Since the concept of leisure time was popularised during the industrial revolution, people have been searching for the perfect locations to holiday or have their second homes. From Grand Tours and Mediterranean holidays of the 1850s, leisure has expanded to include skiing locations, countryside retreats, along with the traditional sun and sand to be found in many of the world’s hot-spots (pun absolutely intended).

In the years since the introduction of the leisure holiday, the prime second home destinations have become as varied as the holiday-makers that populate them during peak season. The prime traveller has changed through the years from someone who stays relatively close to home, to one who jets off in luxury to far-flung locations, to a combination of the two. Savills Research has created a timeline of when locations within the index became prime second home locations and examined some of the global trends behind these developments.

The late 19th century saw the establishment of the leisure holiday as the wealthy titans of industry, royalty, and aristocrats were able to take advantage of new train links across Europe. The United States had a later uptick in holidays from the wealthy resulting in the establishment  of both the Hamptons and Palm Beach as prime holiday destinations.

The post-war boom contributed not only to economic growth but also a surge in travel. The 1950s and 1960s saw an increase in popularity for glamourous locations along the Mediterranean, particularly Capri, Monaco, Marbella, and the Costa Smeralda. These locations claimed their ‘it’ factor through a combination of visiting celebrities and royalty along with increased development in these areas.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the good times seemed as though they would continue forever. This was readily apparent in the surge of both ski and coastal locations becoming prime destinations for summer and winter escapes. The uptick in availability of short-haul flights also made these holidays easier and lessened the travel time between locations.

At the end of the 20th century, long haul flights were easier and more widely available. These flights made holidays in far-flung, exotic locations easier and more fashionable for travellers both for short stays and for second home locations. The noughties continued this trend, and it was only the global financial crisis which brought it to a shuddering halt.

After two decades of long-haul holidays and in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, there has been a trend of prime leisure holidays happening closer to home. The Covid-19 pandemic with its associated travel restrictions furthered this trend. These new top locations are often close to major urban centres and are easily accessible to better facilitate a work and leisure balance for the modern ultra-prime traveller.

Regardless of the location on the map, leisure will likely continue to bring people and places together for decades to come.