Collette Shares 2026 Top Travel Trends, Destinations and Experiences

Collette, a leading global tour operator, shares its top travel trends, destinations, and experiences for 2026, including Solo Adventures, Historical & Cultural Immersion, Food as Experience, Travel that Gives Back and Small Group Experiences.

“As a third-generation family member to lead Collette, I’ve spent my life witnessing the transformative power of travel,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette. “What we’re seeing for 2026 is a shift toward travelers being intentional with their choices in both destination and unique experiences, creating a more meaningful connection. Today’s modern travelers aren’t focused on checking off major sights; they want a more immersive understanding of the places they visit and the people who live there. They want to spend time in real communities, learn from local perspectives, and experience a destination in a way that feels genuine and connected.”

Top travel trends, experiences, and destinations for 2026 from Collette travel experts include:

Solo Adventures

Solo travel continues to grow for Collette, especially among savvy female travelers 50+ who seek personal growth and enriching experiences alongside the structure, safety, and connection of guided travel. Extended stays in walkable cities, combined with a flexible pace and variety, allow travelers to explore independently while still enjoying the comfort of a group setting.

Collette’s most popular tours for solo travel include:

• Spotlight on Paris for art, cuisine, and iconic Parisian charm
• Spotlight on London for history, culture, and effortless urban exploration
• Gems of Greece: Athens, Naxos & Crete for island serenity, ancient wonders, and Mediterranean warmth
• Colors of Morocco for vibrant markets, desert landscapes, and rich cultural traditions

History and Culture Immersion

Collette travelers are prioritizing tours that offer historical insight, cultural traditions, meaningful connection with local and Indigenous communities, and immersive musical experiences that bring each destination’s story to life.

Popular tours include:

• France Magnifique for WWII, medieval, and royal French history
• The Balkans: From Coastal Croatia to Legendary Greece for war history, religious heritage, and ancient civilization, including a visit to a Meteora Byzantine icon workshop

Food as Experience

Collette’s in-destination designers are deeply connected to regional cuisines, weaving together stories, traditions, and hidden culinary gems that make food one of the brand’s signature strengths.

Featured tours include:

• Essential South America featuring wine-paired lunches, empanada cooking classes, and standout local dining
• Journey Through Northern Vietnam including a Vespa-led Hanoi food tour and a Lac Village home-hosted dinner
• Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside featuring a truffle hunt and pasta demonstration
• Flavors of Portugal and Spain with petiscos cooking classes and Basque pintxos

Travel That Gives Back

Responsibility has guided Collette since its founding, shaping how it supports communities where it operates. Travelers increasingly seek tours that honor local culture, support women-run enterprises, and contribute to community-based initiatives.

Featured impact moments include:

• Japan and South Korea with visits to ama pearl divers and a homestyle cooking class with the Women’s Association of Korea
• Plains of Africa featuring a visit to Ocean Sole, transforming discarded flip-flops into art
• Wonders of Thailand with the ethically vetted ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary
• Coasts and Countryside of England including a visit to Strawberry Field, supporting youth training and employment

Small Group and 2026 Trending Destinations

Collette travelers are increasingly prioritizing small group explorations tours and off-the-beaten-path destinations to engage more deeply with local life. Consistent with the USTOA survey, travelers are favoring Ireland, Italy, France, and Japan, while prioritizing Africa, Portugal, and Italy.

Some of the most popular tours include:

• Africa: Cape Town to Cairo: The Ultimate African Experience
• Ireland: Countryside of the Emerald Isle

“Every year, we see travelers asking for deeper, more culturally grounded experiences,” said Diana Ditto, Vice President of Product Marketing and Growth Strategy at Collette. “They want small-group moments, more time in local communities, and itineraries that go beyond the major sights.”

Now in its 108th year, Collette continues to redefine guided travel through industry-leading service, unmatched tour design, and meaningful connections across more than 170 tours on all seven continents. For more information, visit gocollette.com.