In Pursuit of Wanderlust: Three Ways to Travel Right Now

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It’s hard to imagine a time when transportation wasn’t a part of daily life. We aren’t talking about the horse and buggy days (or going to a café on a camel); rather, a bygone era when flying was an exclusive experience. As travel has evolved, so have us travelers, and these advances make us the drivers of our own journeys. Whether it’s remaining connected while flying over the Atlantic, or locating the nearest outlet to charge your electric car, there are great transformations underway to make your globe-trotting more efficient, eco-intelligent, bespoke, and shareable than ever.

Here’s your go-to guide on how to navigate the future of travel.

The Eco-Traveler

Looking to improve upon its ecological initiatives, the Middle East is highlighting its commitment to sustainability, aiming to promote the region’s natural resources and reduce the carbon footprint generated by tourism and its related sprawling developments. As an individual traveler, you can also take part in reducing your carbon footprint while getting around the urban sprawl.

With the scorching summer months now over, one of the best ways do your part is by opting for eco-friendly modes of transportation. Byky bikes, which can be rented in cities from Sharjah to Jeddah, are good for the environment (and can save you a trip to the gym). If the UAE is home and you want to get around in style, Ascari Bicycles manufactures some of the most distinctive looking rides.

Then again, as an eco-tourist, you’ll most likely prefer to venture beyond urban comfort and into the rugged desert and sublime seawaters to encounter the full force of the region’s natural beauty. From the famous Snoopy Island, to the secret diving sites near Fujairah and along the coast of Oman, there’s no shortage of kaleidoscopic coral to take in.

The Ultimate Getaway
Being an eco-tourist isn’t only about hiking the Hajar Mountains or boarding down sand dunes; it’s also about leaving as little a carbon footprint as possible to preserve the unique natural sites for future generations to enjoy. An eco-friendly hotel such as the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa provides luxurious venues that maintain a conservation area around its grounds, protecting the indigenous flora and fauna; additionally, the staff regularly plants new regional species, which the animals thrive upon.

The Cultured Wanderlust

If you have a more inquisitive sense of travel, new experiences steeped in the past will ignite your imagination. The 19th century Bastakia Quarter in old Dubai offers historically minded travelers a chance to experience the once dusty paths—only now they don’t lead to hidden dealers, but rather to venues such as the XVA Gallery, a contemporary art gallery housed in a historic building.

If you’re for looking for a desert sunset worth writing home about, head to the highest point of the Qal’at al-Bahrain at dusk. Locally referred to as the Bahrain Fort, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers scenic walking paths and a glimpse into one of the most important ancient civilizations in the region. On Bahrain’s Muharraq island lies the country’s second UNESCO World Heritage site, the Bahrain Pearling Trail. Meander through the narrow streets as you explore the 17 buildings and 3 oyster beds that make up the trail—a 3.5km long path that was used by pearl divers up until 1930.

As the eruption of urban growth throughout the region continues to flow, more and more ancient cultural practices are being vigorously maintained.

The Ultimate Getaway
The seductive allure of the Bedouin culture still has a tremendous influence on the historically minded traveler, so if you’re seeking out a hotel that offers a taste of the ancient nomadic lifestyle, there are a number of options to choose from; the Qasr Al Sarab outside of Abu Dhabi is steeped in traditional Middle Eastern architecture and captures the sense of an older world. It is an oasis in the uncompromising desert and far from any high-rise or rush hour traffic. The Banyan Tree Al Wadi Hotel is reminiscent of the tent communities of the Bedouin tribes, where travelers can also experience the desert culture. Hidden among the Al Hajar Mountains and perched 2,000 feet above sea level is Alila Jabal Akhdar, which falls in Oman’s mountain range. The resort offers breathtaking 360-degree views and architecture unlike any other.

Tech Traveler

If you thought we forgot about our more tech savvy travelers, don’t fret—we’ve got you covered. We get it: you need to remain connected 24/7. The thought of riding a camel to the wadis sounds like a nightmare, and not simply because you can’t stand the desert heat or the unruly means of transportation—rather, it’s the thought of not having Wi-Fi. Not wanting to restrict your movement from the hotel room to the waterfront, Dubai has installed Smart Palms across key areas of the city, from the Umm Suqeim beach to Zabeel Park.

The Ultimate Getaway
If you turn to your device to plan out your day rather than throw caution to the wind, or perhaps if you simply live to work, at the NH Hotels located throughout Europe, 3D holographic conferencing and telepresence are becoming customer service staples. At a press conference for his film Chappie, Hugh Jackman appeared as a 3D holographic image in the NH Hotel in Madrid, while he was actually in Berlin. The Peninsula Tokyo hotel offers a Pokémon scavenger hunt  to give parents some free time while the kids seek out anime characters powered by augmented reality.

This isn’t simply a new means of communication inspired by Star Wars , but the advent of the latest technology; and with all these transformative tools becoming increasingly available, visiting the Bahla Fort in Oman and a trip to Mecca —in the same day—can soon become a reality.

For more posts in the #CraftTheFuture series, click here.