As bustling Millennials, we are soon reaching our earning prime and it’s suddenly a question of where to scan our Apple Pay and which remote island to check off the bucket list next. Learning more about the habits of soon to be one of the largest generations, it’s proven that when Millennials splurge, experiences far outweigh material possessions.

Millennials seek experiential travel opportunities

Our high-speed society induces a sense of urgency and FOMO, the acronym for fear of missing out. Millennials driven by social media, are now more than ever searching for balance and happiness through experiential travel.

Only 10 percent of our demographic according to a recent Skift survey, use travel agents to book vacation. Many are booking through online channels based on experiences alone, influenced most by close friends, networks and engaging brands. The perks of tweeting and interacting with our favorite hotel brands might generate a nice upgrade or simply satisfy our infatuation with social media stardom.

As early adopters, we are dialed into the latest travel trends, seeking cultural immersion beyond the UNESCO World Heritage Site lines, and will naturally update our status through those real-time experiences. Out of office alerts are now more carefully planned and opportunity-driven. It’s no longer about escaping early for Taco Tuesday or flaunting the latest red soles- we want to do and go far.

More travel brands are marketing and catering towards our group of digital nomads, which remarkably is leading the way for every generation today. Let’s face it, more than just Millennials would prefer to ride atop an elephant in Sri Lanka, strike a tree pose on the black sand beaches of Iceland, and learn to surf world-class waves at a Nicaraguan retreat.

Experiential travel isn’t a typical vacation

With summer travel upon us, Millennial Magazine is literally duck-diving in, exploring a new travel trend of 2015 – booking a wellness retreat getaway. One might envision monotonous itineraries and food for the birds, although retreats now have much more allure, with experiential travel elements that tick all the boxes for the modern jet-setter.

How about learning to ride a wave in an exotic locale capped off by daily power smoothies, hammock surfing, local market shopping, massage, sunset yoga and dinner prepared by a private chef? Count us in.

The effortless abilities to catch a wave by legendary surfers seem far-fetched for many, although not with SwellWomen behind the boards. Lulu Agan, Owner of Maui-based, SwellWomen Luxury Surf and Yoga Retreats, spearheads a shot for everyone to learn how to surf while also experiencing an attainable luxury vacation. Agan also a private chef to celebrities, unquestionably has the experiential luxury detail of her retreats fine-tuned.

SwellWomen already being a 10-year success story on the island of Maui has led Lulu to recognize the recent shift in the marketplace – travelers are craving a deeper experience. “Millennials are much more health conscious, also seeking unique travel destinations, quite possibly where their friends have not yet been,” says Agan.

In a country of six million people, surrounded by agriculture, and a lot of great experiences to have, some may want to move to Nicaragua for a while or even permanently. With soaring mountains, great beaches, tropical forests, and some impressive volcanos, you won’t have to try too hard to find something great to do and report back to your friends. This country has a rich history and furnishes some great places to stay and play. Surfing is a captivating sport for many who visit Northern Nicaragua. They have 7 beaches, 10 surf breaks, and 25 peaks in every level of surfing available.

She created her latest retreat in Nicaragua to specifically capture attention from our elusive generation, as many of her Maui alumni are Gen-Xers and even Baby Boomers. From experiencing the Central American culture, to the active surf scene, SwellWomen’s retreats in Nicaragua offer a chance to experience a stay in a private villa with the beach steps from your pillow, need we say more. Personally as a Millennial and alumni of SwellWomen, “Catching waves in Nicaragua awakened our adventurous side, creating unwavering pangs for more of the experience.”

Never able to truly predict where Millennials may venture next, it’s a sure sign we are paving a path that every traveler will want to journey.

More information on SwellWomen.