The travel trends we’re most excited about are shifting toward intentional, slower, and more inclusive experiences. Travelers are starting to leave hustle-heavy itineraries behind and opting for meaningful experiences, wellness travel, and community-centered group travel that nourish the body, mind, and soul. If 2025 was about getting back out there, 2026 is about traveling with purpose.
Travel is undergoing a powerful evolution, where trips are no longer just about where you go but about who you become while you’re there. From the inception of this community, the goal has remained to nurture genuine connections with the people and the world around us. When it comes to our Group Trips, cultural immersion is always at the heart of our adventure. From quiet luxury farm stays to transformational wellness retreats, here are the travel trends we’re most excited about in 2026.
Travel Trend: Adventure + Mountain Escapes
Travelers are trading crowded beaches for cooler climates, grounding landscapes, and soul-stirring views. Luckily, we’ve cracked the code for making some of the most iconic outdoor destinations more accessible to plus-size travelers.
Teachers in our community have requested summer group trips, and others have requested cooler destinations. Our Iceland Eternal Sunshine Tour delivers both. Mountain destinations are having a major moment in 2026, and mountain escapes offer adventure and restoration.
Why it works: This travel trend is perfect for people who want to let nature do most of the heavy lifting.
Our Take On The Trend: Iceland Eternal Sunshine Tour | July 7 – 13, 2026
Think scenic strolls along the black sands of Diamond Beach, luxury spas, and cozy lodges. Our waterfalls tour visits walkable sites with easy access and minimal incline. The day trip to Westman Island is the perfect chance to spot enchanting puffins! This group tour is open to all travelers.
Travel Trend: Skillcations
Skillcations are vacations with a purpose. Travelers return home not just refreshed, but educated and transformed. Surface-level tourism is being replaced by deep cultural exchange. This trend enhances solo travel and group travel alike by creating authentic, lasting memories.
This trend is especially powerful in group travel and retreat settings, where connection is built into the experience.
What this looks like:
- Staying in locally owned accommodations
- Supporting women-led businesses
- Learning directly from community members
- Cooking with locals
- Language exchange
- Art, music, photography, and storytelling experiences
Participate in this Travel Trend: Companies like Withlocals let you choose from a variety of adventures and activities led by a certified local guide. Highlights include a private cooking class to learn Grandmother’s Kitchen Secrets in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and a local Antiques Shopping Guide in Istanbul.
Travel Trend: Wellness Revival
Wellness travel has always been a core component of our retreats, and in 2026, the wellness trend is finally taking it beyond spa days. Wellness is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s about holistic healing, mental health, rest, joy, and reconnection. There’s something especially healing about sharing this space with people who understand unique aspects of your identity. Which is why our Fat Camp Retreats are exclusively for fat women and non-binary people.
What’s new:
- Retreats centered on nervous system regulation
- Movement for all bodies
- Personal growth
- Community-based healing
Why it works: This trend is perfect for travelers who want to slow down rather than pack their itinerary.
Our Take On The Trend: Fat Camp Scotland | October 2 – 5, 2026
A long weekend in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands with us will nourish your body and soul. This luxurious experience focuses on self-care, rejuvenation, community, and building a deeper connection with nature. At Fat Camp Scotland, campers can choose their own adventure, from a revitalizing sauna experience to the tranquility of forest bathing, joyful movement activities, and more.
Travel Trend: Luxury Farm Stays
It was difficult to decide whether to feature Fat Camp Scotland in the Wellness Trend or Luxury Farm Stays, since our Scotland retreat is both. Luxury farm stays offer farm-to-table dining, slow mornings, wide-open spaces, and intentional living without sacrificing comfort. Our campers can take a farm tour and visit the deer farm and Highland cows, then return to their cabin to soak in a wood-fired bathtub before dinner. This travel trend is where quiet luxury meets countryside charm.
Why it works: Walkable neighborhoods and vibrant social scenes. Think rustic elegance, not roughing it.
Participate in this Travel Trend: Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, Albuquerque, New Mexico
This 20-room historic hotel is also a beautiful lavender farm. Lodging guests can take a mile-long property tour through the lavender and vegetable farms. During your stay, you can enjoy luxury amenities, including on-site shops, a spa, a coffee shop, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, free bike rentals, and more.
Travel Trend: Micro-Trips
Short micro-trips can have a big impact and everlasting memories. Long weekends and 3–5-day escapes allow travelers to prioritize rest without burning out. Ideal for busy travelers craving intentional solo travel or quick group getaways.
Why it works: This trend works best for travelers who want a taste of a destination they will likely revisit.
Our Take On The Trend: Thailand Loy Krathong Tour | Nov 19 – 27, 2026
Although we’re hosting multiple 3- to 5-day trips and retreats in 2026, our Thailand Loy Krathong Tour is two Micro-Trips in one. You’ll spend 3 days in Bangkok visiting temples, night markets, and more. Followed by 3 days of cooking classes, elephant sanctuaries, and celebrating Thailand’s Festival of Light in Chiang Mai.
Travel Trend: Transformational Journeys
More travelers are asking: How will this trip change me? Leaning into your hobbies and unique interests can also lead to a transformative journey. While retreat-based group travel is at the heart of this trend, reading retreats, book fairs, and safe spaces like Comic-Con can be transformative when you connect with so many like-minded people.
Transformational travel focuses on:
- Healing
- Growth and Development
- Identity
- Confidence
Participate in this Travel Trend: Find local, national, and international groups to join on and offline. The local library or bookshop probably has a book club where you can meet other book lovers. Find an art store with weekly events like live sketching, painting classes, and fun workshops to dip into your creative side. You don’t have to go far to find fun, and when you’re traveling, you can search out these experiences in new places.
Travel Trend: Nocturnal Travel
Stargazing retreats, Northern Lights journeys, night markets, moonlit wellness rituals, the Nocturnal Travel trend is redefining itineraries. This trend offers magic without the crowds.
Why it works: Under the starlight, a different world is revealed. This travel trend is ideal for explorers.
Our Take On The Trend: Iceland Northern Lights Tour | Nov 30 – Dec 5, 2026
On this winter road trip, you’ll chase the awe-inspiring aurora borealis under the starry Icelandic sky. Along the journey, immerse yourself in the island’s breathtaking natural wonders, including black-sand beaches and iconic waterfalls. You’ll drink water from a glacial lagoon, and you’ll melt away the winter chill at a soothing thermal pool.
Travel Trend: Nature + Eco-Conscious Travel
Sustainability is no longer optional. Thoughtful, sustainable experiences are essential. Nature-forward travel allows travelers to reconnect with the earth while protecting it.
Instead travelers are choosing:
- Eco-lodges
- Low-impact itineraries
- Regenerative tourism experiences
Participate in this Travel Trend: By traveling by train for your next adventure. If you’re in the United States, Amtrak has great sleeper train adventures on the Viewliner and Superliner. Book a Roomette, Bedroom, or Family Bedroom and all of your meals are included.
Travel Trend: Shoulder Season Escape
Traveling just before or after peak season is one of the smartest trends of 2026. It’s perfect for travelers who value comfort, accessibility, and calm over chaos.
Why it’s booming:
- Fewer crowds
- Better pricing
- More intimate experiences
Why it works: Shoulder-season escapes are best for travelers who can quickly adjust to changes in plans.
Our Take On The Trend: Fall in Tokyo + Kyoto Tour | October 19 – 27, 2026
Spend the hidden season with us in Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan. From sushi-making classes in Tokyo to a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, our Japan tour will immerse you in the heart of Japanese culture.
Travel Trend: Multigenerational Travel
The trend of traveling with biological and/or chosen family is on the rise. Multigenerational travel allows families and friend groups to create shared memories across generations, blending relaxation, culture, and storytelling.
Why it works: Multigenerational travel is ideal for milestone trips and curated group travel.
Our Take On The Trend: We’re launching our Plus Size Tanzania Tour, our inaugural Fat Girls Traveling-approved tour with a local travel partner. This tour is unique in many ways; not only is it family-friendly, but it’s also a private adventure just for you and your travel crew! Complete this form to request information on our Plus Size Tanzania Tour.
Which of these 2026 travel trends are you most excited to participate in? Let us know in the comments!
