THE 2026 HOLIDAYS PEOPLE ARE SECRETLY BOOKING ALREADY.

There’s a little trend bubbling away beneath the surface right now. While many people are debating mince pies or panettone, plenty of travellers are quietly doing something far more exciting: they’re booking their 2026 holidays already. Travel brands across the spectrum - from big hotel groups to online travel platforms and specialist tour operators - are all seeing the same thing. People aren’t waiting for New Year resolutions or January sales. They’re getting in early. Very early. And what they’re choosing gives a rather delicious hint of what next year’s travel mood might look like.A few destinations are already stealing the show.

Up in Scandinavia, Oslo and Copenhagen are enjoying a surge of early admirers. These are cities that don’t need to shout to get attention: waterfront strolls, perfect pastries, soft-lit bars - the kind of atmosphere that whispers, “you deserve a break like this.” No surprise they’re attracting strong early interest for 2026.

Then there’s Rabat. I visited in May and was genuinely surprised by how attractive, calm and quietly impressive it is. A beautiful old medina, sparkling Atlantic light, elegant boulevards, pockets of real creativity… it’s one of those places that stays under the radar until you finally go, and then you think, “why is no one talking about this?” Well, apparently people are now. Travel companies say Rabat is being snapped up early by those who like a city break with personality - and fewer crowds.

Interest in Croatia is rising too. Early planners are locking in Split for its breezy coastline and Zagreb for its café culture, often combining the two because, well, why not? Island hops, rail routes, Adriatic swims and long lunches are all being mapped out before summer 2026 has even had a chance to blink.

Further afield, the big-dream trips are having a moment. Vietnam’s Mui Né is appearing again and again for 2026, thanks to its wide beaches, dramatic dunes and blissfully unhurried rhythm. It’s the kind of destination people like to secure early — a treat you book now knowing your future self will be grateful. Hovering around the edges, other destinations are warming up - Bangkok, Japan and Cape Town are gathering early interest without shouting too loudly about it.

It seems to me that what ties all these places together isn’t a single trend, but a feeling. People want holidays that feel good for the soul: cities with stories, beaches with space, culture that sparks the imagination. They want trips that mean something — and they’re booking early because they can already picture themselves there.While much of the world is busy wrapping presents, a growing number of travellers are quietly planning the memories they’ll unwrap in 2026. And if these early bookings are anything to go by, next year is going to be warm, interesting, a little adventurous… and very well planned. If all this early wanderlust has you itching to plan something of your own, now’s the moment.

Get in touch and I’ll help you secure that 2026 trip before Santa even thinks about coming down the chimney.

#2026travel #destinationinspiration