Rather than going on one or two long trips in a year, younger people are planning more frequent, short vacations, such as weekend getaways. Younger travelers are also looking for more affordable and spontaneous travel they can easily do with friends, like road trips. “Micro-cations” have become increasingly popular, providing a refreshing escape from the daily grind without requiring extensive time commitments. Below are a few of our favorite short vacations for 2024.
Joshua Tree by Luxury RV – Imagine the wind sweeping through your hair as you stand outside your own luxury RV, staring at an electric desert sunrise, your morning coffee in hand. Thanks to Blacksford Luxury RVs, this dream moment can become your reality. Equipped with a luxury RV rental and full vacation package including expert National Park guides, rock climbing, stargazing, delicious meals, and so much more, this is the ultimate 5-day Joshua Tree micro-cation. https://goodtripadventures.com/best-5-day-joshua-tree-itinerary/
Saddle and Paddle Yellowstone – Flying Pig Adventures’ 3-night Yellowstone tour gives guests the opportunity to experience the park like never before. The thrill of witnessing one of nature’s most iconic environments, tackling rough terrain on horseback, and battling Class III rapids cannot be found anywhere else. From fly fishing, to horseback rides, to Yellowstone whitewater rafting, guests will be talking about their unique experiences for years to come. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/3-day-yellowstone-adventure
Wine Country Weekend Cycling – Just north of San Francisco, the winding Russian River meets the dramatic Pacific coastline, shaping if not sheltering a world all its own. Escape Adventures offers an idyllic 3-day road biking tour in this romantic landscape; quilted with a colorful patchwork of old growth redwoods, fruitful vineyards, historic towns, and beautiful gardens. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/napa-valley-weekend-road-bike-tour/
Jackson Hole Tiny House Weekend – Wyoming’s Fireside Resort offers 25 luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus just a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole ski slopes, making it the perfect weekend getaway. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com
Big Sky Micro-cation – In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for active adventures outside the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Guests can hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking, and ski Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain in winter. And the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone are a short drive away, with some trailheads closer. https://thewilsonhotel.com/
Cowboy Time in Wyoming – In the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming, guests can immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike, and experience the natural world in this unique landscape. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers, and chairs. https://ranchlands.com/pages/explore-the-paintrock-canyon-ranch
Micro Amazon Adventure – Discover the secrets of the Ecuadorian Amazon on this breathtaking 4-day tour into the heart of the jungle. Meet indigenous families to learn the jungle’s cultural traditions and take guided walks to discover the abundant plant and animal life that call this part of the Amazon home. Awake to the exotic sound of birdcalls and discover the thrill of sleeping in this secluded spot deep in the Ecuadorian jungle. https://www.sachalodge.com/
Piedmont Mini Cycling Tour – The Langa and Monferrato regions of Piedmont are in one of the most important wine production areas in Italy and received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. The 5-night Piedmont Barolo cycling tour takes guests to the heart of these regions, over rolling hills covered with endless vineyards and past ancient castles and hidden hilltop hamlets. https://www.tourissimo.travel/piedmont-wine-region-cycling-tour
Cajun Country Weekend – New Orleans is a classic weekend getaway, but why not add some culture to the weekend with Beyond the Bayou tours. On this culturally rich day tour, guests visit the Whitney Plantation in the morning, fuel up with a Cajun lunch, and tour the forested wetland of the Atchafalaya basin by boat in the afternoon. https://www.beyondthebayoutours.com/tours/last-wilderness-swamp-and-plantation-tour/