The global pandemic has upended many parts of life, but while most of us spent much of 2020 grounded, a return to travel looks to be on the horizon fairly soon. Until then, as we daydream about where we want to travel, it’s a perfect opportunity to think about how we want to travel when the time comes.

Read on for some of the biggest trends that will influence the way we travel next year and beyond.

The Cosmos

Like generations of explorers, many travelers have looked toward the sky and discovered the wonder of the cosmos. Not only has gazing up at the enormity of space given us some much-needed perspective, but the night skies are shining ever brighter due to decreased light and air pollution as people stay at home.

Still, there’s nothing quite like stargazing at an officially designated dark sky destination, so plan a trip to an International Dark Sky Reserve, found everywhere from Idaho to Ireland to New Zealand.

Slow Travel

After much of the world was forced to take a “great pause,” things began to quietly shift. One impact of this collective deep breath is a reevaluation of the way we travel.

Having become used to spending more time in one place and learning to appreciate what’s around us, rushing from place to place has lost its appeal, replaced by a desire to slow down and connect more meaningfully with destinations.

There are some parts of the world where this approach has long been the norm. With its deep tradition of appreciating single moments — as seen in the precision and mindfulness of the tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arranging), haiku and forest bathing —Japan is one of the world’s best places to practice slow travel.

Chill Zones

Whether driven by the urge to escape crowds or the impact of “Frozen,” travelers are increasingly looking north and are keen to experience the pristine landscapes, abundant wildlife and rich cultures of the Arctic.

Bundle up and embrace the chill by ice swimming in Finland, aurora-spotting in Alaska, learning about Sami culture in Norway or admiring glaciers in Iceland.

Regenerative Travel

As the tourism industry plots its return, many are moving beyond the concept of sustainable travel. The new buzzy term is “regenerative travel” — in other words, not just being mindful of preserving the places you visit, but making the effort to leave them better than you found them.

This can take the form of supporting a destination’s economy by buying locally made products, dining at restaurants that grow their own food, choosing accommodations that invest some profits in local communities, and offsetting carbon emissions.

Places in Between

Until international travel becomes a safe and responsible option — and even beyond that time — U.S. travelers will continue to feel the lure of the road trip. It’s the perfect time to discover some lesser-known A

American gems, so hit the road and steer away from the big cities to discover an underexplored — and uncrowded — side of the country, from the rolling hills and wineries of Texas Hill Country to charming small-town Florida.

Island Hops

People have long been pulled toward islands as places of refuge. Their magnetic appeal comes from their separation from the mainland where you can leave your stresses behind. There’s always been something romantic about traveling by boat, but today the fresh air, space and slowness of a ferry trip is more alluring than ever.

Pull up some timetables and plan a trip to island-hop along Scotland’s west coast, spot wildlife and surf on Vancouver Island, or soak up the sun on Martha’s Vineyard. If a tropical vibe is more your scene, look into escapes in Aruba or Puerto Rico.

Do-Over Trips

Besides learning to appreciate the moment, what else were people doing during the great pause? Dreaming of a vacation do-over, of course. Having missed out on 2020 vacations, travelers are pledging to make up for lost time — in a big way.

From savoring the moment to seizing the day, summer 2021 may see wallets opening as people go straight to the top of their bucket lists and finally book that long dreamed about South African safari or trip to the Egyptian pyramids.

Diversity

Amid a national reckoning over racial justice, new communities are springing up with the aim of increasing diversity in the travel space — and better serving the Black community, which typically spends approximately $60 billion annually on travel.

Digital media company Travel Noire helps travelers plan new experiences and destinations, while Nomadness Travel Tribe is a 22,000-strong community of Black travelers who share travel resources and connect at regular meetups and on international group trips.

Me, My Kid and I

With more than a quarter of U.S. households headed by one parent — the majority of whom are mothers — there are more single-parent households than at any other time in recent history. And like most families, they want to take family vacations, too.

Numerous travel guides — and even custom packages — are now available to help navigate single-parent travel, from avoiding single supplements at all-inclusive resorts to matching moms with in-flight babysitters.

Travel with Pets

To help mitigate the effect of social isolation, many Americans adopted pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. As thoughts return to travel, those new pet parents are searching for travel experiences that they can share with their furry friends.

Fortunately, rather than simply accepting pets, hotels are increasingly laying out the red carpet for them, offering pet-friendly perks, from custom pet beds and turndown treats at the W Barcelona to monthly Bark’n’Brews parties on the patio at The St. Regis Aspen Resort.