourite coffee shop and explore the local cuisine.

Best Locations for a workation

Alleppey

Hire a houseboat for a day or two and sip some soul-refreshing filter coffee while making your presentation and explore what God’s own country has to offer.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, Queen of the Hills, located some 290 km north of New Delhi, is among the most popular hill stations of the country. It is a captivating paradise for leisure travellers and honeymooners.

Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi that literally suggests ‘Kashi of the North’ is also nicknamed as ‘Somya Kashi’ and ‘Shivnagri’. Like Kasi, the town of Uttarkashi also houses the sacred Vishwanath temple. This holy shrine features a copper trident, having a circumference of 1 meter.

Lonavala

This quaint hill station near Mumbai is the perfect getaway from the hustle-bustle of the city and to enjoy the purest, freshest air possible.

Shillong

The northeast is a tranquil, untouched, pure region in itself. Shillong has the most gorgeous surroundings and lots of greenery to relax and rejuvenate and to lose yourself in.