What kind of trip do you want in 2026: one you tick off your bucket list, or one you actually live? Many travelers are planning with a different priority: not more places, but better days. Longer stays, smoother routes, and destinations that are easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace are taking the spotlight. You will notice a shift toward neighborhood cafés instead of crowded landmarks and toward character-rich regions that offer authenticity and value. Think days supported by local hosts, scenic drives, easy rail links, and immersive cultural moments, with simple everyday beauty at the heart.
With that in mind, we have curated our favorite destination ideas for you to enjoy this year: places that reward curiosity and feel wonderful at an easy pace. Here are the ones we’d choose first!
Portugal:
Douro Valley
Few places embody the slow travel experience like the Douro Valley, a landscape of terraced hills, vineyard estates and soft river light. Many travelers pair it with a stay in Porto or other regions of Portugal, settling into a quinta for a few unhurried nights. Days unfold with wine tastings led by local experts, long lunches overlooking the valley and easy walks among the vines.
A river cruise offers a serene view of steep slopes and tiny villages. Simple routes between estates and optional local guides keep logistics relaxed. Spring and autumn bring good value, mild weather, and peaceful paths.
Madeira Island
Madeira enjoys a year-round sense of eternal spring, ideal for travelers seeking nature, comfort and freedom. Levada paths lead through emerald forests, waterfalls and blooming gardens, while viewpoints on the cliffs open to wide Atlantic panoramas. Food lovers savor fresh espada, bolo do caco and rich Madeira wine.
With a rental car or arranged transfers, exploring the island feels easy and flexible, with the option to join a guided walk or small group tour. Coastal drives and eucalyptus scented trails guide each day toward the same result, deeply restorative time surrounded by color, flavor, calm and fresh ocean air.
Porto & Lisbon
Portugal’s two signature cities are classics, and 2026 invites you to enjoy them at a gentler rhythm. In Porto, wander the riverfront Ribeira, sip Port wine in historic cellars and admire blue tiled churches.
In Lisbon, uncover viewpoints, ride a vintage tram and explore neighborhoods like Alfama and Bairro Alto. Both cities offer strong value with lively markets, scenic walks, museums and authentic meals that do not require a big budget. Add a day trip to Sintra or Cascais for extra charm.
Spain:
Andalucía
Sun drenched and culture filled, Andalucía remains one of Europe’s most rewarding regions. Here, Moorish palaces like the Alhambra, the Mezquita and Seville’s Alcázar echo centuries of artistic brilliance. The rhythm of flamenco spills from taverns, and tapas culture invites delicious evenings.
Mild spring and autumn weather make this an excellent off-season choice, with better prices and softer light for exploring. Independent travelers can move easily by rail or car between cities, adding guided visits for historical insight and food tours for a deeper taste of local life, shaping a trip full of sunshine, value and cultural richness.
Bilbao & San Sebastián
Northern Spain offers a cooler, more leisurely alternative to the heat of the south. Begin in Bilbao and San Sebastián, two cities connected by a stunning coastline and an exceptional food culture. In Bilbao, admire the Guggenheim’s shimmering architecture, stroll along the riverside promenades and explore its creative neighborhoods.
In San Sebastián, enjoy elegant Belle Époque avenues, sandy beaches and fantastic pintxos bars. The gastronomy here, from cider houses to seafood markets and the vineyards of Rioja, is a highlight in itself. Summer stays feel comfortable and relaxed, and both cities connect easily by train or car, with local guides adding depth to every tasting.
Italy:
Puglia
If you are searching for an Italy that feels unpolished in the best way, Puglia delivers! Whitewashed villages, ancient olive groves, and sunlit coastlines create a more grounded rhythm of travel. Base yourself in Bari or Polignano or choose the Valle d’Itria to explore Alberobello’s trulli houses and charming towns like Locorotondo.
Expect olive oil tastings, relaxed coastal strolls and hands on cooking classes that deepen your connection to local flavors. Puglia offers excellent value compared with Italy’s major hotspots and works beautifully as a self-drive journey with carefully chosen stays and occasional local guides, allowing days to feel long, warm and quietly memorable.
Tuscany
Tuscany feels deeply authentic, and 2026 invites you to experience it in a more relaxed and unhurried way. Choose one countryside base and spend your days moving between hill towns such as Siena, Montepulciano and San Gimignano. Wander cobbled lanes, enjoy long wine tastings and take gentle walks through golden farmland.
Simple pleasures like morning coffee in a piazza, browsing weekly markets, and scenic drives past lines of cypress trees gradually define the trip. An independent stay offers freedom, as local cooks, private tastings and day guides for Florence and Siena add richer insight. Visiting in spring or autumn brings beautiful light, comfortable weather, and better value.
England:
Bath
For a city break that feels like a deep exhale, Bath is ideal. Explore the Roman Baths, rich in ancient ritual and engineering, then wander among graceful Georgian crescents that frame your walks. Literature lovers enjoy Jane Austen connections throughout the town.
The compact size encourages leisurely exploration, with pauses at cafés, browsing in small boutiques, and time to soak in rooftop thermal pools with sweeping city views. Add a countryside day trip into the Cotswolds, where honey-colored villages and rolling hills create a classic English scene and provide a natural link to a Highlands and Lake District journey.
Lake District
For nature lovers, the Lake District is a haven of calm. Picture serene lakes framed by green hills, stone-built villages, and cozy tea rooms waiting after a lakeside stroll. Enjoy a boat trip on Windermere or Ullswater, visit literary landmarks linked to Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, or follow gentle walking routes planned to match your comfort level.
The pace stays intentionally gentle, giving you time to reflect by the water, enjoy scenic drives between valleys and discover little towns at an easy rhythm.
Scotland:
The Highlands
In the Scottish Highlands, the landscapes speak for themselves. Wide lochs, castle ruins and dramatic mountains create an atmosphere that naturally encourages you to move at a gentler rhythm. Instead of changing hotels each day, choose one or two welcoming bases, perhaps close to a loch or in a small town. Inverness makes an ideal hub: easy to reach, pleasantly walkable, and perfectly placed for day trips to Loch Ness, nearby glens, and Highland villages.
Scenic passes and quiet glens unfold easily along flexible driving routes, with local guides available for whisky tastings, gentle hikes, or wildlife cruises. Even short walks offer sweeping views and crisp, clean air. The Highlands foster a calm, steady way of exploring, with soft adventure shaped entirely by the mood you want for your trip.
Ireland:
Dublin & The East
Dublin is a city with a heartbeat, pulsing with music, literature, and history. Step into Trinity College to admire the Book of Kells, then wander atmospheric lanes filled with music and character. Enjoy evenings in classic pubs, listening to musicians and storytellers over a perfectly poured pint.
Day trips make it easy to reach the Wicklow Mountains for lakes and monastic ruins, stroll through the gardens of Powerscourt or follow cliffside paths in Howth. Thoughtfully planned tours and comfortable pacing turn the city into a natural starting point for an Ireland scenic road trip.
Wild Atlantic West
Along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic coast, life moves to an easy, natural rhythm. Stay in small towns like Dingle or Galway and enjoy evenings filled with traditional music, wide ocean views and plenty of local character.
Scenic drives reveal cliffs, long beaches and winding coastal roads, while boat trips bring chances to spot wildlife or visit nearby islands. At night, village pubs fill with lively sessions that feel genuinely authentic. Boutique houses with cozy fireplaces and thoughtful hosts add warmth to each stop, turning the journey into a string of relaxed, memorable days by the sea.
France:
Normandy
Normandy unfolds as a region of history, coastline and restful ambiance. In Bayeux, the famed tapestry reveals vivid scenes from nearly one thousand years ago, while the D-Day beaches encourage powerful reflection.
Fishing villages, apple orchards, and small harbors create a peaceful backdrop to your days. A relaxed car journey from Paris or a train ride followed by local touring keeps logistics simple. Shoulder seasons bring softer crowds and excellent value, and tastings of cider, calvados and cheeses add the authentic flavors that characterize the region.
Strasbourg & Colmar
Alsace feels like a combination of France and Central Europe, with half-timbered houses, vineyard-covered hills, and charming old towns. Strasbourg offers canals, a soaring cathedral, and lively neighborhoods, while Colmar is all colorful façades and romantic streets.
Explore at a relaxed pace with wine tastings along the Alsace Wine Route and gentle village walks linking picture-perfect squares and viewpoints. In winter, magical Christmas markets add sparkle and in warmer months, outdoor cafés fill with local dishes like tarte flambée and choucroute. Alsace feels like beauty served softly and invitingly.
Making 2026 The Year Of Unhurried Travel
As you look ahead to 2026, picture a holiday shaped by time, comfort, and connection! Europe feels at its best when you choose a few special regions, stay longer in each place and allow days to unfold at a natural rhythm. From countryside retreats to coastal villages and characterful cities, these destinations link easily into a tailor-made journey with TourTailors. With our local partners, smart routing and careful planning, you enjoy the freedom of independent travel along with the reassurance that every detail is thoughtfully arranged.
