Travel Dreaming: World Cruises; Galapagos Islands top Virtuoso's Annual Travel Survey

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed)
Jul 7th 2010 at 8:02AM

ar-flung locations are tops on travelers' "bucket lists," states the fourth annual Travel Dreams Sweepstakes Survey, released last week by leading travel network Virtuoso®.

"This year's survey results reflect a shift in consumers' motivation to travel," says Elaine Srnka, editorial director for VIRTUOSO LIFE, the travel network's in-house magazine. "Travelers want to see the world. They are no longer content with staying in one place. Whether it's visiting the far corners of the earth on a world cruise, hiking through remote Machu Picchu or tasting local cuisine through cooking schools, travelers want unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences."

Travelers opted for a world cruise as their top "trip of a lifetime" experience. Visiting all seven continents and the new wonders of the world were also top-rated wish list items. The Galapagos Islands were ranked the number-one island escape, the second best outdoor adventure destination and the third best destination for family travel.

The top 10 dream destinations also reflected readers' longing to visit far-off lands, with Australia, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Greece nabbing the first five spots. Paris held onto its reign as the most romantic city to spend time with a loved one, as well as the best gourmet city. Rome remains the city with the most beautiful architecture, and Tuscany continues to be the wine region travelers want to toast the most. Again this year, readers felt going on a safari to Africa would merit the best outdoor adventure.

Nearly 11,000 readers of Virtuoso's magazine, VIRTUOSO LIFE, participated in the survey.

Tags: galapagos, galapagos islands, luxury travel, survey, virtuoso, virtuoso life, world cruise