Team Travels: Notes from the Field

At Dovetail, travel is more than a privilege – it’s integral to the way we work. First-hand experiences sharpen the intuition, cultural fluency and curiosity that underpin every campaign. This summer, before the pace of the autumn season begins, members of our team travelled widely – and their observations highlight not just memorable moments, but the trends shaping how and why we travel today.

Vancouver Island’s Untamed Appeal – Occasion-led Travel

Jayne travelled to Vancouver Island, combining a friend’s wedding with time to explore one of Canada’s most captivating regions. Her journey reflects the rise of occasion-led travel, where weddings, reunions and milestone celebrations increasingly anchor travel decisions. Many guests now extend these trips into longer itineraries, turning events into opportunities to discover a destination more deeply.

From wine tasting at Blue Grouse Estate to wandering the Butchart Gardens in full bloom, Jayne balanced celebration with exploration. A solo sailing trip across Cowichan Bay provided reflective calm before evenings of festivity at The Masthead Restaurant. Expansive and untamed, Vancouver Island showed how nature-rich settings pair perfectly with the emotional pull of travel linked to life’s big moments.

Ancient Stories and Island Spirit in Cyprus – Cultural Deep Dives

Sarah’s time in Cyprus revealed the island’s remarkable depth. She explored the ruins of Kourion, the mosaics of Paphos and Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains, before immersing herself in the island’s culinary traditions – from meze feasts to fresh seafood and local wines.

Her journey captured the growing demand for cultural deep dives, where travellers look beyond surface impressions to engage with history, heritage and food traditions. Cyprus exemplifies how destinations with layered narratives resonate with travellers seeking meaning, authenticity and connection.

Greece by Sail and by Shore - Dual Pace Itineraries

Hannah’s summer embodied the popularity of dual pace itineraries. She and her partner embarked on a sailing trip through quieter islands such as Poros and Spetses, combining hands-on adventure with cultural immersion and local food.

Later, in Mykonos, the rhythm shifted: cobbled streets, golden beaches, long lunches with friends and the occasional lively beach club. Increasingly, travellers seek this balance – itineraries that move fluidly from serene, wellness-focused moments to more sociable, celebratory experiences, reflecting the versatility of modern travel.

A Mediterranean Pause in Palma – Second City Escapes

Saskia’s trip to Palma, Mallorca, echoed the rise of second city escapes. Travellers are moving beyond Europe’s best-known capitals in search of destinations that combine culture, creativity and relaxation in a more accessible, less overwhelming setting.

Palma fits perfectly: the Gothic cathedral, touched by Antoni Gaudí, provided cultural depth, while days at Cala Illetes and evenings at El Camino revealed the city’s easy mix of sea, sunshine and gastronomy. Historic yet contemporary, relaxed yet energetic, Palma is the kind of place that encourages you to pause and savour – a Mediterranean city that proves short-haul travel needn’t mean compromise.

As our team’s journeys show, summer travels are no longer simply a chance to recharge. They reflect broader shifts in how people choose to explore: occasion-led escapes, cultural deep dives, dual pace itineraries and second city escapes are shaping the way we experience destinations in 2025. For Dovetail, these first-hand insights are not just stories from the field – they are part of the intelligence we bring to every campaign, ensuring our work is as forward-thinking as the travellers we represent.