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TRENDING : THE RISE OF SLOW TRAVEL
If you ’ ve ever returned from vacation feeling like you need another one , you might not be traveling slowly enough . The trend , which has been on the rise in recent years , isn ’ t just referring to the pace of transportation — it ’ s a growing philosophy that embraces the journey as much as the destination , encouraging travelers to take in the scenic route and connect with the local culture on a deeper level . This growing appetite for slower travel is supported by industry stats , with the length of hotel stays up almost 10 % from last year and a growing number of cruise lines offering more itineraries with extended evenings and overnights in port .
SPACE TOURISM : THE NEXT FRONTIER images : getty
Ever dreamed of traveling to space ? Come 2025 , Florida company Space Perspective plans to make those dreams a reality . Accommodating eight passengers and one captain , the Spaceship Neptune will set the record for the most people taken to the edge of space at the same time . The six-hour carbon-neutral journey will see passengers ascend into the farthest limits of the Earth ’ s atmosphere in a capsule propelled by what the company calls its SpaceBalloon . At maximum altitude , passengers will enjoy around two hours of near 360-degree visibility to take in the curvature of the Earth , the thin blue line of our atmosphere and the infinite blackness of space . The first flights are planned for 2025 and cost $ 125,000 per person . It includes cocktails , a multi-course meal and Wi-Fi so guests can share the experience in real time .
From top : Lake Pukaki , New Zealand ; Space Perspective ’ s first flight to space is scheduled for 2025 fall 2024 • 13