“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”—Jimmy Dean
In the last few months, the travel world has dramatically changed. Change isn’t always easy, but as this quote shows, we can learn to make the most of it.
Slowly but surely our world will come back to life, but we think it will be changed. We also think this change will be for the better. With some possible lingering fears around international travel and airports, or a slow re-emergence from lockdown, local markets are poised to be more popular than ever.
Case in point, look at the outpouring of support for small and local businesses throughout the quarantine. All of us have come together to buy gift cards from local coffee shops, carry out from our favorite neighborhood eateries, and support mom & pop shops facing hard times.
This drive to support local isn’t going to just disappear once the lockdown ends. If anything, the quarantine has opened our eyes to see that which we may have previously taken for granted right in our own backyard.
People will want to get outside, but they’re going to camp in national parks, lay out at secret beaches, explore hidden restaurants, and explore exciting experiences. What’s more, they’re going to tap what’s in the immediate vicinity or within driving distance: this will be the new future of travel post-lockdown.
Over the coming months, we want to invite you to join us as we go on a journey through San Diego and beyond. We’ll be publishing content about local drive markets across America so that when it’s time to get up and out, you’re ready to rock with a plan of action.
Organic, Local, Neighborhood
We published a blog recently that’s all about finding a great adventure right in your own backyard. It centered on the idea that you don’t have to travel far or break the bank to plan something amazing.
You can still have the trip of a lifetime, even if you’re not traversing the globe and staying in an exotic treehouse hotel (though, that’s certainly still an option). But this mentality has shaped our vision to center on three words around what we feel the future of travel will look like: Organic, Local, Neighborhood.
How often have you passed by hidden dining options, intriguing boutique hotels, and unexplored experiences in your own city? What about the ones directly in your own neighborhood?
Take me, for example. I live in one of the most beautiful coastal regions in America, yet I’ve never camped or went glamping on the beach. Not only that, I could easily pitch a tent next to the Pacific Ocean if I got in my car and drove 30 minutes North.
When it comes to places like this, it’s not that we don’t care about them or that we’re actively avoiding the experience. However, we’re comfortable “putting it off until next weekend” because we live so close and can do it whenever we want.
We sometimes take what’s right in our own backyard for granted. But as people emerge from lockdown, they’re going to relish in a sense of re-discovery over the amazing things right outside the front door, so to speak.
It may prove that booking flights is still difficult or uncomfortable, but getting in the car and driving won’t be. The Great American Road Trip is going to make a booming comeback as we hit the pavement on our way to something amazing.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”—Socrates
What to Expect Over the Coming Weeks
At Luxpitality, we will always remain steadfast in our commitment to showcase some of the most badass and character-driven properties to you. But in the spirit of healthy change, we’re also going to show you the best local stuff we can dig up.
There are a lot of hidden nooks and crannies across America, and we plan to highlight as many of them as we can in the future. For now though, we’re going to start right in our own backyard: San Diego.
We’ll dive into what we know and love about the city. This includes:
- Hidden dining options that are easy to miss, unless you know what to look for
- Boutique stores selling gear you won’t find online
- Craft coffee shops and food halls that locals love
- Neighborhood joints that have been in business for decades
- Historic landmarks where tourists don’t go
- And so much more…
As we progress through this series—like a veritable heartbeat—we will continually expand and push out from San Diego to other areas in the U.S. Each feature will highlight the local, neighborhood, mom & pop, brick & mortar, and craft experiences that are sure to delight.
New-age nomads, trailblazing entrepreneurs, wellness hotel enthusiasts, and wanderlusters: all are welcome on our journey. We promise to take you to locally-rooted, thought-provoking destinations that will leave you craving your next crafted journey.
We’re also open to hearing your suggestions and recommendations about what we should cover next. Drop us a DM on social media, or reach out directly, for your chance to be featured on our boutique hotel travel LuxLyfe Blog.