Intentional tourism: 6 luxury travel experiences to take part in 2026

The way we travel is changing. Gone is the fast-paced, destination-first way of planning vacations. Today, affluent travellers are after a hyper-personalised, exclusive and intentional travel experience. The true currency of travel isn’t money anymore – it’s the investment of time. According to trend forecasting agency Globetrender and luxury travel specialists Audley Travel, this shift is reflected in the travel trends for 2026, with people choosing to travel with intention instead of just going through the motions. Here, we take a look at six luxury travel experiences worth having in 2026.Cruise beyond the harbour

Travelling on a cruise has always been the best way to travel in comfort, exploring multiple destinations with ease. Now, however, there is a rising demand for a richer, more comprehensive exploration which takes you beyond the traditional beach, resort or short city stay itinerary. For example, pairing a cruise around Japan with time exploring the volcanic valleys and hot springs of Hakone, or an Antarctic cruise with a visit to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina gives travellers a chance to go beyond just the traditional cruise and stay experience. Strategically linking together destinations in a way that overcomes the logistical complexity, you can get more out of a simple cruise trip than ever before.Adventure to the edge of the world

Luxury travel isn’t just exquisite service in incredible surroundings or travelling to lesser-visited destinations. It is about having access to something others haven’t experienced and an opportunity to do what was once perceived impossible. Journeying to far and private lands, pursuing out-of-bounds properties, off-the-map locations and being the first to experience a new vehicle and vessel is what makes luxury travel truly stand out. Living life on the edge, pushing the limits for what is truly achievable is now more appealing than ever before. Taking a trip to the remote and preserved Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles (which has seen very little human pressure on its environment over the years) and staying in a single eco-camp on an island in a lagoon has its own different kind of appeal. After all, isn’t life all about doing things you’ve never done before?Soft tourism

For those who prefer their travels to be adventurous but not turn into a test of their endurance a la travels to the Arctic, in 2026, consider soft expeditioning destinations in warmer temperatures that can be fully enjoyed with a trip of around two weeks. Explore the lesser-visited corners of Indonesia, the Pacific, the Amazon and Africa, that are often unfamiliar enough to spark the even the most passive adventurer and delivers a sense of achievement to even the most nervous traveller.A woman’s world

As more women take up solo travelling, this year might be a great opportunity to turn your entire trip into an exploration of culture through female perspectives and womanhood. Audley Travel has reported a 28% rise in requests for female tour guides by solo women travellers, which often reveal cultural layers and local stories that otherwise remain unseen. This also means their visit is helping local women to earn their own money, a cause very important to many affluent solo travellers. Multi-spoke itineraries for the whole family

Taking a family trip can be a feat unto itself. Trying to cater to different needs, desires, paces and interests within one trip can be very difficult, and someone always gets left by the wayside. This is where multi-spoke itineraries come in, where the itinerary is designed to satisfy vastly different energy levels, learning styles and personal passions – from contemplative cultural pursuits to adrenaline-fuelled adventures – all within a single, seamless journey that brings the group together for shared memories. For example, while exploring the temple complex of Angkor in Cambodia’s Siem Reap, the younger generation can speed around in a mountain bike while grandparents can enjoy the same sites via tuk-tuk – all guided by the same expert who tailors the experience to each pace and interest. So you still get family time but enjoy activities exactly the way you want them.A quest for knowledge

In 2026, travellers don’t just want basic knowledge, they want experiences that challenge their thinking, reward their curiosity and leave them mentally sharper for having taken part. This is far more than simply listening to an onboard speaker on a cruise. Instead, guests want to engage in dialogue, test ideas and then step ashore to see theories come to life. Taking trips with conservationists to remote parts of Baja or the Pacific, where exclusivity of access is key, and learning things in a way that couldn’t be found anywhere else is a very adventurous yet informative way of travelling.

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