Planning a daytrip to Block Island?

You might be taking part in a new travel trend.

‘s travel expert Katy Nastro said “townsizing” is gaining popularity on social media.

She said townsizing is a way to visit charming, little cities and towns at a relaxed pace, without breaking the bank.

“It’s basically finding these small little towns that are within driving distance – you don’t necessarily need to get on a train or a bus or even take a flight,” Nastro explained. “They are a daytrip, so to speak.”

She continued, “But they invoke this sense of magic, a small town moment – very similar to your favorite sitcom like the Gilmore Girls or a Nancy Meyers movie – it’s idyllic.”

Nastro said townsizing destinations are scenic, and typically filled with cute shops and restaurants.

Think Westerly, Newport, Wickford Village, Martha’s Vineyard, Mystic, Chatham, etc.

Here in Southern New England, we have almost too many townsizing locations to name.

Nastro said because townsizing usually only takes a day or two, it’s a much more affordable way to travel.

“Travel is still happening – people are still getting on planes for example – but it’s not growing at that exponential rate that we have seen during those sort of ‘revenge travel’ years,” said Nastro. “And I do believe that, whether you’re Gen Z or Boomer or whatnot, you are really as a consumer looking at your discretionary spend.”

CONSUMER ALERT:

Nastro said there’s also a new trend called “extreme day tripping,” where people fly to a vacation destination in the morning, then flying home later that night and avoid spending money on a hotel.

Nastro said extreme day tripping is for a very specific type of traveler – typically for a business traveler who doesn’t get much vacation time.