Britons' most-dreamed-about post-lockdown holiday experiences – staying in the Maldives is No1 


Britons’ most-dreamed-about post-lockdown holiday experiences revealed – and it’s staying in a water bungalow in the Maldives that’s No1

  • Researchers asked British travel-lovers what they dream about doing and where as soon as it is possible
  • Experiences in the top five include seeing the Northern Lights and admiring the pink rocks of the Seychelles
  • Study found the average Briton spends up to two hours a week fantasising about their next holiday 

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Staying in a water bungalow in the Maldives is the top post-lockdown holiday experience that Britons are dreaming about, according to a new survey.

Researchers asked British travel-lovers what they dream most about doing and where as soon as it is possible, and a stay in overwater accommodation in the Maldives archipelago is top of the list for 39 per cent of them. Coming second is seeing the Northern Lights (37 per cent), while third is admiring the pink rocks of the Seychelles (28 per cent).

Making the rest of the top five is enjoying a Greek salad in Santorini (joint fourth, 27 per cent), taking in the Great Pyramids of Egypt (joint fourth, 27 per cent), seeing the Grand Canyon by helicopter (joint fifth, 26 per cent) and hearing the water flowing at Niagara Falls (joint fifth, 26 per cent).

Staying in a water bungalow in the Maldives is the top post-lockdown holiday experience that Britons are dreaming about

Staying in a water bungalow in the Maldives is the top post-lockdown holiday experience that Britons are dreaming about

Seeing the Northern Lights is No2 on Britons' list of dreamy post-lockdown travel experiences

Seeing the Northern Lights is No2 on Britons’ list of dreamy post-lockdown travel experiences

Admiring the pink rocks of the Seychelles comes third on the post-lockdown to-do list for Britons

Admiring the pink rocks of the Seychelles comes third on the post-lockdown to-do list for Britons

BRITS’ TOP POST-LOCKDOWN DREAM EXPERIENCES 

1. Stay in a water bungalow in the Maldives – 39%

2. See the Northern Lights – 37%

3. Admire the pink rocks of the Seychelles – 28%

4= Enjoy a Greek salad overlooking the sea in Santorini – 27%

4= Take in the Great Pyramids of Egypt – 27%

5= Enjoy a helicopter ride and see the Grand Canyon, America – 26%

5= Hear the water flowing at Niagara Falls, Canada – 26%

6= Go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia – 25%

6= Eat fresh pasta in Sicily – 25%

6= Drink a Mai Tai on the beach in Phuket, Thailand – 25%

7. Swim in the blue waters of Amalfi, Italy – 23%

8. Walk along the Great Wall of China – 22%

9= Swim with turtles in The Seychelles – 21%

9= Swim and float in the Dead Sea – 21%

9= See the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan – 21%

10= Admire the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy – 20%

10= Go diving in the clear waters at Turks & Caicos – 20%

10= Swim with dolphins in Florida, America – 20%

10= Eat cheese and drink wine while overlooking the Eiffel Tower in Paris – 20%

11= Take a boat trip around Mauritius – 19%

11= Go on safari in South Africa 19% 

12= See the leaves change colour during autumn in New Hampshire – 18%

12= Enjoy a luxury shopping spree in Dubai – 18%

13= Visit the Taj Mahal – 17%

13= Take a gondola in Venice – 17%

14. Drink rum at a beach bar in the Dominican Republic – 16%

15= Eat seafood by the beach in Mallorca – 15%

15= Cycle through the streets of Amsterdam – 15%

15= Drive through Havana in a vintage car – 15%

15= Discover the ancient ruins of the city of Petra, Jordan – 15%

15= Enjoy the casinos of Las Vegas – 15%

15= Go hiking in Yosemite, California – 15%

16= Drink rose wine at a restaurant overlooking the lavender fields in France – 14%

16= Swim with pigs in the water at Big Major Cay, Bahamas – 14%

16= Go trekking in Tibet – 14%

16= Visit Bilbo Baggins’ house where Lord of the Rings was filmed, New Zealand – 14%

16= Eat an acai bowl on the beach in Brazil – 14%

16= Eat authentic sushi in Tokyo, Japan – 14%

17. Go shopping in the souks, Morocco – 13%

18. Do yoga on the beach in Goa – 12%

Source: Club Med 

The study of 2,000 adults was conducted by Club Med to launch its new Zenventure holiday.

Rounding off the top 10 is snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef (joint sixth 25 per cent); eating fresh pasta in Sicily (joint sixth, 25 per cent); drinking a Mai Tai on the beach in Phuket (joint sixth, 25 per cent); swimming in the blue waters of Amalfi in Italy (seventh, 23 per cent); walking along the Great Wall of China (eighth, 22 per cent); swimming with turtles in the Seychelles (joint ninth, 21 per cent); swimming and floating in the Dead Sea (joint ninth, 21 per cent); seeing the cherry blossom in Kyoto, Japan (joint ninth, 21 per cent); admiring the Sistine Chapel in Rome (joint 10th, 20 per cent); diving in the clear waters of the Turks and Caicos (joint 10th, 20 per cent); swimming with dolphins in Florida (joint 10th, 20 per cent) and eating cheese and drinking wine while overlooking the Eiffel Tower in Paris (joint 10th 20 per cent).

Other highly ranked longed-for holiday experiences include enjoying a boat trip in Mauritius (joint 11th, 19 per cent), spotting exotic animals on safari in South Africa (joint 11th, 19 per cent) – where Club Med plans to open a new resort – and rum tasting at a beach bar in the Dominican Republic (joint 15th, 16 per cent).

Meanwhile, the study also found that a third (34 per cent) of Britons enjoy daydreaming about holidays, and the average UK person spends up to two hours a week fantasising about their next getaway.

Taking in the pyramids of Egypt is joint fourth on the bucket 'list of lists'

Taking in the pyramids of Egypt is joint fourth on the bucket ‘list of lists’

Eating a Greek salad on the island of Santorini comes joint fourth on the list

Eating a Greek salad on the island of Santorini comes joint fourth on the list

So, it’s no surprise that nearly two in five Britons (38 per cent) claim that the prospect of travel is one of the main sources of hope that has kept them going during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The study also revealed that one-third of people in the UK confess they just can’t wait until their next holiday abroad, and almost a quarter (22 per cent) plan to spend more on their next holiday.

In fact, 16 per cent of Britons would like to finally plan the ultimate luxury trip of their dreams post-pandemic, while 15 per cent are considering packing their bags for a big round-the-world trip as soon as restrictions are eased.

Meanwhile, over a third of the nation (36 per cent) say they will be looking for more adventure during their holidays post-pandemic, instead of just focusing on relaxation.

Hearing the thunderous noise of water pouring over the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is joint fifth on the list

Hearing the thunderous noise of water pouring over the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is joint fifth on the list

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef comes joint sixth in the survey

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef comes joint sixth in the survey

Estelle Giraudeau, managing director of Club Med UK and Northern Europe, says: ‘It’s hardly surprising that the travel ban has got the nation dreaming about all the exotic destinations and experiences they’d like to enjoy post-pandemic.

‘Our research shows we’re open to plenty of excitement and adventure, whether that’s staying in a water bungalow in the Maldives, walking along the Great Wall of China or drinking rum at a beach bar in the Dominican Republic.

‘After a year like no other, we understand that people want that element of both zen and adventure and that’s why we have created the Zenventure holiday.’

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