This year could be a standout moment for curious travelers, packed with global celebrations, rare natural events and fresh ways to experience under-the-radar destinations. You can witness the northern lights when conditions are predicted to be at their peak, dive into the increasingly popular world of samurai traditions in Japan and join festivals like Holi that fill streets with color and music.
This year many people are embracing immersive and meaningful vacations beyond basic itineraries. From bucket-list destinations to slow travel ideas, here are 26 travel experiences for 2026.
1. Sharpen your skills for a unique Japanese souvenir
Interest in samurai heritage continues to grow, and there are numerous hands-on experiences to explore this unique aspect of Japan’s culture in cities across the country. There are workshops where you can make your own samurai or ninja weapons, too, but forging your own Japanese kitchen knife is becoming increasingly popular among Skill Seekers — those making GetYourGuide’s Hidden Trends List 2026 for their love of learning something new on vacation. In Kyoto, Seki and Tokyo, blacksmith workshops teach authentic, traditional knife-making techniques, allowing you to take a very useful, handmade souvenir home that will last a lifetime — just remember that it must be packed safely in your checked luggage, not your carry-on.
2. Try glacier hiking in Chile before routes shift
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Glacier hiking in Chile
Glacier exploration in Chile, Iceland and beyond allows adventurous travelers to step directly onto ancient ice fields and experience deep crevasses, frozen caves and stunning ice formations. Glacier hiking combines dramatic scenery with physical challenge and the rare chance to touch landscapes sculpted over thousands of years. Because routes shift as glaciers retreat or become unstable, opportunities can vanish quickly, making this one experience you don’t want to leave waiting on your bucket list for too long.
3. Townsize your next vacation
Swap the big cities for your next break and explore hidden‑gem destinations like Siwa in Egypt, Rye in England, or the quaint coastal towns of Maine to find local, authentic places where everyday life becomes your itinerary. The townsizing movement is all about visiting smaller destinations that receive fewer travelers, and the experience often feels more relaxed and spontaneous. In Siwa, that might mean joining locals for mint tea in a shaded courtyard after wandering through palm groves, while in Maine, it could be savoring a lobster roll at a small shack by the harbor.
4. Unlock a city on your run
If you have a need for speed, running tours show you a city in motion, with everyday life unfolding as you sprint. Running through Barcelona takes you past the waterfront where skaters and families share the paths, or into the Gothic Quarter’s narrow lanes where small shops line the streets and locals go about their day. If you time your run right in a busy city like Paris, an early jog lets you pass by bridges and monuments before the crowds arrive. Running makes sightseeing feel less like observing from the outside and more like slipping into the everyday rhythm of the place.
5. Experience the world’s most spirited cultural festivals
Visiting cities during festivals turns an ordinary trip into an opportunity to experience local traditions and rituals that aren’t in the standard guidebooks. Holi in India fills streets with color as people throw colorful powders in celebration, while Krampus parades are a playful take on local folklore in Alpine towns like Salzburg and Innsbruck, featuring spooky costumed characters. Crowds tend to be larger, but the energy, music and local food create a unique, lively atmosphere.
6. Join the Snackpackers on their quest for great food
Simply sampling a dish at a restaurant no longer satisfies the Snackpackers amongst us, the food-loving tastemakers on GetYourGuide’s Hidden Trends List; food tours around the world are among the most sought-after experiences in 2026. In Brixton, an African and Caribbean food tour in London’s first Black neighborhood leads you to its most mouthwatering Jamaican dishes. In Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a tour exclusively led by chefs means “the interactions with restaurants and food stands are on a totally different level,” according to GetYourGuide cofounder (and definite Snackpacker) Tao Tao. “Seeing the bond between our guide with the chefs on the tour gave us an incredible glimpse into the Seattle food scene.”
7. Visit an Olympics Town in Northern Italy
The 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy spanned multiple venues across Northern Italy and the Dolomites and brought the area’s alpine settings into the global spotlight. If you decide to visit, you can blend local food traditions and mountain villages with sporty activities as well. The Dolomites and surrounding valleys offer year‑round outdoor activities, scenic drives and viewpoints that make the trip worthwhile even without this global event.
8. See how walking tours make exploring even better
Guided tours remain one of the best ways to connect with a city. The Guided are among the 70 percent of travelers who want to book a walking tour on their next trip. Forget stuffy bus trips and 40-strong groups following a flag — today’s best walking tours go beyond the usual sightseeing and get to the soul of a city with guides so local it feels like they know everyone on the route. Whether it’s exploring Berlin’s hidden courtyards, taking an architectural deep dive in Chicago, going on a street-art walk with an artist in Melbourne, or seeing the streets of London through the perspective of someone who once called them home, it’s all about authenticity and a deeper connection.
9. Go whale watching during peak migrations
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Whale watching on the Gold Coast
2026 is a strong migration year for Baja California, Western Australia and South Africa, making whale watching a high-value activity to try. From Cabo San Lucas to Perth, travelers can choose among boat tours, cliffside lookouts and coastal trails to spot whales during their seasonal journeys. Morning departures tend to have calmer waters and better visibility, and booking with certified operators helps maintain respectful distances from wildlife.
10. Discover sound-based art in Berlin and Montreal
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The streets of Berlin
Audio-based art is gaining traction globally, with cities like Berlin and Montreal leading the way in sound-focused installations and experiences. At attractions like MONOM and Dark Matter in Berlin, sound surrounds visitors in immersive installations, while Montreal’s MUTEK festival celebrates with pulsing beats and experimental performances. Through galleries, repurposed sites and events, these cities treat sound as a creative medium rather than background noise.
11. Discover the joy of birdwatching
Birdwatching offers a gentle way to slow down and appreciate wildlife you might otherwise overlook — it’s no wonder Beak Freaks made it onto this year’s Hidden Trends List. In Iceland, puffins draw travelers to the coastal cliffs in summer with their bright beaks and unmistakably endearing expressions. If you find yourself in New Zealand, Stewart Island is one of the few places to see the elusive, nocturnal kiwi in the wild. Local guides keep outings approachable, focusing on habitats, behavior and photography tips.
12. Trek volcanic paths in Greece
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Trekking volcanic paths in Greece
From craters to calderas, Greece’s volcanic landscapes make outdoor exploration truly memorable. On Santorini’s Nea Kameni, you can explore lava fields that stretch across the island’s dramatic terrain, while on Nisyros, a hike takes you down into the Stefanos crater to step into a still‑steaming caldera. A post-hike trip to a nearby hot spring is the perfect way to unwind while still feeling connected to the volcanic energy that defines these islands.
13. Explore the world’s coral reefs
Coral reefs are vibrant underwater worlds teeming with color, life and diversity, and 2026 is an especially meaningful year to visit them. Conservation programs worldwide are accelerating restoration efforts during this decade, opening more opportunities for travelers to learn about reef protection firsthand. Destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Maldives are excellent for guided snorkeling and diving experiences that highlight the beauty of these ecosystems and the global push to preserve them.
14. See the northern lights at their strongest
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Viewing the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is predicted to be especially bright in 2026, as the end of the solar maximum nears before a new 11-year cycle begins. While this means you can see them much further south, the best spots for viewing the Northern Lights at their most impressive remain around the Arctic Circle, such as Finnish Lapland and Iceland. These destinations have ideal conditions, with long, dark winter nights, and many lodges include stargazing tours or photography trips. There are also fun activities to enjoy during the day, like snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
15. Reach new heights
While trekking Kilimanjaro is a dream for avid mountaineers, you don’t need to be an expert to feel the thrill of a summit. Accessible trails worldwide deliver that same payoff without technical climbing: Table Mountain has well‑marked paths and sweeping coastal views above Cape Town, while U.S. favorites like Colorado’s Lookout Mountain and Oregon’s Spencer Butte give panoramic landscapes with manageable elevation. Pick one this year, lace up and enjoy a mountaintop moment with a view.
16. Watch the solar eclipse in Bilbao
A total solar eclipse will pass over northern Spain on August 12, 2026, and Bilbao is one of the best places to experience it. Though the total eclipse will be brief, you’ll get to experience the sight of the sky darkening over the city, from the Guggenheim to the Nervión River, during a spectacle that won’t return to the region for generations. Pair the viewing with a stroll through Bilbao’s riverside neighborhoods or a pintxos stop in the Old Town.
17. Follow filming trails through Glasgow and beyond
TV tours in Glasgow have become a magnet for travelers who enjoy tracking down filming locations, with recent productions bringing its grid of streets and Victorian architecture to the big screen. But you don’t have to stop there; try letting your favorite movies guide your travels, whether that’s heading to Edinburgh, where Guillermo de Toro’s “Frankenstein” found inspiration, or branching out to other cities shaped by films. Visiting real-world filming locations brings your favorite stories to life in a way that maps and screens can’t.
18. Sleep and stargaze in the Dubai desert
New ways to elevate a night outdoors make the typical tent-and-fire routine feel like a thing of the past. Don’t jump in the 4×4 back to the city after a desert safari in Dubai — GetYourGuide cofounder Johannes Reck did it right for his 40th birthday, spending the night stargazing and sleeping in a luxury glass dome at the Al Marmoon Oasis: “This was an incredible way to celebrate my birthday. It’s an authentic camp in the desert, with traditional food and entertainment, and such a unique experience. The kids loved it too.” And if stargazing and luxury domes aren’t an option where you are, how about hiking to your camping ground and waking up to spectacular sunrise views? Even adding simple activities, such as a guided nature walk or a sunrise yoga session, to your camping trip can transform it into a restorative retreat.
19. Journey through Peru beyond Machu Picchu
With the Chinchero International Airport expected to open in late 2026 near Cusco, travel to sites like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley will become more direct and easier than ever before. With Cusco as your base, you can explore Peru’s experiences that go far beyond its iconic citadel. You can discover the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, wander through markets filled with regional foods and handmade crafts or visit high-altitude villages where Andean communities maintain long-practiced ways of life. Maybe you’ll want to get there before the airport opens and makes it busier? Either way, 2026 is the year to go.
20. Take home a new skill in place of a souvenir
Bringing home a skill rather than a mass-produced keepsake turns your trip into something far more personal and memorable, something Skill Seekers know all too well. You might take a surf lesson in Waikiki, learn to paint traditional Portuguese tiles in Lisbon, or join a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai to master recipes you can recreate long after your journey ends. These hands-on experiences give you a deeper connection to local traditions and something crafted by your own effort.
21. Ride Italy’s improved high-speed rail link
Italy is brilliant for exploring by rail, but its high‑speed trains are about to make city‑hopping over the border even easier, with new international services to northern Europe. The existing domestic high-speed lines already link Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Turin, allowing travelers to move between cultural hubs without taking to the air. A morning at the Milan Duomo, followed by a direct afternoon train to Munich’s Marienplatz in time for an evening at a Bavarian beer garden — doable in 2026. Rail travel keeps the pace relaxed, adds a layer of sustainability and turns multi-city trips into something you can actually enjoy, rather than just endure.
22. Sleep in an ice hotel in Sweden
For travelers seeking more than a standard hotel room, make your accommodation part of your travel experience. In Sweden, ice hotels are an iconic place to rest, with sculpted rooms made of ice that resemble frozen art, but it doesn’t end there. You can find teahouse retreats in Costa Rica and boutique cave hotels in Cappadocia, which turn a night’s rest into a memorable adventure. It’s a creative way to elevate a journey without changing the itinerary.
23. Explore New Zealand by rail
New Zealand’s rail journeys give you front‑row views of the country’s dramatic landscapes from the comfort of your seat. Scenic lines like the TranzAlpine take you from rolling farmland into glacier-carved valleys and across the Southern Alps, while coastal routes take you to rugged shores and remote towns. Pairing a rail journey with local adventures allows you to experience the relaxed journey of the train and the full breadth of New Zealand’s diverse scenery, whether Rotorua’s geothermal wonders or New Zealand’s national parks are on your radar.
24. Ski in summer on Swiss glaciers
Still thinking about the Winter Olympics come June? Switzerland, home to some of the best ski towns in Europe, redefines the ski season with year-round options. Zermatt’s Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Saas-Fee’s high-altitude slopes have awesome ski conditions, even in summer. Multi-season ski trips are trending as travelers seek destinations that deliver adventure regardless of the calendar, so you can ski or snowboard in between lakeside hikes and mountain biking.
25. Celebrate 250 years of the United States
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence, and Washington, DC, is at the heart of the commemoration. A visit to the National Archives lets you stand before the founding documents, while nearby museums like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History showcase artifacts and exhibits that bring the nation’s 250‑year journey to life. Special exhibitions, parades and major events will take place throughout 2026 in Washington, DC, so there’s no better time to visit the capital.
26. Switch off for a digital detox
In an increasingly hectic and connected world, islands off the beaten path are redefining the concept of paradise. It’s easy to find peace in ever-popular places like the Maldives, but the Faroe Islands, Taveuni in Fiji, or Greenland’s quiet coastal towns allow travelers to fully unplug, with minimal crowds and vast natural surroundings. Hiking coastal cliffs and finding Ibiza’s healing side, kayaking through hidden coves in the Calanques and enjoying the most relaxing beaches replace Instagrammable tours and crowded landmarks. Embracing remote locations is a deliberate choice to slow down, beat the crowds, reconnect with nature and leave all those smartphone notifications behind.
AloJapan.com