5 Growing Travel Trends To Try In 2026 For A Unique Getaway

If there's one thing that comes and goes, changing like the weather, it's trends. When you think of trends, your mind might gravitate toward fashion, but the travel industry is no stranger when it comes to folks looking to see what's in and what's out for the upcoming year. While performative travel is an overhyped travel trend you'll want to ditch to make the most out of your adventures, there are plenty of growing travel trends in 2026 that will make for a unique getaway full of purpose and connection.

Trends are exhausting — there's no doubt about that — and if you're constantly trying to keep up with them while traveling, you may start to lose the meaning of why you're doing it in the first place. Sure, some people might prefer to visit the world's best wellness destinations to experience what the top-tier hotels and resorts have to offer, but when it comes to 2026 travel, it's all about making meaningful connections during your time away from it all. 

For 2026, travelers are looking to book trips focused around things such as readaways, farm-to-table experiences, whycations, rail revival, and even Viking wellness. Rather than trying to cram in every famous landmark, follow a strict minute-by-minute schedule, or have an AI-generated map telling you where to go, it's about enjoying a more rewarding experience, exploring lesser-known spots, and focusing on meaningful moments. And, in the long run, that isn't just trendy — it leads to a more well-rounded, memorable vacation.

According to Hilton's 2026 Trends Report, there's a style of travel that's becoming increasingly popular for the year: the "whycation." Globetrotters are ditching the idea that they need to travel to see a specific attraction and instead are focusing more on the "why" aspect of their trips. Hilton's President and CEO, Chris Nassetta, pointed out in the report that "More than ever, it's the feeling behind the trip that's guiding where the journey begins."

A "whycation" isn't just about traveling to a destination because everyone else is, but about fully immersing yourself emotionally into a trip that will be personally fulfilling. Whether it be completing a bucket list, a long-distance hike across the Lesser Caucasus mountain range in Georgia, or a religious pilgrimage along the 500-mile-long Camino de Santiago in Spain, intentional trips that span a few weeks often give travelers a sense of accomplishment. This, in turn, adds to the "why" aspect.

If you're looking to get away from the hustle of everyday life on a solo vacation, return to a destination that had a large impact on you during a prior visit, or if you just want to book that extended family vacation to bring you and your loved ones closer together, answering the "why" of going somewhere, rather than focusing on the "where," can help make it a memorable experience filled with purpose and personal growth.

In 2026, journals and guidebooks are trending as some of the best analog travel items for low-tech travelers. With that in mind, it's no surprise that one of the top travel trends for the year is the "Readaway." According to a Vrbo's Unpack '26 trends report, an astounding 91% of travelers are now looking into getaways that allow them to curl up for a few days with an engaging book. These trips are typically designed to fully incorporate a literary experience into a relaxing vacation, slipping into a fictional fairy tale (or two) while enjoying a weekend away.

If you're not keen on carrying around extra book weight with you, there are still great options to plan a "Readaway" of your own: book cafés. One standout option is the cozy and inviting Cytat Café in the Kazimierz district of Kraków, Poland. This tiny café is a bookworm's dream, serving up coffee, tea, pastries, and an abundance of good vibes. Each drink is presented with a card that has a literary quote on it, and the interior is filled with couches, armchairs, and cute corners where you can grab a book from the shelves, curl up, and enjoy a cuppa while venturing into a whole new world.

Coming from a family of farmers myself, I have a profound respect for them and everything that they do to ensure people have food on their tables. As the saying goes, "Farmers feed cities," and in 2026, travelers are itching to experience more of a connection with the food on their plates by diving into agricultural tourism and farm-to-table vacations. Even travel expert Rick Steves believes that shopping at a farmer's market can lead to a more immersive experience when traveling overseas.

According to Hilton's 2026 Trends Report, 34% of travelers build their trips around food, and 66% of them say they're excited to try new dishes or dive into local culinary traditions while they travel. This interested is reflected in the different options offered by travel brands and accommodations worldwide. For example, starting at about $130 per night, Masnec Tourist Farm in Croatia offers guests a full farm-to-table experience that celebrates local organic Croatian cuisine with an on-site restaurant. The farm also boasts a terrace overlooking the property and rolling hills in the distance where guests can relax at the end of the day with a glass of Croatian vino.

Additionally, platforms like Workaway give travelers a unique opportunity to connect with local hosts through immersive stays. Many of these experiences provide no-cost accommodation in exchange for helping out on a farm, vineyard, or even an olive grove. With hosts spread across countries and continents, arranging a stay through the platform allows travelers to step into everyday farm life and enjoy a more meaningful, hands-on, and unforgettable travel experience.

If you thought that train travel was a thing of yesteryear, think again. 2026 is the year of the rail revival, confirming that train travel is here to stay. Any chance I have to take a train over a plane ride, you bet I'm buying a rail ticket. In fact, one of my most memorable train journeys was on the Norwegian Flåmsbana train, which snakes through the towering mountains at slow speeds and allows the ride to feel relaxing and engaging at once. Considering travelers are looking to slow down more than ever before — with an impressive 41% rise in rail bookings from the previous year according to Explore Worldwide — it's clear rail journeys are becoming a preferred way to travel more intentionally and mindfully.

Even Swiss trains make the list of top tourist attractions you can't miss in Switzerland, showing just how much the journey itself has become part of the experience. So whether you're looking to ride the rails of Europe or experience breathtaking Canadian landscapes, exploring by train is a scenic, stress-free way to see even more of a place while, ironically enough, slowing down. 

For a truly unique and luxury train ride, hop aboard the Rovos Rail, which whisks travelers from Cape Town to Victoria Falls on a 15-day journey that allows riders to experience the vast African landscapes. Alternatively, pamper yourself and enjoy the royal treatment aboard the Maharajas' Express train, The Indian Splendour, which takes guests from bustling New Delhi to cosmopolitan Mumbai on a seven-day luxury rail trip unlike any other.

Friluftsliv, meaning "open-air life," might look difficult to pronounce, but in Nordic cultures, it's easy to understand. A philosophy that heavily focuses on nature and the elements, friluftsliv is believed to promote balance and well-being. Inspired by the tradition, the concept of "Viking wellness" — or Nordic wellness — is becoming a popular travel trend in 2026. With that, hot-cold therapy — steamy sauna sessions followed by icy cold plunges — and other Nordic wellness practices have become all the rage, with some retreats even incorporating rituals like chanting and breathwork as part of the experience.

In the land known for trolls, Iceland's Eleven Deplar Farm sits in a valley surrounded by towering mountains in the northern Troll Peninsula. Serving up spa experiences ranging from flotation pods to sound therapy sessions, the property fully embraces the principles of friluftsliv. That said, you don't need to hop on a plane to experience Nordic wellness. In the United States, the SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater, New Jersey, offers guests hydrotherapy, as well as hot-cold therapy sessions. That way, you can channel your inner Viking while enjoying rooftop views toward the Manhattan skyline.

When selecting five emerging travel trends to try in 2026 for a unique getaway, we focused on experiences rooted in wellness, purpose, and connection to nature, as well as emotional well-being. According to data gathered from various industry reports, as well as specialized travel blogs and consumer surveys, travelers are searching for immersive getaways that help them slow down, reconnect with themselves and the natural world, and create meaningful memories that go beyond the social media likes and shares.

From hands-on farm stays that foster a deeper connection to the food on their plates to secluded book retreats designed for uninterrupted reading and rest, travelers are prioritizing experiences that feel intentional. Whether they're seeking a sense of accomplishment or complete relaxation, they're choosing trips that nourish both physical and emotional well-being.