This article
originally appeared in the January issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe
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Arecent
survey of the United
States Tour Operators Association’s (USTOA) active members revealed that
Italy, France, Japan, Portugal and Greece are projected to be the most popular
destinations for 2026. Most of these locales show up prominently in our polls
year after year, speaking to a timelessness that travelers can feel.
Luckily, USTOA
tour operators are always refreshing their itineraries for these popular spots,
offering innovative experiences for in-demand destinations that will provide
even your most well-traveled clients with a new perspective.
Italy
While Italy
has claimed the top spot for years, there are travelers who have never been to
the iconic European country. For clients who want to maximize their trip, the
10-day Heart of Italy Tour from Perillo
Tours is a perfect option. The itinerary blends the historical landmarks of
Rome with the arts and culture of Florence to give travelers a taste of
everything the country has to offer, including chocolate and wine tastings.
View of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. (Photo Credit: Mapics/Adobe)
France
For a fresh view
on France,
travelers can cruise the Rhone and Saone rivers during Uniworld
Boutique River Cruises’ Burgundy & Provence tour. Art lovers will enjoy
strolling the storied streets of Arles — the same ones that inspired
Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh — while active travelers can kayak
to the Pont du Gard and bike through Lyon. The eight-day journey concludes with
a relaxed day spent among the grapevines of Burgundy.
Japan
Elite Voyages
introduces travelers to Japan’s
enigmatic dual culture with its eight-day Japan Sojourn. First, travelers will
experience Tokyo’s urban metropolis buzzing with futuristic energy before
taking a bullet train to Kyoto. Known as the land of the geisha, this city is
rooted in the country’s ancient culture with numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto
shrines and imperial palaces.
Tokyo, Japan. (Photo Credit: tawatchai1990 / Adobe Stock)
Portugal
Travelers will get
two distinct views of Portugal
during Homeric
Tours’ Azores & Lisbon trip. The itinerary begins on Sao Miguel, the
largest island in the Azores archipelago, with stops at the crater lake of Sete
Cidades, a tea plantation, a volcanic sand beach and more. Clients will also
visit the Jeronimos Monastery in Portugal’s capital city, as well as journey to
Sintra’s dazzling Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of
mainland Europe.
Greece
Epic stories come
to life during Adventures
by Disney’s Greece: Mythology of Athens, Peloponnese & Rhodes tour.
Families will take a fascinating journey through ancient Greece,
from the Acropolis in Athens to the medieval streets of Rhodes. There’s plenty
of hands-on adventure, including a pottery painting lesson and kayaking through
the submerged ruins of the Sunken City of Epidaurus.
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