✈️ Travel Trends for 2026: I LOVE some of these!
🌿 Experiential Travel
Travellers are increasingly seeking authentic local experiences rather than simply sightseeing - they want to do something different, get off the beaten track and create meaningful connections with people and places.
On my recent trip to Borneo, the stand-out moment wasn’t seeing the orangutans - as incredible as that was. What really stayed with me were the more unexpected experiences: visiting a local village and taking part in a community project to plant elephant grass along the banks of the Kinabatangan River (to give the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants a food source away from the local villages). It felt good to contribute, even in a small way. Full disclosure: my husband and daughter did most of the heavy lifting! Those were the experiences I still talk about the most - authentic, meaningful and completely different.
👨👩👧👦 Multi-Generational Travel
Families are travelling together more than ever. These trips often bring together grandparents, parents and children - sometimes even great-grandparents - for a shared adventure. It’s all about finding the right balance between different interests and activity levels while still making space for quality time together.
👣 Solo Travel
Interest in solo travel continues to rise. Today’s solo travellers aren’t necessarily single (though some are). Many simply want time and space to enjoy a holiday completely on their own terms - something perfectly suited to them. Suppliers have been quick to respond, introducing dedicated solo group trips and more single-occupancy cabins on cruise ships - making it easier (and more affordable) than ever to explore without compromise and costly supplements.
These trips don’t replace family holidays; they complement them. I love our family adventures, but I’m also planning an Antarctic cruise (my husband is a firm no, thanks to seasickness!), while he’s planning a trip to the Kennedy Space Centre to watch a shuttle launch.
🎨 Interest-Led Travel
More travellers are choosing to build their holidays around their interests and hobbies, rather than trying to squeeze them in along the way - photography workshops, wine tours, cycling adventures, cooking classes, art escapes and birdwatching trips.
💆♀️ Wellness Holidays
Think luxury wellness retreats with sunrise yoga, meditation and spa rituals to active escapes that blend hiking, healthy eating and mindfulness.
There’s also a noticeable shift towards wellness across mainstream resorts and tours. Wellness travel is no longer a niche - it’s something many travellers now expect as an essential part of their holiday experience.
🌌 Noctourism
I love this one - travel that comes alive after dark. It isn’t as ominous as it sounds! Think stargazing in dark-sky reserves, moonlit kayaking, night safaris and chasing the Northern Lights.
❄️ Coolcations
“Coolcations” might be a buzzy new term, but it perfectly sums up what so many of my clients are telling me: “I don’t want it so hot!”
With global temperatures on the rise, travellers are increasingly drawn to cooler destinations - from Norway’s majestic fjords and Canada’s lakes to the Scottish Highlands and the fresh mountain air of New Zealand. A coolcation is about enjoying the great outdoors in comfort - hiking, exploring, or simply relaxing without the worry of heatwaves or the midday sun.
🧭 Adventure for All Ages
Adventure travel is thriving across all generations. It’s no longer just about backpacking or high adrenaline. Today’s travellers - from young adults to retirees - are seeking immersive, active experiences that take them off the beaten path. Whether it’s joining a small-group safari, trekking, diving, or embarking on an expedition cruise to the Galápagos, Antarctica or the Arctic, the spirit of adventure is alive and well.
And the best part? Comfort and adventure are not mutually exclusive – you can have both.
🚆 Rail Travel
Sustainability, nostalgia and, in some cases, simple practicality are all fuelling an interest in rail travel. For some, rail travel evokes the golden age of exploration - elegant carriages, panoramic windows and a sense of old-world charm. For others, it’s a practical and sustainable alternative to flying, offering comfort, convenience and the chance to see more of the world en route.
From the iconic Rocky Mountaineer winding through Canada’s dramatic mountain scenery, to the panoramic routes of the Alps, Japan’s ultra-efficient bullet trains, and Australia’s legendary Ghan and Indian Pacific, rail travel is once again proving that how you get there can be every bit as memorable as where you’re going.
🌏 The Midlife/Grey/Silver Surfer Gap Year
Whatever you call it, this is one of my favourite trends - like the traditional gap year but for those with a little more life experience! And despite the name, it’s not just retirees embarking on extended, often multi-month adventures. It’s also the empty-nesters and professionals taking a well-earned sabbatical and finally making time for the travel they’ve dreamed about for years. For some, it’s their first opportunity to explore the world without the constraints of work or family schedules. For others, it’s a chance to do it all again - this time with a little more comfort and a slightly bigger budget.
Either way, it’s proof that adventure doesn’t have an age limit.
🕰️ Micro-Dosing Retirement
Gen Zers and Millennials are increasingly taking extended career breaks - short pauses to travel, recharge and reset. Often referred to on TikTok as ‘micro retirements’, this trend is all about prioritising work-life balance and making time for meaningful travel now, rather than waiting until “one day.”
✨ Looking Ahead
As we approach 2026, travel is becoming more personal, purposeful and enriching. One thing remains constant: my clients don’t want off-the-shelf or vanilla itineraries. They come to me for bespoke, carefully tailored travel - something that feels personal, authentic and entirely their own.
📩 Get in touch to plan your 2026 travels.
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