Switch up your travel game in 2026
Switch Up Your Travel Game in 2026
If you’re usually the one tasked with planning holidays, you’ll know how easily patterns form.
The same destinations. The same flight routes. The same time of year.
Not because they’re always the best option, but because they’re familiar.
If you are happy with your holidays as they are, why change? But if you feel like trying something different, here are five ways to switch things up in 2026.
1. Ditch the Plane. Try the Train.
Flying is often the default, but it isn’t always the most comfortable or efficient option — especially within Europe.
Travelling by train can feel calmer door to door, with fewer queues, more space, and the ability to actually enjoy the journey. Routes through France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and beyond work particularly well when planned properly.
It doesn’t have to be about avoiding flights altogether - in fact a connecting flight can enable you to try even more exotic rail journeys. It’s all about recognising when rail is the better choice - and building the trip around that from the start.
Works well for:
Travellers who value comfort, scenery, and a slower pace.
2. Swap Summer Heatwaves for Cooler Adventures
Summer travel hasn’t changed - but summer temperatures have.
Many people still default to destinations that are now uncomfortably hot in July and August, often combined with peak crowds. A switch in geography can completely change the experience.
Northern Europe, higher-altitude regions, coastal areas with reliable breezes, and countries with milder summers all offer a more comfortable way to travel at the same time of year.
It’s one of the easiest changes that are overlooked. You don’t have to miss out that Mediterranean hotspot altogether - visit during shoulder season when the weather is great, but the prices and crowds both lighter.
Works well for:
Families, couples, and anyone who wants to be out exploring rather than hiding from the heat.
3. Travel for the Event, Not Just the Destination
If you’re already planning to see a band, a show, or a sporting event, there’s no rule saying it has to happen close to home.
Building a trip around an event - rather than squeezing it into a holiday - often makes it feel more special and far better value. Concerts, festivals, and fixtures abroad can be easier to access and more memorable when paired with the right location.
This kind of travel benefits from careful planning, particularly around availability and timing, but these trips create long lasting memories.
Works well for:
Music lovers, sports fans, and travellers who like their trips to revolve around something they genuinely care about.
4. Retreat to… a Retreat
“Wellness” means very different things to different people, and not every wellness holiday suits every traveller.
For some, a spa hotel with good food and space to switch off is ideal. For others, a proper retreat - with structure, calm surroundings, and fewer distractions - offers a deeper reset.
Knowing whether you want freedom or guidance, privacy or community, and rest or routine makes all the difference to choosing the right place.
Works well for:
Travellers who want rest that actually feels restorative.
5. Extend Your Stay and Work From Abroad
If you can work remotely even part of the time, a holiday doesn’t have to be limited to annual leave alone.
Extending a stay by a week or two - with work built in properly - can make travel feel far less rushed. The right accommodation, reliable Wi-Fi, and a destination that suits longer stays are essential, but when planned well it’s one of the most effective ways to get more from a trip.
It’s not about working all the time. It’s about balancing work, space, and downtime more intelligently.
Works well for:
Professionals with flexible schedules and anyone who prefers longer, slower trips.
Why Planning This Way Is Easier With Support
When switching holiday type to something different, things can be made much easier with the assistance of an independent travel agent.
Working with an independent travel agent gives you access to trade rates, fresh ideas, and practical advice on what genuinely works well for your travel style. It means better options, fewer compromises, and far less time spent second-guessing decisions.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing specific examples of each of these travel styles, with clear ideas on where they work best.
If you’re already thinking ahead to 2026, you’re welcome to get in touch for a quick quote or to talk through what might work best for you.