Holidaymakers have shared the top 20 “perfect” moments that make an unforgettable holiday – with tucking into food or drinks while enjoying a stunning view topping the list.
A survey of 2,000 Brits, aged 18-34, revealed that 29% are keen to make at least two new friends while travelling, and sample at least three new local dishes.
And 34% think memorable moments come from stepping out of your comfort zone – and will try to test their own boundaries at least three times during a trip.
But it emerged that, while 46% will try to plan a “perfect moment” during a holiday – such as catching a glorious sunset – two-thirds prefer these moments to happen naturally or organically.
Other elements of an unforgettable break include seeing a famous landmark, ticking something off your bucket list – and something funny that happens that becomes a story you tell for years to come.
And it seems four is the magic number, as holidaymakers hope to enjoy at least four new experiences, and travel with four people on their perfect trip.
But as many as 55 photos, and 13 videos, will be taken in order to capture these four “perfect” moments they hope to experience.
It also emerged that respondents have been on an average of six truly memorable trips each – with 17% of those who have travelled solo claiming that these holidays created more memories than any other.
Rachel Storey, brand director of social travel company for 18-35 year olds, Contiki, which commissioned the research, said: “The reason we travel is, at its core, to create memories – whether it’s from that perfect moment, or trying something new out of your comfort zone.
“Exploring a new destination and culture is opening yourself up to the unknown, with the potential to create memories that can last a lifetime when you make every moment count.”
The research also found 43% of travellers believe spending time with people physically on holiday is more important than ever, due to today’s increasingly virtual world.
And 37% pick their travel destinations based on the experiences they might have while there – while 30% have a holiday bucket list of moments they want to tick off.
But 85% believe it’s the imperfect or unexpected moments that can make a holiday more memorable.
Nearly half (48%) of those polled, via OnePoll, also prefer to post a completely authentic image on social media – showing the good and the bad – rather than a perfectly staged image with filters (15%).
Rachel Storey, from Contiki, added: “When you reflect on trips from the past, it’s often the moments you couldn’t have imagined, that leave the deepest impact.
“Whether it’s a moving encounter with a local, making a new friend, ordering an unusual item in a restaurant, or taking a leap of faith on a new activity – the ultimate souvenir is the memories you make along the way.”
TOP 20 PERFECT MOMENTS TO EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY:
- Drinks or food with a view
- Watching a sunrise or sunset with your friends or family
- Something funny that becomes a story to tell for years to come
- Ticking something off your bucket list
- Seeing a famous landmark
- Swimming in the sea
- Some kind of joke or funny event which goes onto become a running joke among your friends or family
- Doing something that takes you out of your comfort zone
- Seeing animals in their natural habitat
- Getting a full tour of a beautiful city
- Taking a detour or getting lost and finding an empty beach or amazing view
- Trying the local delicacy which is considered unusual at home
- Doing something adrenaline-spiking, such a bungee jumping or parachuting
- Making a new friend
- Getting a tour around a local town or village
- Climbing a mountain
- A holiday romance kiss
- Making a connection with a local person/group of people
- Being proposed to/proposing to someone/witnessing a proposal
- Finding the ideal souvenirs/gifts
