According to the 10th edition of Booking.com’s Travel Predictions, travelers of 2026 are seeking highly personalized trips and experiences that express their uniqueness, goals, and passions.
Travel has always been a personal matter and experience, but 2026 leaves behind every notion of a ready-made “travel package”. Travelers will move away from the usual and follow whatever truly inspires and expresses them. From adrenaline-filled experiences to mystical getaways and stays in futuristic homes, each trip will be a clear expression of their personality and identity: this is who I am, this is what I desire, this is what I love.
Booking.com, as a global leader in travel and technology, presents the ten key trends that will shape the travel landscape in 2026. The findings show that vacations are becoming more individual, more experiential, and undeniably authentic—true to the traveler’s personality.
1. Romantasy Retreats: Romantic escapes in enchanted worlds
For centuries, books have been inseparable companions of travelers, fitting into suitcases and read on trains, airplanes, beaches, and more. In 2026, with romance skyrocketing in popularity, the relationship between stories and travel enters a new chapter: that of “romantasy retreats.” Travelers do not simply “enter” novels—they travel and experience firsthand the very fantasy worlds, full of dragons, fairies, and mythical creatures.
Vacations are expected to transform into experiences within immersive story landscapes, where enchanted castles, mystical forests, medieval feasts, and masquerade balls create a backdrop for romantic otherworldly escapes. More than seven out of ten travelers globally (71%) say they would be interested in visiting a destination inspired by this genre. For many, this is not just about sightseeing. Over half (53%) are open to joining a role-play retreat based on their favorite fantasy game, book, or movie, while nearly one in four (23%) state that they will definitely include such a trip in their future travel plans.
Technology opens a new chapter in this kind of escape: nearly eight in ten travelers (78%) are open to AI-generated suggestions that match fantasy aesthetics, propose isolated “storybook” stays, or identify real-life locations where movie scenes were filmed. No longer confined to fiction, fantasy becomes a travel plan—offering magical escapes where imagination and adventure take center stage.
2. Humanoid Homes: The future of tourist accommodations
Vacation homes have long been appreciated for their space and privacy. In 2026, a much more futuristic evolution is noted: vacation homes equipped with robot assistants. Imagine arriving at your accommodation and a robot tidying up, a robot chef preparing dinner (and washing the dishes), while smart systems quietly optimize water, energy, and waste consumption.
Travelers are ready to embrace this new stage where comfort meets curiosity, with 77% stating they would book a stay in a robot-enhanced home. Travelers are increasingly fascinated by technology: nearly half (49%) would choose a stay with cleaning robots, 39% are excited by a robotic chef, while 25% want robots that manage the sustainability of the space. Beyond convenience, for many (28%) it is about innovation, while for 19% it’s a bragging point—a stay in a home that feels straight out of science fiction. These “humanoid homes” blur the line between practicality and playfulness, redefining the vacation experience and setting the foundation for accommodations that combine comfort with a memorable experience.
3. Turbulence Test: Love, friendship, and teamwork put to the test
In 2026, vacations evolve into a compatibility test as more travelers plan to escape daily life to test the dynamics of their relationships—whether romantic, friendly, or even professional. Over two-thirds (69%) of global travelers say they would take a trip with a potential partner, colleague, or new friend to see if they are truly “compatible.”
About two-thirds (62%) would try an isolated trip to see how their travel companion handles uncertainty and challenges, while 59% are interested in role-reversal retreats where the more introverted person takes the lead, or in trips with limitations, such as a restricted budget or limited connectivity. 71% would prefer to hand over control to someone else to test the dynamic of the relationship.
These so-called “turbulence tests” highlight a shift in how people approach vacations: not just as escapes, but as immersive ways of understanding compatibility, adaptability, and collaboration.
Gen Z is experimenting more than anyone else, with 80% saying they’re willing to participate in personalized experiences that simulate real-life dynamics and test relationships in ways that may either strengthen or end them.
4. Shelf-ie Souvenirs: When kitchen shelves tell stories of culture
In 2026, the humble kitchen shelf transforms into a stage of culture and aesthetics, filled with travel souvenirs that reflect personal taste, creativity, and a place’s history. The so-called shelf-ie souvenirs leave behind their role as decorative fridge magnets and find a new place on counters and cupboards, as travelers now seek refined, edible, specially designed items that turn the kitchen into showcases of global culture.
More than two-thirds (68%) of travelers say they would buy kitchen items or specially designed products during their vacations—from handmade spice jars to elegantly packaged olive oil tins. Over half (55%) would travel to destinations known for their local products or cookware.
This trend combines aesthetics with substance: 26% feel that edible souvenirs bring travel moments back to life, while 25% see them as expressions of local tradition, art, and sustainability. For others, uniqueness and style matter—almost one in five (17%) choose destinations where they can find rare, collectible cookware or packaging that can be turned into beautiful, Instagram-worthy decorations.
5. Roadtrip Rewired: Travel with a limitless sense of freedom
The classic road trip changes gears in 2026, shifting from familiar journeys with friends and family to a more spontaneous and collective experience, where discovery and new connections are central. Travel is no longer just about the route, but about the connection and moments created between travelers sharing a spirit of adventure. Already, 84% of travelers say they would be willing to carpool during their vacations, while more than half (54%) would use an app to find other travelers taking the same route.
Now, travelers seek road trips that promote spontaneity and flexibility (79%), offer opportunities to meet new people (77%), and allow sharing the responsibility of driving (76%). Especially for non-drivers, carpooling and autonomous vehicles turn once inaccessible routes into collective adventures, offering a new sense of independence. Younger generations are leading the way: 77% of Gen Z travelers are open to using driverless vehicles or AI to plan their route, compared to just 36% of Boomers. Additionally, 65% would trust AI or generative AI to map out lesser-known routes tailored to their preferences.
The combination of technology and social connection redefines the road trip of the future—part exploration, part community, and entirely personal.
6. Destined-ations: Travel written in the stars
In 2026, the stars will not only influence horoscopes and zodiac signs but will also shape travel plans. From the phases of the Moon to astrological forecasts, the mystical search becomes the new travel compass, guiding experiences aligned with the cosmos. Nearly half (47%) would change or cancel a trip if a spiritual advisor recommended avoiding it, 43% would reconsider after an astrological warning, and 39% would adjust their plans if Mercury was in retrograde.
Beyond these “celestial influences,” more and more travelers are seeking experiences linked to mystical or astrological signs. Nearly four in ten (39%) take such influences into account when planning their vacations—choosing to travel during specific Moon phases or solstices, or to places known for their positive energy. More than half of Gen Z (53%) and nearly half of millennials (46%) are tuned in to this spiritual quest, proving that for younger generations, the path to self-awareness may be guided by the stars.
7. Glow-cations: Wellness travel focused on care and beauty
In 2026, wellness travel takes on a new dimension, as nearly 80% of travelers say they are willing to book a glow-cation—a trip dedicated to care and rejuvenation, with treatments tailored to their individual needs. Traditional spas are transformed into high-tech experiences, with nearly six in ten (59%) open to using AI to find destinations and plan trips focused on their skin—the body’s largest organ.
The desire for personalization is stronger than ever: three-quarters (72%) of travelers seek accommodations with hydration and skincare offerings adapted to the local climate and activities, while 64% are excited by smart mirrors that analyze their skin and provide real-time care. Sleep is just as important, with 75% seeking rooms synchronized with circadian rhythms for deeper rest.
Sleep optimization is also central, with 75% interested in sleep-enhancing suites designed with circadian lighting and soundscapes to improve rest—a vital factor for skin repair and regeneration.
From ancient heat rituals to modern DNA treatments and microbiome analysis, glow-cations usher in a new era of skin-focused wellness, where the goal is not just recharging, but returning home visibly refreshed.
8. Hushed Hobbies: Quiet activities for deep relaxation
Silence will be gold in 2026. Travelers try to escape from the noise and overstimulation of everyday life, and to enjoy the soothing tranquility of nature to restore their calm. 43% state that they would travel exclusively to feel closer to nature — a percentage that skyrockets to 81% for Generation Z — while one in four (25%) would choose quiet activities that prioritize patience, reflection, and relief from stress.
From observing insects and birds to fishing and foraging, travelers turn to activities that enhance their connection with nature and cultivate a more mindful contact with the environment. More than half (57%) state they would try butterfly or insect watching, 73% are interested in birdwatching or fishing, while 69% would like to stay in accommodation that offers them the possibility of collecting natural materials for their meal, as experiences that transform simple stay into deeper connection with their environment.
Even within the search for silence, technology finds a discreet but essential place. Applications that recognize bird or butterfly species in real time and artificial intelligence tools that suggest trails, habitats, and seasonal migrations offer a new way to explore nature.
By slowing down and letting nature define the rhythm, travelers of 2026 relearn what recharge means — discovering peace not in the “more,” but in the essential and simple “less.”
9. PastPorts: When memories become destinations
Nostalgia ceases to belong to the past, it becomes a destination. With the help of artificial intelligence and tools mapping photographic memories and cultural heritage tracking platforms, travelers can return to places where they lived important moments, turning photos and old stories into new travel routes.
For many, these journeys are deeply emotional, born from the need to relive something precious and share it with others. Two thirds of travelers worldwide (66%) state that they would like to recreate a memory or a photo, using technology to locate the exact place where it was taken. Almost half of them (49%) report that their main motivation is to share this experience with family or close friends, while 46% prefer destinations that make them feel familiar, young, and connected. More than one in three (36%) see these trips as milestones of personal development — an opportunity to reflect on their path, reconnect with people from the past, or reconcile with difficult memories.
What distinguishes this new trend is the way technology “brings memory to life.” Beyond nostalgia, travelers use innovation to discover their roots, connect with previous generations through storytelling, or even create photos to share in ways that give them a sense of timelessness and novelty.
10. Contemporary Milestone Missions: Trips that Celebrate YOU
Travelers of 2026 rewrite the rules of when and why we travel. Trips no longer revolve around weddings, anniversaries, or births, but around personal milestones and authentic reasons. Two thirds (67%) state that they do not need a special occasion to plan a trip, while one in five (21%) would visit their dream destination without a “traditional” excuse to make it worthwhile.
This new phase of milestone missions is a form of self-expression and reward. 75% travel because “they deserve it” for working hard, while others find other reasons to travel such as celebrating a new job (24%), a tax refund (16%), the end of a relationship (14%), or even a new look (9%). Achievements in health and wellness are also reasons, with 22% traveling to honor personal successes such as quitting alcohol or a change in their physical condition.
At its core, this modern form of travel concerns anything that brings joy, honors individuality, and allows being yourself without needing to apologize.
James Waters, Chief Business Officer of Booking.com, comments: “In 2026, travel reflects who we really are, with experiences designed around interests that may have previously been considered overly specialized or bold. Travelers test their relationships, immerse themselves in imaginary worlds, their cuisine reflects their journeys, and they seek new ways to live the experience of a road trip or staying in a home with technologically enhanced features. At Booking.com, we are constantly evolving to make it easier for everyone to discover the world and fulfill the trips they dream of, offering more choices, flexibility, and comfort more than ever.”
