2026 travel trends
With summer holiday season coming in hot (literally!), the team’s been thinking a lot about how to travel more thoughtfully – especially as overtourism continues to put pressure on some of Europe’s most popular destinations. So we’ve teamed up with Intrepid Travel to look at the travel trends shaping 2026, and how to have a brilliant trip without contributing to the crowds.
📍 Uncommon destinations
More travellers are skipping packed city centres in favour of lesser-known corners. Think quieter neighbourhoods, hidden architectural gems and local eateries – the same vibe, just without the queues, chaos or selfie-stick traffic jams. Intrepid recently launched Uncommon Day Trips across three iconic cities, designed by locals and helping to take visitors beyond the tourist hotspot whilst backing small local businesses.
🧍♀️ Local guides
Local guides – who are themselves residents in the cities – better understand the problem of overtourism and can identify how to support responsible visitation that ensures the needs of both residents and travellers work in harmony. They are also clued up on the local customs, so you avoid being that tourist.
““We are 100% over mass tourism and extractive models of tourism that benefit select shareholders while inconveniencing, or ignoring others. For us, that means focusing on how we travel: small groups, locally led experiences, and supporting local communities along the way.””
💚 Giving back
More people are also thinking carefully about where their money goes when they travel. Through The Intrepid Foundation, travellers can support grassroots NGOs focused on conservation, education and community projects around the world.
Already got your holiday booked in? Intrepid’s got new day tours across Paris, Barcelona and Venice. They’re designed to meet growing visitor demand while highlighting the importance of responsible travel. Oh, and prices start from €55 (£48).