At Inspiring Travel, we love nothing more than tailor-making those extra special holidays. So, when it comes to marking milestone occasions with an unforgettable getaway, we’re experts at making it happen. While we’ve been doing this for almost 50 years, in recent times our Travel Specialists have seen a rise in the number of clients asking us to help then celebrate their ‘life-changing’ events – perhaps as a result of such occasions being shared on social media. To help you find some inspiration for your next big moment, we decided to do some research into which milestone events are most often celebrated with a holiday – now also termed as ‘holiday-moons’..
“Our clients come to us for personalised holidays to create an unforgettable experience. We often get requests for life-changing and milestone events that are worth celebrating such as a new baby or graduation. We call these ‘holiday-moons’.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
New moon rising: The four new ‘holiday-moons’ emerging
1. The ‘New-job-moon’
Before starting a new job, many people like to feel refreshed, relaxed and ready to start new. Whether it’s a holistic wellness break to help you refocus (such as BodyHoliday or COMO Shambhala Estate), an off-grid hideaway at the likes of Amangiri or a family holiday to spend some much-needed time with loved ones, a holiday is s great way to make the most of your time between jobs.
Our research has found that more people than ever before are searching for holidays to celebrate a new job. In fact, over the past month, searches have risen by 546% according to Google Search Trends.
“Taking a couple of weeks of holiday before starting a new job is highly recommended as it can help reset and shift your mindset to your new job; it can help you be more productive! The break between your two jobs can give you something to look forward to when you return from a relaxing break.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
2. Thirty-moons are up-and-coming
Going on holiday for your birthday isn’t something that’s surprising. However, celebrating certain milestone birthdays such as your 30th and 50th seems to be a growing theme.
Our research has found searches for ‘birthday-moon’ have risen by 14% in the past month. In particular, searches for ‘thirty-moon’ have increased by 75% in the past month alone.
There are plenty of exciting ways to mark a milestone birthday. A villa holiday allows you to gather a party of your family and friends for a celebration, with private dinners and personalised excursions arranged by our concierge team. For even more exclusivity, we can find you a private island paradise, where you’ll be entirely interrupted.
Or, how about ticking off a bucket list experience to mark your big birthday? From gazing up at Uluru from your luxury tent at Longitude 131, to powering down the Big Sur on a Californian road trip, our Travel Specialists craft bespoke itineraries so you can create unforgettable memories.
“We’ve seen popular bucket lists being shared across the internet, called the “30 under 30” list. This is where those in their late 20s, who are approaching 30, set themselves a personal challenge to achieve 30 things before they turn 30. This can be something as simple as visiting a bucket list city or going bungee jumping!”“What better excuse to travel to a new destination or try out a new activity than for a milestone birthday?” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
3. Minimoons are here to stay
Although honeymoons are the most typical way for couples to celebrate their new marriage, ‘minimoons’ peaked in searches back in June 2017. With over 28 million views on TikTok for #minimoon, over the past month, interest in these shorter post-marriage trips has risen by 19%.
Where should you go on your minimoon? Six Senses Douro Valley is a beautiful spot in a world-renowned wine producing region, perfect for a romantic gourmet experience. Or, perhaps Paris is calling – we love the quirky boutique hotel, La Fantaisie.
“Minimoons tend to be a more popular choice at the moment, as newlywed couples are looking for shorter getaways to celebrate their marriage in the interim while they plan their dream honeymoon. Most couples plan a minimoon as it is easier to plan them alongside wedding planning. It gives themselves a little breathing room before a big once-in-a-lifetime holiday.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
4. Celebrating a new home has increased
Buying a new home can be stressful, from the legal documents down to the packing, so it comes as no surprise that more people than ever before are planning a break either before or after they’ve moved home. Google search trend data shows that over the past month searches for ‘new-home-moon’ have risen by 4%!
Forget about your cares with a luxury all-inclusive holiday. Without lifting a finger, you can indulge on excellent food and have fun with included activities – for adults and children alike. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is one of the best all-inclusive options in the Maldives, while Europe’s Ikos resorts, such as Ikos Olivia, are a fabulous short-haul option.
“Going on holiday after moving home is not uncommon as most people need time to relax and reset their minds after a stressful few weeks moving furniture, unpacking boxes or decorating. That said, it’s not uncommon for people to take a holiday before they move house; an escape is the perfect opportunity to chill out and gear up for the big move!” Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
Total eclipse: the six holiday-moon trends that could be on their way out
1. Pet-moons aren’t as popular as they used to be
Google search trend data has found that searches for “pet-moon” have decreased in interest by 2% in the past month. A lesser known ‘holiday-moon’, pet-moons are where soon-to-be pet owners go on holiday before they get a new pet – perhaps making the most of their free time before needing to find animal care.
“Owning a pet is a big commitment and can impact when you can plan a holiday as you need to take them into account, whether you bring them with you or need to look for pet care. “Pets can be very trying at times, which is pet-parents-to-be plan a holiday before they get a pet to make the most of their ‘freedom’ whilst they can.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
2. TikTok phenomenon #Babymoon, has decreased by 4%
With over 266 million views on TikTok for #babymoon, this holiday-moon is for couples looking to enjoy quality time together before the birth of a new baby. Babymoons peaked in searches in August 2022 and have decreased in searches by 4% over the past month.
“Although interest may have decreased this year, the latest TikTok trend of babymoons is definitely here to stay! If you’re looking to plan a babymoon, it’s worth bearing in mind that you visit somewhere the mother-to-be feels comfortable travelling to, as long flights can be uncomfortable."“Along with this, most commercial airlines accept pregnant travellers up to 36 weeks if a single pregnancy or up to 32 weeks if a multiple pregnancy. However, it is also best to consult with your GP on the best and safest time to travel.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
3. The classic ‘Honeymoon’ is competing with its younger self ‘mini-moons’
Honeymoons are the milestone event that started the holiday-moon craze. Despite this, when looking at Google Search Trend data, searches for ‘honeymoon’ actually peaked in May 2018.
Following this peak, there seems to be a steady decline in searches for ‘honeymoon’ as, in the past month, it has decreased by 7% in interest.
“Honeymoons aren’t as popular as they used to be. This could be due to the decrease in marriages over the recent years but also because more people are opting for a mini-moon instead, as this is an easier holiday to plan whilst also planning a wedding. “Of course, at Inspiring Travel we’re here to help you plan your honeymoon and take away any stress. Our Travel Specialists and concierge team take care of all the details and arrange those special extras – so all you have to do is relax.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
4. Retirement-moons have decreased
Retirement is a big milestone for anyone. However, retirement holidays have decreased in search interest by 10% in the past month.
“Retirement can hold varying significance for individuals, whether it involves commemorating achievements from a diverse and well-deserved career, embracing the sensation of breaking free from the routine of daily work, or merely recognizing a pivotal juncture as life shifts gears. “Planning a memorable trip is perfect to mark the celebration of a new chapter in your life, as retirement provides you with more freedom when it comes to travelling.“ – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
5. Divorce-moons are no longer as popular
Divorce is a life-changing event and marks a new chapter in life. Although divorce can be perceived negatively, some divorcees book a holiday to mark their new independence and freedom from a past relationship.
It can be the perfect post-separation holiday, where individuals can take the time to recharge and get away from it all. However, searches for divorce-moons have decreased by 13%.
“Most divorce-moons tend to look for solo holidays, looking to explore somewhere new and experience independence whilst solo-travelling. However, this doesn’t mean you have to push yourself to go on a solo adventure if you aren’t comfortable. Some often go on holiday with their friends and even family to mark their new chapter in life.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
6. Graduation holidays have decreased
Finishing university is a big step in life, where graduates decide whether to continue with their education, jump straight into their chosen career path or go on a gap year.
Searches for ‘graduation-moon’ have decreased by 24% in the past month but actually increased by 16% over the past year.
“Completing a degree and graduating is a big achievement and should definitely be celebrated. It’s the perfect time for people to go travelling for up to a year before starting their career in their chosen field, otherwise known as a gap year! We expect graduation-moons to stick around over the next few years as it is a big milestone in life.” – Kathryn Robinson, Head of Sales & Service
Plan your milestone tailor-made holiday
If you’re looking to plan your next holiday-moon, our Travel Specialists are here to really listen to what you’re looking for. We’ll then use our first-hand expertise to create a bespoke experience built around you.
With almost 50 years of experience in creating luxury holidays to the world’s most iconic places, we know what it takes to exceed your expectations.
You can find out more about our luxurious holiday destinations and enquire now.
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