Pawtucket, RI — January 5, 2026 — Collette, a leading global tour operator shares its top travel trends, destinations and experiences for 2026 including Solo Adventures, Historical & Cultural Immersion, Food as Experience, Travel that Gives Back and Small Group Experiences.

“As a third-generation family member to lead Collette, I’ve spent my life witnessing the transformative power of travel,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette. “What we’re seeing for 2026 is a shift toward travelers being intentional with their choices in both destination and unique experiences, creating a more meaningful connection. Today’s modern travelers aren’t focused on checking off major sights; they want a more immersive understanding of the places they visit and the people who live there. They want to spend time in real communities, learn from local perspectives, and experience a destination in a way that feels genuine and connected.”

Top travel trends, experiences and destinations for 2026 from Collette travel experts include:

Solo Adventures

Solo travel continues to grow for Collette, especially among savvy female travelers 50+ who seek personal growth and interesting experiences alongside the structure, safety, and connection of guided travel. Extended stays in walkable cities alongside flexible pace and variety also allow travelers to explore independently within the comfort of a group setting.

Collette’s most popular tours for solo travel includes:

• Spotlight on Paris for art, cuisine, and iconic Paris charm.

• Spotlight on London for history, culture, and effortless urban experience.

• Gems of Greece: Athens, Naxos & Crete for Island serenity, ancient wonders, and Mediterranean warmth.

• Colors of Morocco for vibrant markets, desert landscapes, and rich cultural traditions.

History and Culture Immersion

Collette travelers are prioritizing tours that offer historical insight, cultural traditions, meaningful connection with local and Indigenous communities, and immersive musical experiences that bring each destination’s story to life. This historical and local culture immersion inspires travelers to truly understand the origins of the destination and what makes it unique.

Popular tours include:

• France Magnifique for WWII, medieval, and royal French history.

• The Balkans: From Coastal Croatia to Legendary Greece for war history, religious heritage, and ancient civilization (featuring a Collette visit to a Meteora Byzantine icon workshop).

• Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary for Revolutionary-era and early U.S. history.

• America’s Music Cities Exploring iconic musical roots, legendary landmarks, and vibrant traditions that bring the nation’s soundtrack to life.

Food as Experience

Our in‑destination designers are deeply connected to their regional cuisines, weaving together the stories, traditions, and hidden culinary gems that make food one of Collette’s signature strengths across every tour.

Featured tours include:

• Essential South America including wine-paired lunches, empanada cooking classes, and amazing dinners at local restaurants.

• Journey Through Northern Vietnam experiencing a Vespa-led Hanoi Food Tour, and a Lac Village Home-Hosted Dinner.

• Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside featuring a local truffle hunter and dog followed by truffle tasting and a pasta making demonstration.

• Flavors of Portugal and Spain featuring a petiscos cooking class, Portugal’s beloved small plates, and a dinner featuring pintxos, the Basque Country’s signature small bites.

Travel That Gives Back

At Collette, responsibility is a core value — one that has guided the Sullivan family since the beginning, shaping how they run the business and how they support the communities where they work and travel. Today, travelers are seeking experiences that reflect those same values, looking for tours that honor local culture, community connection, and meaningful engagement. Responsible travel, sustainable practices, and supporting local communities are increasingly important among travelers. Collette travelers want their travel choices to support local economies, women-run enterprises, and community-based initiatives.

Featured tours and impact moments include:

• Japan and South Korea Meet Japan’s ama pearl divers, experience a homestyle cooking class with the Women’s Association of Korea.

• Plains of Africa A vibrant visit to Ocean Sole, where discarded flip‑flops are transformed into colorful art that supports local artisans and conservation efforts.

• Wonders of Thailand featuring the ethically vetted, Changchill Elephant sanctuary.

• Coasts and Countryside of England Visit Strawberry Field, an Iconic Beatles site supports local youth through training and employment.

Small Group and 2026 Trending Destinations

Collette travelers are increasingly prioritizing small group explorations tours and “off the beaten path” destinations to dive deeper and engage more meaningfully with local life. Travelers crave spending more time in destinations instead of significant time spent traveling between locations. Consistent with the annual USTOA survey, travelers are favoring top destinations of Ireland, Italy, France and Japan, and prioritizing tours to Africa, Portugal, Italy and USA.

Some of our most popular tours in these destinations are:

• Africa Cape Town to Cairo: The Ultimate African Experience

• Ireland Countryside of the Emerald Isle

• USA Alaska’s Northern Lights

“Every year, we see travelers asking for deeper, more culturally grounded experiences. They want small-group moments, more time in local communities, and itineraries that go beyond the major sights,” said Diana Ditto, Vice President of Product Marketing and Growth Strategy at Collette. “Our tours are designed by travelers, for travelers with in-market experts living and working in these destinations. It allows us to create innovative itineraries with unexpected experiences that feel personal, memorable, and meaningful.”

Now in its 108th year, Collette continues to redefine guided travel through industryleading service and travel protection, unmatched tour design, and meaningful connections that go far beyond the guidebook, so travelers feel more connected, cared for, and inspired. With more than 170 tours across all seven continents, Collette offers five distinct styles of touring to match every type of traveler, and a 4 broad selection of tours year-around.