Show summary Hide summary
Summary:
- Birdwatching becomes one of the year’s most unexpected travel pleasures.
- Coffee culture inspires entire itineraries.
- Guided tours find a new audience among younger travelers.
- Early mornings reclaim their place as the best time to explore.
- Workshops and hands-on learning replace traditional souvenirs.
Travel evolves slowly, often without dramatic changes, yet the insights shared in GetYourGuide’s Hidden Trends List 2026 draw a clear picture. Many travelers are stepping away from packed checklists and turning toward experiences that feel more intentional. Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, people want moments that linger and stories they can hold onto, whether that comes from spotting a rare bird or tasting a locally roasted coffee.
This article explores the five trends highlighted by GetYourGuide and explains why they resonate so strongly this year. None of them feel superficial. They echo what travelers truly seek right now, from calm mornings to hands-on experiences that feel grounded in local life. Let’s explore them.
Walking the old ways: exploring North America’s Indigenous trails
Find your LA beach mood: surf, silence, sunsets or coastal wanders
Birdwatching, the quiet trend no one saw coming
Birdwatching has quietly entered travelers’ wishlists. According to GetYourGuide, social platforms like #birdtok may have sparked curiosity, but the lasting appeal comes from something deeper. More than six out of ten French travelersconsider planning a birdwatching moment for their next trip.
This interest grows because the activity invites slowness and attentive observation.
Why travelers enjoy it
Birdwatching changes the rhythm of a trip. You start paying attention to sounds, colors and movement. A good guide can turn a simple path into a small adventure. This activity suits solo travelers, families and curious visitors who want a break from crowded attractions. It is also a way of feeling more present and connected to the environment, even during a short stay.
Destinations like the Daymaniyat Islands in Oman, Doi Inthanon in Thailand or Iceland’s coastal cliffs offer varied experiences, each showing a different face of wildlife. These places make birdwatching feel accessible even to beginners, which explains its rise and its growing presence in guided nature tours.
texte d’inspiration 3
Traveler’s note
The best moments are early mornings or late afternoons. Protected areas often require reservations. It is worth planning ahead if you want a relaxed outing.
Quick facts
| Destination | Species highlights | Ideal season |
| Oman (Daymaniyat Islands) | Migratory seabirds | Oct–Mar |
| Thailand (Doi Inthanon) | Tropical bird species | Nov–Feb |
| Iceland | Puffins and seabirds | May–Aug |
When a cup of coffee sets the tone for an entire trip
Coffee is no longer just the start of the day. For many travelers, it is becoming the thread that guides their itinerary. GetYourGuide reports a 54 percent rise in bookings for coffee-related experiences, which shows how curious people have become about the story behind their cup and the craft of roasting and brewing.
Why this trend grows
Coffee tastings are easy to join and full of insight. Travelers meet baristas, roasters and sometimes small producers who talk about bean origins and processing methods. These exchanges add a personal dimension that turns a familiar drink into a cultural introduction, especially when they take place in small cafés or roasteries away from the main tourist streets.
Cities known for their coffee scenes, such as Rome, Nairobi or Medellín, make it even easier to follow this trend. Coffee walks often lead visitors through neighborhoods they might not explore otherwise and offer a warm, everyday look at local routines. For many travelers, this becomes a simple way to connect with residents without feeling like a spectator.
Local tip
Choose a tour that includes a cupping session. It is one of the best ways to understand how aromas and flavors develop and to spot the differences between origins.
Guided tours are cool again, especially for young travelers
Guided tours once felt old fashioned, yet they are making a strong comeback. According to GetYourGuide, 65 percent of travelers now see them as essential, and younger travelers are surprisingly enthusiastic. More than half of 18 to 24 year olds consider these tours trendy and useful.
Why travelers are returning to guided tours
A well led tour can change the way you understand a place. Instead of passing buildings without context, you learn what shaped a street, a neighborhood or a tradition. Younger travelers appreciate this blend of storytelling and time saving guidance, especially when they want to avoid tourist traps and generic routes.
Today’s tours are diverse. History walks, food circuits, street art routes, night tours or introductions to local crafts all coexist in the same city. This variety allows each traveler to find a format that matches their pace and interests, whether they prefer to walk, taste, photograph or simply listen.
Checklist for choosing a great tour
- Choose small groups for a more personal experience.
- Prioritize certified or well reviewed local guides.
- Look for tours that go beyond the main tourist spots.
- Read recent reviews and focus on comments about narrative quality.
Food as a reason to travel, not just something you eat there
Food has always mattered, but 2026 turns it into a deciding factor. More than one in two French travelers choose destinations based primarily on culinary curiosity, and bookings for food tours rose by 20 percent.
What travelers look for
Travelers want dishes that feel rooted in the place. That often means street food, market tastings or small eateries run by families. These encounters reveal how locals live, shop and cook. A memorable dish can justify a detour or even a short trip, which explains why food driven travel is thriving and appearing more often in weekend city breaks.
Some visitors even cross borders for a specific pastry or local specialty. It may sound spontaneous, yet anyone who has ever tasted something unforgettable abroad understands this impulse. The memory of a flavor often stays longer than that of a monument.
Budget insight
Food tours typically range from 25 to 90 euros depending on the location and level of comfort. Early booking on platforms like GetYourGuide often offers better prices and more options for small group formats.
Early risers and curious makers, the travel duo defining 2026
Two final trends capture a shared desire for quiet and curiosity. Early mornings and hands-on workshops are becoming the highlights of many trips and give structure to days that might otherwise feel repetitive.
Early morning travelers
GetYourGuide notes that 84 percent of French travelers wake up early during holidays, and bookings for morning tours grew by 44 percent.
Early hours reveal a destination before it becomes busy. Markets open, streets soften and locals ease into their routines. Exploring at this time feels calmer and more personal, and it is often easier to talk to people when the day is just starting.
The “apprentivores”
Workshops are gaining momentum. Seventy seven percent of travelers say they want to bring home a new skill rather than an object, and bookings for hands-on classes increased by 59 percent.
Saint John: the Caribbean island that reveals more than it shows
When books become travel companions: a different way to explore cities
Cooking sessions, pottery, crafts or coffee roasting introduce visitors to local know-how in an engaging way and create memories linked to gesture and practice, not just to photos.
What this means for you
- Try an activity before 9 AM for a quieter experience.
- Add a creative or culinary workshop to your itinerary.
- Keep half a day unplanned to explore slowly and follow your curiosity.
These five trends point to a more intentional way of traveling. Whether you are spotting birds, following a guide, sipping a locally roasted coffee or learning a new skill, each moment adds a layer of meaning to your trip. Start with one of these trends and let it shape your next journey, at your own pace, with more depth and fewer obligations.
