Like the world itself, the world of travel is always evolving. That means every year brings its own travel “personality” with new (or re-imagined) places to stay and ways to explore them.

2026 is no different. This year, we are noticing travel becoming more intentional. We are not just checking locations off our bucket list; we are planning trips with a purpose and searching for experiences that will change us (or at least shift our sense of adventure.

So, what does that mean for your 2026 travel plans? The same favorites are on the table, but so are unique stays, lesser-known destinations and experiences that feel next-level. Read on to learn more about the trends we are seeing take shape, as well as inspiration to plan this year’s voyage.

Destination Trends for 2026

Torii Gate | Hakone, Japan

Quiet Japan

Gone are the days where Tokyo and Kyoto are the main draw to the Land of the Rising Sun. This year, there is a surging interest in off-the-beaten path towns like Hakone, Niseko, Kanazawa, Karuizawa and Hokkaido.

Of course, Tokyo and Kyoto are still extraordinary places to visit, but over-tourism has changed the experience there. Travelers seeking that same cultural richness, exceptional hospitality and aesthetic beauty are discovering regions that deliver all three without the overwhelming crowds. Explore the big cities and then spend more time in the hidden gems for an authentic Japanese experience.

For instance, Hakone offers hot springs, mountain views and is close to Mt. Fuji, Niseko, known for winter skiing, has re-positioned itself as a year-round destination with lush nature walks and onsens during warmer months.

New Places to Stay in Japan

Wellness Activity | Hotel The Mitsui Hakone

Hotel The Mitsui Hakone (Opening 2026)
The highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed Kyoto original brings the brand’s upscale luxury to Hakone. Expect hot spring baths, mountain views, an elevated take on traditional Japanese hospitality that balances tradition with contemporary comfort.

Nikko Style Niseko Hanazono
Recently named the world’s best new ski hotel, this contemporary stay celebrates Niseko as a year-round destination. Seasonal design elements, picture-window views of changing landscapes, a traditional onsen and a lively restaurant and bar make this ideal for travelers who appreciate both design and nature.

The Nordics

Trondheim, Norway

Denmark, Iceland and Norway are becoming must-see destinations, and not just in winter for the Northern Lights. The draw is that they are so effortlessly cool. You’ll experience understated luxury, dramatic landscapes and design-forward hospitality. And if you visit this year, a total solar eclipse.

Parts of Norway and Iceland fall within the eclipse path, which will draw travelers looking for incredible celestial views and an unusual travel experience. But it’s not just the eclipse drawing attention. Many are after a “coolcation” (the trend to visit cooler climates instead of typical warm and sunny locales) and those with a taste for design-focused travel in stunning natural settings.

New Places to Stay in the Nordics

Black Sand Hotel | Iceland

Black Sand Hotel (Iceland, Opened January 2026)
One of Iceland’s most anticipated openings brings contemporary luxury to the southern coast. Imagine volcanic black sand beaches and dramatic Atlantic views, Nordic minimalism with geothermal wellness spaces, cold-water immersion pools and dining focused on local seafood and seasonal ingredients. It’s all waiting for you at The Black Sand Hotel.

Villa Nord (Trondheim, Norway, Opening November 2026)
This new boutique hotel brings fresh energy to Trondheim’s historic waterfront. Perfect for travelers seeking intimate Norwegian hospitality with modern design sensibility in one of the country’s most culturally rich cities.

South American Beaches

Carmelo Resort & Spa | Uruguay

Santa Catarina, Brazil and Carmelo, Uruguay are becoming enticing romantic getaways, and its clear why: they offer beautiful, uncrowded coastlines to explore or relax by. Plus excellent food and a sense of comfortable luxury.

If you’re taking a honeymoon this year (or perhaps an anniversary trip), why not try something different than the standard Caribbean or Mediterranean beaches?

These destinations will be for you if you’re looking for a trip that’s intimate, adventurous and romantic without being formulaic.

New Places to Stay on a South American Beach

Fasano Angra dos Reis | Brazil

Fasano Angra dos Reis (Brazil)
Book here to step into understated luxury along Santa Catarina’s coastline. You’ll get access to private beaches, exceptional Brazilian-Italian fusion dining, and that relaxed sophistication that Fasano does so well.

Carmelo Resort & Spa (Uruguay)
Set along Uruguay’s tranquil Rio de la Plata, this adults-only resort combines riverside serenity with world class wine country access. The property features a championship golf course, comprehensive spa and farm-to-table dining showing Uruguayan ingredients.

The Carolinas

The Cooper | Charleston, South Carolina

North and South Carolina are classic spring and summer break destinations and road-trip stops. And these days, they’re earning recognition for experiences beyond the Blue Ridge mountain towns and coastal getaways.

Asheville and Charleston are particularly experiencing a revival this year. After Hurricane Helene, Asheville is showing off its creative resilience. Here you can explore its growing craft brewery scene, imaginative restaurants and River Arts District. And for golf fans, Asheville is hosting its first ever PGA Tour event in over 80 years this fall.

Charleston feels like stepping into the past; it actually balances cobblestone history with contemporary energy. You can go crabbing with Gullah Geechee guides, dine at James Beard-nominated restaurants and tour sites that tell essential American stories. Beyond these cities, the Lowcountry extends to barrier islands like Kiawah, Edisto and Hilton Head where pristine beaches, maritime forests and world-class golf create their own coastal appeal.

New Places to Stay in the Carolinas

Auto Camp Clubhouse | Asheville, North Carolina

The Cooper (Charleston, South Carolina, Opening March 2026)
Charleston’s first luxury waterfront hotel features a private marina with a fleet of luxury vessels including a 10-5-foot vintage yacht. The 191-room property offers a rooftop infinity pool, 7,000-square foot spa, and four dining venues including The Crossing with Mediterranean-Southern fusion cuisine.

Auto Camp (Asheville, North Carolina, Opening March 2026)
How about something a little different? Hilton’s exclusive glamping retreat sits along the French Broad River just northwest of downtown. You’ll stay in a classic Airstream trailer or cozy cabin — both offer a fresh take on Asheville’s outdoor-meets-craft culture appeal.

Travel Trends Shaping 2026

Solo Travel | Backroads

Solo Travel Continues its Surge

Travelers are no longer waiting for companions to take their dream trips. And tour operators are responding with programs designed specifically for solo adventures.

For instance, Backroads launch a Solo Room Savings program offering reduced private room fees on select departure dates. Abercrombie & Kent offers reduced single supplements from Africa safaris to Antarctica voyages.

G Adventures now offers “Solo-ish” trips exclusively for solo travelers (all led by women, designed for women traveling alone) to exciting destinations from the Galapagos to Cambodia to New Zealand.

Pet-Friendly Luxury Travel

BARK Air

If you’re a pet parent who’s hesitant to leave your four-legged family member at home, here’s some good news: taking Fido on your vacation is getting easier (and more enjoyable) than ever. Luxury properties are responding with sophisticated programs that go beyond “dogs allowed.”

Luxury properties are responding with sophisticated programs that go beyond “dogs allowed.” Take Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa in St. Barts, for example. They are offering dog-friendly beach set-ups. Regent Santa Monica Beach introduced its “Tides & Tails” program with tailored in-room pet amenities. Kimpton continues leading the category with new pet-friendly openings planned for Monterrey, Bali, Scottsdale and the Riviera Maya.

What about getting there? That’s getting easier too. Services like JSX and BARK Air allow larger dogs to fly in-cabin. They’re pricey, but they remove a major barrier to pet-inclusive travel and are well worth it for those that want to share incredible travel experiences with your pet.

Return to the Railway

Rocky Mountaineer

Train travel is not a thing of the past. In fact, bookings for luxury trains are up 55%. Why train travel? Why now? Many travelers are yearning for a slower, more intentional pace. Plus, overnight and multi-night train journeys blend old-school romance with unpack-once convenience.

This is one where the journey is the destination. luxury trains are moving boutique hotels with high-design cabins, destination-worthy dining, and curated routes. The Venice Simplon-Orient Express is the iconic example, and there are new routes continually expanding our options.

Rocky Mountaineer is introducing a special “Passage to the Peaks” route between Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise for summer of 2026 only. The glass domed coaches showcase the Canadian Rockies scenery, and the route avoids Vancouver crowds heading to the FIFA World Cup. Win-win!

“Hushpitality” & Wellness Travel

Hushpitality | Passalacqua at Lake Como

Wellness travel has been a trend for a while. Where we are seeing a shift, however, is in how we approach wellness on our journeys. Instead of booking spa treatments and scheduled programs, travelers want amenities they can access on their own schedule — think thermal circuits, saunas, plunge pools and hydrotherapy zones as accessible as any hotel gym.

And there’s the “hushpitality” trend. Travelers are seeking calm, quiet and restorative environments where wellness is integrated into travel rather than treated as an add-on activity.

There’s no single destination for these restorative trends, but Lake Como is leading the way. Properties like Passalacqua and Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como are expanding wellness facilities to make the destination appealing year-round. Lake Garda is emerging as a quieter alternative with Grand Hotel Fasano and Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, known their incredible immersive saunas.

In the U.S., consider stays with the Naples Beach Club (a Four Seasons Resort) and Belden House in Connecticut. Both have similar international experiences that promote quiet wellness.

Decision-Light Travel

No matter how many modern tools we have available to us, our days are still bombarded with thousands of decisions. Planning a vacation on top of it all can leave you exhausted before the trip even begins.

That is why more busy travelers in need of a break are outsourcing planning to expert travel agents or choosing all-inclusive experiences where the logistics are handled. With this style of travel, the vacation starts long before you pack your bag. Without the headache of planning every detail of your trip, you can look forward to your getaway and enjoy every moment once you’re there.

Secondary Destinations as First Choice

There’s currently a rise in what the tourism industry calls “secondary cities” — destinations outside major tourist hubs that offer much more immersive experiences. For instance, Indonesia is promoting five secondary destinations to shift tourism beyond Bali. And Japan is running campaigns to steer visitors from Tokyo and major city centers. This helps reduce tourist congestion and offers more exciting experiences for travelers. Consider “secondary cities” if you value authenticity over popularity, intimate locations over tourist hubs and better value for your money.

Passion-Led Travel

Do you have a hobby or activity you love? Why not build your travel around it? Cooking, cycling, photography, art, history, wellness, wine, writing — all of these passion projects have inspired intentional travel for trips that feel less like vacations and more like immersive chapters in your life where learning and leisure happen at the same time.

When you plan around what you love to do, the destination becomes the backdrop and the passion becomes the plot. Whether it is a photography-focused safari, a cycling tour through wine country or a culinary deep-dive in a specific region, there’s a trip to help you grow.

Travel Trends Shaping 2026

From unique destinations to wellness-infused itineraries to passion projects, there’s a similar thread connecting all these 2026 trends: intention. Travel is becoming less about escaping life and more about living it.

That might mean choosing a less-famous Japanese region over Kyoto to avoid crowds and immerse yourself in the region. Or booking a train journey where the travel itself is the experience. Maybe you’ll plan your trip around seeing the solar eclipse or go somewhere just because you know your dog would love it.

If you’re thinking about traveling near or far in 2026 and want your next trip to feel more intentional, let’s talk. Sometimes the most valuable part of planning is having a conversation about what you’re actually looking for, then building an itinerary around that rather than starting with a destination and hoping it lives up to your expectations. Contact me today to start planning your 2026 adventure!

Life a Life Explored!