From townsizing to dusking – the travel trends predicted to be big this summer

Bookings for summer adventures are in full swing. Here are the top trends to know…

1. Solo getaways

Singlehood is on the rise, and so is solo travel. Much Better Adventures say they’ve seen a 55% increase in the number of solo travellers booking with the company in 2026 so far, compared to 2025.

“We’ve seen +55% growth in the number of solo travellers booking with us in 2026 so far compared to 2025,” says co-founder Sam Bruce, “and an even starker increase of +200% compared to 2023.” In fact, 75% of their customers join their trips solo.

“I think this really speaks to the real cultural shift that’s happened over the past couple of years – clearly people aren’t waiting for plans to make it out of the group chat anymore, they’re just going and doing the thing,” Bruce says.

“We constantly hear that people aren’t willing to let indecisive, busy or flaky friends dictate their life experiences.”

For solo travellers, the company have seen bookings favour longer, multi-activity trips in destinations like Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam. “Though staples like Morocco, Italy, Portugal and Norway continue to be firm favourites.”

And solo travellers love to hike. “Hiking remains our most popular choice with bookings for hiking holidays up +66% year-on-year, closely followed by multi-activity (+63%),” says Bruce.

2. Cool-cations are still going strong

Regent Holidays say they are seeing a clear trend towards Northern Europe. Norway – the company’s top-selling destination for the last couple of years – and Iceland, in particular, are proving popular right now. The Azores are also seeing a marked increase in 2026, with sales this March up over 50% year-on-year, while Slovenia bookings are up nearly 20%.

Slovenia is also predicted to be big by Naturetrek’s managing director Andy Tucker – as well as Switzerland and Italy’s Northern Alps, attracting visitors in search of fresh air, impressive vistas and alpine flowers this summer.

While Inghams Ski have recorded a growth in interest in the summer months for Fort William and Glencoe in Scotland, Jackson Hole in the US and Voss in Norway – as travellers are increasingly looking to enjoy mountains in the summer with off-season ski resorts.

3. Screen-free travel

We’re more and more attached to our phones in day-to-day life, but CEO and co-founder of Hotelplanner.com, Tim Hentschel, says: “Analogue living has emerged as a direct response to digital fatigue. This year many travellers are actively seeking out phone-free environments where presence takes priority over connectivity.

“Hotels that encourage guests to disconnect, whether through device-free dining, limited Wi-Fi zones or immersive nature experiences, are gaining traction. The appeal lies in rediscovering sensory travel: think handwritten menus, meaningful conversations with locals and uninterrupted landscapes.”

4. Dusking

A Dutch ritual, Dusking is the quiet act of watching the transition of day to night. Watching sunsets in beautiful places might not be new, but it’s been revived in The Netherlands as a way to observe twilight – ideally as a shared practice – and really slow down and be present. In a world that is obsessed with fast-moving pace, it’s touted as a way to really connect to nature, the sky’s colours changing ever so subtly, and steadily.

From sunset tours of Rome’s Colosseum to after-hours access at Venice’s St Mark’s Basilica, GetYourGuide reports travellers are increasingly planning experiences around golden hour, with bookings for dusk activities up 41% year-on-year. The company offers a Gion Night Walking Tour with a local guide in Kyoto, Japan, and a Sunset Walking Tour of Dubrovnik’s city walls, Croatia.

5. Sailing holidays

Maybe it’s the cool breeze in the hot summer as the boat laps along the water in the peak-summer sun, but according to Intrepid, sailing looks to be big next season. Sailing trip bookings with the holiday company were up 241% in March.

One big draw is that you can access less crowded bays, beaches and islands that you might not be able to access on land. And you don’t even need to learn to sail the boat yourself – if you’re more into relaxing on holidays. Their Sailing Cyclades Islands tour offers small group (up to 11) trips, island hopping, and overnight stays on a classic sailboat.

6. Journeying by rail

Whether it’s a desire to be greener, a feeling of timelessness, or just to enjoy the airport-free peace, train travel is coming back in a big way. Explore Worldwide say an increasing number of their customers are choosing epic rail journeys over short haul flights.

The travel company has reported a 25% year-on-year increase in rail journey bookings in 2026, with a 77% spike in the last three months alone – suggesting a surge for the summer.

It’s all about the rail journey being part of the adventure in itself, with slow, scenic travel.

7. Townsizing

Hentschel notes a rise in ‘townsizing’ – a trend that “redefines the traditional city break”.

He says: “Rather than defaulting to major capitals, travellers are gravitating toward smaller towns and second cities that offer cultural richness without the intensity of over-tourism.

“These destinations provide a slower itinerary; local markets, independent cafés, and community-driven experiences. This shift aligns closely with the broader slow travel movement, particularly among Gen Z, who are prioritising more immersive stays over fast-paced itineraries

Omio, a travel platform for comparing and book trains, buses, flights and ferries, say more of their travellers are planning trips to lesser-known destinations too, driven by lower prices, fewer crowds and the opportunity to experience more unique, local culture. The company report bookings to second cities are up by 34% year-on-year.

Spain’s Segovia (+96%) and Murcia (+86%) and Italy’s Bari (+85%) are seeing the strongest growth, according to their booking data, while Antwerp (+69%) and Ghent (+66%) in Belgium are also gaining traction.

8. Skillcations

Much Better Adventures have also seen a 200% surge in bookings for ‘learning holidays’. From learning to surf or rock climb, lots of travellers want to go home with the knowledge that they’ve learned something new and have probably met some new people along the way to learn with.

Hentschel notes it’s a trend Hotelplanner.com have noticed too. “Holidays are no longer just about escape; they’re increasingly about enrichment,” he says.

“UK travellers are embracing trips that offer personal development. They want to learn local cooking techniques, pick up a new language or engage in traditional wellness and creative practices. This reflects a broader desire for purpose-driven travel.”