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Travel in 2026 is defined by purpose-driven experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing. From tracing family roots and embracing wellness to learning new skills and traveling for major events, today’s travelers are seeking deeper, more meaningful journeys. These emerging trends reflect a shift toward connection, well-being and passion-led exploration—shaping how the world travels next year.
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Travel is no longer about how many places you can visit—it’s about how deeply you experience them. Today’s travelers are seeking journeys that connect them to their roots, improve their well-being, teach new skills, and celebrate shared passions. From tracing family history overseas to riding luxury trains through breathtaking landscapes, the year ahead is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful eras of travel yet. This guide will walk you through the five most important travel trends for 2026. We will explore why these new ways of seeing the world are becoming so popular.
One of the most powerful travel trends is ancestry travel. These are journeys designed to help people connect with their personal heritage. Fueled by the boom in at-home DNA testing and easy access to digital historical records, travelers are going beyond traditional sightseeing. They are exploring the very places where their family stories began.
These heritage trips often include visits to ancestral villages, old family homes, churches and cemeteries. But the experience goes deeper. Travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture by cooking traditional recipes, learning regional dances or meeting with local historians. In some remarkable cases, people have even connected with long-lost relatives.
A 2024 report in Forbes notes 56% of travel focused on cultural heritage, with 60% of Millennials prioritizing authentic cultural experiences. This trend offers a unique blend of emotional connection, identity exploration and legacy-building, making it especially appealing for multigenerational family trips.
Popular Destinations:
The glamour of classic train travel is back. In 2026, luxury rail journeys are making a major comeback, offering a sophisticated and stress-free alternative to flying. These trips embrace the concept of "slow travel" allowing you to soak in ever-changing landscapes from the comfort of an elegant cabin. It is a style of travel that turns the journey itself into the main event.
Modern luxury trains are like five-star hotels on wheels. They feature private suites with full-sized beds and en-suite bathrooms, white-glove butler service and fine dining cars where chefs prepare regionally inspired cuisine. The experience also includes curated off-train excursions, from private vineyard tours to guided city explorations, all without the hassle of airports or security lines. From crossing the Canadian Rockies to winding through the Swiss Alps or exploring the Australian outback, train travel has become a destination in its own right.
This trend combines the best of all worlds: sustainability, nostalgia and unmatched comfort. It is the perfect choice for travelers who believe the journey is just as important as the destination.
Iconic rail journeys:
Luxury rail travel turns the journey into the destination. On this episode of the Well-Travelled with AAA podcast, train travel expert Jim Marini of Railbookers Group shares insider tips and personal stories from iconic rail routes across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Switzerland and Peru.
Wellness travel in 2026 has evolved far beyond a simple spa weekend. With burnout becoming a widespread concern, travelers are prioritizing their long-term health and mental clarity. They are seeking immersive vacations designed to restore the mind, body and soul. The goal is no longer a temporary fix but a lasting sense of well-being.
Trending experiences focus on natural and holistic healing. Think thermal baths in Hungary, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) in Japan and sleep retreats designed to fix your circadian rhythm. Other popular activities include nutrition-focused stays at organic farms, yoga and meditation workshops in Bali and nature immersion in the vast landscapes of the American Southwest. Many people are also combining wellness with cultural exploration, creating balanced itineraries that mix relaxation with discovery.
This shift toward restorative travel reflects a broader desire for self-care and renewal. After years of high stress, people are using their vacation time to invest in themselves and return home feeling genuinely refreshed.
Top wellness destinations:
Your next journey could be the one that restores your mind, body and soul. Explore these trending wellness retreats and travel with intention.
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Why just see a new place when you can learn a new skill? "Skillcations"—vacations centered around hands-on learning—are one of the fastest-growing travel trends. Instead of passively sightseeing, travelers are choosing experiences that let them master a new talent while immersed in a destination's culture.
These are not your typical classroom lessons. Imagine learning to make pasta from a nonna in Tuscany, taking a photography workshop in the wilds of Patagonia or joining a language immersion program in Spain. Other popular skillcations include wine blending in France, pottery in Mexico and learning artisan crafts from local experts around the world.
The appeal is simple: you return home with more than just souvenirs. You come back with new confidence, a sparked sense of creativity and a much deeper understanding of the culture you visited. It is a productive and fulfilling way to travel.
Popular skillcation ideas:
Traveling for a specific event, from a headline concert to a global sporting competition, is booming. Known as gig tripping for music lovers and sports tourism for fans, this trend centers on building an entire vacation around a single can’t-miss experience. In 2026, with packed calendars of international tournaments, global artist tours and the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup, more travelers are planning trips to follow their passions across borders.
These journeys often extend well beyond the event itself. Fans arrive early or stay late to explore host cities, sample local cuisine and immerse themselves in local culture. A trip to see a Formula 1 race in Monaco might also include time along the French Riviera, while travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico offers opportunities to experience multiple cities and cultures in a single journey. Similarly, a music festival in the United Kingdom can be paired with a scenic tour of the English countryside.
This trend appeals to couples, groups of friends and multigenerational families eager to bond over shared interests. Event travel transforms entertainment into a deeply memorable experience, turning a single ticket into a once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with lasting memories.
From world-famous events to breathtaking natural phenomena, unforgettable experiences await. Explore AAA’s Once in a Lifetime Experiences Guide and plan your 2026 adventures.
Get the GuideThe biggest travel trends of 2026 share one defining trait: intention. Whether reconnecting with family history, restoring well-being, learning a new skill, or following a lifelong passion, travelers are choosing experiences that enrich their lives long after the trip ends.
In a world full of destinations, the most powerful journeys aren’t just about where you go—they’re about who you become along the way.
Explore, discover, wander...
Whatever your journey—ancestry trips, luxury rail adventures or beyond—AAA Travel Agents can craft a personalized trip just for you.
