Top 10 Travel Trends for 2018

Pinterest forecasts travel trends for the year ahead.

Intro

The islands of Croatia are growing in popularity - and for good reason! This shot of Komiža shows the Croatian coastal town on the island of Vis in the central part of the Adriatic Sea.

Each year, Pinterest crunches the numbers and studies what over 100 million people are searching for and saving across their global network. The result? The Pinterest 100, a rundown of new trends on the brink of going mainstream. Topics explored include food, home, beauty, weddings and, yes, travel — a category that encompassed over 4 billion pins in 2017, a whopping 33% more than the year before.

Whether you're planning the itinerary for your next family vacation or just want to daydream about tropical climes far from your Monday-morning cubicle, Pinterest serves up plenty of gorgeous travel photos to feed your wanderlust. Street art in Lisbon: check. Sunlit beaches in the Maldives: of course. Camping trips in Yellowstone: yup, they’ve got that too.

Ready to see what the future has in store?

Scroll through the gallery to learn about the top 10 travel trends Pinterest is predicting for 2018 (and check out a few exemplary pins for each).

Trend #1

Desert Destination: Chile’s Northern Desert

Ready for a desert escape? Try San Pedro de Atacama, Chile’s northern desert.

Desert Destination: Camel Rides in Morocco

Marrakech offers plenty of desert adventures, from hot air balloons to camel rides.

Desert Destination: Joshua Tree

Hikers, campers and rock climbers will love "J-Tree," home to nine stunning campgrounds and seemingly endless trails. Joshua Tree is a massive park with both high and low elevation desert terrain — so plan enough time to visit both.

Trend #2

Local Perspective: Bostonians' Favorite Cannolis

Next time you're in Boston, head to Hanover Street (the heart of Boston’s Italian North End) for a cannoli at Mike’s Pastry. You'll die and go to heaven.

Local Perspective: House of Nanking in San Francisco

Locals form a line out the door (and down the street) at the House of Nanking in San Francisco's Chinatown, a favorite for people who actually live in town. Local tip: Don't order off the menu. Just ask your server to select for your table based on the day's freshest ingredients.

Local Perspective: A la Mère de Famille, Paris

A la Mère de Famille is the oldest chocolate shop and confectioner in the city of Paris. Locals (and tourists) have been buying fancy sweets there since 1761. Local tip: try the "coffret de toucans."

Trend #3

Travel Journaling: Bullet Journal

Bullet journals, which mix journaling with to-do-list conquering, are ideal for the hyper-organized among us.

Travel Journaling: Washi Tape Journal

Can't draw? No problem...add some art to your travel journal with washi tape, made of traditional Japanese paper.

Trend #4

Island to Visit: Vis Island, Croatia

A short but strenuous hike ends at Stiniva Beach, strewn with rocks and showcasing the endless sea, on Vis Island in Croatia.

Island to Visit: Zakynthos Island, Greece

Crystal-clear waters await on Zakynthos Island, which has been rightly dubbed "The flower of the Levant."

Island to Visit: Levanzo, Italy

Just off the coast of Sicily, the tiny island of Levanzo showcases water you can see to the bottom of, plus plenty of spots for buying delicious food.

Trend #5

River Cruise: Rhine River

The Rhine River: Switzerland to the Netherlands

You can cruise the Rhine River from Switzerland all the way to the Netherlands, passing staggering vistas along the way.

River Cruise: Mekong River

Luxury cruise ships now make regular trips up the Mekong River from Vietnam to Laos.

River Cruise: The Elvis Experience

Ready to combine a classic steam boat experience with rock and roll passion? The "American Queen," which journeys from Elvis’s hometown of Memphis all the way to New Orleans, offers a pre-cruise "Elvis Experience" that includes a guided walking tour of downtown Memphis and a stop at Graceland.

Trend #6

Mexican Adventure: Chichen-Itza at Night

The ruins at Chichen-Itza are typically packed with tourists during the day, but at night things quiet down and the structure appears illuminated under a sea of stars.

Mexican Adventure: Surfing Sayulita

The little surf town of Sayulita, Mexico offers clean waves, cold beers and charming local shops. Bonus: Tourists are welcome, but not an overwhelming presence.

Mexican Adventure: Swimming with Sea Turtles

Akumal Bay is a hot spot for snorkeling with sea turtles. You'll find these blue and green waters between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

Trend #7

Historical Site: Angkor Wat

Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat, dating back to the 12th century, is a mecca for ancient-history buffs.

Historical Site: Petra

In the southwestern corner of Jordan, the archaeological city of Petra is famous for rock-cut architecture, famously featured in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."

Historical Site: Easter Island

Far off the coast of Chile, you'll find Easter Island and its 887 famous statues, called moai. You can also relax on pink-sand beaches or climb up volcanic cones.

Trend #8: Street Art Scavenger Hunts

Art Haven: Lisbon

Take a day to explore Lisbon as a "street art tourist." The city's colorful, quirky murals won't disappointment.

Art Haven: Miami's Art Basel

Art Basel, the famous annual art show, attracts some of the world's best muralists to Miami.

Art Haven: São Paulo, Brazil

You'll see street art nearly everywhere you look in São Paulo, Brazil. For highlights, check out Beco do Aprendiz or the Vila Madalena neighborhood.

Trend #9

Rock Climbing Pick: Sport Climbs

Irene Yee photographs authentic shots that showcase amateur women climbers accomplishing staggering feats.

Rock Climbing Pick: Night Climbs

The truly daring scale rocks once the sun has gone down.

Rock Climbing: Bouldering in Hueco Tanks

Hueco Tanks Bouldering — https://www.pinterest.com/pin/110830840814942848/

Prefer to stay a bit closer to the ground? Try conquering the legendary bouldering problems in Hueco Tanks, Texas.

Trend #10

Vacay Idea: Single-Day Heli-Ski Trips

When you only have one day, and money is burning a hole in your pocket, consider a single day heli-ski trip. Telluride's Helitrax offers single day tours starting at $1,295/day. It's expensive, but just think: This could be you.

Vacay Idea: Lakeside Adventure

The Mohonk Mountain House is a Victorian castle located just two hours north of New York City...well within day trip range.

Vacay Idea: Napa Valley

Looking for a day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area? Drive just over an hour north to the V. Sattui Winery in Napa. Taste a selection of world-renowned wines, buy some bread, salami and cheese at the winery's top-rated deli, then enjoy a picnic on the perfectly manicured lawns.

Pure bliss.