Signal Spring 2020 Newsletter

www.alliancecom.net 5 Let your DNA GuideYour Travel With the growing use of DNA testing services, more people than ever know where their ancestors lived. Visiting these places can be inspiring and teach you more about your cultural roots. Here are a few tips for making the most of such a trip: 1. If it’s an unfamiliar location, look into booking your trip with a tour operator. 2. Check out genealogy records or use an online service like Ancestry (ancestry.com ) to connect with local family members. 3. Do you want to see where your ancestors lived, worked, went to school, or worshiped? Or maybe all of the above? Plan ahead for specific places you want to tour. 4. Use the opportunity to fill in missing pieces about your family history. Local librarians, township operators, and church staff can be a big help. 5. Leave room in your suitcase for family treasures. Your distant rela- tives may have some heirlooms to hand down. T he way people travel is impacted by many factors, including social media, popular culture, the kinds of experiences people want to have, and environmental concerns. The trends below are expected to influence travel choices in 2020: “Second City”Travel To save money and avoid crowds, trav- elers are opting to visit destinations a little off the beaten path, known as “second cities.” For example, instead of San Francisco, they might go to San Jose, which features similar restaurant quality and seaside views but at a lower cost. Taking It Slow What’s the rush? Travelers are slowing ` down and enjoying the journey by taking slower modes of transportation such as trains. In addition to having the opportunity to see more sights, journeys that don’t involve a plane lessen envi- ronmental impact. Insta-ration Inspired by others’ beautiful travel shots, Instagram (instagram.com ) users are planning their own vacations to the same locations. Online destination searches are great, but photos and videos of real people having a fabulous time in a particular place are even better advertisements. Mini Trips Time or money may be limited, but that doesn’t have to mean cutting out travel. Mini trips are a great way to recharge batteries, even if it’s just for a couple of days. Remember, a weekend with no soccer games, grocery trips, or yard work offers plenty of time to enjoy fun activities somewhere else. Ecotourism Basically, ecotourism is traveling with consciousness about the environment and the people who live in the des- tination location. That could mean anything from reusing your sheets and towels for the duration of your hotel stay (to reduce laundering’s electricity and power usage) to donating to local conservation causes and supporting local businesses. Get on BoardWith These 2020 Travel Trends