From stargazing to crafting to relaxing in style, let these five travel trends serve as inspiration for your next vacation.

Choosing where to go on vacation can be tough—you only get so many days a year away from home, and you want to make the most of them. Our one piece of advice? Get specific. What do you want to get out of your trip? Is it to completely unwind from your busy life or to rediscover your creative side? Maybe it’s time to try something completely new, like one of these trending travel ideas.

5 Travel Trends For 2026

1. Noctourism

You may have mastered how to make the most of each day while on vacation, but what about each night? A recent study from Booking.com showed that more than half of the travellers polled would love to visit dark-sky destinations for starbathing and to witness cosmic events. There are tons of parks across Canada that offer nighttime programming, like Algonquin’s Under The Stars programming, where you can spend an evening outdoors in the dark with astronomers to learn about the sky.

If you’re a night owl but prefer the indoors, head to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for Castle Confidential, an interactive mystery experience where you’ll put your investigative skills to the test. Expect to work through riddles, clues and challenges before ending the night at the grand finale cocktail reception.

2. Literary Tourism

Books transport us to different times and places. Now, we’re taking it literally and adventuring to the sets of our favourite stories. Take Barry’s Bay, Ont., for example. As the backdrop to Canadian author Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After and One Golden Summer, you can now walk in the steps of her characters and visit the real-life places that inspired her writing. Head to Madawaska Coffee Co. for a latte and Wilno Tavern Restaurant for jumbo perogies.

And then there's the binge-worthy TV series The Summer I Turned Pretty, an adaptation from a book with the same name, that takes place in Wilmington, North Carolina. The historical, coastal town is home to the character's favourite spots, like Crystal Pier, Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters, and Trask Family Farms (home of *that* iconic peach scene).

If you want to connect with other book lovers during your travels, The Enchanted Book Club offers tours that whisk you away to literary landmarks around the world, like the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey or the real Secret Garden. You’ll see cities through the eyes of your favourite authors and have a chance to discuss some of your favourite plot points. Or go on a reading retreat with Book Huddle—you'll stay at a chosen destination in North America with other book lovers, have deep and meaningful conversation, and eat nourishing meals that bring everyone together.

3. Hotel Collaborations

Hotels are teaming up with brands we know and trust to create a more immersive and engaging experience for your next vacation. We love this idea—especially when we see Canadian companies supporting each other!

The Pacific Sands Beach Resort in Tofino, B.C., is working with Canada’s Silk & Snow to outfit an entire suite in the brand’s bedding and furniture— you’re basically guaranteed a restorative time away. A few of the perks include a slumber on Silk & Snow’s organic mattress, the ability to choose the best pillow for your sleep style and weighted blankets for your afternoon nap.

Another place you can go to get a two-for-one is Toronto’s Union Hotel. The independent boutique property has partnered with the Giller Foundation to celebrate Canadian authors. Book a stay here and you’ll have access to a Giller Prize-winning or nominated book right in your room. If you want to switch it out for something else, head down to the hotel’s library and peruse a curated collection of Giller Prize books.

4. Female-Focused Excursions

Now’s the time to take a girls’ trip—or go it solo! Women-led tours offer inclusivity and accessibility to go on that trip of your dreams. Besides providing adventure in a safe and secure space, these experiences will give you the chance to connect with other women from around the world and with yourself.

We’re partial to The Culinary Table, a multi-day experience in southern Portugal where you’ll delve into storytelling through food. Expect to learn about, cook, and eat delicious meals with people who share the same passion.

Another getaway worth the flight? Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, for a little self-care. Think: views of Red Rock, full moon hikes, pottery glazing, and more, all while staying in a guest suite at the base of Boynton Canyon. Each room exudes Southwestern style—an ambiance so different from Canada's own, that you'll immediately feel transported to a wellness wonderland.

If you only have a day or two to spend on yourself, Colour The Trails, a national Black woman-owned business, makes it accessible for BIPoC adventurers to get outdoors and explore. The company hosts events throughout Canada, like apple-picking in Quebec or bike riding in B.C.

5. Crafting

If you love to knit, paint or throw clay (or have always wanted to try!), it’s time to embrace your creativity. Studies show that practicing art-based mediums can actually help us reach our vacation goals, like reducing anxiety and negative emotions.

Stone Manor Studios in Newboro, Ont., offers weekend retreats where you can enjoy artist-led rug hooking workshops and connect with other creators. Plus, a collab with the local Poplars Resort means you can tap into your artistic side while immersed in lakeside beauty.

For a more personal experience, book a mini-apprenticeship on Vacation with an Artist (VAWAA). This platform connects you with artists around the world who are willing to teach you their craft one-on-one in their studios—and some even offer their homes for accommodation. There are more than 165 artists offering a diverse range of niche classes (traditional brass bell crafting, anyone?), so we know you won’t have trouble finding an adventure that speaks to you.

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