{"id":71177,"date":"2023-01-19T19:37:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T19:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=71177"},"modified":"2023-11-30T22:57:11","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T22:57:11","slug":"out-travel-the-system-2022-wrap-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/out-travel-the-system-2022-wrap-up\/","title":{"rendered":"That’s a wrap! The best of Out Travel The System 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With every new year comes new year\u2019s resolutions, and according to recent data, more than one-third of Americans have set travel-related goals for 2023. Whether you\u2019re simply hoping to travel more this year, are looking to be more responsible in the travel choices you make, or are aiming to be savvier with your travel budget, we can help chase your wanderlust-inspired dreams with the best tips, tricks, and hacks from Season Four of Out Travel The System<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air travel hacks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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In our Holiday Planning episode<\/a>, we learned that strong traveler demand for flights coupled with airlines not fully up to their pre-COVID capacity levels sent ticket prices soaring in 2021, especially during key holiday periods \u2013 and we saw these high prices continue into 2022. It\u2019s likely that prices will ease in 2023 as airlines continue to increase their capacities, but it always pays to consider your departure dates (and even the day of the week that you make your booking!) if you want to bag the best possible deal \u2013 especially for holiday travel. For example, when it came to 2022 Thanksgiving flights, you could have saved between 20% and 30% by departing on the Monday before the holiday instead of over the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more tips on how to save on your flights, check out Expedia\u2019s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, in our Loyalty Hacks episode<\/a> travel finance expert Katherine Fan shared her tip for travelers to keep a running list of the places they\u2019d like to go so they can periodically plug them into a flight search tool to see when there are dips in prices. Expedia\u2019s Price Tracker Tool \u2013 available on select flights via the Expedia app<\/a> \u2013 can also help you keep track on flight prices and help you predict the best time to book. The price predictions aren’t guarantees – but they’re still a great place to start!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing Disney World like a pro<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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There\u2019s nothing like a trip to Disney World, but the price can add up, especially if you\u2019re traveling as a family. But as we learned from Lou Mongello<\/a> \u2013 a Disney super fan who has visited Disney World over 1000 times, and has written the books and produced the award-winning podcast to prove it \u2013 if you can be flexible in your dates, you can save a lot by traveling during \u2018value season\u2019. According to Lou, there are multiple value seasons every year, which often fall just before or after the major holiday periods. Visiting during value season can help you nab some of the park\u2019s best accommodation deals, which can save you around 40% on your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disney World in Orlando, Florida<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Picking the right destination<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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In our Disappearing Destinations<\/a> and Doppelg\u00e4nger Destinations<\/a> episodes, our guests \u2013 former New York Times correspondent Elizabeth Becker and former Travel + Leisure editor Siobhan Reid \u2013 shared some of their favorite examples of lesser-traveled destinations to explore if you\u2019re looking to indulge in the beauty of hot spots like Venice, Santorini, and Bali, but without some of the baggage that comes with overtourism. For example, Siobhan told us how much she loved Paros \u2013 a stunning Grecian Island near Santorini and Mykonos. Paros is home all of those classic Greek Island sights and experiences \u2013 the bright white houses covered in pink flowers, dazzling Aegean Sea views, incredible Greek Island cuisine, and jaw-dropping sunsets \u2013 but for an average of $200 less per hotel night (even in peak season!) than Mykonos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paros, Greece<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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By going against the crowds, you\u2019re also more likely to secure reservations at amazing restaurants and hotels, as we learned in our Megamoons episode<\/a> with Anne and Mike Howard \u2013 the world\u2019s longest honeymooners. It\u2019s also a great tip for those looking to be more conscious with their travel habits, as picking less-visited destinations is also one way to travel more responsibly and sustainably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perfect planning<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cDon\u2019t overplan\u201d and \u201cLeave some flexibility in your schedule\u201d were two tips that nearly every expert repeated this season. But in our Holiday Planning episode<\/a>, our family and group travel expert Nevin Martell shared another pearl of wisdom. If you\u2019re planning a big family vacation or getaway with all your friends, then try to pick at least a couple of activities that are just slightly outside of people’s comfort zones. This will introduce them to new experiences \u2013 from foods to activities \u2013 and will add an element of adventure to the holiday that will make it even more memorable for the whole group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Listen to our Season Four Wrap-Up<\/a> now and follow the transcript below. For even more intel, check out the full episode guides for Season 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t wait to see where you get to with these tips! So make sure you share your adventures with us on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to learn more?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the podcast now, check out the complete transcript below, or catch the full conversation on Spotify<\/a> or Apple<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the 2024 Travel Trends<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n