A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
By Sunny Fitzgerald
Published on Feb. 06, 2026
Don’t book before you look at these vacation ideas!
New year, new vacation plans—and new travel trends to shape them both! The biggest thing you need to know about 2026? It is the year of the “whycation.” Travelers are increasingly building itineraries around their “why,” focusing on why they are traveling and how it impacts both them and the places they visit. And the overall theme is slow, intentional and preferably with devices in Do Not Disturb mode.
As a travel writer who’s always looking for the latest trends but who also had a pretty stressful 2025, this sounds very much like my kind of travel. Out with the jam-packed and extreme itineraries, and in with ease and better health—for ourselves and the planet. “[Travel in 2026] prioritizes well-being, simplicity and regenerative depth,” says Shannon Stowell, CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). “Curated, decision-free adventures in uncrowded destinations blending nature, culture, wellness and positive local impact over excess.” Yes, please!
Ahead, we are highlighting some of the top travel trends of 2026, along with the buzzwords you need to know, plus our picks for a few places to enjoy them. I’ve been to some of them already, and trust me when I say they’re pretty darn perfect. And the others are on my must-visit list!
Read on for the buzziest travel trends of 2026—and where to go on your next vacation.
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The set-jetting trend isn’t new, but it is reaffirming its staying power. “Expedia introduced the term [set-jetting] a few years ago as travelers planned their getaways to destinations inspired by TV shows and movies,” says Expedia travel expert Melanie Fish. “Now, in 2026, it’s projected to become a potential $8 billion industry in the U.S. alone.”
Expedia’s latest trends report found that a whopping 81% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers now plan trips based on what they’ve seen on screen. In fact, the trend is so popular, Expedia developed a dedicated set-jetting hub that Fish describes as “a one-stop shop where travelers can plan their trips based on their favorite TV shows and movies.”
Of course, Los Angeles is always a no-brainer. But right now, the Netflix series Nobody Wants This is drawing travelers beyond traditional sets and to real-life locations. Re-create your own double-date scene at the Highland Park Bowl, learn to tango like Noah with a lesson at SoHoDance L.A. or hunt for treasures among the same Iguana Vintage Clothing racks as Kristen Bell’s character. You can even be the star of the famous pasta-making scene with an Airbnb Experience at Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Mozza.
If your budget and vacation days allow, another solid choice is to head to the U.K., where you can trek the Scottish landscapes where the Outlander series was filmed, visit historic castles featured in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter, and make a pilgrimage to Jane Austen’s Hampshire home in celebration of the author’s 250th birthday and the forthcoming Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
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The big screen isn’t the only big influence on travel. BookTok, a book-focused subcommunity on TikTok, currently has more than 72 million posts, and there’s a growing group of travelers creating literature-inspired itineraries, both traveling to places they read about and to places where they can spend time reading or have their reading list curated by a book butler.
“2026 is the year of literary-themed travel, otherwise known as ‘readaways,’” Fish says. “Vrbo found that reading-related terms in guest reviews nearly tripled last year, and 91% of travelers are seeking getaways focused on reading and relaxation.”
If the East Coast and a good read sound like your speed, consider Page Break, a small group reading retreat in New York that focuses on books by underrepresented authors paired with local chef-made meals tied to the book themes. With events across the state, Page Break offers opportunities to engage with fellow bookworms in the city—where some of the stories take place—and in more remote retreat locales like the Adirondack Mountains.
Did the “book butler” catch your attention above? If you want to cozy up with a book (or 10) instead of being surrounded by fellow book lovers, reserve a room at University Arms, the oldest hotel in Cambridge, England, and let the resident book butler serve your curated literary selection on a silver platter.
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Need a vacation from your vacation planning? I don’t blame you. Deciding on all the details (where to go, where to stay and how to spend your days) can be mentally draining. Plus, modern life—with its near-constant barrage of tech notifications, distressing news, opinions and micro-decisions—is exhausting! Nope, you’re not alone. According to the Lemongrass Annual Travel Trend Report 2026, travelers are craving “comfort, connection and simplicity.”
The solution? Decision-detox or decision-light trips, where an expert curates all the details. Whether it’s a multiday hiking adventure that includes prearranged gear, guides, transfers and meals, or a resort itinerary with everything from restaurant reservations and spa treatments based on your personal needs and budget, these trips let you spend little to no time or energy on decision-making so you can actually enjoy your vacation.
Known for its warm hospitality, rich culture, tropical weather, tasty cuisine and ancient wellness practices, Thailand is an ideal destination for a decision detox. Sure, the plane ticket might be pricey, but the lower costs on the ground can mean a cheaper trip overall. (I’m talking $30 per night for a fabulous hotel and less than $5 for an awesome meal.) My pick for handling all the details? Banyan Tree Phuket. On a recent trip there, I arrived burnt out, ill and in desperate need of a reset. Thanks to the tailor-made itinerary, which included things like restorative yoga and a reflexology workshop, along with aromatherapy, smoothies and body scrubs delivered to my villa, I was able to partake in wellness without the overwhelm of decision-making. I left refreshed and, dare I say, slightly less Type A!
If you can’t get to Thailand, try Castle Hot Springs in Arizona. You’ll get farm-to-table meals, a selection of outdoor and wellness activities, suggested itineraries and 24-hour access to the on-site hot springs. (I highly recommend a late-night soak under the stars.) All you need to do is show up and relax.
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The same modern-day overwhelm and notification fatigue that’s driving travelers to book decision detox trips is also inspiring many to choose a “quietcation.” According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, the No. 1 motivation to travel for leisure this year is “to rest and recharge,” and travelers are aiming to “dial down distractions.” Destinations that offer tranquil accommodations with access to nature and rejuvenating activities such as spa treatments, hiking, yoga and meditation are ideal for silence seekers.
If this is starting to sound like a remote place where your cellphone won’t get service, you’re on the right track! Hushpitality encourages device-free downtime. Even in places with cell service and Wi-Fi, travelers on a quietcation are intentionally “dead zoning”—turning off their devices and tuning into the serenity around them.
Named “destination of the year” by Expedia, Big Sky is a great choice for a quietcation. “Here, you are surrounded by open valleys, wide skies and a pace that naturally slows you down,” says Andy Austin, an award-winning Montana photographer and content creator. “There is very little noise, very little distraction and a lot of space to reset. And there’s no one who does ‘hushpitality’ quite like cowboys.”
The snow season does draw crowds, but there’s plenty of space here to spread out. “If luxury and privacy are the goal, Lone Mountain Ranch is a year-round favorite,” Austin says. “It sits away from the noise and party scene of the main resort area and offers everything you need to stay on property.” Looking for an even quieter stay? Head here in summer, when the crowds thin out. “The quiet is deeper, the days are long, and it is easier to feel like you are not just visiting but actually getting away,” Austin says.
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I don’t want to rain on your travel-planning parade, but we have to acknowledge there’s a dark side to travel, especially in popular destinations like Venice and Bali, which have been suffering under the weight of overtourism. In 2026, the negative impacts of tourism—overcrowding, depletion of natural resources, damage to the local culture and environment, and more—can no longer be ignored. According to Virtuoso’s 2026 Luxe Report, travelers have a “growing desire to sidestep overtourism,” so they’re increasingly choosing “secondary destinations” rather than hot spots and booking with tour operators engaged in ethical initiatives.
If the answer to “why” you want to travel includes your love of wildlife and your desire to support eco and community initiatives while learning about music, dance and multicultural cuisine, your “where” is Trinidad. I have traveled for more than 20 years, specializing in sustainable tourism long before it was a buzzword, and my recent trip to Trinidad stands out as one of the most memorable. The secret to a meaningful trip in Trinidad: Book with Hadco Experiences, a Trinidadian-owned tour operator that runs an eco-luxe rainforest lodge, a beachfront hotel (on a turtle nesting beach!) and regenerative tourism activities across the island.
With all that Trinidad has to offer and how perfectly it aligns with ATTA’s 2025 trend report (which named wildlife viewing, hiking, cultural experiences, nature photography and gastronomy among the top trending activities), you’d expect it to be overflowing with tourists. But it’s not—yet.
And a trip to Trinidad is closer than you might think: The island is located in the Caribbean, just a five-hour flight from New York City. And Americans visiting for fewer than 90 days don’t need a visa.
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As we chug along into 2026, people are yearning for slower, simpler times—even farther back than the suddenly trendy 2016. Some are ditching smartphones for low-tech flip phones and vintage digital cameras. Others are going analog with old school cassette and record players. As the famous adage goes, “what’s old is new again”—and that includes train travel.
According to Lemongrass, despite connectivity challenges and a lack of integrated rail booking systems, more travelers are choosing train trips as an eco-friendly alternative to flights and for “the stress-free joy and even a sense of nostalgia that it offers.” But these trips include some pretty amazing amenities, such as gourmet meals, cushy reclining seats, glass-domed carriages and tiered levels of service. It’s an elevated experience that is truly about the journey rather than the destination.
The Armstrong Collective offers scenic train rides through the picturesque Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest, complete with regionally inspired cuisine, onboard storytelling and panoramic views through glass-dome coaches. These trains travel during the daytime only, so you’re guaranteed magical wilderness views and photo ops by day and comfortable hotel accommodations in stopover towns by night.
If you’re keen to sightsee or hike, be sure to choose an itinerary that includes guided tours or free time to explore on your own. And if Alberta is on your agenda, I recommend connecting on a deeper level with the land and local guides through a Forest Fix “forest bathing” meditation and an Indigenous-led medicinal plant walk with Mahikan Trails.
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Did you know that behind nearly every good trip is a woman who planned it? A 2024 Skift study found that women make 82% of all travel decisions. So whether it’s a solo trip or a multigenerational family vacation, women are the masterminds more often than not. And women aren’t simply following trends; they are shaping them. With popular travel companies like Intrepid and Natural Habitat Adventures expanding their women-only tours to meet the demand, there are more female-focused options than ever this year.
Global travel company Intrepid offers women’s expeditions with real impact—for travelers and the local women they meet. Intrepid’s tours in places like Morocco, Jordan and Turkey, where men have historically dominated the industry, have helped create economic opportunities for local women. In Morocco, Intrepid introduced the concept of women-only tours and has since been a barrier-busting pioneer. On my trip to Turkey with the company, we stayed at a woman-owned, sustainable hotel in Istanbul, visited women-run nonprofits and do-good businesses, enjoyed cooking lessons with a female chef in the countryside and more—all while our female guide shared her insights and personal stories along the way.
During my time visiting and living in Jordan over the past several years, I’ve also had the chance to stay at a women-run boutique hotel and participate in several women-led tours and activities, including basket-weaving and a cooking lesson in a local home. All were possible thanks to the work of Baraka Destinations, a purpose-driven, community-based Jordanian tourism company founded by—you guessed it!—a local female entrepreneur.
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“Health and wellness ranks as the second-most requested experience for solo travelers, who are drawn to programs that foster structure and self-discovery,” according to Virtuoso’s trend report. And a Wellness Tourism Market forecast found that wellness travel is projected to grow from over $525 billion to more than $910 billion by 2030.
So if you’re one of the many people with that “New year, better me!” energy, 2026 may be your time to shine. A wave of new offerings is bringing together the solo, wellness, spiritual and transformational travel trends we’ve seen growing in recent years … but with out-of-the-box twists and maybe an out-of-body experience or two!
Self-discovery travel is less about the destination and more about the inner journey—more about the “why” than the “where.” You might make like Liz Gilbert and Eat Pray Love your way through multiple destinations in Europe, India and Asia. Or you could tap into transformational energy much closer to home. My recommendation: Look for a program led by practitioners who provide both guidance in a safe space and activities that will nudge you out of your comfort zone.
Many of my most pivotal experiences have been here in Hawaii, including a transformational wellness retreat at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko’olina with their healer-in-residence and a team of local healers. And a recent “soulmate retreat” helped me address longstanding PTSD and anxiety. Sound a little too woo-woo for you? I was a skeptic too, but both retreats proved fertile grounds for growth.
Those seeking “radical rest” and potential for spiritual insight will appreciate the darker side (literally) of this wellness and self-discovery trend: retreats rooted in the ancient traditions of darkness therapy. This isn’t about simply switching off the lights; it’s a complete sensory reset and inner journey sparked by multiple days alone in the dark. Who knows? If you’re feeling stuck, perhaps a few dark days at Sky Cave Retreats in Oregon might be the 2026 out-of-the-box reboot you’ve been searching for.
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
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