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Top trips

for 2026
Updated by: Aimee White - Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 21 November 2025
 

Make 2026 the year of your biggest and most adventurous travel yet. We've got all the trip inspiration you need right here to fill 2026 with unforgettable travel memories with our selection of favourite trips for 2026.

Among the multitude of destinations and experiences awaiting you, we have chosen a selection of the top travel destinations that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list, from the remote corners of South America to the cultural wonders of Asia, and the wilds of Africa to the hidden pockets of Europe.

Whether you're seeking cultural experiences, wildlife encounters, outdoor escapes, or simply the joy of exploration, these recommended trips include countless experiences designed to inspire you to embark on your dream journey in the year ahead.

1. Best of Morocco

With Rabat named as UNESCO's World Book Capital for 2026, it's an exciting time to visit Morocco. This capital city has a distinct history reaching as far back as 8 BCE – on our dedicated Morocco small group tour, you'll soak up the city's historic heart on a walking tour led by your expert tour leader. Our two-week tour also ventures to Casablanca, Fes, Marrakesh and the coastal city of Essaouira, ensuring you take in all the highlights as much as the lesser-known gems.

 

Join our Four Corners Book Club to discover books about Morocco

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2. Cycle Saigon to Hanoi

Whether you choose a standard bike or e-bike, pedalling your way from south to north Vietnam is a memory like no other. Along the way you'll explore ancient temples, historic war relics and old merchant towns, with plenty of stops at local markets and street food stalls to refuel. Feel the wind breeze over your face as you cycle through the lush hill countryside of the Central Highlands and the Hon Giao Pass, with impressively dramatic landscapes serving as your backdrop.

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Discover Vietnam:

3. India's Golden Triangle

Has India been on your bucket list for far too long? Make 2026 the year you finally experience a kaleidoscope of colour and culture. Follow the famous Golden Triangle to explore the cultural heart of Northern India, from watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal to stepping amid the pink glow of Jaipur. Our eight-day tour gives you a fascinating introduction to this much-loved part of the country – including a stay at a family-run heritage hotel that will make you feel as if you've stepped back in time to the days of the Raj!

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4. Walking in Madeira

A new year is the best time to take up new hobbies – so don your hiking boots for this Madeira walking tour. Walking between three to five and a half hours on most days, this eight-day tour is graded as Moderate. That means while there will be some fairly demanding ascents and descents, previous experience is desirable but not essential. You'll follow some of Madeira's famous Levada Trails (pictured) and wind down sipping Madeiran wine in quaint towns and villages.
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5. Turkey in Depth

If it's rich culture and ancient historical sites you're looking for, Turkey is the ultimate place to explore. This two-week tour ticks off the must-sees, from the fairy-tale chimneys of Cappadocia to ancient Greco remnants in Ephesus. Plus, you'll get to visit the supposed city of 'Troy', the ancient city that witnessed the legendary Trojan War. You'll travel by bus, boat and ferry on this tour, ensuring you soak up as much culture while you're here.

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6. Jordan Discovery

A guided tour of Petra. Camping in Wadi Rum. Floating in the Dead Sea. Jordan's iconic experiences don't stop there, as you'll also navigate downtown Amman (the capital city) with its bustling souks. This is one of our best-selling trips and we expect the theme to continue throughout 2026 – is this the year you finally go for it?
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7. Botswana Wildlife Safari

Botswana continues to be one of our best-selling trips. After all, this is one of the best countries for safari tours. On this two-week small group trips you'll head out on game drives through Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve in search of elephants, big cats, hippos and more. Sleep in the wild (kind of) staying at camps near the reserves to get even closer to the country's nature, with other accommodation including a houseboat on the Okavango Delta.

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Discover Botswana:

8. Malta & Gozo Discovery

Get to know Malta and its unspoilt sister island, Gozo, on this eight-day cultural discovery trip. Visit the oldest freestanding structures in the world: the temples of Ggantija, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra before a well-earned break along the Grand Harbour. Stop for dips in secluded bays and taste Maltese dishes and local wines. This trip can easily be combined with our Classical Sicily trip if you want to extend the island adventure!

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9. Simply Japan

Whether you're visiting Japan for the first time or you've already been, this popular small group tour packs in unique experiences as well as the iconic attractions – just like the country itself, no two trips are the same. Journey from Tokyo to Kyoto to see castles that remain unchanged from the days of the Shogun; spot snow monkeys at Jigokudani Onsen; and learn to ride the shinkansen (bullet trains) like a pro. Round it off with local bites like takoyaki (deep-fried balls of octopus) and you'll be left wanting more!

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10. Costa Rica Wildlife Tour

Get ready for an active wildlife adventure in Costa Rica. This two-week trip seamlessly combines jungle exploration with beach relaxation, making it an ideal choice for any travel type. Embark on treks through rainforest reserves, and join early morning trails in search of quetzal, a striking red-and-green bird.

Delight in activities like whitewater rafting through the forest-covered Pacuare River, exploring Tortuguero National Park, and a visit to a Toucan Rescue Ranch in San Jose. Learn all about the cacao plant on a chocolate tour and how it's transformed into the chocolate we know and love today – expect plenty of tasting opportunities! The rainforests and rivers of Costa Rica are home to a huge range of wildlife, and the country offers an unbeatable destination for wildlife lovers.

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A toucan with a vibrant, multicolored beak perches on a branch next to a small, spiky bromeliad plant, set against a lush, green, blurred forest background.

Need more inspiration?

Our travel trends for 2026 look at the rise of rail travel and the appeal of a micro-retirement, as well as more engaging, community-led ways to travel. Click here to read our full travel trends 2026 report. 

Don't just travel, Explore!

Ready to make 2026 your year of travel? Check out our wide range of small group tours that cover almost every corner of the world, from South Korea's tranquil temples to Costa Rica's abundant wildlife. Plus, we're excited to have launched a range of brand new tours for 2026 – it's time to start planning your next getaway! 
Why you should book with us
People paddle red kayaks in a line across a calm, blue sea, surrounded by distant hills and buoys, under a clear sky.

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