Travel trends are changing how and when people plan their trips, from Europe’s evolving shoulder season to longer multi-destination vacations, yacht-style cruising and travel inspired by the night sky. Here are four luxury travel trends from Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 that I think are particularly interesting, and what they could inspire for your future travels.
Happy Thursday, Hidden Gem Travel community! Did you enjoy Labor Day weekend, our unofficial end to summer? My focus is now shifting to clients departing on fall trips and helping clients with new trips for the end of this year and all of 2027. It’s like back-to-school travel style! As mentioned last week, I’ll be at a conference next week chock full of learning so I’m sharpening my pencils 🙂
Every year, Virtuoso Travel Week (Virtuoso is my global network) brings together travel advisors, hotels, cruise lines and destination specialists from around the world. I always like to see what trends come out of it, not because every trend is right for every traveler, but because some of them are genuinely useful and inspirational when thinking about future trips.
Here are four trends that stood out to me this year and my perspective. Read on for the scoop…
Is September the New Peak Season in Europe?
For years, September was one of my favorite recommendations for avoiding Europe’s summer heat and crowds.
Apparently, everyone got the memo.
Virtuoso reports that fall travel to traditionally summer European destinations has more than doubled over the past two years. September has become very popular, so for travelers who aren’t tied to a school calendar, I now think October—and, in the right place, even November—can be worth considering.
October can still be very pleasant in parts of southern Europe, and in some destinations it may feel less busy than September. November can also work, but that’s when you really need to pay attention to weather, shorter days and seasonal hotel or restaurant closures.
For families with school-age children, of course, fall may not be realistic. In that case, it’s more about choosing the right destination for the dates you actually have.
Going Longer—and Seeing More
Another trend is what Virtuoso calls “destinationmaxxing,” which means taking a longer trip and combining several destinations or countries.
I like this idea. Just a reminder to clients: every time you change destinations, you lose all or a large part of a day to logistics.
Even when two places look close on a map, you still have to check out, transfer, get to airports or train stations, travel, and then check in again.
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: You want to make sure you’re staying long enough in each place to make the moving around worthwhile. Three nights is optimal.
Of course, one of the easiest ways to see several destinations without constantly packing and unpacking is by ocean cruise, river cruise or yacht. You unpack once and travel to your next destination while you sleep or relax.
Which leads to another trend I find very interesting…
A Different Kind of Cruising
Yacht-style cruising continues to grow, and I think this is especially interesting for travelers who tell me, “I’m not a cruise person.”
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is already sailing, with Four Seasons Yachts and Orient Express now entering the market, and Aman planning its own yacht. Explora Journeys is another option I really like for travelers looking for something smaller-scale and more resort-like at sea.
And of course, there are always yacht charters which I can match to your travel group working with vetted companies. Popular yacht itineraries include the Greek Islands and the Caribbean.
What I like about this travel style is the ability to visit multiple places without continually changing hotels, while still having excellent accommodations, dining and service.
It’s not right for everyone, but for the right traveler, it can be a very appealing way to see more without making the trip feel complicated.
Looking to the Skies
Another area getting more attention is travel built around what you can see in the sky—Northern Lights, eclipses, meteor showers and truly dark skies.
Virtuoso calls this “astrotourism,” and for some travelers, seeing something like the Northern Lights or a solar eclipse is a real reason to choose a destination and travel at a particular time of year.
Greenland is a good example. A National Geographic-Lindblad expedition can take you into remote Arctic areas that are difficult to reach on your own, with itineraries that operate from Reykjavík, Iceland. It’s an incredible experience! For someone who loves wilderness, expedition travel and the night sky, that can be a very interesting combination.
Of course, nature never comes with a guarantee, and events like eclipses can create demand far in advance.
Photo Credit: Directly above – my own iPhone photo taken in Peru on a spectacular evening!
Ready to Plan?
Consider starting with this question: What would I (and members of my family/those I travel with) really love to experience? And then brainstorm places that align with me.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Live the story you want to tell.”
Interest piqued?
To travel is to live… here’s to 2026 and 2027 being unforgettable and amazing years for new travel adventures! Let’s go…
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September still a good time to travel to Europe? Yes, but September has become increasingly popular and can feel more like peak season in many European destinations. For travelers who aren’t tied to a school calendar, October—and in the right destination, even November—may offer a better alternative, depending on weather and seasonal closures.
What is destinationmaxxing? Destinationmaxxing refers to taking a longer trip and combining several destinations or countries. It can be a great way to see more, but remember that each change of destination takes time for packing, transfers, trains or airports and checking into your next hotel.
What is yacht-style cruising? Yacht-style cruising offers a smaller-scale alternative to traditional large cruise ships, often with spacious accommodations, elevated dining and service, and access to smaller ports. Options such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Explora Journeys and newer hotel-branded yachts are expanding this style of travel.
What is astrotourism? Astrotourism is travel inspired by celestial and night-sky experiences, including the Northern Lights, solar eclipses, meteor showers and dark-sky destinations. These trips often require advance planning because the best locations, seasons and special events can create significant demand.
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