Why “Nostalgia Vacations” Are Becoming One of the Biggest Travel Trends of the Year (as Seen on Fox Denver with Christianne Klein)
- Christianne Klein
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
In case you missed our recent conversation with Jeremy Hubbard on FOX in Denver, we’ve been seeing a fascinating- and emotional- new travel trend take center stage: the rise of the Nostalgia Vacation.
This isn’t just about booking a flight somewhere pretty or checking off a bucket list. This is travel fueled by memory, meaning, and connection. More and more families are choosing vacations that help them reconnect with where they came from- whether that’s retracing childhood vacations, visiting grandparents’ hometowns, or even traveling to the countries where their ancestors once lived.
And honestly? It makes perfect sense.
After years of uncertainty, stress, and burnout, people aren’t just craving escape… they’re craving grounding. They’re searching for something that feels authentic, personal, and deeply human. Travel has shifted from “look where I went” to “look what I discovered about myself and my family.”
What Is a Nostalgia Vacation?
A nostalgia vacation isn’t defined by geography, it’s defined by emotional connection.
It might look like:
Taking your kids to the same beach you loved when you were little
Returning to your college town to relive memories (this time with better restaurants and more sleep!)
Visiting the home where your parents or grandparents grew up
Exploring the country your ancestors came from
Instead of focusing on luxury for luxury’s sake, it’s about roots, storytelling, history, and identity. People want experiences that spark conversation across generations, give kids real-world connection to their history, and remind adults of who they used to be (and how far they’ve come).
The DNA Connection: Travel Meets Ancestry
One of the biggest drivers of the nostalgia travel boom? DNA testing and ancestry exploration.
With the rise of companies like Ancestry and 23andMe, millions of people now know more about their heritage than ever before, and they don’t just want to see it on a computer screen. They want to walk those streets. Taste those traditional foods. Hear the language. Feel the air. Experience the story of their family physically, not just historically.
We’re seeing families plan entire trips around:
The region where their ancestors lived
Towns discovered through DNA reports
Heritage festivals
Cultural immersion experiences
Travel becomes less about tourism and more about discovery- mWhy am I the way I am? Where did my story really begin?
It’s powerful, emotional, and incredibly meaningful.
Sometimes the DNA link is surprising. As I mentioned to Jeremy, people are finding out that their family roots are actually from a completely different location than they thought and want to explore to find out more (the "my German name is really Swedish" effect).
Why This Trend Resonates So Deeply
Travel trends usually follow emotional needs, and nostalgia vacations meet several at once:
Connection: Families bond differently when they share stories that matter
Belonging: People want to feel part of something bigger than themselves
Identity: Understanding your past helps ground your present
Healing: Revisiting meaningful places can bring comfort and closure
And let’s be honest, nostalgia often just feels good. There’s something beautiful about returning to a place that shaped you, then watching your children or loved ones experience it for the first time.
A New Kind of Bucket List
So instead of simply asking, “Where do we want to go next?” families are starting to ask a different question:
“What part of our story do we want to explore?”
That shift is transforming travel planning in the best possible way.
Whether it’s exploring your DNA roots, retracing the adventures of generations before you, or simply returning to that old childhood vacation spot- nostalgia travel isn’t just a trend. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best place to go next… is back to where it all began.
Christianne Klein is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning TV Host, journalist, travel and lifestyle expert, and founder of FoodFamilyTravel.com.
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