2026 Travel Trends to Get You Thinking About Your Next Adventure

Travel in 2026 will be more personal than ever. Less chasing someone else’s bucket list destinations, more finding the places and experiences that feel distinctly you. Travelers are swapping cookie-cutter resorts for stays with a story, building trips around concerts, art shows or the food scene they’ve been stalking on TikTok. They want hotels that match their energy, whether that’s a quiet rooftop over Paris or a bustling street market in Kyoto. They’re building itineraries that blend big-ticket experiences with opportunities for unscripted moments. These are the trends shaping where to go, where to stay and how to create experiences that last long after the flight home.

Main character moments

More and more people are prioritizing how they want to feel over what there is to see and do. Weightless in Paris for golden-hour drinks along the Seine. Buzzing from Tokyo’s neon-drenched nightlife. Perfecting the art of meandering in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Turn your travel mood board into real memories.

This is your chance to shape your own story. When you think of your destination as more than a backdrop, it can become a key part of the plot. Curate a sequence of experiences designed to evoke a specific feeling you’re looking for. This might mean champagne and moules frites at sunset for a cinematic sense of romance. Or a private tour through the vibrant alleyways of Shinjuku's Golden Gai, in search of the perfect izakaya. Or maybe just a quite café moment before stepping back out into bustling NYC streets.

Main character moments can transform travel from a scenic escape to a profound act of self-discovery.

Where to stay

• Paris: Hôtel Vendôme Opéra– A short walk from the Seine, in the romantic 8th Arrondissement
• Tokyo: Karaksa Hotel Premiere Tokyo Ginza – Perfect energy, perfectly placed for exploring
• New York City: 11 Howard – Danish minimalism meets NYC realism at the center of art and fashion

Event-centered escapes

Travelers are being more intentional about where they go by choosing their next destination based on big-ticket events. Think: a music festival worth flying for, sporting events turned into long weekends, or art fairs in destinations that beg to be explored. More people are planning trips around events and building an entire getaway around an epic experience.

But the event itself is only the beginning. Look at that concert or game not as a single activity, but as the anchor for a multi-day itinerary. Plan a pre-show dinner at an iconic restaurant. Go for post-game drinks at a bar with a view of the city, and maybe a visit to the city's sports museum the next day. Every moment is designed to amplify the main event, creating an integrated and unforgettable journey.

Where to stay:

• Toronto during the World Cup: Kimpton Saint George – comfort and class within striking distance of BMO Field, just steps away from the action
• London for summer concerts: COMO Metropolitan London – thoroughly modern, effortlessly cool and surrounded by music venues
• Art Basel in Miami: Esmé Miami Beach – upscale historic charm in the heart of Española Way, the perfect place to see and be seen

TikTok travel

Is it time to ditch those immediately outdated guidebooks and blog posts? Travelers are discovering their next trip 15 seconds at a time. Whether it’s a street art tour of Lisbon, a mind-blowing beach in Yucatán, or a tiny noodle shop in Kyoto, people are seeing it in their feed and then feeling the pull to see it IRL.

Transform travel planning into a visually driven scavenger hunt. Build your own itineraries one bookmark at a time — a must-try bite, a secluded park, a vibrant mural. With this self-guided curation, you can tap into the experts on the ground, collecting discoveries from different creators and hashtags to form a one-of-a-kind trip that’s all your own.

This is travel that is intensely personal and undeniably authentic. It's about turning a thousand tiny, authentic recommendations into an immersive travel experience that feels both meticulously planned and delightfully unscripted.

Where to stay:

• Lisbon: LX51 Studios & Suites by APT IIN – the freedom and comfort of an apartment with the laid-back charm of the city
• Kyoto: Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku– sleek design and walkable to the legendary Nishiki Market
• Playa del Carmen: Platinum Yucatán Princess – all-inclusive (all-adult) luxury in the heart of the Riviera Maya

Going big on authenticity

Not everybody wants to run with the bulls or take on Times Square. Cooking classes, neighborhood markets, hidden jazz bars — some people are opting for less intensity and more intimacy in their travel. If this sounds like you, you’re always searching for a genuine connection to a place and its people. Choosing the path less traveled, exploring neighborhoods away from the main tourist hubs. You might opt for a pasta-making class over hyped-up Michelin stars, or spend your morning at a neighborhood market, not for souvenirs, but to enjoy the music of the locals haggling with their favorite vendors.

This trend is about embracing the authentic rhythms of a place. These experiences provide a sense of immersion and connection you won’t find on a guided tour or the crowded shelves of a gift shop. These experiences stay with you because they’re connected to something real.

Where to stay:

• Philadelphia: The Kimpton Hotel Monaco – revolutionary cocktails and cobblestones in the historic Old City district
• Old Montreal: Intercontinental Montreal – rooftop views and heritage-inspired atmosphere.
• Nice: Hotel Suisse Nice– unbeatable location overlooking the blue waters of the Baie des Anges

Make 2026 one for the books by booking with Citi Travel

Ready to book your next trip? At Citi Travel, we’re here to help you at every step of your journey, from picking a destination that matches your style to helping you save on flights, hotels and premium experiences.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional. 

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